Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Link to Stanford University News article, "Wikipedia, if it were run by academic experts, would look like this".
Excerpt: It's September, and as school resumes, so does the wrangling between students and teachers across the country over the reliability of Wikipedia and other Internet sources as fodder for footnotes in research papers.
The debate has been going on for years. When philosopher Larry Sanger left Wikipedia – the project he co-founded – he said its "anti-elitism" was the root of its shortcomings. He said that because pretty much anyone could write anything, expertise was mistrusted and those committed to mayhem or propaganda could too easily dominate the medium.
But he did recommend an online alternative: the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
No Recession in the Campaign Finance Industry
"Keep the change."
Link to September 7 AP story, "No recession here: Election spending sets records".
Excerpt (with added emphasis along the way): Turns out politics, for all its focus on the gloomy economy, is a recession-proof industry.
This year's volatile election is bursting with money, setting fundraising and spending records in a high-stakes struggle for control of Congress amid looser but still fuzzy campaign finance rules.
Based on the latest financial reports, House and Senate candidates in this election cycle raised nearly $1.2 billion, well ahead of the pace for contests in 2008, 2006 and 2004.
Races for governor in 37 states — more than half of those for open seats — are also setting fundraising records. Billionaire Republican Meg Whitman leads the way, pumping $104 million of her own money into her campaign for California governor.
And then there's this little tidbit from yesterday's Journal-Sentinel.
In his bid for governor, businessman Mark Neumann badly lags behind rival Republican Scott Walker in fund raising - that is, if you don't count the $2.7 million Neumann has lent his own campaign.
Or this from the Miami Herald's "Naked Politics" blog:
"What's it all about....."
"Baptists, Bibliophiles, and Bibles, Oh My!": The 7th Most Popular Floatingsheep Map
Blue dots = most bookstores
Red dots = most churches
Link to original 11/30/2009 Floatingsheep post.
Link to 9/7/2010 Floatingsheep encore.
The most popular map is titled "The Beer Belly of America", which shows Wisconsin as an almost completely red state. (More to do with the eyes than politics.)
Hardship Withdrawals from Retirement Accounts on the Rise
For some folks, this trend has been too little and too late.
Link to September 7 Indianapolis Star article, "More workers target retirement accounts".
Excerpt: Financial planners call it a last resort -- digging into that retirement account for cash now.
Yet a record number of Americans opted to do just that during the past quarter as they face unemployment, home foreclosure and mounting bills.
More than 62,000 workers initiated a hardship withdrawal from their retirement accounts in the second quarter, up from 45,000 during the same period a year ago, according to a report by Fidelity Investments.
It's the most Fidelity has ever seen.
What seems to be an even more troubling trend is double dipping: 45 percent of workers who took a hardship withdrawal a year ago took another one this year.
Link to September 7 Indianapolis Star article, "More workers target retirement accounts".
Excerpt: Financial planners call it a last resort -- digging into that retirement account for cash now.
Yet a record number of Americans opted to do just that during the past quarter as they face unemployment, home foreclosure and mounting bills.
More than 62,000 workers initiated a hardship withdrawal from their retirement accounts in the second quarter, up from 45,000 during the same period a year ago, according to a report by Fidelity Investments.
It's the most Fidelity has ever seen.
What seems to be an even more troubling trend is double dipping: 45 percent of workers who took a hardship withdrawal a year ago took another one this year.
Marquette University Dedicates New Law School Building
Link to September 5 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article, "Marquette University's new building gives law school vital space. High-tech library, moot court, modern media facilities add star power to building".
Excerpt: Thanks in part to a gift from alumni Ray and Kay Eckstein, Marquette no longer has that problem. Marquette's $85 million building is being dedicated Wednesday, filled with a high-tech library, a moot court and broadcast facilities that some television stations would covet. That means a school like Marquette can get a jump in the competition for students and faculty who want the star power a modern building can provide.
"One of the things they look at is the facilities available to them," said Martin, whose school faces legal hurdles before it can break ground on a planned $200 million building. "As you see all of the changes in legal education, you're going to see schools adapt to those changes."
