The e-newsletter of the American Library Association | September 11, 2013

Digging into databases
Next up on American Libraries Live: On September 12 at 1 p.m. Central time, Marshall Breeding will lead our expert panel in a discussion of how databases are changing and shaping the present and future of libraries. This interactive discussion will incorporate live audience questions and comments and cover a variety of topics, including how libraries are addressing databases and electronic resources in the wake of budget cuts. Register here, or just come to the AL Live site at the time of the episode....
American Libraries, Sept. 10

Newsmaker: An interview with Sylvia Knight Norton
Sylvia Knight Norton (right) has been appointed executive director of AASL, effective September 30. She comes to ALA from the School of Library and Information Studies at Florida State University in Tallahassee, where she has been school library media internship coordinator and instructor since 2011. American Libraries caught up with Norton to find out about her priorities for the division....
American Libraries feature

New vistas for print-disabled readers
Jonathan Band writes: “On June 25, a diplomatic conference of the World Intellectual Property Organization held in Marrakesh, Morocco, adopted the ‘Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled.’ The treaty is designed to achieve the objective spelled out in its title by obligating the countries that sign it to make exceptions in their copyright laws for the creation and distribution of accessible-format copies both domestically and across borders.”...
American Libraries feature

Another Story: Exiled by iTunes
Joseph Janes writes: “If you’re like me, you’ve completely lost track of the number of times you’ve clicked the little ‘I agree’ button—on software, upgrades, or website registrations. We know that they probably mean something, sorta, and we have that microscopic pang of guilt—or more appropriately, misgiving—about not having read what we’ve just agreed to, before barreling on to the much more interesting and immediate thing we wanted to do/see/read before we completed the involuntarily voluntary agreement.”...
American Libraries column, July/Aug.

President’s Message: Hold a signing ceremony
Barbara K. Stripling writes: “Effective advocacy must go beyond connecting our goals to those of the constituencies we serve; we must take the next step and move others to take action. What will enable the library community to think and act in a new way and move our communities to action? I hope the Declaration for the Right to Libraries becomes the powerful advocacy tool we need to inspire us to act. Hold a signing ceremony in your library. You will be changing lives.”...
American Libraries column, Sept./Oct.

Editor’s Letter: Moving along
Laurie K. Borman writes: “Each year, ALA Annual Conference hovers like a beautiful and tempting hot air balloon, ready to take us off on an amazing ride, filled with excitement, ideas, and a chance to see old friends and meet new ones. I observed ALA Council sessions this year, met with advertisers, and perused new products in the Exhibit Hall. I laughed with Steven D. Levitt, Ann Patchett, and Olivia Spencer. I’ve already started reading Ann’s recommended list, and I swear she knows my taste in novels. My one tradeoff: missing the Friday Blackhawks victory parade.”...
American Libraries column, July/Aug.

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Bundle registration is open
Bundle registration for the 2014 Midwinter Meeting and the 2014 Annual Conference is now open. The conversation starts January 24–28 in Philadelphia at the ALA Midwinter Meeting and Exhibits and continues as we work on “Transforming Our Libraries, Ourselves” at the ALA Annual Conference June 26–July 1 in Las Vegas. Bundling the registration for both conferences saves up to $140 and offers the opportunity to book housing for Midwinter immediately....
Conference Services, Sept. 9

Ishmael Beah, Arthur Curley Memorial lecturer
ALA Midwinter attendees can hear inspiring human rights advocate and bestselling author Ishmael Beah (right) at the 2014 Arthur Curley Memorial Lecture on January 25. Beah’s first book, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, has been published in more than 30 languages and helped shine an international spotlight on his story and thus on critical issues related to children and war....
Conference Services, Sept. 10

“Declaration for the Right to Libraries” webinar
Join ALA President Barbara Stripling and 2012–2013 ALA President Maureen Sullivan as they discuss the Declaration for the Right to Libraries and Stripling’s overarching “Libraries Change Lives” campaign on September 23. The webinar will provide an overview of Stripling’s vision for the declaration, practical uses of the declaration as a means to spark community conversation, and some of the declaration successes to date. Register online....
Office for Library Advocacy, Sept. 9

The benefits of a library card
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. In order to celebrate the numerous perks of library cards to communities and individuals, Pinal County (Ariz.) Library District has compiled a list of 30 unique benefits of library membership. The graphics were inspired by the colorful, minimalist, and retro design style of Penguin and Pelican classic paperback novels. All the graphics were designed by Emerging Technologies Librarian Ann Leonard....
Pinal County (Ariz.) Library District

Public Innovators Lab in October
A three-day Harwood Institute Public Innovators Lab designed especially for libraries will kick off a year of coaching and webinar support as part of ALA’s Promise of Libraries Transforming Communities initiative. The three-day immersion in the Harwood practice, October 28–30 at the District of Columbia Public Library’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, will be followed by one year of scheduled coaching support for library teams from a Harwood-certified coach, plus six live webinars to support and reinforce the learning from the lab. Participants must register by September 30....
Public Programs Office, Sept. 4

The role of academic libraries in financial literacy
ACRL President Trevor A. Dawes will lead a discussion on the need for academic libraries to get involved in financial literacy education in a special one-hour webinar on September 30. Current successful efforts from across the country will be highlighted, including a presentation from Shana Gass, Towson University, on how academic libraries can participate in Money Smart Week @ your library, April 5–12, 2014. Register online....
Chapter Relations Office, Sept. 11

Seeking video footage from innovative libraries
If your library uses federal funding to provide robust library services, ALA wants to hear from you. The ALA Washington Office is producing a series of videos that will educate legislators and policymakers about the benefits of federal funding programs, such as the Library Services and Technology Act. The deadline to submit videos is November 15. Please send all videos to Jazzy Wright....
District Dispatch, Sept. 10

