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Beyond books: Eight things you may not know about libraries

As people become more reliant on devices and less likely to crack open a paperback, libraries have been forced to adapt.

Most modern libraries offer e-book and e-magazines, plus movies on DVD and other digital items. But did you know that many also provide such services as free Wi-Fi, used bookstores, and even unique items borrowing.

Coming off of National Library Week, here’s a look at eight things you might not know about your local library:

From Beyond books: Eight things you may not know about libraries

As people become more reliant on devices and less likely to crack open a paperback, libraries have been forced to adapt.

Most modern libraries offer e-book and e-magazines, plus movies on DVD and other digital items. But did you know that many also provide such services as free Wi-Fi, used bookstores, and even unique items borrowing.

Coming off of National Library Week, here’s a look at eight things you might not know about your local library:

From Beyond books: Eight things you may not know about libraries

An interview with Beverly Cleary about her inspiring books for children

She just turned 90, and her mental acuity is better than most people half her age.

She said that she was a children’s librarian in 1940 and got the idea to write kids’ books when some boys at the library complained that they couldn’t find any books “about kids like us.” So she sat down and started writing stories about the kids she had had gotten to know at the library.

From An interview with Beverly Cleary about her inspiring books for children / Boing Boing

She just turned 90, and her mental acuity is better than most people half her age.

She said that she was a children’s librarian in 1940 and got the idea to write kids’ books when some boys at the library complained that they couldn’t find any books “about kids like us.” So she sat down and started writing stories about the kids she had had gotten to know at the library.

From An interview with Beverly Cleary about her inspiring books for children / Boing Boing

April 22, 2016 by Blake Books Libraries

Books by earliest women writers in English on display together for first time

Manuscripts of the first book in English by a woman and the earliest autobiography by a woman are displayed together by Wellcome Collection

From Books by earliest women writers in English on display together for first time | Books | The Guardian

Manuscripts of the first book in English by a woman and the earliest autobiography by a woman are displayed together by Wellcome Collection

From Books by earliest women writers in English on display together for first time | Books | The Guardian

April 21, 2016 by Blake Books

An Open Letter to the Person Who Wiped Boogers on My Library Book

How do you live your life, Booger-Wiper? My first instinct is to imagine your home as a mucus-smeared nightmare hovel, mold at the corners and suspicious stains everywhere. But upon further reflection, I think your home might actually be fairly tidy — seeing as how you so freely deposit your filth on things that don’t belong to you. If I lent you a pair of socks, what would lurk inside of them when I got them back? If I left a piece of Tupperware in your kitchen after a dinner party, would you return it to me, empty and clean? Or would it ruin my day?

From The Millions : An Open Letter to the Person Who Wiped Boogers on My Library Book – The Millions

How do you live your life, Booger-Wiper? My first instinct is to imagine your home as a mucus-smeared nightmare hovel, mold at the corners and suspicious stains everywhere. But upon further reflection, I think your home might actually be fairly tidy — seeing as how you so freely deposit your filth on things that don’t belong to you. If I lent you a pair of socks, what would lurk inside of them when I got them back? If I left a piece of Tupperware in your kitchen after a dinner party, would you return it to me, empty and clean? Or would it ruin my day?

From The Millions : An Open Letter to the Person Who Wiped Boogers on My Library Book – The Millions

April 19, 2016 by Blake Books Librarians Libraries

Morocco: one of the world’s oldest libraries is renovated

The settling dust from renovations and the banging of tools aren’t ideal sights and sounds for a library — but this is no ordinary library.

Founded 12 centuries ago by a pioneering woman and nestled in the old medina of Fez, Morocco’s University of al-Qarawiyyin library is one of the world’s oldest libraries, home to unique Islamic manuscripts treasured by historians. Yet it’s been largely hidden from the public. The architect leading its restoration, Fez native Aziza Chaouni, didn’t even know it existed until she was asked to work on it.

From Morocco: one of the world’s oldest libraries is renovated | The Seattle Times

The settling dust from renovations and the banging of tools aren’t ideal sights and sounds for a library — but this is no ordinary library.

Founded 12 centuries ago by a pioneering woman and nestled in the old medina of Fez, Morocco’s University of al-Qarawiyyin library is one of the world’s oldest libraries, home to unique Islamic manuscripts treasured by historians. Yet it’s been largely hidden from the public. The architect leading its restoration, Fez native Aziza Chaouni, didn’t even know it existed until she was asked to work on it.

From Morocco: one of the world’s oldest libraries is renovated | The Seattle Times

April 19, 2016 by Blake Libraries

Supreme Court rejects challenge to Google book-scanning project

he U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge by a group of authors who contend that Google’s massive effort to scan millions of books for an online library violates copyright law.

