Blake

How much is a library worth?

It is doubtful, however, that that is why those behind Americans for Prosperity want to close our libraries. More likely possibilities include the privatization of our library system, resulting in even more public funding finding its way into the pockets of the already wealthy. Or perhaps they just want to slash one more public benefit to increase the taxpayer-funded corporate welfare programs without running into budget deficits.

Regardless of the reasoning, the people most hurt by libraries closing will, as usual, be those who can least afford it. Almost half of all surveyed by Pew indicated that libraries help people find jobs. But when you look at those in households with incomes of less than $30,000, that percentage increases to 53 percent.  Among African Americans it’s 55 percent, and among Latinos it is 58 percent. 

From How much is a library worth?

It is doubtful, however, that that is why those behind Americans for Prosperity want to close our libraries. More likely possibilities include the privatization of our library system, resulting in even more public funding finding its way into the pockets of the already wealthy. Or perhaps they just want to slash one more public benefit to increase the taxpayer-funded corporate welfare programs without running into budget deficits.

Regardless of the reasoning, the people most hurt by libraries closing will, as usual, be those who can least afford it. Almost half of all surveyed by Pew indicated that libraries help people find jobs. But when you look at those in households with incomes of less than $30,000, that percentage increases to 53 percent.  Among African Americans it’s 55 percent, and among Latinos it is 58 percent. 

From How much is a library worth?

April 4, 2016 by Librarians Libraries

With Romance Novels Booming, Beefcake Sells, but It Doesn’t Pay

How hot are romance novels? Over all, annual sales totaled $1.08 billion in 2013, according to the Romance Writers of America, which tracks sales. And their popularity is expected to grow. Last year Scribd, an e-book subscription service, sharply reduced the number of romance and erotica novels it offered because it couldn’t afford to keep up with readers’ appetites. (Scribd pays publishers every time a book is read and loses money if a book is too popular.)

Despite the perception that blockbusters like “Fifty Shades of Grey” drive sales, self-publishing has proved a boon for this particular genre. E-books make up nearly 40 percent of all purchases, according to the writers group. And there are categories for every reader’s taste, among them, adventure, Christian, multicultural, L.G.B.T. and paranormal.

From With Romance Novels Booming, Beefcake Sells, but It Doesn’t Pay – The New York Times

How hot are romance novels? Over all, annual sales totaled $1.08 billion in 2013, according to the Romance Writers of America, which tracks sales. And their popularity is expected to grow. Last year Scribd, an e-book subscription service, sharply reduced the number of romance and erotica novels it offered because it couldn’t afford to keep up with readers’ appetites. (Scribd pays publishers every time a book is read and loses money if a book is too popular.)

Despite the perception that blockbusters like “Fifty Shades of Grey” drive sales, self-publishing has proved a boon for this particular genre. E-books make up nearly 40 percent of all purchases, according to the writers group. And there are categories for every reader’s taste, among them, adventure, Christian, multicultural, L.G.B.T. and paranormal.

From With Romance Novels Booming, Beefcake Sells, but It Doesn’t Pay – The New York Times

April 4, 2016 by EBooks

White House wants more sharable, reusable code

The White House is looking to make software code used by the federal agencies more open, sharable and reusable. In a March 10 blog post, federal CIO Tony Scott announced a new draft Federal Source Code policy that would create a new set of rules for custom code developed by or for the federal government.

Once the new policy takes effect, software developed at agencies or created by contractors specifically for government use will be available to share and reuse across agencies.

From White House wants more sharable, reusable code — FCW

The White House is looking to make software code used by the federal agencies more open, sharable and reusable. In a March 10 blog post, federal CIO Tony Scott announced a new draft Federal Source Code policy that would create a new set of rules for custom code developed by or for the federal government.

Once the new policy takes effect, software developed at agencies or created by contractors specifically for government use will be available to share and reuse across agencies.