Marquette officials have celebrated the four-story Eckstein Hall as a prominent symbol of the university's effort to play a role in Milwaukee's civic life and to use its legal expertise to confront issues challenging the region.
Literacy Council of Greater Waukesha Kicks Off Ambitious Tutor Recruitment Campaign
Link to September 6 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article, "Recruitment effort seeks to fill shortfall of volunteers".
Excerpt: Next week, the nonprofit organization will begin an ambitious campaign to recruit 90 new tutors in 90 days, in part, to fulfill a volunteer shortfall, said Debra Running, the agency's executive director.
Instead of having interested parties come to them, they are taking the campaign to the community offering special hour-long, orientation sessions at several locations throughout Waukesha County during September and October.
In the county, it is estimated that as many as 60,000 people are functionally illiterate - unable to read or write well enough to function well in society.
For more than 20 years the Literacy Council has played a key role in fighting illiteracy making it possible for hundreds of children and adults to advance in their lives by opening up educational and career opportunities that could have otherwise been lost without their efforts.
"They can do more than we can do to provide that extra enrichment to help our students over whatever hurdles they have," said Barbara Nordberg, associate dean of the basic education department at Waukesha County Technical College.
Some Companies Reverse Trend to Cut Pay and Benefits
Link to September 7 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article, ''Companies slowly restore slashed pay".
Excerpt: Slowly and fitfully, companies have been restoring pay and benefit cuts made in the depths of the worst recession since the 1930s.
The actions appear to be widespread enough to constitute a trend, but they're not universal, and they offer scant cause for celebration. Joblessness remains stubbornly high, economic growth has slowed and pay increases, overall, are modest at best.
But many firms that suspended contributions to employees' retirement plans are making them again, and many have lifted salary freezes they imposed.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Cleveland Public Library's 'Fresh Start' Fine-Forgiveness Program
- The two parts of the program
- Patrons can return overdue books and materials to any branch between September 1 and September 30 free of fines, no questions asked.
- Patrons owing fines on previously returned materials can pay 50% of the balance and the remaining 50% will be forgiven.
- Why the program was initiated.
- The goal of this initiative is to promote the return of much needed library materials and to prepare patrons for a materials recovery program that is set to begin in October.
- The materials recovery program is being adopted as a way to recover lost materials that perhaps could not be replaced due to drastic budget cuts within the library
Indianapolis Resident Recommends Book to Local Officials
Link to September 6 Indianapolis Star letter to the editor, "Paying the high costs of socialized pro sports".
Excerpt: Please explain to me why socialized medicine is so evil, but socialized sports are perfectly acceptable in a free market.
Politicians are so enamored of the wealthy sports franchise owners that they are willing to sacrifice the future of our city to placate these whiny billionaires. Within a stone's throw of the opulent stadiums, we have neighborhoods that are threatened with library closures, high crime, crumbling infrastructure and a host of other ills that plague a community that does not value education and neighborhoods.
Related articles:
Library board votes to include 'shortfall appeal' option. (9/1/2010)
Library board to consider 'shortfall appeal'. (8/30/2010)
In close vote, library board cuts hours, staff. (8/20/2010)
Library grapples with its sustainable future. (8/16/2010)
Library projects a $7.3 million deficit by 2014. (7/29/2010)
Library board sez no branch closings in 2011. (7/15/2010)
Library supporters question Pacers deal. (7/15/2010)
High performance government team report. (7/11/2010)
Library board delays decision on libraries. (6/5/2010)
Another big turnout for libraries. (5/13/2010)
Mayor vows to keep library branches open. (5/12/2010)
Residents speak up for their libraries. (5/11/2010)
The neighborhood library as refuge. (5/2/2010)
Indianapolis Star editorial board keeps library funding issue front and center. (4/25/2010)
Efficiency experts look for ways to keep branch libraries open. (4/23/2010)
More than 1400 sign petition to keep Glendale branch open. (4/20/2010)
Editorial: Find resources for library. (4/19/2010)
What's in store for Indianapolis-area libraries? (4/17/2010)
Indiana Pacers bailout talks continue. (4/16/2010)
Postscript. (4/15/2010)
Look what's at the top of Indianapolis's to-do list. (4/14/2010)
A Challenge to Indianapolis-Marion County: Stand Up for Libraries. (4/13/2010)
Library rally caps? Get real, sez IndyStar editorial. (4/12/2010)
Will Indianapolis rally for its libraries? (4/12/2010)
Library considers branch closings. (4/9/2010)
Racine Public Library's 2nd Floor Undergoing Renovation
LINK to renovation photos
Link to September 4 Racine Journal-Times article, "Pardon our dust: Library patrons put up with renovation".
