Voices for the Library

Speak up for libraries :: Lobby your MP on 13 March

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:45:00 -0500

March 13, 2012 at 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Central Hall Westminster, London

Public library services and staff are under threat from cuts and closures on a massive scale.

During the lobby of Parliament, join local library users, campaigners and staff to help highlight the importance of libraries in providing access to learning, information and knowledge and as a vital lifeline for many communities.

Join the rally and lobby

Attend the rally and hear high profile speakers, entertainment and films all telling the same story – libraries are a valued and vital resource.
Visit the ‘pop up’ library and see for yourself the many faces of a modern library.
Arrange to meet with your MP and tell them now is the time to act to protect libraries.

Please sign up on the Speak Up For Libraries website to indicate that you will be attending or on the Facebook Event page.

See you there!

"As my childhood was during the 1930’s depression, the library was very important to me. and my..."

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:45:52 -0500

“As my childhood was during the 1930’s depression, the library was very important to me. and my 4 siblings. We had story telling, magazine (current), wide range of books which were checked out and and treasured, kept safely at home. The library was warmer in cold weather and comfortable in hot weather. The staff were always helpful and kind. At the age of 85 years today I feel the library is still very important to all ages. Books to hold and keep informed and today computers. Bravo.”

- National Libraries Day, Weoley Castle Library

"Weoley Castle Library is a very helpful, kind, informative place of where many people from different..."

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:29:13 -0500

“Weoley Castle Library is a very helpful, kind, informative place of where many people from different backgrounds can be. I myself have found them enjoyable to talk to about various CD’s I have borrowed and rekindled my music passion. Thank you.”

- National Libraries Day, Weoley Castle Library

'Occupy' libraries Flickr group pool

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:56:17 -0500

Via Scoop.it - Libraries around the world

‘Occupy’ libraries from across the globe.
Via flickr.com

15 Key Insights From 2011 From 15 Key Thinkers And Writers - Forbes

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:14:53 -0500

Via Scoop.it - Libraries around the world
A highlight of 2011: The most exciting intellectual moment of 2011 for me was learning that People’s Libraries were at the heart of the various Occupy movement camps. The idea that knowledge and culture should be freely-available and widely-shared amongst those who want access to them is incredibly appealing. The spontaneous creation of these libraries against a backdrop of public library closures is a sign of hope. The destruction of nearly 3,000 books in the Zuccotti Park raid only reinforced the power of this idea.
Via forbes.com

How the Library Can Help Your Child Become a Great Reader — Park Ridge news, photos and events — TribLocal.com

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:32:43 -0500

Via Scoop.it - General library news
Trying to think of ways to get your child interested in reading? Studies have shown that young children learn effectively through play. The Park Ridge Public Library provides a wide range of materials for children that encourage their love…
Via triblocal.com

How To Protest Library Cuts

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:01:38 -0500

Via Scoop.it - General library news

Urban Librarians Unite started as a way to get librarians to exchange ideas. Over time, we’ve cultivated an effective mix of Social Media and old fashioned advocacy. The stereotype of the quiet, meek librarian has given us a lot to play with.
Via huffingtonpost.com

Gormley unveils 'empty' sculpture

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:56:10 -0500

Via Scoop.it - General library news

The British Library unveils sculptor Antony Gormley’s latest work, which was commissioned by a charity that promotes the freedom to write.
Via bbc.co.uk

Libraries to give babies a head start - Local stories - Yorkshire Post

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:26:09 -0500

Via Scoop.it - UK Public libraries in the news
“Free library membership from birth is an entitlement for all children but not many people are aware of this. “Being able to join through the registrars’ service saves parents time and reduces the need for form-filling as the membership form is completed online and the baby’s card posted out within a week. “From the new year, enclosed with the library card will also be a voucher for a free gift, which can be claimed at the child’s first library visit.”
Via yorkshirepost.co.uk

Sir Isaac Newton's own annotated Principia Mathematica goes online

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:07:13 -0500

Via Scoop.it - General library news

Cambridge University gives the public access to digitised science papers, revealing the calculations of famous minds…
Via guardian.co.uk

What You Can Do To Support School Libraries In Crisis

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:01:29 -0500

Via Scoop.it - General library news

The value of school librarians has been measured in countless studies demonstrating that strong school library programs help students learn more and score higher on standardized achievement tests. For example, according to data from the Alaska State Library, at the elementary level, four out of five schools (80 percent) with full-time librarians had more students who earned proficient or above proficient test scores on the California Achievement Tests (CAT5) tests for reading, language arts and mathematics. In schools with no librarian, fewer than three out of five (less than 60 percent) achieved higher test scores.
Via huffingtonpost.com

1.6 Billion Reasons Why America Still Needs Libraries

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:59:14 -0500

Via Scoop.it - UK Public libraries in the news

Even in the digital age Americans haven’t stopped using the old fashioned publish library.
Via businessinsider.com

Why library closures are a catastrophe | The Times

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:20:07 -0500

Via Scoop.it - UK Public libraries in the news

A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life-raft and a festival. They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination. On a cold, rainy island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen instead. A human with a brain and a heart and a desire to be uplifted, rather than a customer with a credit card and an inchoate “need” for “stuff”.
Via thetimes.co.uk

Special Report: Libraries gear up to offer e-books

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:46:03 -0500

Via Scoop.it - Libraries around the world

George and Pat Griffiths are avid readers and make frequent visits to the Mead Public Library. But they’re trying something new that could reduce their trips to the downtown library. They’re going digital.
Via sheboyganpress.com

Library of Congress to store tweets based on Twitter deal

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:50:46 -0500

Via Scoop.it - Libraries around the world

The Library of Congress will store public tweets, based on an agreement with Twitter.
Via content.usatoday.com

More paid staff set to stay at libraries

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:08:57 -0500

Via Scoop.it - UK Public libraries in the news

A compromise which could see more paid staff kept on at Oxfordshire libraries was last night labelled as ‘crumbs’ by campaigners.
Via oxfordtimes.co.uk

Canada Water library – review

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:57:49 -0500

Via Scoop.it - UK Public libraries in the news

Southwark’s new library is a bold venture at a time when similar institutions are being shut by the dozen, writes Rowan Moore…
Via guardian.co.uk

School Librarians In California Under Siege

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:51:25 -0500

Via Scoop.it - The value of librarians

Jeffus pointed to a paper published in 2008 by a University of North Texas researcher who found a correlation between California schools with devoted librarians and students with higher test scores. The study controlled for some income-related factors, including the level of education of the students’ parents and the proportion of students receiving free and reduced-price lunch. The strongest pattern was found in high school students, where higher test scores correlated with the extent of the library services offered.
Via huffingtonpost.com

New library website proves a hit with readers - Community - Morpeth Herald

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:46:13 -0500

Via Scoop.it - UK Public libraries in the news

A NEW-LOOK library website has proved a hit with readers after more than doubling the number of online users.
Via morpethherald.co.uk

Technology Transforming Public Libraries [VIDEO]

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:11:05 -0500

Via Scoop.it - General library news

Access to the latest devices and tutorials on how to use them are all available at your local library.
Via stratford.patch.com