The Community-Led Libraries Toolkit

A super example of the good work of librarians and their libraries working together for a common goal. The Working Together project, made possible through a funding agreement with Human Resources and Social Development Canada, has produced The Community-Led Libraries Toolkit. This is the result of four of Canada’s urban public library systems – Vancouver, Regina, Toronto, and Halifax working together to understand how to improve services to socially-excluded communities.

This Toolkit presents the service model developed by the Project, as well as offers eight Tools for use by library staff as they work out in community spaces with socially excluded individuals. The Toolkit is based in the Project’s real-life experiences and the lessons shared are based on some of our challenges and successes.

Libraries unleashed

An excellent supplement on academic libraries published in the Guardian and produced in association with the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC): Libraries Unleashed. Sections include:

• Colleges, universities and the digital challenge
• Learning Spaces
• Library 2.0.
• New business models
• Digitisation
• The new user, and
• Librarians

IFLA Libraries Success Stories Database

IFLA Libraries Success Stories Database 

In order to contribute to the ongoing and long term presence of libraries in the world, IFLA has set up a database that aims to showcase the value of libraries to society as a whole.

The achievements and projects will be categorized by:

• Libraries as access point
• Libraries as ICT learning centres
• Libraires for continuing education
• Libraries for specific needs
• Libraries for cultural heritage

Add your library’s story!

NYU Libraries & Institute for the Future of the Book pair up to develop tools for digital scholarly research

As methods of scholarly communication are continuing to evolve, it is great to see that the NYU Libraries have teamed up with the Institute for the Future of the Book to research and develop new methods of sharing and publishing academic research.  From the press release:

“We are constantly watching the unfolding digital landscape for new paths we might want to take,” said Carol A. Mandel, dean of the NYU Libraries. “IFB is a thought leader in the future of scholarly communication. We will work together to develop new software and new options that faculty can use to publish, review, share, and collaborate at NYU and in the larger academic community.” 

Sounds like an excellent meeting of minds, bringing those with different skillsets together to advance this area that is so important to libraries and scholars. 

Bold Design in Prague

The Final Design submissions in the International Architectural Competition for a new building of the National Library of the Czech Republic in Prague are worth a look.

The winner (above) is the first Czech building designed by Jan Kaplický, whom many consider to be the country’s best architect. Kaplický, 70, won the National Library’s competition March 2, beating out 355 other architects. The Prague Post Online has a story on the $93.2 million project, set for completion in 2011.

A helpful LL reader has noted the on-going controversy over the design as well.

New Orleans Public Library has a $650-million plan

Good news in N.O. The New Orleans Public Library has a $650-million master plan to rebuild.

This plan is essential for the recovery of New Orleans,” said Irvin Mayfield, NOPL board chairman. “Hurricane Katrina ruined eight of our public libraries and damaged the remaining five. We must rebuild our libraries bigger and better than they were before. They will serve as community centers accessible to every neighborhood in the city. New computers will help us bridge the digital divide among our citizens. And cultural events will provide recreational enrichment as well as education.

Better World Books’ Rebuild New Orleans Public Library campaign is also still accepting materials.

Excitement in Reno

It is always nice to hear about libraries going through exciting times. Check out the University of Nevada, Reno - a brand new (beautiful!) building and eleven (yes, 11) new library faculty member positions under recruitment.

England loves libraries!

Love Libraries is a wonderful site out of England that is sure to inspire! The Love Libraries campaign is meant to “make England’s public libraries even better.”  What a great idea to get people excited about libraries and what they have to offer. The website has testimonials, a guide to great libraries, photos, features stories about 10 amazing new librarians, and even famous library champions.

Book Wish Foundation - Reading Relief

The tagline for the Book Wish Foundation is “reading relief for people in crisis.” Reading relief is:

… a concept much broader than providing books. It encompasses all of the aid for community institutions and individuals that makes reading possible. This includes, for example, support for libraries, schools, informal literacy and language programs, and vision care. To provide relief, this aid must match the specific needs that exist, which vary according to the crisis situation, culture, language, demographics, educational history, and aspirations of the people being served. These needs form the basis of the Wish Lists on our website, and provide an opportunity for highly targeted giving.

Kudos to this group of committed, effective, and inspiring volunteers and best wishes on your continued success.

Knowing when to say Congratulations

Dean Giustini over at Google Scholar Blog usually seems like a pretty positive guy. But his post “Library Journal’s ‘Movers and Shakers’ A Popularity Contest” is about as sour as you can get. It is not cool to complain about who was or wasn’t chosen by Library Journal as a mover and shaker. Whenever such lists come out we can all think of other amazing people who are equally worthy. But to devalue those who are on the list is uncalled for. Bemoaning the lack of Canadians is just silly since there are so many more American librarians than there are Canadian librarians. As well, Library Journal is a U.S. based publication. Worst of all is crying out against recognition for non-librarians on the list. No one said the list was only for librarians. If we think for one minute that the only people who do good work in libraries are librarians, then we are just self-indulgent and exclusionary. What is wrong with celebrating the work of non-librarians who contribute to making libraries great? Dean should take a spoonful of sugar and learn when to say congratulations.

Update: Sorry, the Library Journal’s ‘Movers and Shakers’ A Popularity Contest post has been removed by the author.