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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Brave Books, Kirk Cameron Plan Public Library Events August 5; Public Libraries Need to Prepare

Kirk Cameron is encouraging a national story time event in US public libraries August 5. Here's what library workers need to know. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-06-05 10:37:00 UTC ]
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Libraries are under attack—and so are library workers

Libraries are increasingly being targeted by local and state legislators and protestors trying to ban books and block LGBTQ content. How is that affecting the people who work in them? Scratch nearly any kind of story—political, social, economic, cultural, and so on—and you’ll find a labor... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2023-04-14 03:00:00 UTC ]
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Texas Ranks Among Lowest on Library Use, Highest in Book Bans: Library Use & Spending By State

What states spend the most money on their public libraries and what states see the most use per person? Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-04-06 11:21:40 UTC ]
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Little Free Library Launches Indigenous Library Program

The latest initiative from Little Free Library will provide book-sharing boxes for installation on tribal lands and in other Indigenous communities throughout the U.S. and in Canada. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-01-20 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Michigan Library Association Defends Library Defunded Over LGBTQ Books

In a statement this week, the Michigan Library Association called the vote to defund the Patmos Library (Jamestown, Mich.) over the library’s refusal to pull several LGBTQ-themed books from library shelves "a local tragedy with national implications." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-15 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Libraries Save Lives: 8 Horror Movies and TV Shows Where Research Happens at the Library

Is there anything you can't find at a library? These 10 scenes from horror movies and TV shows prove that libraries save lives. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-07-25 10:36:00 UTC ]
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A New York Library Bans Pride Displays and LGBTQ Kids’ Books, And Other Library Censorship Stories from Pride Month

Libraries from California to North Carolina to Utah to New York have seen their Pride displays challenged or removed this month. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-06-30 10:41:00 UTC ]
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Ukrainian libraries, serving as bomb shelters, continue to prove that libraries are our best hope.

In March 2020, I happened to be working at a library for the first time (shoutout to my friends at BPL), and got to witness up-close how quickly the staff pivoted their services to respond to the pandemic: shifting programming online and expanding their virtual presence; starting a delivery... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-03-09 19:43:39 UTC ]
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Libraries Connected holds first awards to recognise achievements of library staff

Libraries Connected held its first ever awards this week, to recognise and celebrate the achievements of library staff over the past year.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-20 05:39:05 UTC ]
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Libraries Are For Everyone (and Everything): 5 Unexpected Items Your Library Will Lend You

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[ Book Riot | 2021-09-20 10:31:00 UTC ]
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What Are Libraries Doing for National Library Card Sign-Up Month?

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[ Book Riot | 2021-09-08 10:32:00 UTC ]
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There’s No Place Like Libraries: A Personal History of Library Use

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[ Book Riot | 2021-08-30 10:39:00 UTC ]
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Demolishing Public Libraries From The Inside: Niles Public Library Is a Warning

The Niles-Maine Public Library in suburban Chicago is being destroyed from the inside by politically-conservative Board officials. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-07-15 10:40:00 UTC ]
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Report Urges Library Leaders to Address Decline in Public Library Usage Stats

In 'The Freckle Report 2021,' veteran London-based bookseller, library advocate, and former Waterstones managing director Tim Coates warns that U.S. public library usage is in decline—and he suggests library leaders must do more to reverse the slide. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-05-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
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What Do Libraries Do?: 7 Services Your Public Library (Probably) Offers

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[ Book Riot | 2021-03-01 11:30:00 UTC ]
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A Little Library Life: On Finding Sanctuary in On-Campus Libraries

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[ Book Riot | 2020-09-17 10:39:00 UTC ]
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China’s Digital Publishing Innovation Forum : ‘Digital Inheritance’

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-09-16 18:21:48 UTC ]
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Libraries Reopen in COVID-19 Hot Spots: Are Library Staff Being Protected?

In considering whether staff are being protected as libraries reopen during the pandemic, we take a look at some Arizona libraries. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-08-18 10:35:00 UTC ]
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Canadian Libraries Respond to 'Globe and Mail' Essay Attacking Public Libraries

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-31 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Library Supporters Urge Action on Bill to Provide Relief Funding for Public Libraries

With the August recess looming and a second round of coronavirus relief in the works, $2 billion in funding for libraries hangs in the balance. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-07-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
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