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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Home | Yahoo! Style Guide

Yahoo! symbol designImage via Wikipedia
Home | Yahoo! Style Guide
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Mashpedia: Multimedia, Social and Real-Time Encyclopedia

Conversations-Lexikon mit vorzüglicher Rücksic...Image via Wikipedia
Mashpedia: Multimedia, Social and Real-Time Encyclopedia
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Welcome to Open Library! (Open Library)

Welcome to Open Library! (Open Library)
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Jobs, Employers, and Job Search Resources - Job-Hunt.org

Jobs, Employers, and Job Search Resources - Job-Hunt.org

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Inside THIRTEEN » Archive » Journalism in Crisis: A Special Report From Bill Baker, President Emeritus of WNET.ORG

Inside THIRTEEN » Archive » Journalism in Crisis: A Special Report From Bill Baker, President Emeritus of WNET.ORG

Jaron Lanier's You Are Not a Gadget. - By Michael Agger - Slate Magazine

Jaron Lanier's You Are Not a Gadget. - By Michael Agger - Slate Magazine
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ALA | Issues & Advocacy

ALA | Issues & Advocacy

10 Laptop and Netbook Alternatives to the Apple iPad - Mobile and Wireless from eWeek

10 Laptop and Netbook Alternatives to the Apple iPad - Mobile and Wireless from eWeek

LibraryLaw Blog: May a library lend e-book readers?

LibraryLaw Blog: May a library lend e-book readers?
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What is Google Voice?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

NYLA Information and Advocacy Session

This past Thursday, June 17th 2010, the NY Librarians Meetup Group met for the New York Library Association Information and Advocacy Session at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. The session was moderated by Tinamarie Vella, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism employee, NYLA and NYLM member. NYLA is an organization that is dedicated to the mission of “development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning, quality of life, and equal opportunity for all New Yorkers.” Its mission for library advocacy is to “ensure equitable access to the highest quality library and information services by speaking as the chief advocate for the people of New York; and to promote the visibility and use of libraries and the essential role of library service and information providers.”

Meetup members were greeted warmly by NYLM Organizer and session leader, Stephanie Gross, who started off the session with identifying various contributing factors to the potential decline in financial support to NYC libraries. She pointed out that professional networking needed strengthening in numbers and participation. She suggested that through the power of increased participaction, such groups could more effectively communicate with each other and the necessary governmental parties on how to better serve community libraries. Additionally, Stephanie noted that library advocacy groups need to identify libraries' strengths and weaknesses-- then decide on the best course of action to maintain those strengths and eradicate those weaknesses. If they do not, City Council will soon vote on a proposed budget cut of $37 million dollars, the largest library cut in the history of the city. Libraries will no longer receive the funds necessary to adequately serve their communities. As a result, branches will be closed, jobs will be cut, librarians will be out of work and communities will go underserved.

During the session, one NYLM member remarked that alternatives to public librarianship would have to be sought out for unemployed librarians. She explained to fellow session participants that she was currently searching outside the public library arena to obtain work. Stephanie followed up the member's story by discussing her own experiences in being an academic librarian as opposed to a public librarian. A second NYLM member‘s story about her work as a law librarian seemed to emphasize a need for librarians, in general, to really fight for job security— especially in the face of economic downturn. Other NYLM members who said they were currently seeking employment in libraries, discussed the need in gaining important skill sets in order to obtain and maintain a library position. However, these looming budget cuts are illustrating for many hoping to become librarians that the desire to learn more about the profession may become overshadowed by an even greater need to stay afloat financially.

It was suggested, although only briefly discussed, that the Computer Age is playing a signifigant role in proposals to decrease spending on libraries; perhaps because libraries are becoming less focused on real live service to library patrons and more so on making information accessible to patrons via the World Wide Web. Though also worth mentioning, I think that librarians on the whole are becoming increasingly more fearful of what an emphasis on technology rather than actual person to person service could mean for their professional future. These proposed budget cuts by library administrators are, perhaps in many ways, a wake-up call to NYC library employees and patrons forcing them to recognize what is important to the continuance of the privileges they enjoy. Moreover, these impending budget cuts are making libraries and library patrons realize just how vital advocacy is to the survival of NYC libraries.

The session concluded with handouts, created by Tinamarie, being passed around to all attendees. The handouts provided information on NYLA and how to join the association, so that a greater presence could be brought to the group’s outreach and advocacy efforts in the NYC area. The second handout provided information on a few simple ways to get involved in library advocacy for libraries located in and beyond the NYC area.

For more information regarding NYLA, please visit their website at: http://www.nyla.org/

Additionally, take the Save NYC Libraries’ “Rally Challenge” by clicking on the following link: http://savenyclibraries.org/. Use the Rally in a Box kit, which will give you the tools and guidance needed to hold your own library rally.

To receive a copy of the handouts described above or to give suggestions on how NYLA can increase interest and participation in library advocacy for NYC, please contact Tinamarie Vella at: tinamarie.vella@gmail.com

Brain Rules for Presenters

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Five Reasons to Worry About Free WiFi at Starbucks - Technology For Change

Five Reasons to Worry About Free WiFi at Starbucks - Technology For Change

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

NYLM--We Will Not Be Shushed (24 Hour Read-In)


The three public library systems in New York City serve the 8 million residents that live in the boroughs from various locations. The use of the public library has drastically increased after the effects of the economic crisis. The public are now looking towards their local library for access to information, resources, and programs that are necessary to carry out important tasks set out in front of them—job searching, education, Internet access, and most importantly a reserve of books. In the coming budget for the year 2011, the public libraries face very destructive cuts. Facts show that "Mayor Bloomberg’s Executive Budget for FY’11 calls for a reduction in funding of $16.9 million for Queens Library, $20.6 million for Brooklyn Public Library, and $37 million for New York Public Library". With these cuts, not only will the libraries suffer in terms of available resources, but staffing the libraries will become an important issue as well. With this budget cut, around 40 libraries citywide will be in danger of closure and 30% of the staff will be laid off. Programs that New Yorkers use daily will also be eliminated with this budget cut. These programs include assistance with job searching, tutoring, computer access, and instruction. Clearly this cannot happen. We ask you—New Yorkers, librarians, avid readers, students, and lovers of the libraries—join us in this 24 hour event of continuous public reading to support the New York Public Library System. We will not be shushed!

With only a few days away, it's important to remember to sign-up and fill a spot for a BIG LIBRARY EVENT. On June 12-13th we will be gathering around the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library to take part in "a unified libraries effort" to preserve the Public Library System in New York. Come out and support libraries during our 24 hour Read-In. Register as a reader to support this event. There will be a voice reading in front of the library for the full 24 hours, so this means that we need as many people as we can to fill the slots of designated times. After you join, don't stop there. Help us spread the word however you know how—listservs, bulletin boards, social media, word of mouth, and find us on Facebook and Meetup. Tell your friends and family to sign up. To register for a 20-minute slot, e-mail: savenyclibraries@gmail.com. Volunteers are also needed to set up, break down, move tables, and lots of other odd jobs. Late night and early morning people are particularly appreciated! If you can't volunteer, don't fret—there are other ways you can help. We are taking in donations of art supplies (crayons, markers, glitter, etc.), signs and banners, cardstock, and of course—coffee! Apart from our Read-In we will be building a petition for the three library systems, and our goal is to have every attendee of the event sign it, as well as write a postcard to the City Council. We need to make clear to the elected officials that public library funding cuts and layoffs are unacceptable and must be stopped! We need to stick together to keep libraries open!