Take the Digital Inclusion Survey
ALA encourages public librarians to participate in the first Digital Inclusion Survey. The survey will take the pulse of public library service in the areas of digital literacy, economic and workforce development, civic engagement, educational support, health information, and public access to the internet. It is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and conducted by the ALA Office for Research and Statistics and the Information Policy and Access Center at the University of Maryland. The survey will be open through November 15....
Office for Research and Statistics, Sept. 10

ALA-APA recognizes Spokane Falls
The ALA-Allied Professional Association has completed an agreement with Spokane (Wash.) Falls Community College that will allow its graduates, who meet the established criteria from its Library and Information Services Program, to receive the Library Support Staff Certification designation. To receive the LSSC, candidates from SFCC must have the required one year of recent library experience or meet that requirement within four years....
ALA-APA, Sept. 5

People to People library tour to Costa Rica
For 50 years, People to People’s Citizen Ambassador Delegations have been providing rewarding professional opportunities by taking careers out of the office and into the world. People to People, in collaboration with ALA, is now offering a custom-designed library and information services delegation to Costa Rica, November 30–December 7, led by former ALA president Camila Alire. It’s not too late to join or add a friend....
International Relations Office, June 3

Management basics
Reflecting the rapidly changing information services environment, the third edition of the bestselling Management Basics for Information Professionals, by G. Edward Evans and Camila A. Alire, offers updates and a broader scope to make it an even more comprehensive introduction to library management. Addressing the basic skills good library managers must exercise throughout their careers, this edition includes a completely new chapter on management ethics....
ALA Neal-Schuman, Sept. 9

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AASL selects book for One Book, One Conference
The AASL National Conference Committee has named 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done as the One Book, One Conference read for its 16th National Conference and Exhibition, in Hartford, Connecticut, November 14–17. Written by Closing General Session speaker Peter Bregman, the book outlines a three-step process for prioritizing a nine-hour workday that takes only 18 minutes. The in-person discussion on the book will take place in Hartford on November 15; an online discussion began September 9....
AASL, Sept. 5

Registration open for PLA 2014
Housing and registration for PLA’s 2014 Conference, March 11–15 in Indianapolis, are now open. Keynote speaker Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, will welcome attendees at the Opening Session, while David Sedaris will send them off from the Closing Session. In between, more than 150 educational programs, author events, and the exhibits floor will keep attendees busy....
PLA, Sept. 5

The early bird gets the LITA Forum savings
There’s still time to save up to $50 on registration for the 2013 LITA Forum, “Creation, Collaboration, Community,” to be held November 7–10 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky. Register through September 15 to take advantage of early-bird rates....
LITA, Sept. 10

The best of YA-YAAC
Young adult services practitioners from around the world coalesce on YA-YAAC, a YALSA discussion list. Practical Programming: The Best of YA-YAAC, provides librarians and library workers with a wealth of tried and true programming ideas for teens. Author Monique Delatte Starkey culled the best ideas and compiled them into this easy-to-read resource. Highlights include examples and how-to guides for active programs, educational and technological programs, pop culture programs, culinary programs; and new ideas for marketing, outreach, and collaboration....
YALSA, Sept. 9

LLAMA webinar focuses on online fundraising
When fundraising for your library, how do you effectively reach donors online? In “A Conversation about Websites for Library Fundraising: Perspectives from Duke University and the University of Texas,” presenters Thomas Hadzor of Duke and Gregory Perrin of the University of Texas will explain the connection between the library’s website for fundraising and institutional fundraising, among other issues. Registration is open for the September 25 webinar....
LLAMA, Sept. 10

Join the next CODES Conversations
Adult services librarians are invited to the next CODES Conversations, a discussion list–based thread to be held September 24–25 by RUSA’s Collection Development and Evaluation Section. To participate in “Form-Based RA: What Asynchronous RA Can Teach All of Us (even those not offering such an option) about Service, Appeal, and Working with Readers,” subscribe to the CODES Conversation email list and download the resource guide (PDF file)....
RUSA, Sept. 10

United for Libraries welcomes Kansas libraries
The State Library of Kansas has purchased United for Libraries divisional membership for all 328 of the libraries in the state. Kansas libraries will receive membership for both their boards of trustees and their Friends groups or foundations. Statewide purchases include full access to the Trustee Academy, a series of online courses to help trustees become proficient in their roles....
United for Libraries, Sept. 10

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ALCTS seeks awards nominations
Nominations are being accepted for the 2014 ALCTS awards for innovation, two awards that honor achievements and leadership in collaboration and innovation. Nominations are also sought for three awards for professional achievement, two publication awards, two awards for continuing resources, three preservation awards, and the Ross Atkinson Lifetime Achievement Award. If you are interested in nominating a candidate for any of these awards, contact the chair of that award jury. The deadline for nominations and supporting materials is December 1 (except the Atkinson award, which is November 15)....
ALCTS, Sept. 10

So you want to win the Newbery?
Travis Jonker writes: “The only way to win the Newbery Medal, of course, is to write the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children and then sleep with The Story of Mankind under your pillow until the winner is announced (some people do weird things to bring good luck). But what else? Let’s take a look at two factors that have no bearing on which book will win, but are fun to pick apart in hindsight: publication month and starred reviews.”...
School Library Journal: 100 Scope Notes, Sept. 3–4

Apply for a 2013 Carnegie-Whitney Grant
The ALA Publishing Committee provides a grant of up to $5,000 for the preparation of print or electronic reading lists, indexes, or other guides to library resources that promote reading or the use of library resources at any type of library. Applications must be emailed to Mary Jo Bolduc by November 1....
ALA Publishing, Sept. 10

