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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Written By: Caroline Horn Publication Date: Fri, 05/08/2011 - 08:40 The government's lack of coherent support for school libraries is one of a number of factors contributing to the fall in children's literacy, according to a report by an All-Party Parliamentary Group for Education. The report... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Wed, 03/08/2011 - 09:20 Digital sales more than doubled at Simon & Schuster in its second-quarter but did not offset the decline in print. However, the publisher reported an increase in profits of 12% off the back of the shift to digital and... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Wed, 03/08/2011 - 14:05 The British Library has launched an iPad app allowing subscribers to browse 45,000 books from its 19th century historical collection. Subscription costs £1.99 per month and users can explore books from the likes of classic... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Wed, 03/08/2011 - 13:30 Cambridgeshire county council is set to announce new library plans in September, with book "vending" machines at train stations and park and ride sites potentially on the cards. An online ordering and delivery service,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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While many publishers are still grappling with the question of digital properties and revenue, The Financial Times continues to reap positive benefits from its paid collection model, according to first half 2011 financials released Friday. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2011-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Tue, 02/08/2011 - 09:02 Wokingham borough council plans to begin discussions this month with private companies interested in taking over the running of the borough's libraries. According to a report in the Wokingham Times, the council's executive... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Tue, 02/08/2011 - 09:03 Ebury has launched a digital imprint, initially focusing on abridged versions of Ebury's narrative non-fiction titles, called Lives Less Ordinary. Deputy publisher Andrew Goodfellow is behind the new range of digital... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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WHILE many university libraries are tossing out books that haven't been borrowed for a while, Macquarie University has unveiled a completely new library with a revolutionary storage and retrieval system, and a new design adapted to the demands of modern students. Continue reading at The Sydney Morning Herald
[ The Sydney Morning Herald | 2011-08-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Mon, 01/08/2011 - 08:53 The defence of the public library service has entered a new phase with the judicial review hearing in the High Court into Brent councils contentious proposal to close six of its 12 libraries. The case was the first to be... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-08-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Fri, 29/07/2011 - 09:30 Penguin reported lower sales and profits in the first half of 2011 as it adjusted to the "unprecedented challenges" afflicting the publishing sector including the loss of high street booksellers in the US and Australia... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Thu, 28/07/2011 - 15:19 World Book Night will launch in the US in 2012, with the States confirmed as the event's first international partner. HarperCollins vice president of independent retailing Carl Lennertz has been appointed as chief... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Thu, 28/07/2011 - 08:41 Twelve of 25 libraries in the Wakefield district will cease to be funded by the authority after councillors gave their backing to a new proposal. The libraries under threat include those in Kettlethorpe, South Kirkby and... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Benedicte Page Publication Date: Thu, 28/07/2011 - 15:17 Five Bolton libraries are to be closed, after a decision by the council's executive earlier today. According to reporting from the meeting by The Bolton News, the executive voted to select an option which would see five... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Wed, 27/07/2011 - 15:15 Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird has been voted the most popular title to be given away as part of World Book Night 2012. The organisation launched a public vote last month asking people to vote for the titles they... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Wed, 27/07/2011 - 15:15 Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is the most popular title among the public to be given away as part of World Book Night 2012. The organisation launched a public vote last month asking people to vote for the titles they... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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TIME is ranked number one in the latest Digital IQ Index from "digital innovation think tank" L2 that measures the digital aptitude and ad revenue-per-page of 87 magazine brands.The rankings were developed by NYU Stern professor Scott Galloway. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2011-07-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Wed, 27/07/2011 - 09:10 The smaller publishers whose titles have been selected for the Man Booker longlist, including Seren Books, Sandstone Press and Oneworld, are preparing to reprint the titles and release digital versions to meet the... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Tue, 26/07/2011 - 08:55 Digital is accounting for 75% of Taylor & Francis' parent company Informa's publishing sales, as it revealed half-year profits increased by 14.3% to £55.2m. For the first half of 2011, Informa's sales increased by 1.7% to... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After posting its first profit in decades in 2010, The Atlantic says it continues to see gains in 2011, with digital advertising up 42 percent and print advertising revenue up 9 percent in the second quarter, compared to the same period last year. Digital advertising is also up 23 percent for... Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2011-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In an attempt to be everywhere readers are, Barnes & Noble is updating its NOOK for iPad app to offer digital periodicals to consumers. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2011-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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