Four Ways Academic Libraries are Adapting for the Future

According to a recent article by Brad Lukanic, executive director of CannonDesign’s global education practice, “For academic institutions seeking to thrive amidst the constantly shifting world of higher education, libraries have become the heart of the spirit of collaboration and innovation–going beyond being places to merely access knowledge to become hubs to truly explore and … Read more

Checking Out Great Gadgets at College Libraries

College libraries have increasingly defined themselves as all-purpose information technology resource centers. Georgia Tech lends computers, cameras, and other electronics to students and professors—and provides a briefing by its instructional technology associate on how to use the devices. Colgate University lends drones to serious researchers, after carefully vetting their credentials. North Carolina State University’s website … Read more

Four Ways to Advocate for School Libraries

School librarians can make the case for library funding by showing how they help students learn and proving how they build vital collaborative relationships with teachers. During a Connected Educator Month edWeb webinar about making the case for school libraries, Michelle Luhtala, head librarian at New Canaan High School in Connecticut, discussed four key ways … Read more

School Groups Team Up to Help with Digital Transformation

Three leading education groups—AASA, the School Superintendents Association; the National School Boards Association (NSBA); and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) —are partnering to help school systems make the “digital leap.” According to CoSN, the “Leading the Digital Leap” initiative is designed to empower K-12 superintendents, district technology leaders and other stakeholder to strengthen educational … Read more

Kentucky Governor Shows Support for Libraries

In early October, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear was the state’s first signer of the Declaration for the Right to Libraries. This declaration asserts America’s right to all libraries – public, school, academic, and special. He was joined by First Lady Jane Beshear, Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson, and Madeline Abramson. Kentucky residents are encouraged to sign … Read more

Miami-Dade County Kids Crowd Public Libraries for Online Homework

Increasingly, school materials are online, and low-income students are heading to public libraries to complete their homework assignments. EveryoneOn.org, a nonprofit group that aims to improve accessibility to technology, estimates that 35 percent of households in Florida’s Miami-Dade County lack an Internet connection. The Miami-Dade library system has an extra $4 million to spend this … Read more

New Jersey State Library Offers the Opportunity to Earn a High School Diploma

Nearly one in eight adults 25 and older in New Jersey does not have a high school diploma. Career Online High School, a new program sponsored by the New Jersey State Library, aims to change that. Using grants from the state and the Clinton Global Initiative, six libraries—Camden, Elizabeth, Long Branch, Scotch Plains, Somerset County, … Read more

Inspiring Video about Cincinnati Public Library’s “Making Dreams Come True” Program

The Cincinnati Public Library has launched the “Making Dreams Come True” program. Built on the Career Online High School platform, this innovative program enables adult learners (21 or older) in Ohio’s Hamilton County, to realize their dreams of a high school diploma and a more rewarding work life. The program takes about 18 months. The … Read more

Why Being a Librarian Gives me Plenty of Reasons to Smile

By Diana T.

In October 2005, I re-entered the work force after 15 years of being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. I started as a shelver at Northfield Public Library in Northfield, MN, then very quickly morphed over to Outreach Coordinator there, driving the bookmobile to low income neighborhoods, county towns without a library, and day cares.

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