Excerpt: Geraldine Fields comes to the Racine Public Library two to three times a week to use the computer because she doesn't have one at home.
Fields, 41, of Racine, was one of several waiting Saturday morning to use one of the nine computers in the first floor atrium of the library while the second floor is closed for a 12-week renovation, which reduced the total number of available computers from 37 to 16.
During the ongoing construction, Fields said she'll probably come once a week because of the inconvenience.
"I'll probably be bored," the homemaker said, now that she won't be checking social and entertainment sites as often.
Saturday was the first weekend since the second floor of the library, 75 Seventh St., closed Thursday for renovation, including replacing the decaying carpet and remodeling the floor.
City of Whitewater 2011 Budget Preview
Link to September 1 Daily Union article, "Whitewater council members take preliminary look at budget".
Excerpt: Regarding that last point, the city's four unions are in the middle of a three-year contract and they are set to get a 2.5 percent increase in wages and benefits in 2011; non-representative employees did not have any wage increases this past year, but are scheduled for a 2.5-percent increase at the end of this year. According to City Manager Kevin Brunner, the city is looking at an approximately $206,000 budget shortfall for 2011. The levy limit is 3 percent or the rate of new construction, whichever is higher; the city saw about a 1.85-percent hike in new construction over the last year. Last year, the council went with a zero-percent increase in the tax levy. It indicated that ideally, it would like to keep the tax levy at current levels, but that could alter the deficit the city is facing.
Brunner specifically asked the council members which services they would like to have cut, or at least reduced greatly.
Councilperson Marilyn Kienbaum suggested reductions in parks and recreation because they "are not a necessity."
Councilperson Javonni Butler suggested a hard look at the police budget, as well as the public works budget.
Ultimately, the council instructed city staff to pursue a zero-percent increase, although it was not adverse to an increase to match the city's growth in new construction, or about 2 percent.
Long-Distance Grandparent Finds Ways to Stay Connected to Grandchildren
Link to September 5 Carolyn Hax advice column, "Staying in touch long distance is all relative".
Excerpt: One boy is struggling a bit with reading, so he calls me weekly to read from a book that we both have (thanks to public libraries). I read a chapter and then he reads the next. The 3-year-old gets a bedtime story twice a week — again with a book we both share so I can ask questions about the pictures.
Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library Creates Centennial Memory Project
Link to September 6 Appleton Post-Crescent article, "Kimberly residents asked to share memories for centennial celebration event"
Excerpt: Such snippets of daily life are what Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library Director Beth Carpenter hopes to capture with the centennial memory project in honor of Kimberly's 100th birthday this year.
The three-day centennial celebration will kick off Friday afternoon with a tailgate party at Gerritts Middle School, feature an hourlong parade through the village's downtown Saturday and culminate with a polka band performance Sunday at Sunset Park.
Library staff members are looking for residents to share information about photographs in the historical collection by posting comments online at http://centennial memoryproject.wordpress.com. Carpenter said many of the photos in the collection lack information, which she hopes family members can provide.
"Maybe family members will remember bits and pieces and we can start to shape up a fuller, richer view of the history of this village," she said. "It's a way to preserve history. The centennial is a chance to celebrate where we're at, but it's also a chance to celebrate the journey that got us here."
Center on Wisconsin Strategy: "The State of Working Wisconsin 2010"
LINK to 52-page report
Link to September 6 Appleton Post-Crescent article, "The State of Working Wisconsin 2010 study shows weak economy no cause to rein in training".
