LISNews: Librarian News

from the Gates Foundation

Ordering a cup of coffee is now as simple as reaching for your smartphone. Launch an app, tap the screen a couple of times and, as soon as a minute later, your order could be ready, prepared by a "robotic barista" kiosk created by Austin-based Briggo. Story from The Texas Statesman.

The first — and so far only — Briggo kiosk opened late last year in the Flawn Academic Center on the University of Texas campus. Measuring about 130 square feet, the orange-and-white box makes a variety of hot and iced coffee drinks, as well as lemonade for folks who aren't caffeine fiends.

In addition to the mobile app and online, walk-up orders can also be placed using a touchscreen.

"We're all about precision, quality and convenience," said founder Charles Studor, a former Motorola employee who built the first several Briggo prototypes in his garage starting about four years ago. "You essentially have a championship barista at your service 24 hours a day."

Book lending and community gardening continues in front of an abandoned library in Oakland’s San Antonio district despite a police raid earlier this month. The historic building, a gift from Andrew Carnegie to the city back in 1918, was a branch library until 1976. Two other ventures have come and gone, but the building’s been vacant since 2001. The city says it’s not safe to use.

The blighted property has since attracted drug use, prostitution, and violence. So when activists moved in to reclaim it, local residents enthusiastically joined the effort.

EveryLibrary is launching today as the first and only national political action committee (PAC) for libraries. Focused exclusively on local library ballot initiatives and measures, EveryLibrary is dedicated to helping libraries win at election time. The organization, found online at www.everylibrary.org, will fundraise nationally to support local library ballot committees and PACs, and provide them with technical support and consultancy on how to run – and win – at the ballot box.

“EveryLibrary is built on the idea that any library ballot initiative anywhere matters to every library everywhere,” says John Chrastka, executive director of EveryLibrary. “EveryLibrary will allow us to raise funds and support specific ballot measures that keep libraries open and thriving. Elections are the “last mile” of library advocacy and this new PAC is an amazing opportunity for our community to talk directly to voters.”

EveryLibrary is conducting a $50,000 fundraising round from September 5 to November 7, 2012 to underwrite the fees associated with its legal filings and to create campaign toolkits, voter education materials, and messaging targeted to 2013 election initiatives. Visit http://rally.org/everylibrary to learn more and to donate today. Individuals, corporations, unions, and certain foundations are eligible to donate. EveryLibrary will use donations to support local committees and PACs while providing technical assistance to campaigns.