How Audio Promotes Literacy How Audio Promotes Literacy http://www.soundlearningapa.org/docs/infographic.pdf Stephen

World Happiness Report 2015 Source: Sustainable Development Solutions Network http://fulltextreports.com/2015/05/08/world-happiness-report-2015/ "Since it was first published in 2012, the World Happiness Report demonstrated that well-being and happiness are critical indicators of a nation’s economic and social development, and should be a key aim of policy. This year’s report looks at the changes in happiness levels in 158 countries, and examines the reasons behind the statistics. The World Happiness Report 2015 also comes in advance of three high-level negotiations that will give world leaders the opportunity to reshape the global agenda and move the world towards a sustainable development agenda that includes well-being as an essential element." Stephen

6 email mistakes killing your career http://mashable.com/2015/05/05/career-damaging-email-mistakes/ "Before it’s too late. . . Being trigger happy with "Forward": You see an important update in your inbox that you are excited to inform your boss about. It’s tempting to instantly hit forward — you might even feel a sense of accomplishment getting it off your plate and into your boss’s inbox. But think again. Forwarding an email without a note or explanation forces your boss to spend valuable time figuring out the context of the message, and gives no insight into why you thought the message was important for him or her to read.The fix: First, review and edit the subject so that it gets your boss’s attention and provides the right context. Next, write a clear and concise summary. Reference the email (or email chain) below, calling out the key takeaways. Need approval? Clearly outline the request and the positive impact you hope to achieve. Remember that bosses are always interested in outcomes. Bonus points: When possible, make an informed recommendation regarding next steps. Your boss will likely appreciate your insight. Getting lazy with grammar: It’s been decades since anyone expected you to diagram a sentence, but there’s still an expectation in the workplace to send well-written, grammatically correct emails. It’s been decades since anyone expected you to diagram a sentence, but there’s still an expectation in the workplace to send well-written, grammatically correct emails. You won’t convey your intelligence and polished writing skills by sending emails full of run-on sentences, multiple exclamation marks, errant semicolons or (worst of all) emoji.The fix: Convey your message via smart language, not unnecessary symbols or poorly written sentences. If you’re excited about something, provide a succinct explanation why instead of using 12 exclamation points and a smiley face. Use short, meaningful sentences that get to the point. With email, always remember: Shorter is better. Spewing jargon: Writing perfectly composed emails shouldn’t involve "boiling the ocean," but you will need to take this process from "soup to nuts…" Groaning yet? Even if you aren’t, your boss will be. If you’re cluttering your email with jargon that provides no real insight into the issue at hand, you’re not helping your boss do his or her job. Rather, he or she is going to roll his or her eyes every time your name pops up in the inbox. Not good.The fix: Rid your email of overused jargon. Instead of including phrases like "noodle on it" or "circle the wagons," think about what you actually want to say. Do you need time to think about a recommendation because you want to do research or speak to another team? Say so and go do it. Srsly, don’t even: Your boss is not your BFF, and you should not be writing emails that include informal or trendy acronyms. This includes obnoxious abbreviations and, unless it’s in a social media context, hashtags.The fix: Think about how to sound approachable but informed. It’s fine to be conversational with your boss, but be sure to keep the topic and your views professional. Make your emails relevant, and help your boss relate by tying your recommendations and insights back to real-world events and anecdotes, not by making pop-culture references or using slang for the heck of it. "Replying All" all day long: Every office has one -- a person who refuses to stop using "Reply All." Most teams use an email alias/group to communicate important updates and ask questions. These are great tools, but only when used wisely and only if relevant toevery person in the alias/group. "Replying all" in the wrong context will unnecessarily clutter your boss’s already overflowing inbox -- something he or she is sure to be annoyed by.The fix: If senior team members are included in an email group, then use it only when necessary. If you are going back and forth with team members, take the alias off the note. Once you’ve come to a point where you need senior input, then re-add the alias or engage your boss directly. Filing and sorting: Did you know that one in six Americans say sorting through emails actually decreases their productivity? Although it is sometimes a task you feel you have to tackle to be productive, sorting your inbox may cause you to lose focus and, in turn, lose time. What’s more, keeping emails perfectly filed becomes increasingly difficult as you climb the corporate ladder, so kick this habit now.The fix: Focus on smart prioritization of tasks that you need to accomplish, and make goals with concrete deadlines. When relevant, share these with your team. Your time is far better spent crafting a to-do list based on the projects/moving pieces for the day than by letting inbox clean-up drain your attention and productivity." Stephen

