Public Libraries

Promoting local public libraries since 1999

September is National Library Card Sign-Up month

A library card isn’t simply a device that gives a person access to thousands of books, periodicals and professional journals. It’s a gateway to an entire network of information. People who have library cards can frequent the library, check out books, DVDs, music, use the internet on public computers and even enjoy public workshops, seminars and programs. Given the fact that September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, it comes as no surprise that libraries across the country have been creatively promoting the importance of having a library card on hand. [Read more…]

New York mayoral candidates weigh in on role of libraries

Recently, the certified nonprofit Urban Libraries Unite polled New York City mayoral candidates on the role of libraries in New York City. At present, New York City’s three metropolitan library systems — Brooklyn, Queens and New York — are facing a total of $106.7 million in cuts in the current proposed budget, in addition to past cuts to library budgets. While the mayoral candidates who reponded to Urban Libraries Unite’s survey all shared positive views of libraries, they were short on concrete answers as to how they would support New York’s libraries if elected mayor. [Read more…]

DoJ Apple ruling upsets top publishers in the industry

The recent Department of Justice ruling against Apple in the ebook price fixing case has left executives at top publishing houses outraged, resulting in them filing objections to the ruling and its punishments. HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and Hachette all filed objections the week of August 8, citing that the punishments are as detrimental to the publishing companies themselves as they are to the Apple corporation. [Read more…]

Declaration for the Right to Libraries gets endorsed by ALA

When most people think of libraries, they think of buildings in the center of their communities that house hundreds upon hundreds of books. While the ability to borrow books for free is one of the main roles of a library, these publicly-operated entities offer so much more for the residents of any given area. People with access to a library not only have the opportunity to search for books on just about any topic, but they also have access to free Internet resources, community programs and educational opportunities. [Read more…]