Confronting the Future

Strategic Visions for the 21st Century Library
From the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oitp/publications/policybriefs/confronting_the_futu.pdf

Influence of Book Ownership on Educational Attainment

"Book ownership has a strong influence on educational attainment irrespective of other factors. This brief report outlines findings from our first annual Omnibus survey of over 18,000 young people aged 8 to 17 that show that book ownership is not only associated with attainment but is also related more broadly to literacy and education, from reading enjoyment and frequency to confidence, attitudes towards reading and reading opportunities."
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/research/nlt_research/3602_book_ownership_and_its_relation_to_enjoyment_attitudes_behaviour_and_attainment

Bookless Library?

The city of Newport Beach is considering closing its original library and replacing it with a community center that would offer all the same features — except for the books. "Instead of a reference librarian, patrons would be greeted by a kiosk equipped with video-calling software that would allow them to speak with employees elsewhere. And books — when ordered — would be dropped off at a locker for pickup.The proposed bookless library is a reflection of how both the economy and a shift in visitors' habits are forcing city libraries to redefine their services." http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0329-newport-library-20110329,0,1671782.story

Social Media Habits of Canadians

How are Canadians connecting over the Internet? A recent online survey demonstrates that social media has infiltrated nearly every corner of Canadian life, and people who create social media content are not the same as those who follow it. Highlights:

• Canadians who connect with family members through social media come in all lifestyles


• Social media producers are very different from social media followers


• Residents of the nation’s largest and most diverse cities are most likely to produce social media content


• If you’re a recent immigrant, there’s a good chance you’re into blogging about your experience


• Tweets are not for everyone


• Young and hip Canadians make the world go viral


• If you’re updating your status while reading this, you’re probably a young city dweller


• Social media can’t replace the real thing


• Even among the elite, some Canadians just aren’t into social media http://www.delvinia.com/new-database-reveals-social-media-habits-of-canadians/

Libraries in the Digital Age

The March 2011 issue of Architectural Record focuses on library projects as part of its series of Building Type Studies, featuring slide shows of several recently constructed academic and public libraries. In an introductory article Beauty and the Book: Libraries in the digital age raise questions about the place of books, James Murdock (journalist and video producer for the New York Public Library) provides some insights into how the role of libraries is changing, and how architects can “help libraries make a transition to an increasingly digital world.” A common theme in the featured projects is the design of social environments and community spaces:
“Although digitization means that anyone, anywhere can access pretty much anything from home, people still tote their laptops and smartphones into a library to do work. The modern library has always been something of a community center — a place where people gather to learn, whether in a story hour or a craft workshop, in the presence of others. Many observers contend that this role, often referred to as an “information commons,” must now take center stage.”
Other trends in cutting-edge libraries include providing “users with the tools to create their own stories — content creation in the form of videos, theater, and self-published books,” celebrating printed books, and sustainability to promote environmental literacy. The concluding summary expresses the design strategy that MPL and other leading libraries are pursuing through our building programs and infrastructure opportunities:
“Libraries must satisfy as many different user needs as possible with a range of flexible spaces: some quiet, some active….But rest assured, books will always be there in both paper and digital form. In a world where everything is digitized, there is knowledge to be gained from the simple, tactile act of holding a printed work….The library’s future rests with its ability to be a comfortable space where people come together to tell their own stories and discover new ones.”
http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/Building_types_study/libraries/2011/Libraries-Intro.asp

Perceptions of Libraries 2010

New OCLC study that documents the massive changes in information consumers since the 2005 Perceptions report.

http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions.htm

Libraries as TechShops

An external perspective on libraries and some ideas about how libraries could provide spaces and tools for future learning paths - Hackerspaces, Fab Labs and TechShops.
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/03/is-it-time-to-rebuild-retool-public-libraries-and-make-techshops.html#