The Hague Declaration on Knowledge Discovery In The Digital Age Launches http://www.infodocket.com/2015/05/06/the-hague-declaration-on-knowledge-discovery-in-the-digital-age-launches/ Via Gary Price at LJ InfoDocket "UPDATE: An organization that’s frequently mentioned on infoDOCKET, ARL (Association for Research Libraries), have posted an announcement about The Hague Declaration. See: "ARL Joins Hague Declaration for Changes to Intellectual Property Law, Equal Access to Knowledge." UPDATE 2: Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR) Signs Declaration UPDATE 3: IFLA Signs The Hague Declaration From Today’s Launch Announcement: Over 50 organisations have signed The Hague Declaration on Knowledge Discovery in the Digital Age, which calls for immediate changes to intellectual property (IP) law and the removal of other barriers preventing widened and more equal access to data. Improved treatments for diseases, answers to global issues such as climate change and billions in government savings are among the potential benefits to be gained, if the principles outlined in the Declaration are adopted by governments, businesses and society. The Declaration asserts that copyright was never designed to regulate the sharing of facts, data and ideas ‒ nor should it. The right to receive and impart information and ideas is guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but the modern application of IP law often limits this right, even when these most simple building blocks of knowledge are used. "The rapidly changing digital environment, increased computing power and the sheer quantity of data being produced makes it essential for researchers and society to be able to use modern techniques and tools to help them make new discoveries. Research practices could be revolutionised and lives could literally be saved, if we can achieve better access to the knowledge contained within Big Data," said Kristiina Hormia-Poutanen, President of LIBER, the Association of European Research Libraries, which has led work to develop the Declaration. A new approach to knowledge discovery is critical at a time when society is facing a literal data deluge. The digital universe, or the data we create and copy annually, is doubling in size every two years and is expected to reach 44 trillion gigabytes by 2020. In addition to clarity around the scope of IP law, a skills gap and a lack of infrastructure must also be addressed if computers are to be better employed to extract and recombine data in order to identify patterns and trends. This process, known as Content Mining, is widely recognised as the only way to deal effectively with Big Data. "Given the need to make sense of the ever-expanding literature and derive new insights, the Wellcome Trust strongly supports the right of researchers to mine content to which they already have lawful access. The Hague Declaration is an important step in demonstrating the common vision that knowledge discovery and reuse should not be constrained by existing legal frameworks and uncertainty. In particular, we are advocating for reform of copyright law at European level to permit data and text mining for all uses, both commercial and non-commercial," said Will Greenacre, Policy Officer at The Wellcome Trust. Organisations and individuals who wish to support the Declaration can add their signature on the official website,www.thehaguedeclaration.com. In so doing, they will officially recognise the huge potential for knowledge discovery whilst also acknowledging that steps need to be taken to ensure that everyone can benefit from this potential. Read the Declaration Source: The Hague Declaration on Knowledge Discovery In The Digital Age Website List of Organizations that Have Signed Declaration (as of 5/6/2015) African Institute for Economic Development and Planning Agro-Know Association of Research Libraries Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, München CLARIN ERIC COAR: Confederation of Open Access Repositories Collegium Artium Communia Computer & Communications Industry Association Consortium of European Research Libraries Content Mine CRAI Universitat de Barcelona Creative Commons Creative Commons Nigeria CSC - IT Center for Science, Finland CSUC. Libraries, information and documentation division (CBUC) DARIAH Durham University EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries) European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA) European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Europeana Foundation FESABID Genomics and Computational Biology, Kernel Press UG (haftungsbeschränkt) German National Library of Science and Technology Greek Free/Open Source Software Society (GFOSS) Inštitut za novejšo zgodovino / Institute of Contemporary History Intellectual Property Institute IPI International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Kosson Leiden University Libraries LIBER Europe Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance Library and Information Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) Lithuanian Research Library Consortium Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania Narodna in univerzitetna knjižnica / National and University Library of Slovenia National Library of Estonia National Library of Finland Open Knowledge Open Rights Group OpenAIRE Public Knowledge Recorded Future Research Libraries UK Spanish Network of University Libraries (REBIUN) SPARC SPARC Europe Swedish Library Association/Svensk biblioteksförening Ubiquity Press Université catholique de Louvain University Carlos III of Madrid University of Bath Library Vlaamse Vereniging voor Bibliotheek, Archief & Documentatie (VVBAD) Wellcome Trust World Wide Web Foundation A list of individuals who have signed the declaration can be found at the bottom of this page." Stephen

Fantastic article by Steve Denning in Forbes: Do We Need Libraries? http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2015/04/28/do-we-need-libraries/ Stephen

Top 10 Computer Disasters (and How to Deal with Them) 10. Your Laptop Was Lost or Stolen   9. Your Computer Catches a Virus or Other Malware 8. Your Computer Fan Won’t Shut Up 7. Your Water Cooling Leaks Inside Your PC 6. Your Display Looks Distorted 5. Windows or OS X Won’t Load Properly or Keeps Crashing 4. Your Computer Won’t Turn On 3. Your Internet Connection Suddenly Sucks or Doesn’t Work at All 2. Your Hard Drive Crashed or Isn’t Working 1. Your Computer Has Slowed to a Crawl Stephen