Apply for an ALA scholarship
ALA has more than $300,000 for students who are studying library science or school library media at the master’s degree level. Scholarships typically range from $1,500 to $7,000 per student per year. The application and instructions are available online. The deadline is March 1....
Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment, Sept. 10

2013 TEAMS Awards
Reference publisher Gale and Library Media Connection Magazine announced the three winners of the TEAMS Award (Teachers and Media Specialists Influencing Student Achievement). The 2013 winners are Draper Elementary School in Eden, North Carolina, for its digital book project, “We Are Endangered” (right); Constable Neil Bruce Middle School in West Kelowna, British Columbia; and Branford (Conn.) High School. The award was created to recognize the collaboration between teachers and media specialists in promoting learning and increasing student achievement....
Cengage Learning, Sept. 10

Benjamin Franklin Digital Awards
The Independent Book Publishers Association has revealed the winners of the Benjamin Franklin Digital Awards, an annual series to “honor innovation in electronic book publishing” for both ebooks and enhanced ebooks. The winner in the ebook category is Tony Northrup’s DSLR Book: How to Create Stunning Digital Photography (Amazon; iTunes), and the winner in the enhanced ebook category is Great Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Paintings: The Musée d’Orsay (iTunes)....
GalleyCat, Sept. 6

OverDrive Digital Library Champions
Dozens of entries for OverDrive’s Digital Library Champions contest were submitted from library and school partners all over the world and 12 semifinalists were selected. The final winners were handpicked by members of the editorial staff at Library Journal, who partnered to find the best of the best for this year’s contest. The Kenton County (Ky.) Public Library won the Grand Prize for its new mascot that represents their digital resources....
OverDrive Digital Library Blog, Aug. 8

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Miami-Dade avoids layoffs, maintains hours
In a surprise last-minute move, Miami-Dade commissioners decided in the early hours of September 11 to raid rainy-day reserves to avoid laying off 169 library workers and slashing library hours in the coming budget year. Though the action will save the jobs of employees who turned out in force to a public hearing that began September 10, it will create a whopping $20 million budget hole next year to fund the county’s 49 branches at the same level as this year....
Miami Herald, Sept. 11; WLRN-FM, Miami, Sept. 11; WTVJ-TV, Miami, Sept. 11

Fairfax County puts library “revamp” on hold
At a Fairfax County (Va.) Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss the outcry over proposed changes to the county library system, the vice-chair of the library board of trustees said September 10 that “the entire matter of these changes will be put on hold” until the library board can get more input from library staff and customers. The board this summer adopted a Strategic Plan (PDF file) that would reduce staff, eliminate MLIS degree requirements, and require other changes that brought heavy criticism....
Washington Post, Sept. 9, 11

NYC mayoral candidates talk libraries
Christian Zabriskie writes: “New York City public libraries are an invaluable public asset. Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Library are recognized leaders in the field and despite years of budget pressure remain cutting-edge public institutions. The next mayor will have a chance either to leverage incredible assets by supporting libraries or to limit these incredibly cost-effective public resources through budget choices. Here is what four of the candidates had to say.”...
Huffington Post Blog, Sept. 9

Public libraries add multimedia
Nora Fleming writes: “During the past two decades, libraries have steadily added technology services, but those tended to be along the lines of providing free internet use. However, limited budgets and the growing need to prepare students for the 21st century have pushed them into new roles. They are teaching technology-driven workshops for middle- and high-school students, providing hands-on activities for young children, and bringing their best practices into school classrooms and other institutions to share.”...
Education Week, Sept. 4

The hidden history of New York’s Central Library plan
Scott Sherman writes: “On February 1, Anthony Marx, president and CEO of the New York Public Library, met with a group of business and political leaders who had assembled in a majestic room inside the 42nd Street library. Near the end of his spirited presentation, Marx asked his audience to buy commercial real estate in the vicinity of Fifth Avenue and 40th Street—the location of the Mid-Manhattan Library, which the NYPL is determined to sell under its Central Library Plan, the core of which envisions a colossal, $300 million+ transformation of the 42nd Street library by the architect Norman Foster.”...
The Nation, Sept. 16

Madison’s new Central Library
Welcome to the new Madison (Wis.) Public Library. Not just a downtown institution that’s been renovated, renewed, and expanded to the tune of $30 million, but a whole new concept in libraries. Built on the site of the former 1965 central branch, Madison’s new downtown library was designed by architects Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle of Minneapolis and Potter Lawson of Madison. The new facility will be dedicated and opened to the public on September 21....
Madison Wisconsin State Journal, Sept. 8

Yale’s Sterling Library is getting a makeover
Yale University’s Sterling Memorial Library is getting a much-needed touch up. The library is in the midst of a complete restoration of its nave—the church-like expanse that awes visitors with its high archways, intricate stained glass, and eye-catching stonework. When the project is completed in 2014, officials say, it will return the library to its former splendor while updating its functionality for today’s students and scholars....
New Haven (Conn.) Register, Sept. 7

Late librarian’s gift enriches children’s services
When the ceremonial shovels broke ground for Columbus (Ohio) Metropolitan Library’s new Whitehall branch September 10, Susan Snowden was smiling for her big sister Carol, who had devoted most of her 57 years to kids. Few knew before Carol Snowden’s death five years ago that she had saved more than $1 million, and left $750,000 for children’s services. It is being used for a larger children’s-teens area that will include a small, sound-proof recording studio....
Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, Sept. 10; WBNS-TV, Columbus, Aug. 27

