Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy | What's on | The British Library - The British Library

 

Foundation of democracy or rallying cry for modern rights? One of the world’s most famous documents, Magna Carta has inspired some of today’s fundamental liberties. Yet it started as a practical solution to a political crisis 800 years ago.


Since 1215, Magna Carta has evolved from a political agreement to an
international symbol of freedom. Uncover the story of how its power has
been used – and abused – from its genesis through to today’s popular
culture, in the largest exhibition ever staged about this world-famous
document.


Explore centuries of dramatic history, from King John, medieval
battles, revolution, wars, empire and the struggle for the right to
vote, right up to today’s satirical commentaries.

- See more at:
http://www.bl.uk/events/magna-carta--law-liberty-legacy?ns_campaign=magna-carta-exhibition&ns_campaign=BritishLibrary_MagnaCarta_version1&ns_mchannel=bl_website&ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=carousel&ns_source=newsletter&ns_linkname=magna-carta-exhibition_more_link&ns_linkname=Untitled5&ns_fee=0&ns_fee=0&TMID=+#sthash.TEyvyXUm.dpuf

To
mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta we are holding a
once-in-a-lifetime exhibition - book now! - See more at:
http://www.bl.uk/events/magna-carta--law-liberty-legacy?ns_campaign=magna-carta-exhibition&ns_campaign=BritishLibrary_MagnaCarta_version1&ns_mchannel=bl_website&ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=carousel&ns_source=newsletter&ns_linkname=magna-carta-exhibition_more_link&ns_linkname=Untitled5&ns_fee=0&ns_fee=0&TMID=+#sthash.TEyvyXUm.dpuf

To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta we are holding a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition - book now! - See more at: http://www.bl.uk/events/magna-carta--law-liberty-legacy?ns_campaign=magna-carta-exhibition&ns_campaign=BritishLibrary_MagnaCarta_version1&ns_mchannel=bl_website&ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=carousel&ns_source=newsletter&ns_linkname=magna-carta-exhibition_more_link&ns_linkname=Untitled5&ns_fee=0&ns_fee=0&TMID=+#sthash.TEyvyXUm.dpuf

To
mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta we are holding a
once-in-a-lifetime exhibition - book now! - See more at:
http://www.bl.uk/events/magna-carta--law-liberty-legacy?ns_campaign=magna-carta-exhibition&ns_campaign=BritishLibrary_MagnaCarta_version1&ns_mchannel=bl_website&ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=carousel&ns_source=newsletter&ns_linkname=magna-carta-exhibition_more_link&ns_linkname=Untitled5&ns_fee=0&ns_fee=0&TMID=+#sthash.TEyvyXUm.dpuf

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Why Public Libraries Matter: And How They Can Do More - Forbes

Why Public Libraries Matter: And How They Can Do More - Forbes

I have often thought that nothing would do more extensive good at small expense than the establishment of a small circulating library in every county, to consist of a few well-chosen books, to be lent to the people of the country under regulations as would secure their safe return in due time.
Thomas Jefferson – letter to John Wyche, 1809.

From one standpoint, public libraries seem like a small thorn in the side of embattled publishers.   They account for a small percentage of book sales, but bleed off more sales by lending bestsellers promiscuously.  Publishers, anxious to discover the next Fifty Shades or Hunger Games have little time for their nattering and would prefer that the current fight over eBook pricing quietly disappeared.

But there is another side to public libraries in America: they are dynamic, versatile community centers.  They welcomed more than 1.59 billion visitors in 2009 and lent books 2.4 billion times – more than 8 times for each citizen.  More than half of young adults and seniors living in poverty in the United States used public libraries to access the Internet.  They used this access, among other purposes to “find work, apply to college, secure government benefits, and learn about critical medical treatments” For all this, public libraries cost just $42 per citizen each year to maintain.

The growth of electronic reading holds significant opportunities and threats for both public libraries and publishers.  This is no small affair: new research from the Pew Research Center shows that a third of Americans now own eBook readers or tablet devices, and Amazon sells more eBooks than print books.

Read more...

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• More in Omaha turning to e-books (omaha.com)
• The Bad Old Days (cpitlibrary.wordpress.com)
• The Pirate Bay Is The World's Most Efficient Public Library (falkvinge.net)
• In digital age, most teens still use the library, study finds (nj.com)
• Santa Monica Public Library Earns Five-Star Rating From Library Journal (smmirror.com)
• BiblioTech, replacing physical books with e-books in public libraries (gizmochunk.com)
• Libraries let patrons check out an iPad, or granddad's history (stltoday.com)