Ben Heck Answers Your 3D Printing Questions   "Ben responds to viewer’s questions about 3-D printing by delivering a full tutorial! He covers the kinds of printers available as well as the basic parts and costs of building your own printer. Ben also demonstrates how to find existing designs to print and gives examples of software for designing objects from scratch. After printing some objects, he shares tips and tricks on how to create the best prints possible." Stephen

5 Mistakes that Could Get Your Email in the Spam Folder   Stephen

Digital Learning 24/7: Understanding Technology — Enhances Learning in the Lives of Today’s Students Speak Up 2014 National Findings K-12 Students April 2015 http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/SU14DigitalLearning24-7_StudentReport.html "Digital Learning 24/7: Understanding Technology - Enhances Learning in the Lives of Today’s Students is the first in a two part series to document the key national findings from Speak Up 2014. For the past twelve years, Project Tomorrow’s® annual Speak Up Research Project has provided schools and districts nationwide and throughout the globe with new insights into how today’s students want to leverage digital tools for learning based upon the authentic, unfiltered ideas of students themselves. Each year, education, policy, research, and business leaders leverage the Speak Up findings to understand the trends around students’ use of technology, and how schools and communities can better serve the learning needs of today’s digital learners. Speak Up reports over the past few years have focused on connecting the digital dots for learning, mapping a personalized learning journey, and moving from chalkboards to tablets as part of a digital conversion effort. With this year’s national report on the views of 431,231 K-12 students representing over 8,000 schools and 2,600 districts in the United States and around the world, we focus our attention on the lived experiences of students immersed in daily digital learning experiences. From the Speak Up database, we extract the views and ideas of students in four specific types of learning environments to comprehend how their experiences differ from students in more traditional classroom-based education.  The four learning environments examined include: Students who are using school provided laptops, tablets, or Chromebooks to support their education Students in blended learning environments where instruction is a mix of class time and online time Students whose learning is 100 percent online or virtual Students participating in STEM learning experiences such as specific STEM academies, school tech support team, or computer programming/coding clubs Key Findings from this year’s report include: Whether driven by parental demands for increased personalization or higher goals for student achievement, many administrators are finding that blended learning environments hold great promise. In fact, 45 percent of district administrators in this year’s Speak Up surveys indicate that the implementation of blended learning models within their district was already yielding positive results. Students in blended environments use technology more frequently than their peers in more traditional classroom settings. In addition to use in the classroom, these students are also more likely to self-direct their learning outside of school by tapping into mobile apps,  finding online videos to help with homework, emailing their teachers with questions and posting content they create online for comment. When students have access to technology as part of their learning,especially school-provided or enabled technology, their use of the digital tools and resources is deeper and more sophisticated. The availability of online learning continues to increase with only 27 percent of high school principals reporting that they are not yet offering any online courses for students. Interest among students continues to grow, with 24% of high school students saying they wish they could take all their classes online - a large increase from 8% in 2013. Almost three-quarters of students with school-provided devices as well as students with limited or non-existent technology access at school agreed that every student should be able to use a mobile device during the school day for learning. Students connect the use of technology tools within learning to the development of college, career, and citizenship skills that will empower their future capabilities. Digital experiences for students in a 100 percent virtual environment are much different than those in traditional schools. For instance, 72 percent of high school students in virtual schools take online tests, compared with 58 percent of traditional students. Students see the smartphone as the ideal device for communicating with teachers (46%) and classmates (72%) and for social media (64%). A gender bias exists in STEM interest -middle school girls are 38% less likely and high school girls are 32% less likely than their male peers to say they are very interested in a STEM career." Stephen

Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2015 http://nextbigfuture.com/2015/05/top-10-emerging-technologies-of-2015.html "The World Economic Forum’s Meta-Council on Emerging Technologies, a panel of 18 experts, draws on the collective expertise of the Forum’s communities to identify the most important recent technological trends. Here is their list * Fuel cell vehicles [NBF -says this is wrong] * Next-generation robotics [NBF - agrees with robotics getting more important] * Recyclable thermoset plastics * Precise genetic-engineering techniques [NBF - CRISPR gene editing is a big deal] * Additive manufacturing [NBF - still several breakthroughs away from delivering on the promise] * Emergent artificial intelligence [NBF - does not think improved Watson will be that important] * Distributed manufacturing [NBF - craft and hobby scale but a will remain a small part of the supply chain] * ‘Sense and avoid’ drones [NBF - drones matter but this aspect is not that interesting] * Neuromorphic technology [NBF - there is potential and the tech is interesting but real big applications have not arrived] * Digital genome [NBF - not that big a deal]" Stephen

The Importance of Proper Punctuation: INFOGRAPHIC http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/the-importance-of-proper-punctuation-infographic/103088   Stephen

