International News
This page will provide links to a selection of the latest international news related to libraries, information and archives. Visitors wishing to suggest links are welcome to do so by using the Contact Us page.
 Critics revisit library incident that paints Palin as censor
Background information on the Sarah Palin v libraries controversy from the ALA.
Summary of the Progress Report to the European Council on actions to increase cooperation in the field of archives in Europe
Co-operation between archives in Europe has been very successful over the last two decades, according to a new report.
From Information to Knowledge to Social Networking
As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, the Smithsonian Institution Libraries are putting on a series of interesting and provocative lectures through the autumn. In addition to being face-to-face events, the lectures are available as live and archived webinars (links to the videos are through their blog).
Researchers and freedom of information: a A Research Information Network workshop September 2008 papers available and some further ALISS suggestions!
Beautiful,perfect,supreme chunk of paper
In praise of the book.
BBC Online Magazine Australia ups the ante on global access to research
The Australian Government says all publically funded research will become open access in electronically searchable repositories.
Times Higher Education, p16, 18 September 2008
'I'm in the library. Bring a McDonald's and a drink, the footy will be on soon'
Article on how public libraries are relaxing rules on noise, food and drink to encourage more users.
Times, p8, 19 September 2008
Libraries: Just books or a community service?CILIP responds to the previous comments regarding behaviour in libraries.
Times, p25, 22 September 2008
America's Most Dangerous Librarians
Meet the radical bookworms who fought the Patriot Act—and won.
E-books don't furnish a room
Article on the debate about e-books.
Independent Arts & Books Review, pp20-21, 5 September 2008 Videos now available as part of cyber-safety information pack
The cyber-safety page on the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) website now includes four downloadable videos designed to assist library staff in promoting safe and positive internet experiences in public libraries, particularly for children.
NAC website: http://www.acma.gov.au/libraries
Minister sends for the SAS to lure teenagers from computers to books
Jim Knight, the Schools Minister, said that teenagers needed to be inspired by action and adventure books by writers such as the former SAS officer Andy McNab and Jeremy Clarkson. He feared that computers were preventing them developing a love of reading.
Times, 13 August 2008
CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK/NEW YORK TIMES I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN AWARD ANNOUNCED - American Library Association Will Administer the Prize
NEW YORK -- Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded the American Library Association $489,000 to support a new Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award. Grappling with the digital divide
A look at research into 'transliteracy', the ability to read, write and interact on a range of platforms.
Times Higher Education Supplement, pp 37-39, 14 August 2008
Opening soon: a digital library for Europe - Brussels, 11 August 2008
Europe's cultural diversity in books, music, paintings, photographs, and films open to all citizens at the click of a mouse via one portal – this dream of a European Digital Library could become reality this autumn. However, further efforts by the EU Member States are needed, said the Commission in a new Communication on making available digital versions of works from cultural institutions all over Europe. Dutch designer chosen for Birmingham library
Francine Houben has been chosen to design the new library in Birmingham. Designs for the new building are expected to be revealed in mid-2009.
Information Literacy logo
The winner of an information literacy logo contest supported by UNESCO and IFLA was announced at the UNESCO session of the IFLA World Library and Information conference last Sunday. There is more information about the logo and the designer at http://www.infolitglobal.info/logo/
Saving our libraries
Opinion piece by a bookseller on the decline in public library usage.
Bookseller, p20, 1 August 2008
CILIP publishes latest edition of its Training & Development programme
Digital libraries: Great minds think (too much) alike
Is the web narrowing scientists’ expertise?
From The Economist print edition, Jul 17th 2008 UK Intellectual Property Office response to EU proposal to extend the term of copyright protection
The UK-Intellectual Property Office has responded to the European Commission's proposal to extend the term of copyright protection for sound recordings from 50 to 95 years.
Stemming flow of literary heritage across the pond
Article about the large number of literary collections sold to American archives such as the Ransom Centre at the University of Texas.
Guardian education, p38, 15 July 2008 Libraries fear e-journal extinction
A US survey has found that only two thirds of academic libraries were involved in e-preservation, which raises issues of access in the future.
IWR Issue 248, p2, July 2008
New stock disposal service for libraries
Better World Books are a social enterprise that finds new homes for unwanted stock in support of improving literacy both in the UK and around the world.
