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A table of ideas |
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Performance artist and film maker CiCi Blumstein, wants to make libraries more inspiring places. Her latest event is called The Table of Ideas, seen here happening at Brighton's Jubilee Library.
'The Table of Ideas is a curated conversation that stimulates the circulation and sharing of ideas between participants, in the context of a public feast. The outcome is often uncertain, the process of meeting and sharing ideas being its primary purpose. It is a magical and transformatory system designed to engage both strangers and colleagues alike, framed and contextualised as an art event.' Perhaps that statement can stand as a definition of libraries in their best and most creative moments. Find out more, view a slide show, get in touch. |
Photo courtesy Lorenza Ippolito & Nigel Imi,
Information & Learning Manager, Jubilee Library |
More UK libraries choose OverDrive |
Libraries have been quick to respond to the challenge of the new publishing paradigm, offering both e-books and audiobook downloads to users. OverDrive has just released a case study describing how libraries in the UK have introduced and promoted the new service, how they are choosing stock and what the response from users has been. Find out more about OverDrive's services for libraries at www.overdrive.com.
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Oakhill adds audio titles to OverDrive platform |
Oakhill, a leading publisher of unabridged audio books, is one of the latest UK publishers to make content available to libraries through the OverDrive platform.
'There is no question that OverDrive is an important addition to the audio book industry,' says Julian Batson, Oakhill's Publisher. 'Librarians are now able to select many of Oakhill's adult and children's titles from OverDrive's digital library and offer them online for download to a variety of listening devices. Clients can browse the OverDrive hosted platform via the library's own website, choose titles, and check them out with their library card.' One of the advantages of using OverDrive is that a library can set its own lending period after which titles expire, so there are no late fees. 'I have no doubt that this is the way forward in audio publishing. I am happy that Oakhill is in the vanguard of this exciting digital development.'
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A new dimension for books? |
Ubimark Books have created a series of interactive printed books (watch the video demo of Around the world in 80 days) that allow you to link to related online resources by scanning codes on the printed page with your mobile phone. There's something admirable about this curious mashup of new and old technologies... just not sure whether we need it. |
COMPANY NEWS |
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Bowker announces deal with BDS for video images |
Bowker has recently reached an agreement with Bibliographic Data Services that allows libraries to benefit by receiving BDS video cover images and summaries through Syndetic Solutions. Current Syndetic Solutions customers and new customers can include BDS video information as an upgrade to their subscription, bringing a whole new dimension to their OPAC and to library users. For further information contact sales@bowker.co.uk. |
New website for Plescon |
The new Plescon Security Products site is up and running at www.plescon.co.uk. A year in development, it’s user friendly, easy to navigate and aesthetically different. Unique features include a 3D animation Plescon Library highlighting company products in situ, and a recommended system application to guide visitors new to library security through the options available to them.
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LibScan a year old |
This month marks the first anniversary of Nielsen’s LibScan service, measuring library borrowing by title, author and category. Since launch the service has been collecting data from a growing number of public library authorities, which now stands at 42, aggregating data from more than a million library issues per week. How do consumer book sales compare with library borrowing? Read more.
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Reinventing the library |
Libraries are the new cathedrals. An interview with Francine Houben, the architect for the new Library of Birmingham, in Intelligent Life makes stimulating reading. |
Who you gonna call when the going gets tough? |
New York Public Library enlisted the Ghostbusters as part of its concerted campaign to save the library budget, one that seems to have worked so far. |
And finally... |
The best library related news headline we've seen for a while - Naked man found with stolen cheese at library. Don't ask... |
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