10 facts about social media that might make you think http://www.meanlaura.com/archives/40838 "Because, numbers. Do any of these numbers change how you think about your library’s social media strategy? Facebook: Facebook’s monthly active user base is expected to surpass 1.43 billion in the first quarter of 2015. (Source ) Facebook still skews heavily female (Source) Believe it or not, Facebook is still tops for teens (Source) But…Organic Facebook reach drops to 2% for most pages (Source) Twitter: On Twitter, engagement-per-post has grown by 85% year-over-year. (Source ) The best number of times to tweet per day? 3. (Source) Instagram: Instagram is now bigger than Twitter (Source) The more hashtags you use, the more likes and comments you’re likely to get (Source) Quit using filters. It may actually be hurting engagement (Source) General: Consumers expect companies to be present on an average of 3.4 different social platforms (Source)" Stephen

New Report: "The State of Digital Publishing in Canada 2014″ Via Gary Price at LJ InfoDocket http://www.infodocket.com/2015/05/12/new-report-the-state-of-digital-publishing-in-canada-2014/ The new report is published by BookNet Canada. "From a Summary/News Release: Canadian publishers’ digital publishing programs continue to progress, according to a report released today by BookNet Canada. The State of Digital Publishing in Canada 2014 lays out the results of a survey conducted by BookNet Canada in early 2015. Over 70 respondents, representing small, mid-sized, and large publishers and distributors, reported on various aspects of their digital publishing programs, including staffing, ebook production & conversion, digital originals, enhanced ebooks & apps, ebook bundling, and ebook sales & distribution. Their responses were then compared to the results of the 2013 fielding of the same survey. The percentage of publishers producing ebooks in 2014 increased slightly to 93% (vs 89% in 2013). Of those producing ebooks, close to half have digitized more than 50% of their active titles, and almost a quarter have converted over 75% of their backlist titles. The majority of publishers (65%) choose to publish print and ebook formats of a title simultaneously, while 29% delay the ebook edition until after the print version is available. When asked for the main reasons to publish ebooks, the most popular response was to increase sales (77%), followed closely by to meet customer demand (63%). Only 5% cited "as a mechanism to lower costs" as a reason to produce ebooks-a noticeable drop from 15% in 2013. The development of enhanced ebooks and apps remained fairly steady from 2013 to 2014, whereas more publishers are publishing digital originals: from 27% in 2013 to 35% in 2014. The main sales channel was ebook retailers (95%), followed by direct (66%) and wholesale (43%). Ebook retailers also generated the most revenue for 69% of respondents, while only 12% reported receiving the most revenue through their direct sales channel. The percentage of publishers offering direct sales is up significantly, however-from 42% in 2013 to 66% in 2014. The majority of publishers (69%) report that ebook sales make up 1-10% of their revenue, while 17% of publishers derive 11-20% of their revenue from ebook sales. As for libraries, the majority of publishers surveyed (75%) sell ebooks to libraries, up from 61% in 2013. Libraries and Ebooks Pages 33-34 provide data (three charts) about: Library Ebook Sales Pricing for Libraries Library Distribution From the Libraries and Ebooks Section: Three-quarters of publishers sell ebooks to libraries (up from 61% in 2013). Almost half of publishers (49%) are selling to libraries at the same price as retail, with an additional 25% of publishers selling for a form of multiple pricing. OverDrive continues to be the most popular ebook vendor with 82% of publishers, however 3M made a significant jump in 2014, going from only 8% of publishers in 2013 to 35%. Direct to Full Text Report (36 pages; PDF) http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1456875/26187631/1430420508347/State_of_Digital_Publishing_2014.pdf?token=NZTAGkGKYo470jVAShyw8VcStnI%3D Loaded with data and charts." Stephen

Most Parents Prefer Print: INFOGRAPHIC http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/parents-prefer-print-infographic/102845 Stephen

INFOGRAPHIC: Online Video Is Vital for Small, Midsized Businesses http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/infographic-animoto-online-video-smbs/619908 "How important is video in forming opinions on small and midsized businesses? Very, according toAnimoto. The online video-creation application surveyed 1,051 consumers in the U.S. and found that: 63 percent of respondents believe that companies that use video know how to reach their customers. One-quarter lose interest in companies that don’t use videos. 56 percent believe that if a company has a website, it should have video. 84 percent said they have liked videos in their News Feeds from companies. 43 percent were more likely to read email newsletters with links to videos. 56 percent have watched company videos received via email. Nearly one-half have shared videos from companies on their own social media profiles. 80 percent say videos explaining how products and services work are important when learning about companies. 56 percent say customer testimonials are important when purchasing products or services. About one-half cited company videos as most helpful when making purchases. Animoto CEO Brad Jefferson said in a release announcing the results: The growth of online video marketing in recent years has been tremendous. Today, there are more than 7 billion videos watched every day on Facebook and YouTube. Historically, in order to create and distribute high-quality video to your customers, it was cost-prohibitive for all but the largest brands. However, today’s tools and platforms ensure that small and midsized businesses can reach their audiences where they hang out online. This represents one of the biggest marketing opportunities for small businesses in a long time." Stephen