Excerpt: Education beyond high school still appears to be the route for anyone hoping to land a good paying job. Though Wisconsin — like the rest of the nation — has lost jobs in the recession, those with desirable skills are able to find work even in a tight employment market.
"It's important for the state to maintain its ability to provide continuing education and training for its work force," said Laura Dresser, associate director for the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, a non-partisan think-tank based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and co-author of The State of Working Wisconsin 2010.
"In terms of wages our degree holders earn, it speaks strongly to the training and skills they have, so we need to continue to make sure that the structure we have to connect our workers to training remains relevant to what our employers' needs are so that we can remain competitive."
LINK to 4-page Executive Summary:
Newspaper Use Data to Finetune Coverage
Link to September 6 New York Times article, "Some Newsrooms Shift Coverage Based on What is Popular Online".
Excerpt: Looking to the public for insight on how to cover a topic is never comfortable for newsrooms, which have the deeply held belief that readers come to a newspaper not only for its information but also for its editorial judgment. But many newsrooms now seem to be re-examining that idea and embracing, albeit cautiously, a more democratic approach to serving up the news, particularly online.
“How can you say you don’t care what your customers think?” asked Alan Murray, who oversees online news at The Wall Street Journal. “We care a lot about what our readers think. But our readers also care a lot about our editorial judgment. So we’re always trying to balance the two.”
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Nevada Gubernatorial Candidate Proposes Speeding Plan to Raise Revenue
Up to $1,000,000,000, he says.
Link to September 4 Yahoo.com post, "Nevada candidate touts speedy fix to budget crisis".
Excerpt: One Nevada gubernatorial hopeful sees a speedy fix to Nevada's budget crisis. Nonpartisan candidate Eugene "Gino" DiSimone believes people would pay for the privilege to drive up to 90 mph on designated highways — and fill the state's depleted coffers.
DiSimone calls his idea the "free limit plan." He estimates the plan would bring in $1 billion a year.
First, vehicles would have to pass a safety inspection. Then vehicle information would be loaded into a database, and motorists would purchase a transponder.
After setting up an account, anyone in a hurry could dial in, and for $25 charged to a credit card, be free to speed for 24 hours.
Possible common agenda theme? Libraries in the fast lane.
Giddy up giddy up giddy up
Link to September 4 Yahoo.com post, "Nevada candidate touts speedy fix to budget crisis".
Excerpt: One Nevada gubernatorial hopeful sees a speedy fix to Nevada's budget crisis. Nonpartisan candidate Eugene "Gino" DiSimone believes people would pay for the privilege to drive up to 90 mph on designated highways — and fill the state's depleted coffers.
DiSimone calls his idea the "free limit plan." He estimates the plan would bring in $1 billion a year.
First, vehicles would have to pass a safety inspection. Then vehicle information would be loaded into a database, and motorists would purchase a transponder.
After setting up an account, anyone in a hurry could dial in, and for $25 charged to a credit card, be free to speed for 24 hours.
Possible common agenda theme? Libraries in the fast lane.
Giddy up giddy up giddy up
2 Charlotte Mecklenburg Branch Libraries to Open One More Day Per Week
Link to September 5 Charlotte Observer article, "
Excerpt with added emphasis: The original agreement, which called for the towns to solicit and support library volunteers, stated that branches could add an additional day to their abbreviated four-day schedule beginning in October if volunteers were available and if the additional hours were approved by the library board.
But Matthews' Communications Director Annette Privette-Keller said that since the Matthews branch already had a number of volunteers, and was able to train additional volunteers earlier in the summer, the town was able to convince the library board that there was no need to wait until October to add another day. Davidson also will add en extra day earlier than expected.
The Mint Hill branch is training additional volunteers and Town Manager Brian Welch said the library board has assured him that Mint Hill can open an additional day beginning in October.