Military libraries remain centerpieces of morale
Donna Miles writes: “During World War I, troops deployed to Europe found they wanted more than just beans and bullets. The ALA stepped in, delivering books and magazines paid for through the war bond program to entertain and give them a slice of home. In the process, it laid the foundation for the Defense Department’s first and longest-running morale, welfare, and recreation program. Last year alone, the services spent $12 million for digital library materials. The return on investment is about $60 in value for every dollar spent.”...
American Forces Press Service, Sept. 5

Worcester Public Library expanding into schools
Leaders of the One City, One Library initiative, a collaboration of the city, schools, public library, and community organizations, hope to open a refurbished library at Roosevelt School in mid-October, said Christina Andreoli, executive director of the Worcester (Mass.) Public Library Foundation. Similar libraries at Goddard School of Science and Technology and Tatnuck Magnet School, whose Parent Teacher Organization already started a library, should follow in November. A handful of Worcester elementary schools still do not have libraries, and all but three elementary schools lack a librarian....
Worcester (Mass.) Telegram, June 18, Sept. 6

Library gets back stolen painting in the mail
Alizey Khan had little hope she’d ever see one of her cherished paintings ever again after it was stolen July 30 from the Saul Alexander Gallery of Charleston County (S.C.) Library’s Main Library. But the artist got a surprise when a library official called her September 6 to give her the good news: The painting was mailed back to the library anonymously from Rock Hill, South Carolina. Khan had already recovered two other paintings allegedly stolen by Robert Wayne Russell, who police arrested on the day Khan’s exhibited works were stolen....
Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier, Aug. 1, Sept. 6

USF restores library hours after student protests
After a hotly contested reduction in library hours, University of South Florida administrators announced September 5 that the Tampa campus library will return to a schedule of being open 24 hours a day, five days a week, on September 15. The decision came after days of student letter-writing and camp-out protests. University leaders said they will cut the budget elsewhere to make up for the expense, but they had not settled on exactly where....
St. Petersburg (Fla.) Tampa Bay Times, Sept. 5; USF The Oracle, Sept. 10

Reference librarian adopts UCLA’s feral library cat
A feral tuxedo cat who spent her time watching music performances in UCLA’s Powell Library rotunda has found a permanent home with a librarian. Vicki Steiner, reference librarian at the UCLA Law Library, remembers how difficult it was to catch Midgley (right), a feral cat she adopted after it kept sneaking into the Powell Library. It took a six-week nightly stakeout and fiber-optic cameras to catch the savvy library cat....
UCLA Daily Bruin, Sept. 9

School workers, librarians involved in textbook scam
Los Angeles County prosecutors have charged 13 employees in four of the region’s most financially strapped school districts with stealing thousands of textbooks for a book buyer, who allegedly paid them $200,000 in bribes. A 37-page indictment unsealed September 5 tells of a book-selling scheme in which book buyer Corey Frederick recruited two librarians, a campus supervisor, and a former warehouse manager, among others, to allegedly steal thousands of books from schools in Los Angeles, Inglewood, and Bellflower....
Los Angeles Times, Sept. 5

Digging up Canada’s first national library
Caitlin Bailey writes: “The discovery, on August 23–26, of the remains of roughly 12 books from an archaeological dig at Pointe-à-Callière in the Old Port of Montréal may be all that remains of the library of nearly 24,000 original source documents and books held in the library of the first Parliament building of Canada, which was burned to the ground April 25, 1849, after a riot. The current dig has been in progress since 2011, though this is the first discovery of any kind of paper in the layers. The books have been taken to the Canadian Conservation Institute for refrigeration treatment.” Watch the video (2:27)....
Fine Books Blog, Sept. 6; Pointe-à-Callière, Aug. 26; Global News, Aug. 28

A bookmobile for the tsunami-stricken
During the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, the Rikuzentakata municipal library was destroyed. However, that July, with a donated bus and volunteer staff, a mobile library was opened for business. Now there are two bookmobiles that make the rounds to 42 locations within the city every month. In December, a long-awaited temporary library also opened....
Asahi Shimbun (Japan), Sept. 8

Bahrain funds Palestinian library
Work on a new Bahrain-funded library in East Jerusalem will be completed in 2014. The facility will serve thousands of residents and will be electronically linked to Bahrain’s National Library in a bid to give Palestinian schoolchildren easier access to reading material. The library is funded by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa after an agreement was signed between the Royal Charity Organisation and the United Nations Development Program on August 20....
Gulf Daily News (Bahrain), Sept. 7

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What Melvil Dewey can tell us about obsessive CEOs
Joshua Kendall writes: “Today’s technology-focused obsessives are not a new phenomenon. They belong to a long line of American icons who innovated in everything from ketchup to makeup. But perhaps the obsessive to beat all obsessives was librarian Melvil Dewey (1851–1931, right). For many, however, Dewey’s name may not necessarily ring a bell, since his system has been replaced by Google. Which is a bit ironic because Dewey was arguably the Sergey Brin and Larry Page of the 19th century: He, too, created a pioneering search engine.”...
Wired, Sept. 2

Judges hear arguments on net neutrality
The Federal Communications Commission and Verizon squared off September 9 in two hours of oral arguments over whether the web should remain free and open. As Verizon pushed for the authority to manage its own pipes, the government argued that creators of legal content should have equal access to internet users, lest big players gain an unfair advantage. But two judges appeared deeply skeptical that the FCC had the authority to regulate the internet in that way....
New York Times, Sept. 9

Public art and fair use
Kevin Smith writes: “A couple of weeks ago I was asked a question that set me thinking and required a bit of research. The question involved the use, in a planned publication, of a photograph of a piece of public art. In Durham we have several murals, painted on walls in public spaces, of Pauli Murray, one of our prominent citizens. Could an author use a photograph of one of those murals in an upcoming article?”...
Scholarly Communications @ Duke, Sept. 9

The cost of censorship in libraries: 10 years of CIPA
Rainey Reitman writes: “This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the enforcement of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, which brought new levels of internet censorship to libraries across the country. The law is supposed to encourage public libraries and schools to filter child pornography and obscene or ‘harmful to minors’ images from the library’s internet connection in exchange for continued federal funding. But as ALA’s Deborah Caldwell-Stone explains in ‘Filtering and the First Amendment,’ aggressive interpretations of this law have resulted in extensive and unnecessary censorship in libraries.”...
Electronic Frontier Foundation, Sept. 4; American Libraries feature, Mar./Apr.

