Tuesday, December 7, 2010
We're All Just One Big Now Generation
Link to December 6 NPR story, "Impatient Nation: I Can't Wait For You To Read This".
Excerpt: In the past few decades we have become the Impatient Nation. We want quick answers to complex problems — the economy, diseases, personal relations.
We: Speed date. Eat fast food. Use the self-checkout lines in grocery stores. Try the "one weekend" diet. Pay extra for overnight shipping. Honk when the light turns green. Thrive or dive on quarterly earnings reports. Speak in half sentences. Start things but don't fin...
We twitter stories in 140 characters or less, yet some tweets are too long. We cut corners, take shortcuts. We txt.
We have also become impatient with ... wait for it ... impatience.
Speaking for many Americans, prolific author Valerie Frankel wrote in the March issue of Self magazine: "I've always imagined that my impatient nature is a sign of my success — something that all busy, hard-driving, intelligent people share."
I've had it with impatient people. I've run out of patience with them.
But after melting down emotionally at a sandwich shop and a clothing store, Frankel wondered if her impatience might be "something more insidious — a bad habit I needed to break, not only for my family but also for the sake of my own well-being."
No Contest in Wisconsin: Public Library Visits vs. Attendance at Major League Sports Events, 1990-2009
Season in, season out, Wisconsin residents increasingly demonstrate how much they love and value libraries.
Sources:
Library visits.
Milwaukee Brewers.
Milwaukee Bucks.
Green Bay Packers.
Library visits.
Milwaukee Brewers.
Milwaukee Bucks.
Green Bay Packers.
Let's Hope That Leon Russell is No Longer 'One Largely Forgotten'
Rolling Stone picks The Union, by Elton John and Leon Russell, as the #3 best album of 2010.
And now some interest in Leon's first album. 16 holds on a single copy. Sounds like a collection development alert to me.
Sample:
84 LINKcat holds on 7 copies
And now some interest in Leon's first album. 16 holds on a single copy. Sounds like a collection development alert to me.
Sample:
U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2010 Population Estimates
Link to December 5 Pew Research announcement, "The U.S. Population is...."
Excerpt: The Census Bureau today released five sets of population estimates for the nation as of April 1--but not from the soon-to-be-released 2010 Census count. The estimates are based on an alternative measurement technique, called demographic analysis, that agency officials say employs plausible assumptions about population change. The demographic analysis estimates range from a low of 305.7 million to a high of 312.7 million. The first numbers from the 2010 Census, which will include a national population total and state totals for reapportionment purposes, will be released later this month.
At a news conference today, Census Bureau Director Robert Groves said the five different estimates all make "plausible assumptions." The analysis will be among three major tools used by the bureau to evaluate the quality of the 2010 Census. The other two include quality measures such as mail return rates from the census itself, and a post-census quality-check survey for which results will be released in 2012.
Accessing Breaking News: Survey Says....
...smartphone users prefer mobile.
Link to December 7 Mashable post.
Excerpt: U.S. smartphone owners are increasingly turning to mobile to access breaking news over other media, including newspapers, TV and desktop web browsers, according to a recent study from mobile app developer Handmark.
In a survey of 300,000 mobile consumers, 88% of whom owned a device running one the five most popular smartphone operating systems, more than 30% said that mobile is the “most important medium” to access breaking news, narrowly followed by desktop web browsers (29%), television (21%) and newspapers (3%).
Link to December 7 Mashable post.
Excerpt: U.S. smartphone owners are increasingly turning to mobile to access breaking news over other media, including newspapers, TV and desktop web browsers, according to a recent study from mobile app developer Handmark.
In a survey of 300,000 mobile consumers, 88% of whom owned a device running one the five most popular smartphone operating systems, more than 30% said that mobile is the “most important medium” to access breaking news, narrowly followed by desktop web browsers (29%), television (21%) and newspapers (3%).
Parents Encouraging Their Children to Read: An Incomplete List
and be sure to ask staff for assistance.
Maybe they'll be a dynamo like Cindy Dobrez @ your library, eager to help a child choose the right book.