Related articles:
Library urban legend in the making? (9/4/2010)
Library launches pilot program to expand hours with volunteers. (8/31/2010)
Group to study county library merger. (7/28/2010)
Book stores help out the library. (7/21/2010)
Libraries hope to expand hours with volunteers at 4 branches. (7/20/2010)
Another change in hours. (7/18/2010)
Matthews branch library sends out plea for volunteers. (7/13/2010)
Most county commissioners cool to sales tax hike. (7/9/2010)
New hours in effect. (7/6/2010)
Charlotte Observer editorial board laments the passing of the Novello Festival of the Book. (6/28/2010)
Shuttered branch could become Friends' used book store. (6/25/2010)
A reduced future. (6/23/2010)
Interlocal cooperation pact. (6/22/2010)
Three branches close. (6/19/2010)
Town of Mint Hill perspective. (6/18/2010)
Five towns tentatively OK $730,000 for libraries. (6/18/2010)
Carmel, two other branches to close. (6/16/2010)
Now that the ax has fallen. (6/16/2010)
Commissioners to vote on budget today. (6/15/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries: It's complicated. (6/9/2010)
Mayor wins straw vote at emotional council meeting. (6/7/2010)
Editorial: Should city 'stay in its lane' on libraries. (6/4/2010)
County commissioners restore some cuts to libraries. (6/4/2010)
Straw votes begin on Mecklinburg County budget. (6/3/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries continue to look for one-time financial help. (5/31/2010)
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries. (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing. (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library. (5/27/2010)
County budget: Oh, yeah, this is fair. (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction. (5/23/2010)
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches. (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt. (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget. (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today. (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open. (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution. (4/30/2010Library Board chair speaks out. (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts. (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit. (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task. (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours. (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday". (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines. (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches. (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system. (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote. (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open. (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives. (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)
The Recreational Vehicle/Motor Home Hall of Fame Library
Link to September 5 Boston Globe article, "A long journey for an American icon: The RV turns 100".
Excerpt: “Camping has been around for centuries, but 1910 is when the first auto-related camping vehicles were built for commercial sale,’’ said Al Hesselbart, historian for the Recreation Vehicle/Motor Home Hall of Fame museum and library in Elkhart, Ind.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Library Urban Legend in the Making?
Link to Randy Cohen's September 4 "On Ethics" Charlotte Observer column, "Surge of volunteers for library prompts staff cuts".
Excerpt: Q: Community members have responded to our town's tight budget by volunteering at the library, so much so that the library laid off several full-time employees, people who are our friends and neighbors. Having fewer municipal employees means a slight reduction in property taxes for everyone, but it harms those left jobless. Should town residents consider that before volunteering?
Two things come to mind immediately.
You'd think that Randy Cohen would have checked with the Charlotte Mecklenburg administration to verify the writer's comments. (Please say it ain't so, Charles Brown.)
And secondly, you'd think Randy would read the paper in which his column appears.
From 8/31/2010 Charlotte Observer article, "Library pilot program that expands hours to launch early".
The library system already has a long history of using volunteers to help out. Last year, volunteers worked 25,000 hours at various branches. The goal this year is to double that.
The pilot effort, which was supposed to start Oct. 1, is focused on the towns that gave money or in-kind services this year to the library system. In exchange, the system agreed to experiment with expanding hours at the towns' branches with volunteers.
In those cases, volunteers will handle behind-the-scenes chores, enabling library staff to use more time for helping patrons, including homework assistance and children's programs.
And more time to recruit, interview, train, supervise, and evaluate the increased number of volunteers the library uses. Whatever duties assigned to volunteers needs to be regularly monitored by "trained professionals".
