The Lost World Read 2009…

Been looking into city-wide reading initiatives this afternoon and realise that The Lost World Read launches this week. The initiative is part of an even bigger project;  Darwin 200 which celebrates the bicentenary of Charles Darwin and his transformational scientific ideas.      Participating cities up and down the UK will start reading Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic adventure story about [...]

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Getting to grips with Twitter…

It took me a while to get into Twitter but I’m really starting to enjoy it now…   Although some people boast in excess of 10,000 followers I only have 10; and I’m only following 17. But that’s enough for me at the moment.   I’m finding it a useful tool for professional networking rather [...]

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Inauguration 2.0…

If, like me, you’re excited about Obama’s inauguration speech then check out this blog entry from the Guardian.  It’s packed full of lots of advice about where to find the best web 2.0 coverage of today’s activities.   I’ve bookmarked the following: Inaugural Blog, Twitter, Flickr, Facebook*, YouTube*, BBC and Huffington Post.   I don’t want to miss a [...]

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Glasgow’s ‘Aye Write’ Book Festival…

The programme for Glasgow’s annual Aye Write Book Festival is now online.   Lots happening this year; author events, poetry slams, workshops, plays…even a Doctor Who extravaganza!   Seems like the Mitchell Library is the place to be for book lovers in March!

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More evidence of the value of public libraries in times of recession…

I covered this a bit last week but there’s a great story in the Wall Street Journal today which also highlights the essential role that public libraries are playing in helping people deal with the current financial crisis.   According to the article, American libraries are reporting up to a 65% rise in attendance over the past 12 [...]

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Is Google costing us the earth?

So, it’s been revealed that performing two Google searches from your desktop computer could generate as much carbon dioxide as boiling your kettle for a cup of tea.   Apparently, every time you search for something on Google your query isn’t sent to one server, but lots of different servers, located across the US, Europe, Japan [...]

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I want one of those…cool stuff for your desk!

Hurrah, we’ve made it through the first working week of January!  Here’s something for you to browse through at your own leisure…19 Really Cool Gadgets for your Office.   I’m seriously considering treating myself a little something…maybe a little USB Humidifier with Aromatherapy or perhaps a Portable Sleeping Cube…           Link [...]

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Designing modern libraries…

Doing a bit of research on public library architecture today and stumbled upon the Designing Libraries website.  Their database consists of descriptions and images of innovative library architecture dating back to the 1990s.    So, if you’re looking for ideas and inspiration to apply to your own library design project, or like me, you just fancy a [...]

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The popularity of the public library soars as economy takes a dive?

In times of economic hardship people have less disposable income and thus tend to cut down on their luxury goods expenditure.  The purchasing of books, DVDs, music, new technologies and branded groceries, alongside outings to the theatre, cinemas and football matches become less frequent as we all try to tighten our belts a little.   [...]

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Unison presents 5 point plan aimed at securing the future of public libraries…

At the end of 2008 Unison published this timely report which looked at the current state of the public library service in the UK and its volatile future.   The report highlights the public library as a “priceless – if often underused – link with the community” and calls for the government and local authorities [...]

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