LISNews: Librarian News

A library which underwent a £430,000 revamp has had to close after less than a week after cracks appeared in the building's ceiling.

The library in Euxton, Lancashire (UK), had reopened last Monday, but was forced to shut on Friday to enable essential repairs to take place.

Users have been told they can access services at other county libraries.

Julie Bell, from the Lancashire County Library and Information Service, said the closure was "regrettable". BBC reports.

Here's a press release announcing the improvements and re-opening before the cracks appeared.

Cross-legged and hushed, 146 children waited for South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop to sit in his throne-like chair and read to them.

The pupils from Hawera and Mokoia Primary schools and other guests had gathered at Hawera Library to hear the mayor read to them as part of New Zealand's Biggest Storytime at Hawera Library.

At 10.30am yesterday special guests in libraries across the country simultaneously read Itiiti's Gift, written by Kiwi author Melanie Drewery.

Librarian Kaye Lally told the eager listeners they were taking part in something really special.

"There are lots of children listening to the same story all over New Zealand." Story about storytime during New Zealand Library Week from Stuff NZ.

Miami International Song Festival todo un éxito musical.
Miami se vistió de Gala para abrir sus puertas al Primer Festival Internacional de la Canción, el cual resultó ser todo un éxito musical. Los mejores cantautores del momento, de más de doce países, se reunieron en la Capital del Sol, para competir en una misma tarima, haciendo lucir sus voces y sus composiciones inéditas.
Entre las favoritas, la afamada chilena Carolina Soto, quien con su mágica y potente voz, obtuvo segundo lugar con el tema “Ahora” escrito por su compatriota el Dr. Alejandro Afani. Otro de los premiados fue el veterano Osvaldo Rodríguez, popular cantautor cubano quien se llevo dos trofeos, en composición y voz respectivamente y quien fue acogido con fuertes aplausos por la interpretación de su tema “Puesta de Sol”.
La sorpresa de la noche estuvo a cargo de un joven de solo 23 años, el español Juanjo López, originario de Lanzarote, Islas Canarias. El novato impresiono al público, con un estilo muy particular, fue comparado por muchos con Camilo Sesto o Rafael, reviviendo así la época en que los festivales hacían nacer nuevas estrellas. Juanjo arraso con los premios, Primer Lugar en voz, premio a la popularidad, otorgado por el público y Premio a la Mejor Canción con el tema “Vivo” del compositor cubano Alfonso Llorens.
Entre los expertos del jurado: Amaury Gutiérrez, quien presidio la votación, Malena Burke, Guillermo Albelo (creador del Festival Universong de Tenerife) y otros grandes de la música. -- Read More

Taiwan has begun construction on a solar-powered library in the
Taiwanese capital of Taipei and could benefit from new incentives designed to offer solar energy providers above-market prices for the energy they generate. Rooftop solar panels will provide electricity to the two-story building. Library users will also be able to enter the building and return and borrow books on a 24-hour basis using Easy Cards, a smartcard system used primarily to pay fares on Taipei's public transport system.

Construction started last week and is expected to be finished by June 2010. The library is a donation by Cheng Fu-tien, the late chairman of Taiwanese solar cell maker Motech Industries. Story from Business Green.