Related articles:
Library launches pilot program to expand hours with volunteers. (8/31/2010)
Group to study county library merger. (7/28/2010)
Book stores help out the library. (7/21/2010)
Libraries hope to expand hours with volunteers at 4 branches. (7/20/2010)
Another change in hours. (7/18/2010)
Matthews branch library sends out plea for volunteers. (7/13/2010)
Most county commissioners cool to sales tax hike. (7/9/2010)
New hours in effect. (7/6/2010)
Charlotte Observer editorial board laments the passing of the Novello Festival of the Book. (6/28/2010)
Shuttered branch could become Friends' used book store. (6/25/2010)
A reduced future. (6/23/2010)
Interlocal cooperation pact. (6/22/2010)
Three branches close. (6/19/2010)
Town of Mint Hill perspective. (6/18/2010)
Five towns tentatively OK $730,000 for libraries. (6/18/2010)
Carmel, two other branches to close. (6/16/2010)
Now that the ax has fallen. (6/16/2010)
Commissioners to vote on budget today. (6/15/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries: It's complicated. (6/9/2010)
Mayor wins straw vote at emotional council meeting. (6/7/2010)
Editorial: Should city 'stay in its lane' on libraries. (6/4/2010)
County commissioners restore some cuts to libraries. (6/4/2010)
Straw votes begin on Mecklinburg County budget. (6/3/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries continue to look for one-time financial help. (5/31/2010)
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries. (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing. (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library. (5/27/2010)
County budget: Oh, yeah, this is fair. (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction. (5/23/2010)
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches. (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt. (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget. (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today. (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open. (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution. (4/30/2010Library Board chair speaks out. (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts. (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit. (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task. (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours. (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday". (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines. (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches. (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system. (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote. (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open. (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives. (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)
Friday, September 3, 2010
WTF: "WiFi is absent"?
And here we thought The Economist was the smart newsweekly.
Link to September 1 The Economist post, "Is it time to revive the library?"
Excerpt: This is of course grim news for those who love to browse and thumb through actual physical books, and share space with others who are doing the same thing. But now would be a good time to recall another community landmark where we once happily did all of those things, and for free: the library. It's true that there is something vaguely titillating about browsing in an atmosphere where the temptations are to purchase and own, not simply borrow and read. It's also true that libraries have felt like dormant, dated spaces of late, where WiFi is absent, coffee is banned and budget cuts are rife. But if book-buying trends now sidestep bookstores, yet people still crave hushed public spaces in an atmosphere of books, then it is time to rethink our libraries—what they look like, what they offer and how they store their wares. (September, incidentally, is Library Card Sign-Up Month in America, but you probably knew that already.)
It bears repeating:
The 2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study also finds that:
- 67 percent of libraries report they are the only provider of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities;
- Public computer and Wi-Fi use was up last year for more than 70 percent of all libraries;
- 89 percent of libraries provide formal or informal technology training, including classes in computer skills, software use and online job-seeking;
- 82 percent of libraries provide Wi-Fi access (95% in Wisconsin);
- A majority of libraries offer Internet services ranging from subscription databases (95 percent) to online homework resources (88 percent) to ebooks (66 percent); and
- 66 percent of libraries provide assistance to patrons completing government forms.
Now, granted, The Economist is not a U.S. publication, but the article starts out with a U.S. focus.
This week Barnes & Noble announced that it will be closing its Manhattan bookstore .at 66th Street and Broadway at the end of January.
Public Library 'Triage' in Virginia
Link to September 1 hburgnews.com post, "Do public libraries still have value?"
Excerpt: Last week, Massanutten Regional Library announced that it would close two of its branches in the small communities of Bergton and Stanley, while reducing hours of operation at four of its other locations. In announcing its decision of triage the library’s Board of Trustees sited a quarter million dollars in funding that has been lost over the past three years in spite of the fact that nearly 6,000 new patrons have signed up for library cards during the same period.
Budget cuts erode an institution like weather strips paint from a house. First a few cracks. Then things start to look shabby. “We’d like to fix it this year but we just don’t have the money. Maybe next.” Then the wood is stripped bare. The foundation starts to crumble and before you know it the shell that’s left isn’t worth fixing.
Another Reason Why 3-D TV Might be Just a Gimmick?
Link to September 3 Technologizer post, "Want Avatar on 3D Blu-ray? First, You’ll Need a Panasonic TV".