How government can use metadata right now
Jim McGann writes: “The government’s use of metadata has been thrust into the spotlight with the NSA’s attempt to thwart terrorism by tracking habits and connections of suspects on watch lists. But the value of metadata goes beyond the NSA. Through similar use of this information, local, state, and federal organizations can comply with and reduce costs associated with a number of regulations that would otherwise take too long and be too expensive, not to mention nearly impossible, to comply with.”...
Government Technology, Sept. 5

Anonymity, privacy, and security online
A new Pew Research Center survey (PDF file) finds that most internet users would like to be anonymous online, but many think it is not possible to be completely anonymous. Some of the key findings: 86% of internet users have taken steps online to remove or mask their digital footprints—ranging from clearing cookies to encrypting their email. 55% of internet users have taken steps to avoid observation by specific people, organizations, or the government....
Pew Research Center, Sept. 5

New roles for new times
The Association of Research Libraries has released Transforming Liaison Roles in Research Libraries (PDF file), the third report in its New Roles for New Times series. This series highlights the transformation of the library workforce to address new challenges for research libraries in serving 21st-century students, educators, schools, and researchers. The new report, written by Janice M. Jaguszewski and Karen Williams, presents research into current trends in liaison librarianship, surfacing several challenges to the established, overarching liaison structure....
Association of Research Libraries, Sept. 6

Curating learning experiences: A future role?
Brian Mathews writes: “A professor I’m working with uses blogs in her courses but wants to push the experience further. I’m hearing this more often as faculty express interest in a more flexible and personalized learning environment as opposed to the LMS model. Sakai, Blackboard, and similar tools are seen as utilities rather than virtual communities. I think we’re seeing a shift occur.”...
Chronicle of Higher Education: The Ubiquitous Librarian, Sept. 5

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iPhone 5S vs. Galaxy S4: Spec showdown
Jamie Lendino writes: “On September 10, Apple announced its newest flagship smartphone, the iPhone 5S, and already the commentary is flying. Did Cupertino do enough with the new model? How is that fingerprint sensor going to work in real life? And most importantly—how does the iPhone 5S compare to current leading smartphones? We can help out a bit with the latter question.”...
PC Magazine, Sept. 10

The cloud is no longer a selling point
Jonny Evans writes: “You got to hand it to the NSA for killing cloud-based services: Apple introduced new biometric security (see video, 3:02) within its new iPhone 5S amid the promise that your fingerprints are not sent into the cloud; meanwhile Google and others are telling US authorities that the snooping revelations have damaged their business. Apple’s promise underlines just how much damage the NSA has done with its actions.” But even fingerprint security is unclear at this point....
Computerworld: Apple Holic, Sept. 11; YouTube, Sept. 10; Ars Technica, Sept. 11

The best and worst internet connections in the US
Reuben Fischer-Baum writes: “In the digital age, access to high-speed internet is fundamentally important. But some regions of the country are still left out in the cold. We took a look at where you can get the best and worst internet in the US. This map shows relative download speeds (by congressional district) across the contiguous US, based on January through July data from more than 5,600 cities and towns. Blue means a faster download speed than the national average of 18.2 Mbps, while red means a slower download speed.”...
Gizmodo, Sept. 5

Five Dropbox tips
Jill Duffy writes: “Dropbox was one of the first big-name file-syncing services, and as a result, many people use it. But are you using it in an efficient way to keep your files organized, your photos sharable, and your music accessible to you from different computers? These five tips are simple and straightforward ways to keep yourself better organized through your Dropbox account’s capabilities.” Watch the video (1:46)....
PC Magazine, Sept. 9; YouTube, Sept. 9

How to get photos off your Android phone
Nick Mediati writes: “If you’re anything like me, you probably have hundreds—if not thousands—of photos on your phone. Getting those photos off your phone isn’t always entirely obvious, but you have a number of options at your disposal.”...
TechHive, Sept. 11

You can now stream video from Android to Roku
Jamie Condliffe writes: “Roku has updated its Android app with a new feature: You can now stream video from your Android handset to the media box (right). All you need is the Roku Remote app, which is available from the Google Play store. Then you will be able to sling video to your TV in much the same way as using Apple’s Airplay.”...
Gizmodo, Sept. 10

How to clean game control pads
Luke Plunkett writes: “Control pads are things that gamers rest their hands on for hours at a time, sometimes every day, sometimes every day for weeks. There are a few ways you can go about cleaning them. Hot water and a cloth is the easiest and cheapest, though you’ll see other people get extreme and start recommending things like rubbing alcohol and taking your controller apart. I’m going to recommend a nice, easy middle ground. Here’s what you will need.”...
Kotaku, Sept. 10

404 page best practices
Brad Miller writes: “Mistakes will always happen. Whether it’s because someone has mistyped your URL or you forgot to change an old link, at some point, one of your users will land on a 404 error page. The 404 page is rarely given the consideration and importance it deserves. There are many different considerations that, if neglected, could have a significant negative effect on the performance of your site. So, how should you approach 404s?”...
Search Engine Watch, Sept. 11