The National Archives (UK) publishes a new online strategy'
Provide and Enable' is the National Archives' Online Strategy. It sets out how the organisation will deal with the ever-growing number of digital records, and its website will be restructured into a 'family' of websites.
National Archives Press Release, 1 July 2008
Information kiosks installed at libraries
South Holland District Council has installed three community information booths in libraries covering topics such as vacancies, transport, local councillors and local and county services.
The Evening Telegraph, 1 July 2008
Finnish libraries oppose the extension of the term of copyright of sound recordings from 50 to 95 years
The National Library of Finland and The Finnish Library Association are opposing the extension of the term of copyright of the sound recordings from 50 years to 95 years in European Union. This stand has been send to the Finnish Members of the European Parliament and many of them have already answered they will oppose this proposal when it comes to the EU Parliament.
Digitizing Books for Google: No Quick Task
An article by Ann Arbor (AP) about the digitisation project by Google that will include a portal (Book Search) that will eventually lead users to all the estimated 50-100 million books in the world.
Europeana website prototype previewed at a conference in Frankfurt
The website, branded Europeana, will break new ground by bringing together millions of digitised resources from Europe’s archives, museums, libraries and audio visual collections through a single portal. To read the press release click on the tiltle above and to see the website preview follow this URL: http://www.europeana.eu/
Cornish Libraries achieves £150,000 annual savings through self-service
Cornwall County Council Libraries’ mission to channel 90% of their 3.35 million visitors through their self-service facilities has been strengthened by the adoption of the offline capabilities of Talis Bridge Pro. This is one of the Library Management Systems that empowers library users with the ability to service their own simple transactions 24/7, freeing library staff to concentrate on other frontline services.
Who Uses the Library?
A new report from the University of Illinois and the Pew Internet & American Life Project, Information Searches That Solve Problems , reveals that 58 percent of respondents who experienced a specific problem (for example, health issues, tax matters, local government, legal questions) that needed to be researched turned to the Internet for assistance. Thirteen percent used the library for answers, and 64 percent reported that the use of the library was "very successful."
Euro library prototype in 2008 - Comprehensive European library plans unveiled
Article by Laura Smith in the IWR dated 18 January 2008
A comprehensive European Digital Library that brings together cultural material from libraries, archives and museums across the EU has moved a step closer to reality. An EU expert group is hoping to launch a prototype by November, with digitised versions of at least two million books, photographs, maps, archive records and film material. The plan is to expand the collection to more than six million items by 2010. A simple search mechanism will help users locate material.
Intellectual literacy hour
Article by Natasha Gilbert in the Guardian of the 15 January 2008
A new report says libraries will have to change what they do or risk becoming redundant. Natasha Gilbert reports
Exceptions in copyright law are fundamental to the economy
says CEO of the British Library Dame Lynne Brindley
British Library Press Release on 9 January 2008
The Future Of The Internet - 31 March to 2 April 2008, Bled, Slovenia
The event is organized by Jo˛ef Stefan Institute, a partner of the FP7 EIFFEL project (www.future-internet.eu), and ISOC Slovenia under the Slovenian Presidency of EU with support of European Commission, DG Information Society and Media and the sponsors. The event is organized as a public open day event entitled »Perspectives Emerging from R&D in Europe« where the EU vision about the Future Internet from R&D perspectives will be discussed. The public day will be followed by two-day technical workshop.
Media literacy: do people really understand how to make the most of blogs, search engines or interactive TV? (20 December 2007)
The media are changing, and so is citizens' use of such media. New information and communication technologies make it much easier for anybody to retrieve and disseminate information, communicate, publish or even broadcast. The ability of people to critically analyse what they find in the media and to make more informed choices - called 'media literacy' - therefore becomes even more essential for active citizenship and democracy. Following an EU-wide survey last year, the European Commission announced on 20 December its plans to encourage the development of media literacy and the exchange of good practice across Europe.
Volume 1. Issue 3., of JIL - Journal of Information Literacy published (20 December 2007)
The CILIP Information Literacy Group is pleased to announce the publication of the latest issue of the Journal of Information Literacy. Highlights include the use of Wikis, IL and older people, together with articles from practice and book reviews. The next issue is due in April 2008.
In digital age, libraries turn a page on services they offer
- article published on The Dallas Morning News (United States) on the 9 December 2007
As libraries turn increasingly digital, they aren't just for reading anymore.
