May 2015

A campaign to place Little Free Libraries in police departments

And Little Free Library is trying to go beyond that. LFL has grown beyond small neighborhoods and aims to redefine the relationships between various police departments and the areas they serve. Using the simple idea that books begets community begets new understanding, LFL has developed “Libraries of Understanding,” a new program that aims to establish and rebuild the relationship between police and the community. Todd and Co. have designs on providing Little Free Libraries available to each of the 18,000 police departments across the country, so that people in any neighborhood, anywhere in the country can gather, exchange books, exchange ideas and hopefully, extend the idea of what it means to be a community.

From A campaign to place Little Free Libraries in police departments – Boing Boing

Andreessens pair with H-P to send computers to Ferguson, Baltimore libraries

ublic libraries that provided a quiet refuge from civil unrest in Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore are about to receive a small bounty from Silicon Valley.

Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen and his wife, philanthropist and educator Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, have teamed up with Hewlett-Packard to donate nearly $170,000 worth of computers, printers and other equipment.

From Andreessens pair with H-P to send computers to Ferguson, Baltimore libraries

The Story of Peeps

Somehow, they seem forever tied in my mind to librarians. Does anyone know how that came about?

Here’s their story:

Ninety-two years ago, Sam Born opened a little candy store in Brooklyn selling daily-made confections he boasted were fresh because they were “just born.” In 1953, the Just Born company began producing marshmallow chicks called Peeps, and the sugary, squishy treats now have a huge, devoted following. Here are 11 things we bet you didn’t know about the iconic Easter candy.

Journal of Library Innovation Vol 6, No 1 (2015)

Table of Contents
Feature Articles
Producing Tutorials With Digital Professionals: Primary Sources, Pirates, and Partners PDF
Shelley Arlen, Missy Clapp, Cindy Craig 1-21
Academic Libraries and Innovation: A Literature Review PDF
Curtis Brundy 22-39
Dissertation to Book: Successful Open Access Outreach to Graduate Students PDF
Diane Gurman, Marta Brunner 40-59

From Vol 6, No 1 (2015)

Internet.org Is Not Neutral, Not Secure, and Not the Internet

Facebook’s Internet.org project, which offers people from developing countries free mobile access to selected websites, has been pitched as a philanthropic initiative to connect two thirds of the world who don’t yet have Internet access. We completely agree that the global digital divide should be closed. However, we question whether this is the right way to do it. As we and others have noted, there’s a real risk that the few websites that Facebook and its partners select for Internet.org (including, of course, Facebook itself) could end up becoming a ghetto for poor users instead of a stepping stone to the larger Internet.

From Internet.org Is Not Neutral, Not Secure, and Not the Internet | Electronic Frontier Foundation

Chicago has plenty of libraries to enjoy even without the Obama library

Though many of us now inhabit an e-book/Google/Netflix/iPod/tablet world, for an incalculable number of people libraries provide not only books, movies, music and other entertainments they could otherwise not afford, but also places of sanctuary, peace and enlightenment. Public libraries exist for all, but primarily serve those who cannot afford to buy books or computers.

The Obama Library will be a palace focused on politics and personality, joining a large crowd of less dramatic and ballyhooed palaces that focus on people and possibilities.

From Chicago has plenty of libraries to enjoy even without the Obama library – Chicago Tribune

First lady: Libraries, museums are ‘necessities,’ not extras

“Whether you’re bringing virtual classes in STEM education to remote areas and inner-city communities, or teaching our children about their Native American and African-American heritage, so many of you are working to close the heartbreaking opportunity gaps that limit the horizons of too many people in this country,” Mrs. Obama said.

From First lady: Libraries, museums are ‘necessities,’ not extras – SFGate

What Privacy Rights Do You Have At The Library?

Take a moment to think about the last time you visited the library. Did you visit to check out a book? Or to use the Internet?

It’s becoming more common to the visit for the latter — a 2009 study found that almost half of those living below the poverty line access the web via their local public library.

But, in the age of data collection by both federal agencies and private companies, some librarians say it’s increasingly difficult to maintain patron privacy and intellectual freedom.

From What Privacy Rights Do You Have At The Library? | Radio Boston