From White House wants more sharable, reusable code — FCW

April 3, 2016 by Uncategorized

A spiritual successor to Aaron Swartz is angering publishers all over again

But suddenly in 2016, the tale has new life. The Washington Post decries it as academic research’s Napster moment, and it all stems from a 27-year-old bioengineer turned Web programmer from Kazakhstan (who’s living in Russia). Just as Swartz did, this hacker is freeing tens of millions of research articles from paywalls, metaphorically hoisting a middle finger to the academic publishing industry, which, by the way, has again reacted with labels like “hacker” and “criminal.”

Meet Alexandra Elbakyan, the developer of Sci-Hub, a Pirate Bay-like site for the science nerd. It’s a portal that offers free and searchable access “to most publishers, especially well-known ones.” Search for it, download, and you’re done. It’s that easy.

“The more known the publisher is, the more likely Sci-Hub will work,” she told Ars via e-mail. A message to her site’s users says it all: “SCI-HUB…to remove all barriers in the way of science.”

From A spiritual successor to Aaron Swartz is angering publishers all over again | Ars Technica

But suddenly in 2016, the tale has new life. The Washington Post decries it as academic research’s Napster moment, and it all stems from a 27-year-old bioengineer turned Web programmer from Kazakhstan (who’s living in Russia). Just as Swartz did, this hacker is freeing tens of millions of research articles from paywalls, metaphorically hoisting a middle finger to the academic publishing industry, which, by the way, has again reacted with labels like “hacker” and “criminal.”

Meet Alexandra Elbakyan, the developer of Sci-Hub, a Pirate Bay-like site for the science nerd. It’s a portal that offers free and searchable access “to most publishers, especially well-known ones.” Search for it, download, and you’re done. It’s that easy.

“The more known the publisher is, the more likely Sci-Hub will work,” she told Ars via e-mail. A message to her site’s users says it all: “SCI-HUB…to remove all barriers in the way of science.”

From A spiritual successor to Aaron Swartz is angering publishers all over again | Ars Technica

April 3, 2016 by Music Publishing

Inside the most incredible libraries in Britain

Worth writing home about: Inside the most incredible libraries in Britain, from Oxford’s historic reading rooms to a futuristic wonder in Liverpool
The existence of many libraries is under threat and nearly 350 libraries closed in Britain over the past six years
Thankfully there are still plenty of breathtaking libraries to explore from historic rooms to modern glass buildings
Oxford’s Codrington Library has spectacular white marble statues that contrast with its rows of dark bookcases

From Inside the most incredible libraries in Britain | Daily Mail Online

Worth writing home about: Inside the most incredible libraries in Britain, from Oxford’s historic reading rooms to a futuristic wonder in Liverpool
The existence of many libraries is under threat and nearly 350 libraries closed in Britain over the past six years
Thankfully there are still plenty of breathtaking libraries to explore from historic rooms to modern glass buildings
Oxford’s Codrington Library has spectacular white marble statues that contrast with its rows of dark bookcases

From Inside the most incredible libraries in Britain | Daily Mail Online

April 3, 2016 by Internet Libraries

Library Offers Homeless People Mental Health Services, And It’s Working

Libraries have long served as havens for homeless people. But it’s only recently that these institutions have started taking advantage of their unique position.

Those who live in shelters typically have to vacate during daytime hours and use their free time to find jobs. And libraries are an optimal place to go since admittance is free and it’s often the only spot in town that has gratis Internet and computers.

In fact, nearly two-thirds of libraries provide the only free computer and Internet access in their communities, the Associated Press reported last year. 

From Library Offers Homeless People Mental Health Services, And It’s Working

Libraries have long served as havens for homeless people. But it’s only recently that these institutions have started taking advantage of their unique position.

Those who live in shelters typically have to vacate during daytime hours and use their free time to find jobs. And libraries are an optimal place to go since admittance is free and it’s often the only spot in town that has gratis Internet and computers.

In fact, nearly two-thirds of libraries provide the only free computer and Internet access in their communities, the Associated Press reported last year. 