Celebrating 40 years of the Man Booker Prize in 2008 (3 December 2007)
2008 sees the 40th anniversary of the Booker Prize (now the Man Booker Prize) for Fiction, the most important literary prize in the English speaking world.
Internet providers show how it's done
- article published on The Sunday Morning Herald (Australia) on the 24 September 2007
This year The Chronicle of Higher Education, a US publication, hosted talks between the University of California librarian Daniel Greenstein and executives at Google and Microsoft, Adam Smith and Danielle Tiedt. The aim? To explore the effect of the digital revolution on books and scholarly journals and the way university libraries are responding.
Launch of European digital library "on track" (28 November 2007)
On 27 November a high level group on digital libraries met Commission officials in Brussels to discuss progress towards launching the European digital library. A European digital library foundation has recently been created. This formalises the agreement of European archives, museums, audiovisual archives and libraries to work together and to provide a common access point to Europe's cultural heritage online.
Literacy standards in the UK - Article from the Independent on Sunday (18 November 2007)
The UK Government has been criticised for squandering £500m on its literacy strategy, but there's real evidence that it has worked.
British Library turns new page for start-ups - British Library Press Release 14 November 2007
Article about the success of the Business and Intellectual Property Centre within the British Library. (original article requires free registration with FT website)
Eurostat News Release on Cultural Statistics - 29 October 2007
The Maltese read the least number of books within the EU, according to new data on culture released by Eurostat.
The Gathering wins the Man Booker Prize 2007
‘Exhilaratingly bleak’ family epic wins - 16 October 2007
Five Tips for Strategic Information Management
Computing magazine provides a definitive guide to information management and examines best practices.
Australian public libraries will receive free ISP security filtering to help protect users from online dangers
The Australian Library and Information Association has noted that the primary role of libraries is to promote the free flow of information.
The importance of freedom of expression for democratic societies in the enlarged European Union
Defence of freedom of information by Viviane Reding, Member of the European Commission responsible for Information Society and Media.
IFLA receives $1M Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant to Support Work for Libraries
The funding will support IFLA's work to strengthen awareness of the important role libraries play in developing the information society.
If you want your children to love books, start them early
Interview published in The Times (25 September 2007) with Alan Alhberg, whose book 'Funnybones' is being given to all reception children.
John Rylands library reopens
A historic library containing one of England's greatest collections of printed books, manuscripts and archives is officially being re-opened in Manchester.
I Love My Library!
Gale, a company focused on e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools, and businesses recently announced the winner of its "I Love My Library" contest. This contest had 175 entries from school, public, and academic libraries. The winner of the $10,000 prize is a 2-minute video titled The Library Code is from Dozier Middle School and Main Street Library in Virginia.
Outsell (worldwide market research and consulting company) Report Says ROI for Libraries Remains High
Libraries looking to justify their existence with quantitative return-on-investment (ROI) numbers need look no further than their own end-users' feedback. Read the Information World Review article.
Making one year of reading last a decade
The latest Children's Bookseller supplement highlights the upcoming National Year of Reading (NYR) in 2008 – for which the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency have just been appointed the managing partners.
Do 'most people' really need libraries any more?
Guardian books blog is hosting an interesting discussion on this topic, which runs for a couple more days.
Disability Awareness Training for Libraries
The Open Rose Group, comprised of library staff involved in supporting disabled users at eight Yorkshire universities, has produced a film plus supporting materials for use in libraries to assist staff training on disability issues.
The Hollywood Librarian: A Look at Librarians through Film
will be the first full-length documentary film to focus on the work and lives of librarians. Using the entertaining and appealing context of American movies, the film will hold some surprises for people who may think they know what librarians do.
World Library and Information Congress: 73rd IFLA General Conference and Council
"Libraries for the future: Progress, Development and Partnerships"
19-23 August 2007, Durban, South Africa
Bridging the Digital Divide and Attaining Social Inclusion: The UK’s Digital Challenge
An article published in the July issue of Info@UK, published by the British Council.
Man Booker Prize announces longlist
The judges for the 2007 Man Booker Prize for Fiction have announced their longlist of books in the running for the prize this year.
Winners of the 2007 CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals announced
LIBER-EBLIDA workshop on the digitization of library material in Europe
The draft programme is available on the conference website.
Information science departments
The world list of schools and departments of information science has been updated.