Reasons for Public Libraries Via CILIP: http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/the-story-so-far/reasons-for-public-libraries/ "Public libraries are currently under attack as never before. Quite apart from the imperatives of cutting council spending, many critics question the point of public libraries. With the advent of the internet and the ebook, public libraries are described as out-dated. They are also accused of being too Middle Class and of being a luxury we cannot afford when other services are facing financial pressure. This page aims to address some of these points and to highlight the main purposes that libraries exist to provide. Educational "The National Literacy Trust says that children who go to a library are twice as likely as those who don’t to read well. It is not just picking up a book. It is the social experience of reading, talking about the books, browsing, comparing what you have read with family and friends. Librarians are gate keepers in that process. They open doors to new worlds, new possibilities. They ask library visitors to evaluate the information on offer. Most importantly, they give access to narratives. Children and adults do not just need information to thrive as thinking beings, but stories. Libraries are the temple of story. They are not in decline because of some natural, historic progression, but because of the monstrous cultural vandalism of savage cost-cutting. We will pay a terrible price for the behaviour of our masters." (Alan Gibbons) • Oxford University study shows that reading books improves your life chances. Public libraries are seen as an important way to improve reading skills in South Korea where 180 new ones are being built. It’s interesting also that Russia is expanding its libraries in order to boost Russian culture. • Using a library improves your children’s reading ability according to National Literacy Trust. "… a beacon of civilisation, a mark of what we as a country stand for. For we remain, per capita, the most literate country in the world - we produce and read more newspapers and books per head than any other nation. And it’s vital we keep it that way, as economic inequalities multiply, and the world divides into information rich and information poor." (Tim Lott, The Independent). "Libraries are where so many children discover what books they like best and become lifelong readers. They’re also great places for research. When I worked in Easterhouse library lots of local children came in to do their homework - browsing, reading and receiving help from the experts on hand, rather than sitting at home printing out reams of often irrelevant and undigested material from the internet." Julia Donaldson, children’s laureate • Scientific research has recently shown the act of reading the printed word seems to imprint knowledge better than using a computer screen. "A library has more effect on reading than a phonics check. Being able to have a wide range of books that appeal to different interests will do more to drive literacy than some of the government’s strategies." Russell Hobby, general secretary of NAHT. • The community aspect of libraries, including storytimes/rhymetimes and free picture books is especially important for new mothers and their children. Children can easily read five books per week and all but the most wealthy parents could not easily afford this. • Even leaving aside books, the lack of access to the internet can reduce exam results by a grade. Public libraries can provide that access to children who do not have it at home. • Lack of literacy exacerbated by lack of adequately funded libraries can lead to problems for British business, says the CBI. • Libraries are one of the places people go when school fails them - Terry Pratchettcredits his education to Beaconsfield Public Library. They’re all about lifelong learning. "Anti-poverty campaigner Sam Roddick, who founded Coco de Mer, said: "Cutting the libraries is cutting the poor from the little they have. It will damn our country into the kind of poverty you see in third world countries." (London Evening Standard, 12th April 2011) • Borrowing of children’s books is increasing. • Education is for adults and senior citizens too - senior citizens use libraries for education (notably, the U3A), students for quiet study, those new to computers for computer training. • New York has recently declared public libraries are educational institutions. "I have yet to meet the tiny tot who doesn’t enjoy sitting with a grown up and turning the magical pages of a book. "For many children the library is the only place they will ever be physically engaged with all the possibilities there are on the shelves. "That is why many small children’s activities are based in library buildings, a resource not to be found or replicated anywhere else. "Having a space where the sole purpose is to engage with words and pictures, to create memories that last a lifetime, is a delight and not to be given away lightly." (Ann Chambers, deputy chief executive of Howgill Family Centre) For the Community and Disadvantaged "Libraries are not an indulgence. They can have a transformative power - especially for those marginalized, disenfranchised, alone, or simply open a world of stories and imagination to readers young and old." Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive, Harrogate International Festivals. • A significant proportion of the population (23% according to the Office of National Statistics) does not have an internet connection at home. Those people most in need are precisely those without an ebook or the internet e.g. unemployed, those on low incomes, senior citizen. Libraries offer online and access for all, often free. The United Nations has declared that internet access is a human right - public libraries uphold that right. In addition, using the internet means one can take advantage of special offers (e.g. comparison websites) meaning that by not allowing libraries and thus free internet access,the poor are being forced to pay more while the wealthier can pay less. • For all but the very wealthy, public libraries are great value for money - "In under 2 years if we had bought all the books we borrowed from the library we would have spent an estimated £3400, this works out roughly as a book habit of £150 a month, definitely not something we could afford.Our young son is the biggest user of the library in terms of number of books he borrow. I think having such a wealth and variety of books is a huge benefit in terms of his development, use of imagination, his language skills etc. Not something you can add a value to." • During times of recession, libraries are a great way of saving money by meaning one can take out DVDs/Games cheaper, read newspapers, use wifi, internet, free community space. • Similarly, libraries offer word-processing, printing, photocopying and fax. • Many people on low incomes or mental health problems use the library as there is nowhere else to