Texas to open the country’s first bookless public library, naming it BblioTech
“It sounds like an oxymoron, but come the fall of 2013, San Antonio’s Bexar County is going to be home to the BiblioTech, the country’s first book-less public library. Of course, there will be books — just e-books, not physical books.
“The 4,989 square-foot space will look like a modern library, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who was inspired to pursue the project after reading Walter Issacson’s Steve Jobs biography, told ABC News. (A glance at the photo shows that its inspired by Apple in more ways than one.) Instead of aisles and aisles of books there will be aisles and aisles of computers and gadgets. At the start, it will have 100 e-readers available for circulation and to take out, and then 50 e-readers for children, 50 computer stations, 25 laptops and 25 tablets on site.
“We all know the world is changing. I am an avid book reader. I read hardcover books, I have a collection of 1,000 first editions. Books are important to me,” Wolff told ABC News. “But the world is changing and this is the best, most effective way to bring services to our community.”
“Library goers will be able to take out books on any of the devices in the library, take out one of the 50 e-readers for a period of time or bring their own e-readers to the library and load books onto their own devices. The library will also be partnering with e-book providers or distributors to provide access to over 10,000 titles. The hope is to add to that collection annually. The county is still figuring out who will provide the equipment and has requests for proposals out for the e-readers and other equipment.”
From Joanna Stern’s article for ABC News, The First Bookless Public Library: Texas to Have BiblioTech
Brooklyn Public Library opens “Information Commons” area, a public space outfitted with technology for community and individual creativity
“The recently-restored entrance to Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) Central Library at Grand Army Plaza is something to behold. Otherwise unadorned, the building’s art-deco façade curves inward, highlighting a giant portico, where visitors walk between two 50-foot pylons and a 40-foot gateway featuring 15 bronze, sculpted panels that will remind patrons of great works of American literature.
“But after a year of extensive remodeling, BPL on Tuesday unveiled its Central Library’s Shelby White and Leon Levy Information Commons area—a new public space designed to complement the building’s history while pointing toward the library’s future.”
“Stepping into the InfoCommons area from the lobby, patrons will see 10 new 27-inch iMacs lining the left side of the room. All are loaded with leading design software, including Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection, Final Cut Pro, and ProTools. On the right side of the room are 15 similarly-outfitted PC stations. In between, as many as 70 laptop users can be accommodated with seating, outlets, and wireless access.
“Rather than Internet browsing or social media use, the area is geared toward patrons who are “working on anything that takes time to create,” Reyes-Gavilan told LJ. The library has a separate computer lab on the third floor that will continue to serve casual users, he explained.
“The area features one classroom and seven meeting rooms
“Off of the main area, users will find one large classroom that seats up to 36 people, as well as seven smaller meeting rooms of various sizes, designed to accommodate groups of two to 14. And, there’s a fully-outfitted recording booth that BPL plans to use for oral history projects, podcasts, and other recordings.
“The meeting areas, the high-end software, and the modern classroom were all incorporated in response to “critical needs that this building has had for a long, long time,” Reyes-Gavilan told LJ.”
From Matt Eni’s article for the Library Journal, InfoCommons Offers Vision of Brooklyn’s Future
High school library moves print stacks out of the library to make room for digital tools and collaborative space
“High school principal Sue Skinner may have removed nearly all of the physical books from Minnesota’sBenilde-St. Margaret’s school library in 2011, but the Moore Library remains a vital educational space where students still research, investigate and—above all—learn, she says. Today, students from both the junior and high school grades convene there with their laptops, get help from math and literacy coaches, or read quietly (sometimes even from books.)
“We used to think of a library as a building with stacks of books,” says Skinner, who has served as high school principal of the St. Louis Park, MN, Catholic preparatory school since 2007. “Now we should think of it as a space where people come together to share ideas, be creative, access information, and even read. Instead of thinking of it so literally, we should think of it as a more active space and evolving.”
“The expansive use of digital tools at Benilde-St. Margaret’s plays a major role in the success of the “no books” library, Skinner says. Since 2010, the entire school is 1:1, with each student receiving a MacBook plus user access to various online databases including Gale and ProQuest.
“Another key to the library’s success? A robust community of neighboring branch and university libraries in the surrounding area. There are 50 public libraries alone in a 15-mile radius of the school, Skinner points out. “We weren’t saying no to hard copy books,” she says. “But let’s not duplicate what public and other libraries have.” The school’s librarian as well as teachers help students to complete requests online for the books they need and want from all of these local branches.”
From Lauren Barack’s article for the School Library Journal, School Library Thrives After Ditching Print Collection
Awesome People Island: Popular children’s subscription reading service for iPad adds new nonfiction books and video field trips
“LOS ANGELES, Calif. – RRKidz flagship brand Reading Rainbow announces a new partnership with renowned publisher National Geographic Kids, further strengthening its top-grossing reading subscription app. RRKidz also expands the Reading Rainbow library by adding an all new “Awesome People Island” filled with books and videos, hosted and narrated by LeVar Burton.
“As a result of the National Geographic Kids partnership, in early 2013 Reading Rainbow will launch a branded island featuring books from National Geographic Kids’ most popular series, including Picture the Seasons, books filled with beautiful photography that captures the essence of different seasons; National Geographic Readers, easy-to-read books about exciting subjects kids care about; and the National Geographic Little Kids Look & Learn series of picture books for pre-readers.
“Reading Rainbow and LeVar Burton have inspired generations of young readers to become passionate about books and reading. With this new app, the next generation of kids will take that passion to the digital world,” said Melina Bellows, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of National Geographic Books, Kids and Family. “Our partnership with RRKidz to create the National Geographic Kids Island will further our mission of getting kids excited to explore the world around them wherever they are.”
“Reading Rainbow has further enhanced its service with the addition of a new “Awesome People” island. Here, children discover dozens of new books and video field trips about heroes, important historical figures and everyday people who make a difference. Some of the new books on this inspiring island include numerous offerings from the highly respected “A Picture Book of…” series including Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin and many others. In addition, children can journey on exciting video field trips, connecting the books they read to the world they live in. Exclusive real-world segments include a look into the Oval Office, an exciting view of Air Force One, and a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, the new island debuts an all new video series titled “I Love My Job Because…,” introducing children to the world of possibilities of who they can become one day.”
From a press release on Webwire, Reading Rainbow Partners With National Geographic Kids And Significantly Expands Digital Library
Library of Congress gives Afghan President Hamid Karzai set of digitized cultural treasures
“WASHINGTON — The Library of Congress is using a $2 million gift to digitize cultural treasures and records from Afghanistan to give to that country’s libraries and universities.
“The gift was announced Friday at the U.S. State Department in a ceremony with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. A grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York will fund the project.
“Holdings at the Library of Congress relating to Afghanistan’s history and culture are being digitized for the World Digital Library and to provide copies to Afghan institutions. A collection presented Friday includes manuscripts, rare books, maps and photographs.
“Library officials say thousands of items about Afghanistan will eventually be digitized. Officials say it’s an example of “virtual repatriation” and a way to preserve and share Afghanistan’s history.”
From an Associated Press article published on The Washington Post, Library of Congress gives Afghan President Hamid Karzai set of digitized cultural treasures
Code4Lib Journal – Issue 19 out, view the papers/article on the Code4Lib website