LISNews: Librarian News

IMLS Report: Libraries are a Vital Community Resource in the Information Age

The report can be viewed here. [PDF]

Washington, DC—The character of library services has changed dramatically with the advent of new information technologies, the continuous development of locally-tailored services, and the expectations of the 21st century library user, according to the first analysis of the Grants to States program by the Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS). The report, “Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to State Program and the Transformation of Libraries Services to the Public,” focuses on services provided through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants to State Library Agencies, the single largest source of federal funding for the nation’s libraries and the only library grants that require state-wide planning. IMLS conducted the study to inform the American public, the Administration, Congress and the library community about the program’s contributions.

To address the growing demand for online services, libraries have added computer workstations, increased available bandwidth, and provided training in communities where they are often the sole provider of free access to the Internet. Some State Libraries Agencies are incorporating technology investments into their statewide strategic plans while other states manage such investments on a local or regional basis, according to the new report. -- Read More

German industrialist Oskar Schindler’s list of 801 Jewish workers he helped escape death during World War II has been discovered by a researcher at Australia’s New South Wales state library. The list will be displayed at the library and online from Monday.

The researcher found the carbon typescript copy of the 13- page list among six boxes of research notes and newspaper clippings belonging to “Schindler’s Ark” author Thomas Keneally that were donated to the library in 1996, the library said in an e-mailed statement. Library spokeswoman Vanessa Bond confirmed the discovery in a phone interview in Sydney. Bloomberg.com.

Times are tough. Library funding is down, library use is up, and people are asking more and more questions demanding more and more time from their public library staff. In response to these increasing demands on library resources, Library Development staff at the Washington State Library have been compiling resources and trying to find ways to help their libraries cope in Washington State. The result: resource pages for library users and library staff.

"Resources for library users collects helpful web sites dealing with employment resources, job-hunting, resumes and skills-building, economic information, and technological training. Resources for library staff includes grant and stimulus information, specific databases for consideration, promotion and advocacy information aimed at the services libraries provide in tough economic times.

Some of the resources listed are Washington State specific, but there is plenty there for everyone. Libraries are encouraged to copy the lists or parts of the lists as they like, and provide feedback on the blog if there are any resources they feel are missing.

California State Librarian Susan Hildreth likes the idea of putting a school inside a new downtown San Diego central library, which may bode well for the city's effort to keep a $20 million state grant.

But downtown San Diego parents aren't sure they need a high school, as is being proposed in a new plan to save the $185 million library project that has fallen short of its fundraising goal.

Hildreth will be leaving her position as the CA State Librarian to become Director of the Seattle Public Library. She will assume her new post early next year.