Gates funded research to focus on future of public libraries

The Pew Research Center in Washington DC has announced plans to study how the role of the public library in the digital age is changing and how the needs and expectations of users are shifting. It’s a three-year Gates Foundation funded research project whose findings will act as predictors of trends in UK libraries.

‘Few institutions have been more challenged by the rise of the internet and mobile connectivity than the local library,’ says Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet Project. ‘Many libraries have responded with innovations and sweeping overhauls in the way they deliver on their missions. With the Gates Foundation’s support, the Pew Internet Project will provide an in-depth, data-driven analysis of how libraries are responding to technology trends, and how communities' expectations are changing at a time when library functions are in flux.’

Nielsen sponsors NAG award for excellence

Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) became the first winners of the NAG Award for Excellence sponsored by Nielsen. The award was presented by Alyson Hogarth, on behalf of NAG, to Andrew Norton, Acquisitions Librarian for RBKC.

RBKC won the award for their new approach to stock development, which includes involving the local community in the selection of stock, leading to a greater sense of ownership and interest. This in turn has de-mystified the stock selection process and helped showcase the skills of acquisition staff.

The library service has used this approach on several projects, including the work they are currently doing with Kensington Palace to promote the Authority’s nationally important biography collection, using Nielsen BookScan for Libraries and Nielsen LibScan to identify new biography titles.

…and Axiell presents Digital Cultural Institution of the Year Award

The winner, Jönköping School Library Service, Sweden, was chosen for its tremendous success in enabling students, teachers and parents to work digitally 24/7 through its use of Axiell Arena’s library web portal to develop an online digital knowledge bank and to support learning in innovative ways. In the proposal it was mentioned that the school library service in Jönköping has been a front runner and the first school system to develop its services in such an innovative way. More information and presentations from Axiell’s Rethinking Libraries symposium here