April 2016

In the case of language and culture, big data showed up in a big way in 2011, when Google released its Ngrams tool. Announced with fanfare in the journal Science, Google Ngrams allowed users to search for short phrases in Google’s database of scanned books—about 4 percent of all books ever published!—and see how the frequency of those phrases has shifted over time. The paper’s authors heralded the advent of “culturomics,” the study of culture based on reams of data and, since then, Google Ngrams has been, well, largely an endless source of entertainment—but also a goldmine for linguists, psychologists, and sociologists. They’ve scoured its millions of books to show that, for instance, yes, Americans are becoming more individualistic; that we’re “forgetting our past faster with each passing year”; and that moral ideals are disappearing from our cultural consciousness.

From How Big Data Creates False Confidence – Facts So Romantic – Nautilus

In the case of language and culture, big data showed up in a big way in 2011, when Google released its Ngrams tool. Announced with fanfare in the journal Science, Google Ngrams allowed users to search for short phrases in Google’s database of scanned books—about 4 percent of all books ever published!—and see how the frequency of those phrases has shifted over time. The paper’s authors heralded the advent of “culturomics,” the study of culture based on reams of data and, since then, Google Ngrams has been, well, largely an endless source of entertainment—but also a goldmine for linguists, psychologists, and sociologists. They’ve scoured its millions of books to show that, for instance, yes, Americans are becoming more individualistic; that we’re “forgetting our past faster with each passing year”; and that moral ideals are disappearing from our cultural consciousness.

From How Big Data Creates False Confidence – Facts So Romantic – Nautilus

Given only the above numbers, the hasty conclusion would seem to be that everything is online and nobody uses academic libraries any more.

But not so fast.

Even while circulation and reference transaction numbers were tanking, the data show a steady increase in the number of people actually setting foot in academic libraries.

The cumulative weekly gate count for the 60 largest U.S. academic libraries increased nearly 39 percent from 2000 to 2012. Library gate count data for all U.S. institutions of higher education show a similar (38 percent) increase from 1998 to 2012.

From Has the library outlived its usefulness in the age of Internet? You’d be surprised

Given only the above numbers, the hasty conclusion would seem to be that everything is online and nobody uses academic libraries any more.

But not so fast.

Even while circulation and reference transaction numbers were tanking, the data show a steady increase in the number of people actually setting foot in academic libraries.

The cumulative weekly gate count for the 60 largest U.S. academic libraries increased nearly 39 percent from 2000 to 2012. Library gate count data for all U.S. institutions of higher education show a similar (38 percent) increase from 1998 to 2012.

From Has the library outlived its usefulness in the age of Internet? You’d be surprised

André Chiote’s newest series of illustrations focuses on the unique architectural characteristics of modern and contemporary world libraries. Using the building facades as a starting point, Chiote turns the complex exterior geometries and shadows into more minimalist representations of facilities that include: OMA’s Seattle Public Library, Scmidt Hammer Lassen’s University of Aberdeen New Library, and Dominique Perrault’s National Library of France.

From André Chiote Reimagines Libraries From Around the World as Minimalist Illustrations | ArchDaily

André Chiote’s newest series of illustrations focuses on the unique architectural characteristics of modern and contemporary world libraries. Using the building facades as a starting point, Chiote turns the complex exterior geometries and shadows into more minimalist representations of facilities that include: OMA’s Seattle Public Library, Scmidt Hammer Lassen’s University of Aberdeen New Library, and Dominique Perrault’s National Library of France.

From André Chiote Reimagines Libraries From Around the World as Minimalist Illustrations | ArchDaily

Abstract: Social norms have traditionally been difficult to quantify. In any particular society, their sheer number and complex interdependencies often limit a system-level analysis. One exception is that of the network of norms that sustain the online Wikipedia community. We study the fifteen-year evolution of this network using the interconnected set of pages that establish, describe, and interpret the community’s norms. Despite Wikipedia’s reputation for ad hoc governance, we find that its normative evolution is highly conservative. The earliest users create norms that both dominate the network and persist over time. These core norms govern both content and interpersonal interactions using abstract principles such as neutrality, verifiability, and assume good faith. As the network grows, norm neighborhoods decouple topologically from each other, while increasing in semantic coherence. Taken together, these results suggest that the evolution of Wikipedia’s norm network is akin to bureaucratic systems that predate the information age.

From Future Internet | Free Full-Text | The Evolution of Wikipedia’s Norm Network | HTML

Abstract: Social norms have traditionally been difficult to quantify. In any particular society, their sheer number and complex interdependencies often limit a system-level analysis. One exception is that of the network of norms that sustain the online Wikipedia community. We study the fifteen-year evolution of this network using the interconnected set of pages that establish, describe, and interpret the community’s norms. Despite Wikipedia’s reputation for ad hoc governance, we find that its normative evolution is highly conservative. The earliest users create norms that both dominate the network and persist over time. These core norms govern both content and interpersonal interactions using abstract principles such as neutrality, verifiability, and assume good faith. As the network grows, norm neighborhoods decouple topologically from each other, while increasing in semantic coherence. Taken together, these results suggest that the evolution of Wikipedia’s norm network is akin to bureaucratic systems that predate the information age.

