Librii: A New Kind Of Digital Library For The Developing World

This new library-in-a-shipping-container plans on using growing Internet access in Africa to create a new model for making available both electronic information and physical books. It’s a conundrum that library advocates have struggled with for years: in many areas in the developing world, libraries run on donations, which means they often end up with irrelevant books that never even get removed from their boxes. People still come to libraries in these places for a quiet place to read and study, but certainly not because of the resources they provide. Recently, a crop of initiatives have launched that aim to make libraries more relevant again. Librii, a project from Libraries Across Africa that’s seeking $50,000 in funding from Kickstarter, is one of them. The project, which began as Librii director David Dewane’s thesis idea at the Rice School of Architecture, bills itself as "a digitally enhanced, community-based, revenue-generating library on the frontiers of broadband connectivity." In simple terms, the founders envision low-cost libraries (a single library in Ghana to start) that take advantage of the burgeoning fiber optic infrastructure in Africa to provide Internet access, curated content, educational programs, and of course, physical books.Read Full Story Continue reading at 'Fast Company'

[ Fast Company | 2013-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Libraries as a Gateway to Forging Your Own Path: Jane Austen, Murder Mysteries, and Me

Jessica Ball, author of 'Miss Austen Investigates: The Hapless Milliner,' is hardly the only writer to profess a passion for libraries. Jane Austen, the heroine of her novel, adored them. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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For libraries, e-book lending is a new chapter – and a new challenge

The “Netflix model” of leasing e-books to public libraries is expensive, full of limitations, and potentially a boon for censorship, librarians say. It’s a growing business model that shifts power to publishers and makes access harder for patrons. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2024-02-22 16:28:54 UTC ]
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Why Brené Brown’s Gospel of Vulnerability Fails the World’s Most Vulnerable

“Vulnerability is not weakness, it is our greatest measure of courage.” * “Stressed is being in the weeds, overwhelmed is being blown.” * “Disappointment is unmet expectations.” * These are the sort of catchy aphorisms you will find in the pages of self-help guru and corporate leadership trainer... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-02-21 09:55:40 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: February 16, 2024

Maryland lawmakers seek to protect libraries, Florida governor Ron DeSantis appears to acknowledge that book banning efforts have gone too far, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Winter Institute 2024: Keynote Speakers Share Business World Wisdom

Private equity investor James Rhee, author of 'Red Helicopter,' suggested ways to amplify a bookstore or brand’s intangible qualities, and conflict resolution specialist William Ury, author of 'Possible,' advised booksellers on how to deal with people's differences "constructively." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-13 05:00:00 UTC ]
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‘Time-efficient foreplay’: inside the funny, filthy world of erotic podcasts

From fan fiction about Disney cartoons having sex to raunchy shows from Hollywood stars, pornographic audio is podcasting’s hottest new trendHave you ever stood at the school gates, waiting to pick up your six-year-old, while secretly listening to fan fiction about Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-02-12 16:32:24 UTC ]
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These books were challenged at Ottawa's libraries last year

Challenges cited allegations of racism and hatred, as well as supposedly inaccurate or age-inappropriate content, but all were rejected. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2024-02-10 09:00:00 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: February 9, 2024

Among the week's headlines: The American Library Association announces five new "Core Values" for librarianship; a candidate for Missouri secretary of state campaigns by burning library books with a flamethrower; and OCLC is suing a shadow archive site. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Israel has damaged or destroyed at least 13 libraries in Gaza.

Librarians and Archivists with Palestine—a network of information workers in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for self-determination—yesterday released a report detailing the archives, libraries, and museums in Gaza that have been destroyed, damaged, or looted by Israeli armed forces... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-02-06 17:22:05 UTC ]
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Here’s what a $7M, 30-second Super Bowl ad can purchase in digital media in 2024

Let’s once again put that cost in perspective and take a look at what $7 million can afford a buyer elsewhere elsewhere in the media landscape. Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2024-02-06 05:01:00 UTC ]
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Publishers’ Upbeat Assessments of AI Policy Developments

A vote at the EU and a new report from the House of Lords in London prompts  international publishing leadership approval, determination. The post Publishers’ Upbeat Assessments of AI Policy Developments appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-02-02 19:47:50 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: February 2, 2024

Among the week's headlines: PLA 2024 is next on the library conference calendar; Alabama takes aim at ALA; and Georgia proposes a book rating law. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-02 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: January 26, 2024

Among the week's headlines: LibLearnX 2024 is in the books; Oklahoma appoints a conservative media provocateur to a key post; and new bills emerge to defend libraries and the freedom to read. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-26 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Vashti Harrison's Caldecott Win: Kind of a 'Big' Deal

Author–illustrator Vashti Harrison happened to be in Miami to celebrate her father's 89th birthday when—at 9:30 p.m., while sorting laundry—she received the news of her Caldecott win for 'Big.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: January 19, 2024

Among the week’s headlines: ALA’s LibLearnX 2024 gets underway; students and librarians at an Idaho high school push back against book bans; and an Alabama legislator wants to make it easy for politicians to fire library board members. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-19 05:00:00 UTC ]
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What Do Parents Really Think of Libraries and Book Bans?: Survey Results

The results are in for three surveys of more than 3,000 parents asking about their perceptions of libraries, librarians, and book bans. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-01-18 16:40:10 UTC ]
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L.A. Public Library to Publish Books

The Los Angeles Public Library has become one of the few public libraries in this country with its own press. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-01-17 17:54:25 UTC ]
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