The Pew Research Center finds that 77 percent of Americans would like free access to the Internet at public libraries. Good thing then that libraries across the country have begun to offer more resources for small businesses.
Via Trudy Raymakers
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Ways libraries are becoming more socially responsive to their communities
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Doug Mirams
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Rescooped by Doug Mirams from innovative libraries onto SocialLibrary |
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Via Trudy Raymakers
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"Shelf life: Missoula library's Web on Wheels brings tech help...
Via Karen du Toit
Doug Mirams's insight:
Another innovative example of expanding mobile library outreach into a community, this time assisting clients with basic computer skills. 
Karen du Toit's curator insight,
December 9, 2012 4:37 PM
By Ira Sather-Olson for the Missoulian Hop on the Missoula Public Library’s Web on Wheels (W.O.W.) bus at one of its scheduled stops this month and you can take advantage of a new service it’s offering that covers basic computer maintenance techniques. You can learn how to set up free virus scan programs, clean up your hard drive, compress your memory, delete old programs and more."
>>Änother great service to consider for libraries!
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"During a Knight conference exploring the role of libraries in the digital world, we interviewed library directors from eight communities - Philadelphia, St. Paul, Macon, Charlotte, Miami, Akron, San Jose and Detroit - to ask these questions and more. Hear what library directors from these communities say are their biggest successes and listen to insights in how they’re addressing challenges. In these videos, library directors also share what projects they’ve developed to help better serve their communities. The Free Library of Philadelphia, for example, was able to involve itself more deeply in communities by creating hot spots in areas with limited digital access."
Interviews with: James Crawford, Google Books Via Karen du Toit Delete the scoop?
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Ned Potter: "This is a call to arms for libraries, inspired loosely by the famous SHIFT HAPPENS deck. Feel free to embed it anywhere and everywhere, with attribution." Via Karen du Toit Delete the scoop?
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"Libraries have been playing a key role in reducing isolation and improving job prospects among those with no internet access, writes David Batty."
"At a time when many local authorities have cut back on their library services, Brighton & Hove city council has made them central to improving its performance and the experience of service users. The Council Connect project provides local residents who lack internet access or online skills with information technology training and support. This is aimed at enabling them to use other local authority services online more easily and develop skills useful for employment and in their personal lives. The project began last year to bridge the divide between web-savvy local residents who save time and money by going online to pay council bills, resolve enquiries or arrange services, rather than visiting council offices, and those with no internet access or skills. The council noted that the latter often live in more deprived communities or belong to more marginalised social groups, such as older people, those with mental health problems, unemployed people and some ethnic minorities." Via Karen du Toit Delete the scoop?
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"As library systems struggle with finding their relevance within the continuously and rapidly changing digital world, there are a number of things which we (library staff) all need to keep in mind.
Not only do libraries need to re-invent themselves, we also need to do it while conveying the message externally (in a way that addresses some of the traditional perceptions of libraries the community has come to know – an institution where people still experience barriers to accessing information or having social exchanges)."
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Pinterest offers another great way to keep up with creative and cutting-edge ways libraries are engaging with their communities.
"1. Pinning book covers 2. Showcasing historic archives 3. Creating reading lists 4. Sharing new acquisitions 5. Promoting library activities 6. Research 7. Encouraging kids and teens to read 8. Showcasing learning-related infographics 9. Collecting ideas for library displays 10. Getting inspired for library programs, etc." with links to relevant articles. Via Karen du Toit Delete the scoop?
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BY BLAIR KAMIN: "What should a 21st Century library look like? To ask that question is to conjure futuristic visions--of libraries that resemble sleek Apple stores; of librarians who stroll around their branches with computer tablets, and of robots ..." Via Karen du Toit Delete the scoop?
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"My suggestion – If you want to be a successful 21st Century Librarian, COLLABORATE MORE WITH YOUR PEERS!" Via Dailin Shaido, Karen du Toit Delete the scoop?
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"Karen Tatarka, head librarian at the Weston Public Library, gives a tutorial on one of the Kindles now offered for check-out.
During the Oct. 29 snowstorm the Weston Public Library became a gathering place and communications hub for residents who had lost their power. It was a place where Westonites could interact with the outside world, get on the Internet, charge their cell phones or simply warm up and chat with friends.And that's the way Karen Tatarka, director of the library, likes it.
“When it comes down to it, this really is an open space for the public, and we like to look at it as a community space rather than a library space,” Tatarka said.
Over the years, libraries throughout the country have been remodeled and updated, both internally and externally, to adapt to technological change, and the Weston library is no different. “I think as our society changes, we have to change with them,” Tatarka said."
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I have personally been avoiding talking about the new Pew Research on Libraries mostly because I have only been reading what the library press has been saying about the optimistic report. Trudy Raymakers has scooped an interesting commentary on the report from a business magazine which bring an entirely different perspective on the topic.