Free up storage space on your Google account
Chris Hoffman writes: “Google accounts now use a shared pool of storage. Every account gets 15 GB of free space, which is shared across your Gmail, Google Drive, and Google+ Photos. But certain types of files don’t count towards your storage quota. Luckily, the shared pool of storage means that there’s now no point in using hacks that allow you to store personal files in Gmail. You can now take advantage of all your Gmail space for files and photos.”...
How-To Geek, Sept. 7

Oyster intends to be Spotify for ebooks
Jeremy Greenfield writes: “Oyster, a highly anticipated, venture-backed ebook subscription platform for iPhones, launched September 5. The app will soon be available on other platforms, including the iPad. The company is launching with 100,000 ebook titles available from such publishers as HarperCollins, Workman, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Smashwords. The service will cost $9.95 a month to read an unlimited number of books.” Interested subscribers can request an invite. Andy Woodworth observes that publishers’ interest in Oyster is “the value of user data related to reading habits.” Juli Monroe is cautiously skeptical. Jason Boog lists the 15 most popular books on Oyster so far....
Digital Book World, Sept. 5; Oyster HQ Blog, Sept. 5; Agnostic, Maybe, Sept. 9; TeleRead, Sept. 10; GalleyCat, Sept. 11

Judge sets restrictions for Apple on ebooks
As punishment for engaging in an ebook price-fixing conspiracy, Apple will be forced to abide by new restrictions on its agreements with publishers and be evaluated by an external “compliance officer” for two years, a federal judge has ruled. But the judge, Denise L. Cote of Federal District Court in Manhattan, rejected (PDF file) some of the measures sought by the Justice Department, including extensive government oversight over Apple’s App Store. More details at Ars Technica....
New York Times, Sept. 6; Ars Technica, Sept. 6

Google submits patent for triggered sounds in ebooks
Michael Kozlowski writes: “Google has just filed for a new patent that would make ebooks come alive with sounds. The sounds would be triggered by events within the book, such as lapping waves, an ominous crescendo, or maybe an outdoor market. The new application would have the sounds stored on a server and would be pushed out to the ebook users are reading at the time. Text to Speech could actually benefit from this new patent.”...
Good e-Reader, Sept. 11

OITP submits comments on e-reader coalition petition
Carrie Russell writes: “ALA’s Office for Information Technology Policy submitted comments (PDF file) September 3 to the FCC in response to the Coalition of E-Reader Manufacturers petition for class waiver of Commission’s Rules for Access to Advanced Communications Services and Equipment by People with Disabilities. The coalition (Amazon, Sony, and Kobo) asserts that their e-readers were manufactured for the sole purpose of reading text; therefore they should not be required to comply with FCC regulations that e-readers be accessible. After all, people with print and other disabilities don’t read, right?”...
District Dispatch, Sept. 4

Subscription streaming services for kids
Laura Hazard Owen writes: “Kids’ streaming services with a set monthly subscription price for all-you-can-consume content could offer parents some peace of mind. In recent months, a bunch of these services—offering unlimited access to ebooks, videos, and other types of entertainment for kids—have launched. I took a look at subscription services for kids in two categories (ebooks and video) and compared them by the number of titles offered, cost, age range, platform, and titles and brands available.”...
paidContent, Sept. 6

Hack Library School ebook
The Hack Library School bloggers have completed their first ebook, The HLS Guide to Library School. The ebook includes 328 pages of content, both old and new posts, written by current and alumni hackers (and a few guest writers). To learn more about their motivation for compiling an ebook, you can read the introduction. It is available in both HTML and PDF formats....
Hack Library School, Sept. 9

2014 Midwinter Meeting and Exhibits, Philadelphia, January 24–28. Bundle Registration for the 2014 Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference is now open. Bundle before September 30 and you save up to $140 as well as getting the best networking, professional development, and fun events in Philadelphia in January and Las Vegas in June.

The 20 greatest epic poems of all time
Few have better expressed the tumultuous rise and fall of civilizations better than the great epic poets of ancient and modern times. By combining elevated language with war, betrayal, romance, adventure, and much reflection, these 20 lengthy tomes have captured the essence of whole peoples in single (albeit gigantic) works, ranging from semifictional accounts of war to satirical mockeries of misguided heroism....
Qwiklit, Sept. 10

What Shakespeare plays originally sounded like
Chris Higgins writes: “In this video (10:22) from The Open University, we learn about the Globe Theater’s experiments with Original Pronunciation (OP), which is English as it was pronounced at the time Shakespeare’s plays were written and first performed. Unsurprisingly, OP is quite different from modern pronunciation, and often changes the lines dramatically. Lines often rhyme in the OP accent, but not in a modern accent. David and Ben Crystal (above) are your pronunciation guides.”...
Mental Floss, Sept. 10; YouTube, Oct. 17, 2011

Ebook extensions
Sharon Rawlins writes: “Do you want to read more about Cassandra Clare’s intriguing character Magnus Bane from both her Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series? Are you dying to know more about gorgeously evil Warner, the guy Juliette loves/hates in Tahereh Mafi’s book Unravel Me and its sequel Destroy Me? If so, you’re in luck because many popular authors have written e-novellas, e-novelettes, or e-short stories for you to read while you wait for the next print book in the series to be published.”...
YALSA The Hub, Sept. 9

Identity crisis: A booklist for teens
Andrea Lipinski writes: “As your summer vacation ends and the new school year begins, it’s time to consider: Who are you? Who are you now, who do you want to be, and will you / can you / should you try to reinvent yourself? Here’s a list of 20 fiction books for teens that deal with the topic of identity, from realistic fiction to fantastic fiction and beyond. For example, Slated by Teri Terry: Can you know the truth if your memory has been erased?”...
New York Public Library Blogs, Sept. 9