From Library Offers Homeless People Mental Health Services, And It’s Working

April 2, 2016 by Internet Librarians Libraries

Meet the man who is turning D.C. libraries into a national model

But Reyes-Gavilan’s ambitions go beyond bricks and mortar. He wants to put the D.C. Public Library at the forefront of American libraries, to be a model for the nation by embracing a “hacker” culture that treats library patrons not as passive consumers of information, but as creators. His mantra is “libraries are not their buildings,” but “engines of human capital.”

From Meet the man who is turning D.C. libraries into a national model – The Washington Post

But Reyes-Gavilan’s ambitions go beyond bricks and mortar. He wants to put the D.C. Public Library at the forefront of American libraries, to be a model for the nation by embracing a “hacker” culture that treats library patrons not as passive consumers of information, but as creators. His mantra is “libraries are not their buildings,” but “engines of human capital.”

From Meet the man who is turning D.C. libraries into a national model – The Washington Post

March 31, 2016 by Libraries

Proposed Alaska state budget cuts zero out funding for library internet

“It’s taken off, and people are just starting to see the many opportunities that it brings us,” Julene Brown says. “It’s just kind of ironic to see these state agencies that are trying to figure out how to deliver services with the budget cuts that they’re face. This video conferencing is one way they’re able to do that.”

Back in Haines, Miles Curtis says with the world becoming increasingly paperless, access to the web is no longer just a privilege.

“It’s gotten to a point where I would consider it a right,” he says. “Everything is going in the direction where it would be difficult to function, and have access to the information that everyone should be entitled to.”

From KHNS Radio | KHNS FM » Proposed state budget cuts zero out funding for library internet

“It’s taken off, and people are just starting to see the many opportunities that it brings us,” Julene Brown says. “It’s just kind of ironic to see these state agencies that are trying to figure out how to deliver services with the budget cuts that they’re face. This video conferencing is one way they’re able to do that.”

Back in Haines, Miles Curtis says with the world becoming increasingly paperless, access to the web is no longer just a privilege.

“It’s gotten to a point where I would consider it a right,” he says. “Everything is going in the direction where it would be difficult to function, and have access to the information that everyone should be entitled to.”

From KHNS Radio | KHNS FM » Proposed state budget cuts zero out funding for library internet

March 31, 2016 by American Library Association Internet Librarians Libraries

In San Jose, Poor Find Doors to Library Closed Because Of Late Fines

Alexander is more careful than most.Half of the current cardholders at the Biblioteca branch owe money, and most — 65 percent — are barred from borrowing materials and using computers because they owe $10 or more.

San Jose’s charges are exponentially higher than comparable cities like San Francisco, where there is no charge for late materials for users 17 and younger and a charge of 10 cents a day for adults.

“Fifty cents a day for middle-class families is a slap on the wrist,” said Maria Arias Evans, the principal of Washington Elementary School in San Jose, which is behind the Biblioteca Latinoamericana. Given the choice between paying fines “and putting food on the table and a roof over the children’s head, it’s a no-brainer: It is better not to check out library books.”

From In San Jose, Poor Find Doors to Library Closed – The New York Times

Alexander is more careful than most.Half of the current cardholders at the Biblioteca branch owe money, and most — 65 percent — are barred from borrowing materials and using computers because they owe $10 or more.

San Jose’s charges are exponentially higher than comparable cities like San Francisco, where there is no charge for late materials for users 17 and younger and a charge of 10 cents a day for adults.

“Fifty cents a day for middle-class families is a slap on the wrist,” said Maria Arias Evans, the principal of Washington Elementary School in San Jose, which is behind the Biblioteca Latinoamericana. Given the choice between paying fines “and putting food on the table and a roof over the children’s head, it’s a no-brainer: It is better not to check out library books.”

From In San Jose, Poor Find Doors to Library Closed – The New York Times

March 31, 2016 by Librarians Libraries School Libraries

LISNews Archives