Last Monday night, Mark Zuckerberg published a post announcing Facebook's new initiative to bring Internet access to the developing world. The blueprint for internet.org mapped out how Facebook and a host of phone company allies might connect an additional 5 billion people online through more affordable access, increasing data efficiency, and investing in local business infrastructure. It came with a video that depicted IRL social interactions in developing countries, along with a soundtrack cut from a JFK speech and soft, inspirational piano tones. As the Atlantic's Alexis Madrigal deftly pointed out, no one can call this ignoble, or unreasonable, even. Simply put, increased Internet access is a good idea––though the other message Facebook was trying to sell, the one that equated the company with peace and progress, was hokey at best. But there's another facet of Internet access that Internet.org does not address, and that's Internet inequality right at home, in cities that otherwise rank as some of the most "connected" places on the planet. New York City is already well–known for its ample (and growing) income inequality. But on Wednesday, Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer put out a report showing that the city's public schools and libraries vary widely when it comes to its broadband speeds. The report revealed that over 75% of New York City schools had maximum download speeds of 10 megabits per second, 100 times slower than the 2020 goal outlined by President... Continue reading at 'Fast Company'
[ Fast Company | 2013-08-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
The Sieghart review into public libraries, to be published today (18th December), calls on central government to give local authorities the funding to create a national digital resource for libraries, with free Wi-fi as standard, and workforce training for all public libraries in England. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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French Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin has signed a 12-point charter with 10 book organisations in France to promote the loan of ebooks in public libraries. The 10 represent local authorities, libraries, publishers, booksellers and authors and the 12 points include access to all titles... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Public libraries have a vital role in helping children navigate the digital landscape, the Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians (ASCEL) said in a report issued today (2nd December). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A group of librarians have launched a new crowd-funded project called the Library A to Z, designed to promote the role of public libraries. More than 150 backers, as well sponsor the Library Campaign, backed the Library A to Z on crowd-funding site Kickstarter, raising more than £4,500, twice... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A new report from the Aspen Institute looks at the importance of U.S. public libraries, and how they can change and improve to meet new roles in the 21st Century. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A new report from the Pew Research Center Internet Project offers mixed news for public libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Read with caution: in September, a number of libraries will invite patrons to read comics and graphic novels that have been challenged or banned in schools and public libraries in recent years. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The LA Times reports that literary scholar M.H. Abrams was awarded the National Humanities Medal last Monday by President Obama. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Voices for the Library is marking the 50th anniversary of the Public Libraries and Museums Act by... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Public libraries have an economic impact on their communities that far exceeds their "... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A second preview of Clinton's book 'Hard Choices' was recently released and the excerpt details her 'partnership and friendship' with President Obama and her wish to 'revisit certain choices.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ingram announced that it has added content from Hachette Book Group, O'Reilly Media and Kensington Publishing to MyiLibrary, its ebook platform for academic and public libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Smashwords, an ebook self-publishing platform, and digital library vendor OverDrive have reached an agreement to distribute 200,000 ebooks via the OverDrive global network of public libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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While many public libraries in the U.S. have been serving Spanish-speaking patrons for years, in some parts of the country libraries are just beginning to engage this part of the community. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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For me, the Public Library Association (PLA) Conference—held every two years—is the single most important event for gauging where public libraries are headed. And this month’s event, held in Indianapolis, Ind. (March 11-15), didn’t disappoint. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Calling it “the first of its kind” Pew officials said the report, “sheds light on broader issues around the relationship between technology, libraries, and information resources in the U.S.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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More than 100 copies of Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl have been vandalised in public libraries in Japan's capital Tokyo, library officials say. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2014-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates is the first to offer a scathing critique of President Obama and his administration from within the Cabinet. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Did Time magazine pick Pope Francis as its Person of the Year because he'll sell more magazines than Edward Snowden? That's what some media outlets and Twitter users suggested Wednesday after the new pontiff beat out Mr. Snowden for the recognition.Business Insider, for instance, wrote:"Snowden,... Continue reading at Crains New York
[ Crains New York | 2013-12-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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