Brazilian books for teens
Hannah Gómez writes: “On September 7, 1822, Brazil became an independent nation, and ever since then it has dazzled people. Or, it’s dazzled me at least. If you don’t speak Portuguese, it can be hard to find fiction from Brazil, especially for kids and young adults. Teens may be interested in some Brazilian authors who write for adults, like Paulo Coelho or Jorge Amado, but there isn’t much original YA getting translated into English. If Brazil is one of your favorite countries as well, or if you’re looking to make it so, here are some ways to get to know it a bit better.”...
YALSA The Hub, Sept. 7

Top 32 adventure novels of the 19th century
Joshua Glenn writes: “Over the summer, I drew up a list of my favorite adventure novels without regard to sub-genre: espionage, crime/detection, hunted-man, swashbuckling, fantasy, science fiction, YA, I didn’t discriminate. That part was easy—I just toured my own bookshelves. What turned out to be difficult was ranking the books qualitatively; so I decided to list them instead by sociocultural decade.”...
HiLoBrow, Sept. 9

Literary analysis: It’s all about context
Teen blogger Cory C. writes: “I never really thought that the ongoing debate on whether or not authorial intent is important in the interpretation of a piece of literature would ever affect my daily life. I thought it was an interesting topic that I could discuss with some friends on a misty October morning over a cup of tea, but I wasn’t expecting it to come right up and slap me in the face. What kind of theoretical question does that? Just three weeks ago, however, I found out.”...
YALSA The Hub, Sept. 2

2013 National Book Festival
Jennifer Gavin writes: “With the Library of Congress National Book Festival just days away (September 21–22, free of charge on the National Mall) we have a lot to share in addition to more than 100 bestselling authors for readers of all ages. One of the great stops at this year’s festival will be the Library of Congress Pavilion. It’s your opportunity to sample our ‘universe under the dome with the torch of knowledge on top,’ appetizer-style.”...
Library of Congress Blog, Sept. 10

Sandra Hirsh elected ASIS&T president
Sandra Hirsh (right), director of the School of Library and Information Science at San José State University, has been elected president of the Association for Information Science and Technology. Hirsh will start her term as president elect during 2014, and will serve as ASIS&T president in 2015. She currently serves as chair of the American Libraries Advisory Committee....
Association for Information Science and Technology, Sept. 6

One tip for beginning library school
Ruth Tillman writes: “I’m in my seventh and final semester of library school and I suddenly have a piece of advice for people who are just starting library school: Buy a tablet. Ideally, buy a 10-inch tablet. It doesn’t have to be an iPad; there are a few similarly-sized tablets out there, including a Galaxy model. After just a week being back at school, I’ve realized how lovely it is reading my library school PDFs on my refurbished iPad and how I can now read them at work or on the train.”...
Ruth Kitchin Tillman, Sept. 6

How I started liking discovery layers
Joe Hardenbrook writes: “My library just implemented a discovery layer, Primo from Ex Libris, to combine catalog records, articles, and other resources from our databases. Frankly, I wasn’t excited about it at first. It had nothing to do with the product itself. It just seemed like we were getting something that we weren’t asking for. And this is when I had to teach myself to stop thinking so much like a damn librarian.”...
Mr. Library Dude, Sept. 10

What to do if your Twitter account is hacked
Lincoln Spector writes: “You have to fix this immediately. When someone else is sending out tweets and DMs under your name, you’re in danger of losing your credibility. The first thing you need to do is try to log onto Twitter. If you can do that, change your password. This will stop the Twitter thief in his or her tracks, and regain you control of your account—if the thief hasn’t already changed the password and locked you out.”...
PC World, Sept. 9

How to get more out of LinkedIn
Dan O’Halloran writes: “You have your LinkedIn profile written up listing your work history, your goals, and what you’re looking for next. You send connection requests with personalized messages and respond promptly to the ones you receive. So what else can you do to grow your network of connections and let everyone know you’re out there (without bothering them)? There are many new site features you can take advantage of in your quest to advance your career.”...
Techlicious, Sept. 3

Print a storyboard for any YouTube video
Amit Agarwal writes: “When you are watching any video on the YouTube website, the storyboard for that video is automatically downloaded in the background. Our Print YouTube bookmarklet stitches all these storyboard frames as one large poster as shown in the demo (1:40). To get started, drag the bookmarklet to your bookmarks toolbar.”...
Digital Inspiration, Sept. 4; YouTube, Sept. 4

Bing redesigns video search
Ryan Becker and Ting Sun write: “Today we are releasing a completely re-imagined search experience for video on Bing. Designed from the ground up, the new experience includes streamlined navigation showcasing larger and higher-resolution previews so you can quickly browse, discover, and view videos on the web. On Bing you can not only find great videos from YouTube, Hulu, and Vimeo, but also content from Dailymotion, Vevo, MTV, CBS, and MSN.”...
Bing Search Blog, Sept. 4

The art of using sources correctly
Meredith Farkas writes: “I often wonder if students really understand the purpose of evidence in a research paper. We talk so much about ‘sources’ and having a certain number or type, when really we tend to skip the part where we ask ‘what evidence do you need to make your case or answer your question?’ I’ve started using the BEAM model (right) for teaching sources because it’s focused more on how sources are used.”...
Information Wants to Be Free, Sept. 10

Comparing search effectiveness (PDF file)
In 2011, researchers at Bucknell University and Illinois Wesleyan University compared the search efficacy of Serial Solutions Summon, EBSCO Discovery Service, Google Scholar, and conventional library databases. Regardless of the search system, students exhibited a marked inability to effectively evaluate sources and a heavy reliance on default search settings. This article describes these results and makes recommendations for libraries considering these tools....
College and Research Libraries 74, no. 5 (Sept.): 464–488