Ellen R. Tise wins IFLA Presidential election (2007-2009)
Ellen R. Tise, Senior Director, Library and Information Services, University Stellenbosch, South Africa, has been voted President-elect by IFLA members.
International publishers and librarians agree on access to orphan works
A joint steering group of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the International Publishers' Association (IPA) has agreed on key principles of access to orphan works.
British Library launches national competition for public libraries
The British Library, in partnership with the Society of Chief Librarians, Scottish library chiefs and Microsoft, is challenging public libraries in the UK to uncover the items in their collections that most deserve to be converted into Turning the Pages 2.0 'virtual texts'. For more information see http://www.bl.uk/librarycompetition
CILIP launches Ethics Website
Margaret Watson, Chair of CILIP's Ethics Panel, launched CILIP's new Ethics Website on the 28 June 2007 at the Umbrella 2007 Conference.
Cool Spectacles: How Pop Culture Views Librarians
Ruth A. Kneale gives you a break from the heavy stuff with a light look at the latest images of librarians in popular culture.
Quiet? Libraries shelve old image
Around North Carolina in the US, branch libraries are redefining themselves as bustling hubs of the community.
101 really useful websites
'An indispensable guide to the best of the net.'
Independent Extra, 11 June 2007
EBLIDA elects new president and executive committee for 2007-2009.
Feasibility of International Guidelines for Equivalency and Reciprocity of Qualifications for LIS Professionals
IFLA's Education and Training section aims 'to provide guidelines for equivalency and reciprocity for assessing the qualifications of information professionals'.
Copyright deal clears way for European Digital Library
EUOBERVER / BRUSSELS – An EU expert group on digital libraries has agreed to a basic model for handling copyrights for digitalised cultural publications in libraries.
UNESCO-SALIS e-learning portal for raising awareness on information literacy
The Society for the Advancement of Library and Information Science (SALIS), India, and UNESCO have launched a six-month project, 'Interactive E-Learning Portal on Information Literacy Competency Development Skills for South Asia.'
The project aims to bridge the digital divide and is part of UNESCO's vision of knowledge societies.
Vatican Library to close for three years
The 559-year-old Vatican Library will close for urgent repairs in July. It will reopen in September 2010.
State of America's Libraries
The American Library Association (ALA) has published the report on the 16 April 2007. According to the 2007 State of America's Libraries report, there were nearly two billion visits to U.S. libraries in fiscal year 2004.
Library of Congress & Bibliotheca Alexandrina to cooperate in developing World Digital Library
The Librarian of the Library of Congress and the Director of Egypt's Bibliotheca Alexandrina have signed a four point co-operation agreement on building a World Digital Library.
Library Cataloguing 2007
Presentations from the Library Cataloguing 2007 International Conference, 'Back to Basics- and Flying into the Future' are now available on-line:
http://ru.is/kennarar/thorag/cataloguing2007/.
Silksoundbooks.com, an audiobooks venture specialising in the classics, is being launched during the first week of June 2007.
Tiny island nation opens the first real embassy in a virtual world
The Maldives has become the first country to open an embassy in Second Life, an internet based three-dimensional virtual world inhabited by more than 6.6 million 'residents' from around the globe.
Launch of new British Council Info&UK website
This new website is designed to give key information about the knowledge economy, and includes news and latest developments in the UK and overseas, core briefs and case studies.
Information Society Watch (ISW) launched
IT for Change has launched a beta version of Information Society Watch
(www.IS-Watch.net), a resource portal providing a Southern perspective on information society (IS) issues.
Public Library Service Standards Results 2005/6
The link above contains the Public Library Statistics measuring each English Library Authority's performance against each of the Public Library Service Standards in 2005/6.
Copac: New Interface, New Database, New Web pages.
A new version of the Copac academic and national library union catalogue has been launched.
Web users read more of a story, study finds.
A study conducted by the Poynter Institute in America has found that people looking at news websites spend more time reading stories online than those reading print newspapers.
New Public Library Framework Launched in Scotland.
The new framework for public library service delivery in Scotland, the Public Libraries Quality Index Matrix (PLQIM), was launched by Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson on Thurs 15 Mar when she officially opened the new Blackburn Connected library in West Lothian. The full document can be downloaded by clicking here.
Council of the European Union annual report on access to documents, 2005.
This brochure contains the Council’s annual report on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to documents in 2005.
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