SocialLibrary

While not my usual fare but just as responsive are the initiatives coming out
of New York Public Library as they release their Digital Collections API.
This will free up a wealth of cultural and historical data to the community so
that it can find new and exciting ways to interact.

This is another signpost towards the end of websites as we move increasingly
towards an api-driven web? I don't know but it will certainly interesting to watch.

After months of imagining, the virtual subway library is a reality. But the library appeared not in Miami where it was dreamed up by art students nor New York where those students placed their imagined library. No, its in Philadelphia, where the Free Library of Philadelphia in a partnership with a coffee shop. 

Writes Heather Acerro, in ALSC Blog,

"The installation is the tenth of eighteen Smart Play Spots that will be installed 
across Minnesota by the museum as part of their community outreach efforts. So what makes it Smart? The space is designed to encourage preschoolers and their grown ups to play, sing, read, write and talk together."

[...]

"Children ask to visit the library and once they are here they never want to leave."

Arlington [VA] Public Library launched American Girl kits during March's Women's Month. Each kit contains a book and doll from the series which clients can take home for a one week loan. Also, as explained by their website,

“Along with each girl’s first book, the doll kits also feature an exclusive guide created by the Library’s Virginia Room depicting life in Arlington during each doll’s era. And to tell future history, there’s a special journal to record and preserve each doll’s homebound adventures with new friends. The Virginia Room is also creating a historic display for the dolls at Central Library.”

-- spotted in The "M" Word by Nancy Dowd (@nancydowd)

Do you have any underused space in your town or city? Cleveland Public Library and an arts studio plans to turn vacant lots near CPL's branches into summer literacy festivals, with local arts and reading. If you can help out, this is also a Kickstart project http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/literarylots/literary-lots

Some great guidelines/tools to begin and sustain those partnerships with your community, and while its written from a Museum perspective, equally valuable for public librarians. Since how can we be responsive, if we are not willing to listen and act with our communities.

Spotted from Mylee Joseph (http://pinterest.com/myleej/people-place-technology-libraries/)

Henderson District Public Library strives to be relevant to its community by offering volunteer placement services, a community coupon board and loanable art.

The newly renovated Warrensville Heights branch shows which the direction  the Cuyahoga County Public Library (OH) system is moving in. With recording studio, homework centre and cafe, "In short, it is a community center that has become a gathering spot for thoughts and ideas."

The Bubbler, "refers to how creativity bubbles up from the population"  described as "pop-up events held at locations throughout the city" of Madison Wisconsin, writes Lauren Pongan for the Daily Page. 

She goes on to say, "The library, especially the Bubbler, hopes to help by hosting pop-up workshops, offering drop-in hours at an animation lab, and bringing programs and technology to places where teens spend their time.

"It's not classroom-style alone," [Teen Services Librarian Jesse] Vieau says of the Bubbler's instructional style. "It's not a lecture. It's a more informal learning environment with experts who can teach hands-on activities instead of just theory."

Birmingham Archives and Heritage launches two new mobile apps which allow clients to access their library digital collection and their city in new exciting ways. Dozens are described as a browsable collection of twelve stories from collection. Trails is a map overlay of the City of Birmingham, bring the library's collection to the street.

Using video conferencing technology, members of the Lawyers in Libraries program will be starting presentations in public libraries located in Bangor, Houlton, Cherryfield, Sknowhedgan, York and the Maine State Library in Augusta. This programme, coordinated by the Volunteer Lawyers Project, "It's really trying to make lawyers and the legal system more accessible," says Hanna Sanders.

This continues the trend where public libraries are being seen as vital community hubs, for health, government, community services and legal support.

Couldn't add more than what Valarie Kingsland (http://librariesbuildcommunity.tumblr.com/post/44457804155/deposit-collections-in-homeless-shelters) says, 

"@hclib will pilot book collections at two homeless shelters.  They will reduce concern about returning books with selections of donated and weeded books.  The library expects to supplement collections with new purchases, display information about library services, and offer on-site programs. Volunteers and interns will be trained to help maintain the outreach.  

Hennepin County Library will make a difference where it matters." 

Another example of a community-based people-led library in Brooklyn, this one featuring books from small, independent presses catalogued by Goodreads. 

Very sad that there is even the need for such a community led project as creating "people libraries" but the need is great. So begins this project, part of the Community Lover's Guide (http://www.communityloversguide.org/) series, to create a Community Lover's Guide on Libraries. From the author, "Since we think libraries are one of those topics around which people also create great new initiatives, we have decided it is time to make a Community Lover’s Guide on Libraries." I hope that municipalities will come to their senses and support "public libraries" rather than abdicating their responsibilities but if they do, there are individuals willing to take over.