From Future Internet | Free Full-Text | The Evolution of Wikipedia’s Norm Network | HTML

http://www.bustle.com/articles/157029-all-the-harry-potter-filming-destinations-you-need-to-visit-in-one-handy-infographic

Any Harry Potter fan worth their salt has dreamed of traveling to Hogwarts, The Ministry of Magic, and The Forbidden Forest. Though you may never be able to visit the magical fictional locations from Harry Potter, you can visit some of the real-life destinations pictured in the movies.

I’m inviting you to take a short survey about the MLS and debt.
https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2682103/library-school-debt-survey

The survey came out of a series of discussions with practitioners over the last few months regarding the role and practice of the MLS. The data will be published in an article in the upcoming months.

The survey should take between 5-10 minutes to complete.

Responses will be anonymous unless you provide your email, in which case I will reach out to set up an interview. Interviews can be anonymous as well.

Please share widely with other MLS students and grads!

Thank you!

Jennie Rose Halperin
http://jennierosehalperin.me/

I’m inviting you to take a short survey about the MLS and debt.
https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2682103/library-school-debt-survey

The survey came out of a series of discussions with practitioners over the last few months regarding the role and practice of the MLS. The data will be published in an article in the upcoming months.

The survey should take between 5-10 minutes to complete.

Responses will be anonymous unless you provide your email, in which case I will reach out to set up an interview. Interviews can be anonymous as well.

Please share widely with other MLS students and grads!

Thank you!

Jennie Rose Halperin
http://jennierosehalperin.me/

http://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Beautiful-local-Bay-Area-libraries-7306613.php

In case you thought libraries were nothing more than dingy buildings where books collect dust, then you haven’t seen enough of these beautiful Bay Area libraries.
Aside from their clean and organized interiors, these local community and university libraries can boast about their architectural beauty with styles ranging from contemporary to Italian-Renaissance.

More than 2,000 library workers will strike Monday, shutting Toronto’s 100 branches, unless the city gets serious about negotiating a new contract, their union says.
With a strike or lockout possible at midnight Sunday, talks are at a “crisis point,” Maureen O’Reilly, president of CUPE Local 4948, told reporters Wednesday.

From Toronto library workers say they’re heading for strike | Toronto Star

More than 2,000 library workers will strike Monday, shutting Toronto’s 100 branches, unless the city gets serious about negotiating a new contract, their union says.
With a strike or lockout possible at midnight Sunday, talks are at a “crisis point,” Maureen O’Reilly, president of CUPE Local 4948, told reporters Wednesday.

From Toronto library workers say they’re heading for strike | Toronto Star

Libraries are a perfect setting for Learning Circles for several reasons: they already serve the local community; they are equipped with meeting spaces; many have computer stations, and most importantly, librarians know how to help people find answers.   

“Most people take online classes in solitude and that’s when you put on the headphones,”  said James Teng, a CPL librarian at who facilitated a course on public speaking. “Sometimes you feel alone. Learning Circles bring people together to work together and develop teamwork.”

From Online Learning: Why Libraries Could Be the Key to MOOCs’ Success | MindShift | KQED News

Libraries are a perfect setting for Learning Circles for several reasons: they already serve the local community; they are equipped with meeting spaces; many have computer stations, and most importantly, librarians know how to help people find answers.   

“Most people take online classes in solitude and that’s when you put on the headphones,”  said James Teng, a CPL librarian at who facilitated a course on public speaking. “Sometimes you feel alone. Learning Circles bring people together to work together and develop teamwork.”

From Online Learning: Why Libraries Could Be the Key to MOOCs’ Success | MindShift | KQED News

The library board in Newfoundland and Labrador announced sweeping changes to its services Wednesday, adopting a regional library model which will see 54 branches close in the next two years.

The board met Tuesday to discuss how best to deal with a $1-million loss in its annual budget, a cut made in the provincial budget.

In a statement, the board said 41 libraries will remain open, and 85 per cent of residents in the province will still be within a 30 minute drive of a remaining branch.

From More than half province’s libraries closing in wake of budget cuts – Newfoundland & Labrador – CBC News

The library board in Newfoundland and Labrador announced sweeping changes to its services Wednesday, adopting a regional library model which will see 54 branches close in the next two years.

The board met Tuesday to discuss how best to deal with a $1-million loss in its annual budget, a cut made in the provincial budget.

In a statement, the board said 41 libraries will remain open, and 85 per cent of residents in the province will still be within a 30 minute drive of a remaining branch.

From More than half province’s libraries closing in wake of budget cuts – Newfoundland & Labrador – CBC News