Link to December 6 North American Precis Syndicate news release at nj.com, "Inspiring Children to Become Lifelong Readers".
Excerpt: According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, the media landscape is changing rapidly. Kids ages 8−18 are now spending an average of more than 7 hours, 30 minutes per day with media. While parental involvement is critical, it ultimately comes down to inspiring the individual child not only to read books, but to find their own passion about reading in all forms. Reading can include printed media as well as online newspapers, magazines, blogs, games and anything on a phone.
Here are a few tips to help get your kids reading:
• Find authors your child likes to build connections and excitement about reading.
• Choose all kinds of books, such as nonfiction, fiction and certain themes. It exposes them to various kinds of literature and also helps them determine their personal preference.
• Suggest books that build on personal experiences such as friendship, family, trips, pets or sports.
• Find the book award winners at your school library or public library.
• Suggest that your child visit sites such as www.read.gov, where children can discover, learn and experience the joys of reading.
Still required reading, at least in the public library course I teach, "Creating the Library Habit" was published in the February 15, 1985, issue of Library Journal.
Milwaukee Public Library's RFID Upgrade
Link to Stanley A. Miller II's 'Personal Technology' column in the December 3 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "Self-checkout bit hit at local libraries".
Excerpt: Reading may be going digital with e-books, e-readers and fancy new tablets.
But reading the old-fashioned way - on books printed on real paper - is getting a high-tech upgrade too at the Milwaukee Public Library, which is nearly done stamping its collection with RFID tags that will make organizing them a lot easier.
RFID stands for radio-frequency identification, and the technology lets the library secure and track items quickly. It also lets patrons check out materials like books, CDs, DVDs and hand puppets all by themselves.
Eleven of the library's 13 branches are upgraded to RFID with only the Central and Bay View locations still in the works. The $3.5 million project, which began on Feb. 20 at the Martin Luther King branch, might be complete by spring.
"There was a lot to learn before we did this," said Kathryn Mlsna, coordinator of circulation and RFID project manager. "It's been around for awhile, but it's a fairly new technology."
The big feature for library patrons is that now they can walk into a branch, grab what they want, take it to a self-checkout kiosk and walk out with no librarian oversight.
Wisconsin's Public Libraries See Steady Growth in Use, 2000-2009
From 46,736,280 in 2000 to 65,608,341 in 2009, an increase of 41%
From 28,045,588 in 2000 to 35,781,930 in 2009, an increase of 28%.
At the same time, average per capita support steadily increased during each of the past 10 years.
But, as of 2009, not enough to maintain staffing levels and hours of operation.
Source: Wisconsin Public Library Service Record.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Self-Service in Libraries: Matt, We're There Already
Link to December 5 Sioux City Journal article, "Libraries adapt to meet new challenges".
Excerpt: Matt Basye, FEH principal in the Sioux City office, would not be surprised to see libraries become more “retail” friendly.
“There could be a day when patrons would have a self-checkout system like a store,” he said. “That would make more library staff available to come out from behind the circulation desk and onto the floor to assist patrons.”
Yes, there could be a day.....
Self-check and open holds shelves
Dale White Performs CPR on his Local Library System
Link to December 6 Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune article, "The revival of the local library". (Thanks to John Thompson for the posting on Facebook.)
Excerpt: Throughout the region, libraries are seeing a resurgence in popularity despite facing obstacles — the Internet, deep funding cuts — that many feared would put them on the verge of extinction.
Libraries owe this newfound popularity in large part to three factors: the recession, which is forcing families to do more with less; modernization, including such things as online research help and automated book returns; and a push to make libraries into a community gathering place, including adding cafes or other amenities.
“Ten years ago, people were predicting the demise of the public library,” said Sarabeth Kalajian, general manager of Sarasota County's eight libraries. “The question of whether the public library is relevant has done a turn-around.”
In sense 1a, Merriam-Webster defines revival as renewed attention to or interest in something. Seems to me the only library revival taking place is in the temple of the mainstream media. In most measures of use -- circulation, visits, and program attendance, in particular -- libraries have demonstrated steady growth for years.
