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 ]
A proposed law in Missouri would fine, and possibly jail, librarians who provide books to children that a parental board deemed inappropriate, a policy so extreme that it has attracted national attention. House Bill 2044, or “the Parental Oversight of Public Libraries Act,” introduced by... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-01-16 16:35:23 UTC ]
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Public Libraries around the world generated a record level of digital content circulation in 2019, providing patrons access to more than 326 million e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines, according to a report by Rakuten OverDrive, a digital distribution vendor for libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Arts Council England (ACE) could make funding public libraries one of its priorities over the next decade, the organisation’s c.e.o. has said. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-01-03 11:55:05 UTC ]
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Bedbugs in public libraries are becoming routine. Luckily, there are a few things that librarians can do to stop them...starting with preparation. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2019-12-17 11:32:47 UTC ]
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The Reading Agency has reported 722,731 children took part in public libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge this summer, representing a 2.64% increase on last year’s participation. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-22 10:29:12 UTC ]
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The longlist for the 2020 International DUBLIN Literary Award was announced today, and it is indeed long—156 books long, to be precise. The prize is sponsored by the Dublin City Council, and the longlist is comprised of nominations from public libraries around the world. Last year’s winner,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-11 17:21:15 UTC ]
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A librarian explains the decision to draw the line over Macmillan's decision to embargo new release e-books in public libraries. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-08 05:00:00 UTC ]
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An investment from the city will help public libraries perform census outreach and provide internet access throughout the city to ensure all New Yorkers are counted in the 2020 Census, the de Blasio... To view the full story, click the title link. Continue reading at Crains New York
[ Crains New York | 2019-08-01 19:48:34 UTC ]
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A new data viz surfaces the forgotten literature of public libraries. There’s no feeling more deflating than asking someone what they’re reading, only to have never heard of any of the three books they readily rattle off. But what if that academic smugness could be yours? What if you were the... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2019-07-15 10:20:19 UTC ]
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A coalition of some 44 public libraries across Washington state is organizing a six-month boycott of Blackstone Publishing's digital audiobooks after the publisher announced last month that it would withhold new release audio titles from libraries for 90 days. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S officials confirmed that as of August 1, public libraries will be able to license S&S e-books for two-year terms, on a one copy/one user model, with most “new release” e-books priced between $38.99 and $52.99. Previously, S&S e-books were sold on one-year licenses, though at a... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-07-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The libraries cited unsustainable costs in ending the service. Cinephiles took to social media with their reactions. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2019-06-24 23:21:19 UTC ]
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If you want to get Susan Orlean riled up, just ask her about the economist who suggested the government could eliminate public libraries and "save taxpayers lots of money" now that we have Amazon for books and Starbucks as a gathering place. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-06-20 10:00:09 UTC ]
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If you want to get Susan Orlean riled up, just ask her about the economist who suggested the government could eliminate public libraries and “save taxpayers lots of money” now that we have Amazon for books and Starbucks as a gathering place. This modest proposal was published on Forbes.com... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-06-20 10:00:00 UTC ]
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She served on President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Continue reading at The Huffington Post
[ The Huffington Post | 2019-05-05 17:50:42 UTC ]
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The Library Campaign (TLC) is appealing to Arts Council England (ACE) for funding and support in recognition that public libraries are “the bedrock of the nation’s entire culture strategy”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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One man was cited for posting far-right memes on Facebook, railing against immigrants, gays and Muslims and claiming that former President Obama was trying to convert the nation to Islam. The other was admonished multiple times for improper conduct and for making “discourteous, demeaning and... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-09-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Former President Obama has shared his summer reading list, and it shows a drive toward understanding and empathy. Obama posted some of his book recommendations on Facebook on Sunday. The former president praised five books he's enjoyed in the last months, including a novel by a Canadian literary... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-08-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Public libraries should be replaced by Amazon stories, argued Panos Mourdoukoutas in an article published on Forbes’ website Saturday. "At the core, Amazon has provided something better than a local library without the tax fees," wrote Mourdoukoutas, an economics professor at Long Island... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-07-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers need to speak up and champion reading in the face of the erosion of the book stock in England’s public libraries, says Tim Coates. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-07-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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