The Authors Guild and several individual writers have argued that the project, known as Google Books, illegally deprives them of revenue. The high court left in place an October 2015 ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York in favor of Google.

A unanimous three-judge appeals court panel said the case “tests the boundaries of fair use,” but found Google’s practices were ultimately allowed under the law.

From Supreme Court rejects challenge to Google book-scanning project | Reuters

he U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge by a group of authors who contend that Google’s massive effort to scan millions of books for an online library violates copyright law.

The Authors Guild and several individual writers have argued that the project, known as Google Books, illegally deprives them of revenue. The high court left in place an October 2015 ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York in favor of Google.

A unanimous three-judge appeals court panel said the case “tests the boundaries of fair use,” but found Google’s practices were ultimately allowed under the law.

From Supreme Court rejects challenge to Google book-scanning project | Reuters

April 18, 2016 by Blake Books Google Internet Legal Issues Libraries Technology

Cat-Owning, Knit-Loving, ‘Hopelessly Stereotypical’ Librarian Is A ‘Jeopardy’ Badass

A lot of contestants have come and gone on “Jeopardy,” but Margaret Miles officially walked away with our hearts.

Miles is a librarian working at the New Hanover County Public Library in Wilmington, North Carolina who appeared on Thursday’s episode of “Jeopardy.” Alex Trebek couldn’t help but ask Miles more about her life when she was leading mid-show with $7,600.

From Cat-Owning, Knit-Loving, ‘Hopelessly Stereotypical’ Librarian Is A ‘Jeopardy’ Badass

A lot of contestants have come and gone on “Jeopardy,” but Margaret Miles officially walked away with our hearts.

Miles is a librarian working at the New Hanover County Public Library in Wilmington, North Carolina who appeared on Thursday’s episode of “Jeopardy.” Alex Trebek couldn’t help but ask Miles more about her life when she was leading mid-show with $7,600.

From Cat-Owning, Knit-Loving, ‘Hopelessly Stereotypical’ Librarian Is A ‘Jeopardy’ Badass

April 18, 2016 by Blake Librarians Libraries

The Power of Mobile Libraries, a StoryCorps Animation: ‘The Bookmobile’

In “The Bookmobile,” a StoryCorps project, a young Native American girl shares a tale of discovery.

From The Power of Mobile Libraries, a StoryCorps Animation: ‘The Bookmobile’ – CityLab

In “The Bookmobile,” a StoryCorps project, a young Native American girl shares a tale of discovery.

From The Power of Mobile Libraries, a StoryCorps Animation: ‘The Bookmobile’ – CityLab

April 14, 2016 by Blake Bookmobiles Books Libraries

KU Libraries adds nearly 1,000 zines to radical lit collection

By their very nature, zines were almost meant to be enjoyed briefly, then fade away. The University of Kansas Libraries is now home to a substantial collection of fan-made, self-published magazines — better known simply as zines — that provide a window into politics, fandom, music, community, history and the idea of “do it yourself” communications both before and after the Internet became a dominant vehicle for communication and expression.

From KU Libraries adds nearly 1,000 zines to radical lit collection | The University of Kansas

By their very nature, zines were almost meant to be enjoyed briefly, then fade away. The University of Kansas Libraries is now home to a substantial collection of fan-made, self-published magazines — better known simply as zines — that provide a window into politics, fandom, music, community, history and the idea of “do it yourself” communications both before and after the Internet became a dominant vehicle for communication and expression.

From KU Libraries adds nearly 1,000 zines to radical lit collection | The University of Kansas

April 13, 2016 by Blake Internet Libraries Music

ALA, Google launch “Libraries Ready to Code”

Today, the American Library Association (ALA) and Google, Inc. are launching the “Libraries Ready to Code” project to investigate the current nature of coding activities in public and school libraries for youth and broaden the reach and scope of this work.

“Libraries today are less about what we have on our shelves and more about what we do for and with people in our schools, campuses and communities,” said ALA President Sari Feldman. “Learning for children and youth today is more flexible, more self-directed, and with greater opportunities to not just use content, but to create and collaborate digitally. Library professionals are committed to facilitating both individual opportunity for all and advancing community progress. This new project with Google sits squarely in our modern public mission.”

From ALA, Google launch “Libraries Ready to Code” | News and Press Center

Today, the American Library Association (ALA) and Google, Inc. are launching the “Libraries Ready to Code” project to investigate the current nature of coding activities in public and school libraries for youth and broaden the reach and scope of this work.

“Libraries today are less about what we have on our shelves and more about what we do for and with people in our schools, campuses and communities,” said ALA President Sari Feldman. “Learning for children and youth today is more flexible, more self-directed, and with greater opportunities to not just use content, but to create and collaborate digitally. Library professionals are committed to facilitating both individual opportunity for all and advancing community progress. This new project with Google sits squarely in our modern public mission.”