Public Libraries

Promoting local public libraries since 1999

Policies that keep people from visiting their local library

All the people who were involved with the amazing physical transformation of the library at Wilmington should be commended for the outstanding results, as well as the near lack of service interruption throughout the renovation. There were standards of historic preservation that were adhered to while the modernizing updates were going on. For example, the disability access should be lauded. Sadly, though, in just about every other way, restricted access seems to be the norm at the new library. [Read more…]

Would you like to make a donation to support your local libraries?

Sharon Furgason is the director of the McCowan Memorial Library, and it has been a stable fixture on Pitman Avenue since the early 1960s. However, since the economic downturn in 2008, Furgason has had to watch the public funding for her library dwindle, in tandem with the library funding law in the state, which links support to the average property values in the community. [Read more…]

Friends make the difference at the Bettendorf Public Library

The Bettendorf Public Library is one of the most highly ranked in the country for member satisfaction. For libraries of its size in the United States, it is one of the most favorably rated and reviewed. Why is that? What is going on there? What is so special about the Bettendorf Public Library? After all, it’s not one of those new fancy all-digital public libraries. Well, the answer lies in something simpler. [Read more…]

Over 70,000 books stolen from Brooklyn Public Library in 2012

Official logs show that book thieves permanently checked out more than 70,000 books from the Brooklyn Public Library in 2012. Graphic novels, GED preparation guides, nursing study guides and professional exam prep books were the most commonly stolen types of books.

A librarian said that she was all too familiar with the vexing stolen book phenomenon. [Read more…]

Massachusetts school officials restore librarian positions

Swampscott High School and Swampscott Middle School is not going to be without great librarians through at least 2015.

The proposed school budget for 2014-15 is expected to include ample funding for librarians.

The funding will further propose adequate spending for library support positions at those libraries, the Interim Superintendent said this month. [Read more…]