go. Ironically, this is sometimes used informally as a reason againstpublic libraries while others argue against libraries as being too Middle Class. • They’re about the public good, equitable access for all members of society to public domain information of all kinds and in all formats, an appropriate balance within the law between demands from information users, and the need to respect confidentiality. • Libraries improve the neighbourhood and increase house values. "Morris Cohen, aged 90, spoke in favour of Neasden Library. He said: "Elderly people use it as a home not just a library."Neasden used to be a no-go area but the library has been a positive influence, it will deteriorate if you close it." (Harrow Observer) • The library is often the only place where the user can talk to others. This goes directly against the stereotype of public libraries as quiet places. One user of the library where the author works has said that he would kill himself if the library closed down as there would be nothing else for him to do and no-one else he could talk to. "But principally they are about people. People with a curiosity about life and the world around them. People who want to learn or escape into literary fantasy, people who like to meet. People who fall in love. To hack away at anything which is principally about people always seems especially harsh and counter-productive to me." (Anne Pickles, News & Star) • Libraries are a free community space otherwise rare on the High Street. This is especially the case in small communities where, unfortunately, they are currently most under threat of closure."The government and the council forget that people live in places like Walney. When they close the post offices, the clubs and the libraries, then the local people lose meeting places." (Sally Whittaker, 97 years old, Cumbria). Libraries are well-used and popular, providing excellent value for money • When libraries are adequately funded, people use them - see the record number of users at Hillingdon or any new library such as Portishead. • Reports that claim library usage is declining take no account of the number of libraries that have closed or the lack of investment (note 25% decrease in bookfund last year). Alan Gibbons believes the 320 million visits per year to public libraries could double with proper leadership of the service. • If one takes virtual visits into account, usage is increasing. • Libraries are cheap to run. • There’s an easy way to calculate how much public library use saves you at what is our library worth to you. • When given a choice of losing their library or increasing council tax, people choose the library - for example, in Wiltshire. • The same is the case, with many more examples in the USA, where there is a strong upward trend in library use. • In the USA, a FCC report makes clear that libraries are highly used (p.216-7), especially for internet access, are proving essential during emergencies and usage is increasing. • Measuring everything by cost rather than value can lead to massive problems - "This approach is tearing apart the invisible bonds of duty and loyalty, belonging and togetherness in the name of an ideology that nothing is more important than money," said Phillip Pullman. Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/2011/06/06/pullman-s-plea-to-save-libraries-91466-28826279/#ixzz1OWgsymay "Despite their funding peril, public libraries remain one of the most popular government services and historically have fared pretty well at the ballot box. In 2009, voters passed 84 percent of library funding referendums nationwide and 54 percent of library construction measures, according to the Library Journal." Libraries serve other purposes too • Use the library as information centres/ one stop shops for council services like in Hull • For family history, local newspaper archives. Many offer subscription-only online family history tools such as Ancestry, for free. • Start-up businesses often use libraries, be it for free access to British Standards online or for meetings/research or for computers/fax/photocopier. • A "a beacon of civilization" and a symbol of "what we as a country stand for". • Intellectual freedom is basic to public libraries which help to sustain a democratic society. • Libraries are increasingly lend E-books. Libraries are not being made obsolete by technology. "Public libraries have a vital role to play in supporting the ambition to secure a truly networked nation in the UK. They are not only digital hubs which provide people with access to free or low cost PCs but also have a role in supporting people to get online and explore all the benefits that being online brings." Martha Lane Fox, UK Digital Champion • Ten Reasons why the internet is no substitute for libraries. • With the decline of bookshops on the High Street, Libraries may become the only place where one can browse physical books. The loss of book shops has led to loss of book sales - not all of it has migrated online. • 88% of books are not available online, more print books published each year than in previous year. "Myth 4: Libraries are obsolete: Everywhere in the country librarians report that they have never had so many patrons. At Harvard, our reading rooms are full. The 85 branch libraries of the New York Public Library system are crammed with people. The libraries supply books, videos, and other materi-al as always, but they also are fulfilling new functions: access to information for small businesses, help with homework and afterschool activities for children, and employment information for job seekers (the disappearance of want ads in printed newspapers makes the library’s online services crucial for the unemployed). Librarians are responding to the needs of their patrons in many new ways, notably by guiding them through the wilderness of cyberspace to relevant and reliable digital material. Libraries never were warehouses of books. While continuing to provide books in the future, they will function as nerve centers for communicating digitized information at the neighborhood level as well as on college campuses." (Five Myths about the Information age) • In addition, even those online are not entirely safe. Google proposed deleting its entire video archive in April 2011 and only stopped due to public protest. The same could happen with Google Books. Equally with other groups - Facebook have been deleting political groups without warning too. • Public libraries have never been in competition with booksellers nor are they now with e-booksellers. Librarians are not booksellers. People buy books and borrow books - one does not preclude the other. Ebooks (other than those out of copyright) are expensive and so do not necessarily threaten libraries. Another analogy is radio and television - the advent of television did not mean the death of the radio. Add to this the other functions of the public library (see above) and it is clear that the advent of ebooks therefore does not mean the death