Link to State Library and Archives of Florida.
[Click on table to enlarge.]
Not That Far From Here to There
Link to December 5 Mediaite post, "Dallas-Fort Worth Fox Affiliate Delivers Deadpan Satire of Social Media".
California Residents Prefer a 'Targeted' Approach to Funding Education
Biggest item in Wisconsin's state budget? School funding. Cut here and you put more than just Madison on a diet.
Link to December 6 San Jose Mercury News article, "California's education outlook: huge classes, shorter school years, less learning".
Excerpt: After the Legislature opens a special session today to discuss how to close a $6 billion hole in the current state budget, schools are likely to endure another big midyear blow. And then comes the really bad news: the need to reconcile a projected $19.5 billion shortfall for 2011-12, partly by cutting education.
Here's the likely result: "Schools will become more and more like prisons and less and less like schools," said David Plank, a professor of education at Stanford University. "You'll have huge classes, restive young people and overworked teachers."
Sound drastic? So is the budget crisis.
Soon after he is sworn in next month, Governor-elect Jerry Brown will have to present a budget for 2011-12, a year that likely will be worse than any that California schools have endured in modern history. The deficit is so huge that educators and officials either can't think about it or can't believe it.
That denial stems partly from successive years of cutbacks, when schools made do and Sacramento staved off disaster with accounting tricks, a bond, temporary tax increases and Uncle Sam's stimulus funds. Now, even as state tax revenues continue to plunge, those options are exhausted.
Part of the problem, educators say, stems from Californians' mantra about education that sounds like a Target slogan: Expect more, pay less.
Excerpt: After the Legislature opens a special session today to discuss how to close a $6 billion hole in the current state budget, schools are likely to endure another big midyear blow. And then comes the really bad news: the need to reconcile a projected $19.5 billion shortfall for 2011-12, partly by cutting education.
Here's the likely result: "Schools will become more and more like prisons and less and less like schools," said David Plank, a professor of education at Stanford University. "You'll have huge classes, restive young people and overworked teachers."
Sound drastic? So is the budget crisis.
Soon after he is sworn in next month, Governor-elect Jerry Brown will have to present a budget for 2011-12, a year that likely will be worse than any that California schools have endured in modern history. The deficit is so huge that educators and officials either can't think about it or can't believe it.
That denial stems partly from successive years of cutbacks, when schools made do and Sacramento staved off disaster with accounting tricks, a bond, temporary tax increases and Uncle Sam's stimulus funds. Now, even as state tax revenues continue to plunge, those options are exhausted.
Part of the problem, educators say, stems from Californians' mantra about education that sounds like a Target slogan: Expect more, pay less.
Water-Damaged Delaware Library to Remain Closed through January
Link to December 6 Salisbury (MD) Daily Times article.
Excerpt: The Georgetown Public Library will remain closed through the end of January, with repairs to the water-damaged facility estimated to cost $250,000, officials said.
On Sept. 26, a defective pipe fitting led to the damage of books, carpet, furniture and drywall on the building's first floor. The flood occurred less than two months after the Aug. 9 grand opening.
"The nature of this disaster is taking longer [to repair] than we'd hoped," said Paul Enterline, president of the library's board of directors. "Basically, it's kind of like a whole new building project."
In October, officials said the 29,400-square-foot building would be closed for eight weeks. Since then, the opening of the first floor has been further delayed, but the second floor has been opened to the public.
Until the entire facility can reopen, patrons can take advantage of the Sussex County Bookmobile, which is now on the road again.
Related articles:
Water-damaged Delaware library closed for repairs. (11//27/2010)
Main floor of 2-month-old Delaware library to remain closed 8 weeks for repairs. (11/8/2010)
Library's recent history with water. (9/28/2010)
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to Offer 3-Month 'Quiet Car' Test on 2 Lines
Link to December 6 Boston Globe article, "Putting the mute in commute". (Great headline, btw.)
Excerpt: Rebecca Cutting, a daily commuter rail rider, still gets a faraway look when she recalls the time a friend confronted a passenger who was yammering on a cellphone.
