People's Library at Occupy Wall Street

They carry mobile phones, iPhones, and laptops. They twitter, meet on Facebook, and use many other means of social media to keep in touch. And they warm a librarian's heart when the occupiers set up their own library, the People's Library they have called it.

California Law AB438 & Public Libraries

On December 14, 2010 I wrote about the privatization of libraries in some regions of the United States. In July of 2011 the State of California passed a bill, AB 438, placing requirements or restrictions on such actions.

Recently the Mayor of Santa Claritia -- one of the library systems that have already contracted LSSI -- extolled the contract stipulations and benefits that improve and expand library service. This is commendable.

The question remains, will privatized public libraries continue to serve the broadest interests of communities or will contracts be marginalized over time to serve the bottom line of profits? I think it is understandable that public librarians are skeptical about a private business claiming it can do the job better while making a profit. With this bill, California slows the rush to privatization as the fast answer to economic hardship.

Hartford Public Library

I find stories about library renovation and success inspirational. Hartford Business Journal carried an article about Hartford Public Library's transformation into a "21st century learning center, supporting public education" for all, and promoting economic development, access to technology, arts and community discourse.

Visit Hartford Public Library's website, and their library blog (on the lower left dashboard tab) to get a sense of the community and excitement they are creating.

Free Software Applications from the Federal Government

The General Services Administration offers free icloud services and numerous apps. View the video to learn more.

And check out these additional free government apps and mobile sites. They range from travel information and embassies, jobs, product recalls, health aids such as a BMI calculator and stress relief, to White House updates, the Smithsonian museums and a tour of the Library of Congress, NASA, S.O.S emergency help, and other federal agency information.

Help Improve Government Internet Presence

If you would like to participate in the conversation to improve government information on the web including website layout and design, follow these links:

Government Web Reform
A National Dialogue

Weeding for Fresh Appeal and Increased Circulation

As we know, weeded shelves not only look better, but also result in increased circulation.

I just completed a second year of weeding of non-fiction shelves. The first year I weeded the most outdated and physically-abused books.

The second year I followed a computer-generated weed list more faithfully, checking also against Baker & Taylor new editions. (The computer-generated list gave me titles that had not circulated in the last 2 to 3 years.) If a book that had not circulated was still in good shape and had current information,

I concluded that it might be a book of cyclic interest and decided to keep it for 1 or 2 more years to see if it would circ after the shelves looked more inviting.At one time the oversize books were along the bottom shelves, hard to browse, and usually not checked out.

You will see in the images that all oversize books have been placed where it is easier to access them.

Past experience proves

that weeding keeps patrons interested in browsing the collection and books moving out the door!

Amazon Announces the "Most Read-Cities"

According to sales of digital & print media since January 1, 2011, Amazon records the top 20 most-read cities:
1. Cambridge, Mass.; 2. Alexandria Va.; 3. Berkeley, Calif.; 4. Ann Arbor, Mich.; 5. Boulder, Colo.; 6. Miami, Fla.; 7. Salt Lake City; 8. Gainesville, Fla.; 9. Seattle; 10. Arlington, Va.; 11. Knoxville, Tenn.; 12. Orlando, Fla.; 13. Pittsburgh 14. Washington, D.C. 15. Bellevue, Wash.; 16. Columbia, S.C.; 17. St. Louis, Mo.; 18. Cincinnati; 19. Portland, Ore.; 20. Atlanta