Public Libraries

The Perry Branch of the Maricopa County Library District generated tonnes of buzz recently because they're not using the traditional Dewey Decimal System, opting instead to go with a "neighbourhood" set up more in tune with a bookstore.

I spent two days working this new and innovative branch. If you got the interest in what's happening in a Deweyless branch, read on.

Full disclosure: I work for MCLD.

Here's a donut story to go along with our coffee poll. The newest Dunkin' Donuts franchise is located in the Toms River, NJ Public Library in a former library meeting room. The store, which opened May 11, has "worked out very well", said branch manager said John Glace. "It's only been a month, but it seems to be perking up the lobby, and it seems to be busy all the time." Asbury Park Press reports.

According to a study conducted in 2006 by the University of North Carolina's School of Information and Library Science, Pennsylvania taxpayers receive a return of $5.50 for every $1 they invest in public libraries. You can read the rest of the article here or read the full study here. The article mentioned that this is part of a state-by-state study, but did not say whether any other states were currently being studied.

The director of the Pickens County Library in South Carolina cancelled the youth summer reading program entitled "You Never Know at Your Library" after the minister of a local church complained and people threatened to picket the library. The Greenville News article cited parents' complaints about occult topics in one session of the mystery and suspense oriented program. The only event left on the calendar is the final one - pizza tasting.

In what is a sign of the times, coffee and book-loving patrons of the Milford Library (CT) proposed adding the brew to their library.

Here's a very positive piece about the changing role of libraries, highlighting the changing culture at the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (NC).

Libraries, they say, are moving away from silent, forbidding places and redefining themselves as "destination" spots that offer how-to workshops, video games, crafts -- even coffee.

Not everyone is pleased with the evolution, however.

KTVZ.com Central Oregons News: With Josephine County libraries closed for lack of funding, Manzanita Elementary School librarian Virginia Bock in the town of Merlin says she will open the school library during limited hours this summer.

Only the 350 students at the school can check out the books, and only on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in July and August.

The Morgan Hill (California) Library is using an unusual method to transport books from the current location (which closes on Saturday) to a new location in July. Patrons have been asked to check out as many items as they can, then return them to the new location once it opens. "The more they check out, the less we have to move," said librarian Rosanne Macek in this story. Information is also available at the library website.

Kelly writes "This weekend see a play and find out why a library book is a 113 years old.

The Walnut Creek Library is on track for a $46 million dollar upgrade, complete with underground parking garage. From the sound of things, the powers that be still need to hammer out some details. Nevertheless, the council approved a pre-construction contract. The 42,000 square foot facility will reside in downtown Walnut Creek. Read more in the Contra Costa Times.