Websites, Library AdvocacyAugust 31, 2007 5:16 am
It’s almost time for my favorite library holiday! the above images and others are available at The Office for Intellectual Freedom Blog
Check it out and Read a Banned Book!
Library ServicesAugust 28, 2007 7:20 pm
Eugene Fodor @ Rangeview Library District!
WOW! What a special day at our library - Eugene Fodor, the world-renowned violin soloist, came and played his violin. It is not often when one has the opportunity to see an artist like Mr. Fodor play in person, much less within feet of you. I have heard some beautiful music played at large venues but never have I stood literally just a few feet away from someone who can play the violin like that. I am sorry I cannot remember the name of the song he played but it was amazing. Wow! (I had to say it again!)
Mindy
Social NetworkingAugust 20, 2007 11:42 am
A new study from Grunwald Associates LLC conducted in cooperation with the National School Boards Association begins, “Online social networking is now so deeply embedded in the lifestyles of tweens and teens that it rivals television for their attention…”
Personally, I think this is really good news. Especially because the study also found that, “many students engage in highly creative activities on social networking sites…” and I can guarantee you they are doing nothing creative when they are watching TV.
The students (almost 60% of them) also reported that they talk about educational topics online and more than 50% of them talk specifically about schoolwork. They are also creating content online, not just sharing it! They are making music, videos, photographs, artwork and blogging their creative writing.
So what does this mean for our library? I am happy to say that as of today we no longer block social networking sites such as facebook and myspace. But the most important thing that we can do as libraries is to teach (or at least offer the opportunity to be taught), how to navigate and negotiate these sites safely. We can also introduce them to sites that may be more to their liking or needs and give them the tools to become active participants. We can teach classes in podcasting and Internet editing of photos, etc.
If you would like to read the full report the link is here.
Mindy
From the May 2007 issue of Interior Design, “Matters of Design” by Laura Fisher Kaiser p. 244-6.
“As for the former centerpiece of most libraries, that 40-foot-long circ desk, it’s gradually being supplanted by automated checkout kiosks. Unshackled from clerk duty, librarians can spread out to help “customers” with meatier tasks. A hallmark of the modern library is the variety of junction points where people can meet, work, or “be alone together,” says Hillier Architecture principal Joseph Rizzo, who has designed 80 libraries in his career.”
“Rizzo points out that Starbucks built it success on the universal truth that human beings are social creatures. but libraries have the edge, he adds: “People get addicted to coffee, but they also get addicted to books.”
Even the interior designers agree that it is time that we moved away from checking out books for our customers and they understand the value of the library as the center of the community!!!
Mindy