KU puts Quantrill’s Raid on exhibit
The University of Kansas Libraries are hosting an exhibit of photos and documents in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid, a Confederate guerrilla attack in which most of Lawrence (the home of KU) was burned to the ground on August 21, 1863. The exhibit and its online component includes materials from the Spencer Research Library’s Kansas Collection and will be open through early November....
KU Libraries, Aug. 14

35 cloud tools for librarians
Reuben Yonatan writes: “One question facing librarians today is how to connect with today’s tech-savvy populace and keep content accessible despite budget cuts. Interestingly, harnessing the cloud may be the solution to both problems. Here are 35 ways librarians can use the cloud to improve services, streamline their jobs, and do more with less.”...
Get VOIP, Aug. 13

But the Cheetos bag said they were healthy
Bonnie Swoger writes: “On the Cheetos package are the words ‘0 grams trans fat.’ They must be healthy, right? Some information sources provide basic facts about food items, while other sources aim to influence our philosophical and moral attitudes towards food and food production. Evaluating all of this information can be tricky. Luckily there are some general things that can guide us in our search for credible, useful, and reliable information about diet and nutrition.”...
Scientific American: Information Culture, Sept. 4

Librarian laffs
Lisa Taylor writes: “A patron asked the librarian why Tales of Robin Hood had been withdrawn from the children’s collection. The librarian replied, ‘Too much Saxon violence.’ Ever wonder where librarians lark about on the internet? If you’re in need of a laugh, here are some great sites to put a smile on your face. It’s all in good fun. Enjoy.”...
ALSC Blog, Sept. 10

Make your principal your ally
Doug Johnson writes: “Librarians, you cannot afford to have an adversarial relationship with your principal. You cannot even afford principals who are ‘agents of benevolent neglect.’ You need an administrator who actively supports you and your program. And it will be up to you, not your principal, to create this alliance. Here are some concrete ways you can do so.”...
Blue Skunk Blog, Sept. 10

A head start on lice prevention
Laura McNulty and Ginny A. Roth write: “New backpack? Check. New pencils, pens, and notebooks? Check. Lice comb? Yes, it is that time of year again. Kids are going back to school, parents are reaching into the depths of their memory banks for knowledge to assist the little ones with their homework assignments, and head lice are getting ready to make things more itchy. September is National Head Lice Prevention Month. This poster (right) has some prevention tips.”...
Circulating Now, Sept. 10

Dealing with dust
Christina Duffy writes: “Dust is one of the most ubiquitous substances in the workplace and nearly impossible to eradicate entirely. It can cause a range of problems to objects and collections, depending on its nature. The Preventive Conservation team in Collection Care works across all areas of the library, putting measures in place to protect the collections from harm, to inhibit the progress of existing damage or deterioration, and to prevent new damage from occurring.”...
British Library: Collection Care Blog, Sept. 9

The ancient roots of punctuation
Keith Houston writes: “The story of the hashtag begins sometime around the 14th century, with the introduction of the Latin abbreviation ‘lb’ for the Roman term libra pondo, or ‘pound weight.’ Like many standard abbreviations of that period, ‘lb’ was written with the addition of a horizontal bar, known as a tittle or tilde (an example is shown above, in Johann Conrad Barchusen’s Pyrosophia, from 1698).”...
The New Yorker: Page-Turner, Sept. 6

When books were shelved backwards
Stephanie Sylverne writes: “It may seem counterintuitive to us, but books were not always shelved to show the spine. In the 15th and 16th century, libraries often chained their books to shelves or lecterns, the medieval equivalent of the electronic security devices our libraries use today. The chains were connected to clasps that kept the books shut. It made sense to organize them with the clasps facing out so they could be pulled from the shelf.”...
Ephemeris, Aug. 29

Medieval manuscripts in America
Julie Somers writes: “Many collections in America have works that range from the 9th through the 16th centuries. The collections include Bibles, psalters, graduales, commentaries, books of hours, charters, and many other medieval texts. Various museum, university, and public libraries can provide access to the real thing. Plus, many have an added bonus of images available online.” Indeed, Lisa Fagin Davis and Melissa Conway have embarked on a Manuscript Road Trip, “a state-by-state tour of medieval manuscripts in the lower 48, focusing on less-well-known collections.”...
medievalfragments, Aug. 30; Manuscript Road Trip

The Riga Story Tower
Jeff O’Neal writes: “When their local library closed temporarily for renovation, students at Riga Technical University in Latvia built the Story Tower, a temporary place to house and discover books from the library’s collection. Built with reclaimed local materials, the Story Tower has more than 2,000 exterior shingles and is over 20 feet tall. Only the bottom few layers have books, but the structure is as much a space as it is a library.”...
Book Riot, Sept. 5

19 literary manicures
You’ve got your sweaters lined up, a pair of so-hot-right-now boots, and your scarves are ready. Just add these book-smart manicures and people will think you’re heading to fashion week instead of the library. For example, Fahrenheit 451 (right) by Honeymunchkin, or The Catcher in the Rye by Dressed Up Nails....
Buzzfeed, Sept. 6

Another record-breaking book domino chain
It’s not official yet, as the attempt needs to be verified by Guinness World Records, but on August 27 the Open Book festival, in partnership with Cape Town Central Library in South Africa, toppled a domino line of 2,586 books, the longest ever. The previous record was set May 31 by the Seattle Public Library at 2,131 books (video, 3:01). The first attempt only went half-way, but staff and volunteers refused to give up and were successful on the fifth try (after some seven hours of work).” Watch the video (2:10)....
Books Live, Aug. 27; YouTube, June 3, Sept. 2

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