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?
Recorded Books has incorporated streaming video in their RBDIGITAL App
Recorded Books has just launched a new streaming video service that is available for libraries that do business with them. It provides unlimited viewing of shows made possible through an innovative, new pricing model for libraries. With the new streaming video service, library patrons can binge-watch videos the same way they do on subscription streaming video services like … [Read more...] about Recorded Books has incorporated streaming video in their RBDIGITAL App
Libraries are increasing their social media awareness
Librarians these days are very tech savvy. They can walk patrons through the process of borrowing audiobooks, ebooks, digital magazines and newspapers. Not to mention the myriad of apps they need to know like the back of their hand. Many libraries are now turning to social media to promote their branch and to foster discussion with their patrons. 44% percent of libraries post … [Read more...] about Libraries are increasing their social media awareness
Bibliotheca Adds HarperCollins Titles to its Pay-Per-Use Audiobook Library
One of the most vital resources any community has--even in polls of area residents, despite the low attendance numbers that post every so often--is the public library. Many see it as a worthwhile use of their tax dollars, even if they themselves don't attend all too often, because it provides necessary outlets for individuals across a wide variety of needs. From reading … [Read more...] about Bibliotheca Adds HarperCollins Titles to its Pay-Per-Use Audiobook Library
Millennials May Be the Salvation of Libraries
While previous studies have shown the majority of Americans cite libraries as a vital public resource in their communities, those same studies cited an alarming fact: Americans simply don't use their libraries. Fortunately, their luck is about to change. New survey results from the Pew Research Center have found that millenials are stepping up in a big way and taking advantage … [Read more...] about Millennials May Be the Salvation of Libraries