“She stood up and said, ‘Let’s take a vote. How many are enjoying this conversation? Raise your hand,’ ’’ Cutting said, telling the story as she rode an inbound train late last week. “I was so proud of her.’’
Soon there will be a haven for all who, like Cutting and her friend, seek less noise with their commute. In January, the T will begin a three-month “quiet car’’ test on the Fitchburg and Franklin commuter rail lines, designating one car on each train as a refuge from chirping ringtones and grating chatter.
Passengers on the quiet car will be asked to behave as if they were in a library: to refrain from using phones, silence electronic devices, and keep conversations brief and hushed.
And this exemplar-of-a-quiet library is......
LINK to MBTA survey.
Forest History Association of Wisconsin Exhibit at Marshfield Public Library
Link to December 6 Marshfield News Herald article.
Excerpt: The nine panel exhibit tells the story of Wisconsin's industrial heritage in the woods. The first four panels -- Historical Logging in Wisconsin; In "Terms" of Logging; At the Camps; and In the Forest -- introduce the terms "cant hook" and "road monkey" as well as mythical creatures of Paul Bunyan lore, such as the "Goofus Bird" and "Gillygaloo."
The second set of panels -- The Mills, On the Waterways; As the Wood Floats -- outline the transportation of wood to the mill along with the heartiness required of those guiding the logs to their processing destination. The joys and dangers of the lumberjack's life are featured along with a sense of the growing ability of mill technology to satisfy the ever growing demand for wood products. Panel eight -- From "Cutover" to Sustained Yield Forestry -- explores the industry's solution to dwindling raw material and the plan for continued use. Panel nine -- Wisconsin's World War II Wartime Wood Products -- celebrates Wisconsin lumber's role in wartime efforts.
Cell Phone Use at Janesville High Schools
Link to December 6 Janesville Gazette article, "Schools continue to deal with cellular misbehaving".
Excerpt: Stried suggested to the administration that a cell phone-jamming system could render cell phones useless, but it turns out the Federal Communications Commission bans such technology, with few exceptions.
The principals said there’s no rule change in the works, although they have discussed whether to expand the hours of acceptable use, perhaps to allow phone use during lunch or at passing time.
Meanwhile, as cell-phone capabilities expand and improve, they might be used to help students learn. In fact, that’s already happening on a limited basis.
Parker and Craig teachers have used cell phones to help with test preparation, the principals said.
In one class, a student teacher had students use their phones as response devices, linked to the classroom’s SMART Board.
The responses were recorded and evaluated so teachers could pinpoint specific weaknesses that required re-teaching.
Just the kind of teaching methods needed to prepare students for a 21st-century workplace: 'standardized' tests of true/false and multiple-choice questions. Or don't employers care about writing, listening, and collaborative (group discussion) skills anymore?
Hudson City Council Won't Even Approve Mayor Knudsen's Compromise on Library Budget
Link to December 1 Hudson Star-Observer article, "City holds the line on taxing and spending".
Excerpt: As expected, the budget doesn’t include a $17,566 increase for the Hudson Area Joint Library that was requested by its board. The council earlier voted 4-2 to deny the request. It also turned down a compromise proposal by Mayor Knudson for an $8,195 funding increase. The vote again was 4-2 against the increase.
The city’s support for the library in 2011 will remain at $273,185, the same as in 2010.
Related articles:
The Wisconsin joint library budget dance. (10/18/2010)
New library should open in June. (3/29/2010)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The New York Times Explores 'A Book Lover's San Francisco'
Link to December 1 New York Times article.
Excerpt: Litquake is an annual event, but on almost any day or night in San Francisco, there is likely to be something for the literary-inclined — a poetry reading at a bar, a book swap in a cafe or a reading in the book-lined lobby of the Rex Hotel. This is a place, after all, where dozens of fiercely independent bookstores not only survive but thrive, thanks to a city of readers who seem to view books not only as a pleasure, but as a cause. For the out-of-towner, these one-and-only shops can be destinations in and of themselves.