of public libraries. • Surveys suggest that only 15% if ebook owners give up on printed books. "Walking to the library is still the most ecofriendly way to read". • Search engines are too easy, making people think they have found the answer when they haven’t. Librarians are trained how to find the correct answer. "Darnton points to the fundamental role of the "library as space," where librarians and other resources play a "service role" in helping people to access information. Traditionally, this information has been confined within the walls of an institution; in the future it will increasingly be accessed digitally. Because the Internet is harder to sort through than a library catalog, there’s a strong case that a library’s core services are actually becoming much more important." Stealing Libraries, Harvard Crimson • The internet may not be free or equal in the future. "Net neutrality" is currently under attack, which may lead to two levels of internet provision - a full access paid for version and a poorer quality free version. "One of the arguments against the need for a network of public libraries is that we ‘all’ have access to the internet (of course we don’t but that doesn’t fit the narrative). This is all well and good at present, but with ‘net neutrality’ under attack and an increasing amount of content being locked behind paywalls, it won’t be long before we find that the internet as we know it is but a distant memory" (Ian Clark, "Shut Out" ORGzine) Libraries are not entirely for Middle Class - Roy Clare (outgoing leader of the MLA) and John Redwood MP have both accused libraries, or campaigners, of being middle class - this is a response to them. • See above section on "For the Community and Disadvantaged" • Carnegie Libraries were set up specifically to help the Working Class, • However, what is wrong with the Middle Class using libraries anyway? They pay tax too. • literacy is boosted by libraries, illiteracy by closing them down. • improve them (better buildings, stock, etc) if usage failing • libraries provide free internet access, essential for those who cannot afford the internet at home • libraries are a lifeline for the unemployed - provide internet access, books on CVs, newspapers for job-hunting, books etc for free learning / boredom • Poor people need libraries for the free access to books and information. • Ceasing council aid to libraries would mean only wealthy areas could afford the high cost of running them as a community enterprise, leading directly to the world of Middle Class Only libraries those who advocate cuts now sneer at (Boyd Tonkin). "Highgate library serves three council estates. Its learning centre provides training for children and adults. It provides the internet in a safe environment. It gives a crucial link to council services. Highgate library helps complement reading and teaching at my school. All classes visit and each pupil has a card. On top of organised visits, many come in after school. The skilled staff run well-attended groups and the Friends provide reading progress prizes for my pupils. It brings different people, and different parts of our community, together."Headteacher on feared library closure in Camden. Libraries cannot be replaced by school and university libraries • A full blog post answers this question. • users would need CRB checks • University students will be paying £9k p.a. for such libraries and may not appreciate freeloaders • School library are closed during school holidays • School libraries are being closed too. Libraries should not be closed so x can stay open (where x is something obviously essential e.g. elderly people’s care, schools, etc) • There’s always other savings that can be made other than x - especially senior local government pay (the Mail has stories on this most days), making services more efficient (see the Future Libraries Programme), closing down unnecessary expenditure elsewhere (glossy council newsletters are often favourite examples), cutting down on a prestige project (such as a multi-million pound HQ or car park), etc. • Councils often have large cash reserves that can be used. • Labour councils are accused by Conservative/Liberal Democrat supporters of closing libraries to exaggerate the impact of the cuts. Conservative councils are accused by Labour supporters of closing libraries for ideological free market reasons. • Closing libraries is a false economy and the value of public libraries can be measured and demonstrated. The use of libraries in the USA has been impressively graphically illustrated as has the socio-economic value of libraries in Australia which return $3.56 for every $1 spent. • There is a (UK) overview of the literature on how to demonstrate the value of public libraries here. • Or you could argue against the actual need for the cuts themselves - UNISON factsheets. "Libraries are a soft target for local authorities because they aren’t seen to be as vital as some other services. But for many people, especially young families, the unemployed and the elderly, who often can’t afford to buy books or travel easily to main libraries, the loss of a branch library would impoverish their quality of life."(Martyn Bedford, Bradford) What the Public think about libraries being cut Gloucestershire have released most of the feedback from their consultation into closing libraries. These were the main points given in rejecting closure of libraries: • Libraries cost so little yet are taking such a large hit • People don’t have the time and resources to run libraries themselves • The government wants to encourage reading and literacy - so why cut libraries? • Public transport limits mean it will be hard/impossible to get to another library • Concerns around data protection, safeguarding of vulnerable people/children, and training/support for volunteers • Deprived areas being worst affected • Children, elderly and the least well-off will lose out the most • To expect volunteers to run the service is unworkable - they will at least need support from some paid staff • We are told these savings are the response to a temporary crisis - but once these plans come in our libraries will be lost forever • Concerns over wider social issues - long-term unemployment, kids behaving anti-socially and wandering the streets, elderly or disabled people isolated in their own homes - libraries help prevent all these things • The process is rushed - both consultation and decision-making need more time • Concern about loss of mobile libraries Speeches Patrick Ness, Carnegie Medal acceptance speech. "an excoriating acceptance speech, in which he lambasted the government’s policy on libraries" Philip Pullman "Leave the libraries alone, you don’t understand their value". Widely publicised and well-received speech by the world-famous author. Thank you to VftL member Ian Anstice for allowing us to reproduce this page, originally posted on his Public Libraries News site. 5 thoughts on "Reasons for Public Libraries" Stephen

