As the holiday season approaches, Anastasia Shawnoo, head librarian at the Kettle and Stony Point First Nations Library, has turned a cherished Christmas tradition into a powerful tool for cultural revitalization. The library's innovative Letters to Santa program, disrupted by the Canada Post strike, invites children to write to Santa Claus in Anishinaabemowin, their native … [Read more...] about A Library’s Role in Reconciliation Through Letters to Santa
libraries
Libraries on the Frontline
Public libraries have long been sanctuaries of knowledge and community engagement. In recent years, however, these locations and their staff have increasingly become frontline responders to societal challenges such as homelessness, drug use, mental health crises, and associated violence. During the pandemic, seeing a security guard at the library became a … [Read more...] about Libraries on the Frontline
London Libraries Launch a New Reading App
Image credit: Libraries Connected The London Libraries network has developed a “Couch to 5k”-style reading app, “ReadOn”, and the app also includes a library map and goal-building features to incentivise reading. Developed by librarians from London Libraries, “ReadOn” uses curated recommendations, reading challenges, interactive quizzes and personalised reading plans to … [Read more...] about London Libraries Launch a New Reading App
Libraries Struggle to Afford E-Book Demand
Libraries are making their best efforts to keep up with visitors' digital demands for audiobooks and e-books. However, the push has introduced many challenges, and the lack of funding is one of them. This has put libraries at the mercy of publisher licensing agreements. Unfortunately, many publishers don’t allow libraries to lend out their books. According to the ALA, … [Read more...] about Libraries Struggle to Afford E-Book Demand
Libraries – A Place To Hang Out???
It's obvious to presume that today's tech-savvy generation is so consumed by digital gadgets that they don't even give a thought to libraries. But studies say otherwise. According to a study conducted at Portland State University, despite the ubiquitous use of social media, Gen Z and millennials frequently visit local libraries. The study showed that 54% of these two … [Read more...] about Libraries – A Place To Hang Out???
Manga and Graphic Novels Are Popular in Libraries
Image credit: Monash Graphic novels have lately become popular among students, according to a survey. It has successfully invaded 90% of the school libraries, with the highest in elementary schools. Amidst the trending genres, manga tops the list, making about 43% of high school graphic novel purchases. An important thing to note here is that despite the backlashes from … [Read more...] about Manga and Graphic Novels Are Popular in Libraries
Book Bans: Truly a Book Ban or Just Curation in Action?
Responding to the backlash against book banning in the USA, many groups are surfacing, claiming that they aren’t asking to ban any book. Instead, they want to ban schoolbooks with themes centered on race, sexual orientation, history, and gender. At the same time, some groups are claiming that the so-called banned books aren’t banned at all. For instance, Jay Greene and Madison … [Read more...] about Book Bans: Truly a Book Ban or Just Curation in Action?
Amazon Blocks Libraries from Loaning eBooks
Ebook lending through public libraries has been something of a headache since the advent of digital reading. Strange "hoop jumping" requirements from publishers and technology obstacles to overcome for libraries and patrons has made this a winding road, to be sure. But as it turns out, some of the barriers are not artificial... and not in the best interests of these … [Read more...] about Amazon Blocks Libraries from Loaning eBooks
Enki Enables Free eBook Borrowing to All CA Residents
All aspects of society have learned a few things during the past year as we braved a worldwide pandemic. First, we learned that working from home actually is a possibility for a great many industries. We've also learned that working from home can be difficult if you have family members to care for. We've learned that masks can stop the spread of COVID and a lot of other … [Read more...] about Enki Enables Free eBook Borrowing to All CA Residents
Will Amazon ever license their original content to libraries?
Amazon has millions of original ebooks that indie authors submitted to their platform as part of Kindle Direct Publishing. The company also runs their own imprints such as Thomas & Mercer and have a different one for each major genre. Their Audible unit also has hundreds of original audiobooks that subscribers have access and not to mention Comixology … [Read more...] about Will Amazon ever license their original content to libraries?