THE same quality that gave rise to the city’s proliferation of small bookstores — compact, walkable neighborhoods with a militant objection to chain stores — makes it easy for visitors to explore the city’s literary terrain. Though the center of gravity has moved around over the years — from the old Barbary Coast in the days of Mark Twain and Ambrose Bierce to North Beach during the Beat era to the Haight a decade later — today the scene is most visible in the Mission.
Pennsylvania: Tough Times in a Main Line Community
Link to December 5 Philadelphia Inquirer article, "Finances put Radnor in unfamiliar straits".
Excerpt: In his 22 years in the township, Commissioner William A. Spingler said, this is the first time, for example, that it could not install a new sewer hookup or add a storm drain. "There's just no money to do anything," he said.
In response, commissioners voted last week to raise taxes for the second year in a row during a budget meeting where those affected by Radnor's plight awaited decisions about their future.
Two dozen public-works employees sat shoulder to shoulder in the back rows, wondering how many of them would lose their jobs before year's end. Four elderly representatives from the Wayne Senior Center stoically accepted a 10 percent decrease in funding.
Library officials, who had to swallow an $82,000 cut, fretted over the commissioners' plan to ask voters what the township should contribute to the library in future years.
The financial problems in the Main Line community are muted compared with those in less-affluent towns facing stark choices in a sluggish economy. Even so, in the view of at least one expert, relief might be a ways off.
Knife Lobby Sharpens Its Advocacy Efforts
Link to December 5 Boston Globe, "Knife lobby scoring points by challenging regulations".
Excerpt: Arizona used to be a knife carrier’s nightmare, with a patchwork of local laws that forced those inclined to strap Buck knives or other sharp objects to their belts to tread carefully as they moved from Phoenix (no knives except pocketknives) to Tempe (no knives at all) to Tucson (no knives on library grounds).
But that changed this year when Arizona made its Legislature the sole arbiter of knife regulations. And because of loose restrictions on weapons here, Arizona is now considered a knife carrier’s dream, a place where everything from a samurai sword to a switchblade can be carried without a quibble.
Arizona’s transformation, and the recent lifting of a ban on switchblades, stilettos, dirks, and daggers in New Hampshire, has given new life to the knife rights lobby, the little-known cousin of the more politically potent gun rights movement.
LINK to Wisconsin State Statutes
The Wisconsin Longitudinal Study
Link to December 5 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article, "Survey maps the life of a generation".
Excerpt: The Schills, now 71, are among some of the original Class of '57 graduates who for decades have formed the core of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, a groundbreaking work that has charted a generation's rise from adolescence to older age. Results have helped inform hundreds of scholarly works throughout the world.
Now, the Schills and thousands of other 1957 graduates are participating in one of the study's crucial periods, sitting down for face-to-face interviews with researchers for the first time. They're answering questions on everything from finances to education and work to well-being as the aspiration of youth has given way to the reality of age.
By early 2012, researchers hope to question around 12,300 people, both 1957 graduates and a randomly selected group of the graduates' brothers and sisters.
Speaking Up for Brown County Public Library Renovation
Link to December 5 Green Bay Press-Gazette letter to the editor, "Community can, should renovate Brown County Central Library".
This community, that has money to buy a roller coaster, can raise more than $3 million for the botanical garden and willingly grants the Green Bay Packers' every request, certainly should be able to find the money to renovate our Brown County Central Library. After all, the library has more visitors than any other site in our county.
The library's interior was fine in its day — 40 years ago. Today the interior strikes one as cold, drab and uninviting. Fortunately a professional staff provides great service that keeps people coming to a site that has little about it that is warm and welcoming. Recently we also found out that there is a list of code violations making the site unsafe.
Our library is an indispensable community resource. For many it is the only place to get books and to access computers. Civic leaders talk about attracting young professionals to Green Bay; young professionals value a vibrant, attractive library for information and as a place to introduce their young children to reading.
Our central library's auditorium provides a venue for a great variety of local activities. Please contact your Brown County supervisor to advocate for the badly needed renovation of our central library.
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