How Different Generations Consume Content Online [Infographic] http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/how-different-generations-consume-content-online-infographic/619882   Stephen

The Landscape of Office Jargon: INFOGRAPHIC http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/the-landscape-of-office-jargon-infographic/103437 Stephen

3 Reasons Why We Fear Technology https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/student-affairs-and-technology/3-reasons-why-we-fear-technology "List of three reasons why we fear new technologies: Fear of Dissonance: Learning new things in an organizational context can be challenging. Where will we find time to learn, to experiment, and to "get good it?" I’ve written several posts about the need to create an organizational ethos that is built upon lifelong learning. When everyone is always learning, new technologies are brought into the fold without anxiety, but with a critical view. Fear of Losing Your Job: I remember when a colleague once told me that they were worried that a new software solution would cause us to lose our jobs. Sure, maybe the version of our jobs that we currently occupied would shift, but the gist of our employment wouldn’t just evaporate overnight. Fear of losing your job usually means that you need to think more broadly about what your job will be in the future. How do you evolve with your position? If technology can remove an aspect of your job, what will you do with that extra time? Plus, how will your organizational leaders respond to the natural evolution of roles/tasks in the context of technological enhancement? Fear of Perception: No one wants to look like they don’t know something in front of their peers. Okay, maybe some people are okay with it, but most professionals seem to have a lot of anxiety around the perception of not knowing something. Again, this is an organizational culture issue. When experimentation, learning, and ideation are cultivated and encouraged, it’s far easier to adopt anything new. If you don’t know how to use a new technology, don’t worry, everyone else is figuring it out, too." Stephen

Books Help Kids Beat the Summer Slide http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/books-help-kids-beat-the-summer-slide/72390 Stephen

The Internet of Things - A Primer http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/2015/the-internet-of-things-a-primer/ "By the year 2020, over 26 billion things - cars, coffee machines, even cows - will be connected to the internet. They’re calling this next upgrade to the web ‘The Internet of Things’. But how does it work, and why should you care? Discover the tech & meet the main players in our interactive dataviz tour. » Explore the interactive" Stephen

What Every Librarian Needs to Know About HTTPS  https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/05/what-every-librarian-needs-know-about-https "Librarians have long understood that to provide access to knowledge it is crucial to protect their patrons’ privacy. Books can provide information that is deeply unpopular. As a result, local communities and governments sometimes try to ban the most objectionable ones. Librarians rightly see it as their duty to preserve access to books, especially banned ones. In the US this defense of expression is an integral part of our First Amendment rights." Stephen

5 Ways School Administrators Can Help School Libraries https://discovery.ebsco.com/pulse/article/5-ways-school-administrators-can-help-school-libraries#When:14:51:00Z     Stephen

Perceptions of Canadian Provosts on the Institutional Role of Academic Libraries by Mark Robertson Mark Robertson is Associate University Librarian, Information Services in Scott Library at York University; http://crl.acrl.org/content/76/4/490.full.pdf+html "This study examines perceptions of provosts from Canadian researchintensive universities regarding their institution’s academic libraries. Interviews conducted with nine provosts explored how they perceive academic libraries in terms of alignment with institutional mission, how they envision the future of their libraries, and what they interpret as indicators of success. The results suggest that provosts perceive libraries making significant contributions to research and student learning, particularly through the provision of access to information and the evolving role of library as place respectively. Other areas of library expertise, such as scholarly communication, appear somewhat less familiar to provosts, suggesting the need for library leaders to promote new roles within the institutional context." Stephen