Excerpt: Nine months after Avatar’s theatrical release, it’s still regarded as the pinnacle of 3D entertainment. So it’s too bad that only buyers of Panasonic 3D televisions will get the movie when it’s released on 3D Blu-ray in December.
For an undisclosed period of time, Avatar will be bundled with Panasonic’s 3D televisions, and won’t be sold through any other means, Twice reports. Panasonic wants to make the movie available to people who have already purchased a Panasonic 3D TV, but is still working out the details. Avatar could be bundled with Panasonic 3D Blu-ray players and home theaters as well, but the company wouldn’t confirm whether this was going to happen.
James Cameron, the thrill is gone. (Or so sez Box Office Mojo.)
Excerpt: Nine months after Avatar’s theatrical release, it’s still regarded as the pinnacle of 3D entertainment. So it’s too bad that only buyers of Panasonic 3D televisions will get the movie when it’s released on 3D Blu-ray in December.
For an undisclosed period of time, Avatar will be bundled with Panasonic’s 3D televisions, and won’t be sold through any other means, Twice reports. Panasonic wants to make the movie available to people who have already purchased a Panasonic 3D TV, but is still working out the details. Avatar could be bundled with Panasonic 3D Blu-ray players and home theaters as well, but the company wouldn’t confirm whether this was going to happen.
James Cameron, the thrill is gone. (Or so sez Box Office Mojo.)
Shades of Menasha, Harrisburg Feels the Singe of an Incinerator
Link to September 3 New York Times article, "Harrisburg Expects to Miss a Bond Payment".
Excerpt: Harrisburg’s financial difficulties have been mounting for some time. Even before this week, it had missed several payments in connection with another batch of bonds. It had guaranteed nearly $282 million of bonds issued by a separate entity, the Harrisburg Authority, which raised the money to build a huge trash incinerator.
The incinerator has been a flop, leaving the authority wallowing in debt that it cannot pay, including $35 million that will mature in December. Harrisburg has failed to make good on its guarantee, pointing to Dauphin County, a co-guarantor on some of the incinerator bonds.
Unfortunately for the city of Harrisburg, as the article goes on to describe, this debacle isn't the worst of it.
Harrisburg is part of the Dauphin County Library System.
Related article:
Menasha default: What does it mean for city services? (9/2/2009)
September 2010 Public Management: "Public Libraries Daring to be Different"
Link to article. (Thanks to Paula Kiely for sharing.)
To me, the skills described below are all about building a common agenda.
Kudos to Molly Donelan and Liz Miller for this spot-on summary.
(Just added this excellent article to this fall's LIS 712 (The Public Library) reading list.)
Survey Says: Employees Pay Increased Costs of Health Care
Annual national survey of nonfederal private
and public employers with three or more workers.
Link to September 3 New York Times article, "Employers Pushed Costs for Health on Workers".
Excerpt: In contrast to past practices of absorbing higher prices, some companies chose this year to keep their costs the same by passing the entire increase in premiums for family coverage onto their workers, according to a new survey released on Thursday by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit research group.
Workers’ share of the cost of a family policy jumped an average of 14 percent, an increase of about $500 a year. The cost of a policy rose just 3 percent, to an average of $13,770.
Workers are now paying nearly $4,000 for family coverage, according to the survey, and their costs have increased much faster than those of employers.
Since 2005, while wages have increased just 18 percent, workers’ contributions to premiums have jumped 47 percent, almost twice as fast as the rise in the policy’s overall cost.
Link to 8-page summary of findings.
What History Has to Say About Wisconsin's 2010 Senate and Gubernatorial Races
Link to September 2 Smart Politics blogpost, "History Says Barrett Win in Wisconsin Governor's Race Hinges on Feingold Victory".
Excerpt: A general rule of thumb when anticipating results on Election Day is that the race at the top of the ticket in a state will frequently dictate what happens in contests further down the ballot.
But when it comes to gubernatorial elections in Wisconsin, there has been a different calculus at work.
A Smart Politics analysis of historical election returns in Wisconsin finds that Democratic gubernatorial candidates have lost every election since 1914 in which the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate did not prevail - 15 out of 15 races.
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