Library Stuff

Boston Globe – “In an era when libraries are suffering an identity crisis, it’s worth remembering that books once existed only as physical objects. The new pictorial history “Boston Public Library’’ (Arcadia) by the BPL’s Catherine J. Willis shows how much labor was once required to get books into the hands of readers. You’ll find pictures of conveyer belts and the large wooden Indicator Board that in 1867 told library patrons at a glance which novels were in and which had been checked out. Willis traces the succession of buildings that have housed the library as well as a number of reading rooms and delivery stations scattered throughout the city. And she takes note of the BPL’s role in pioneering the notion of branch libraries and a room reserved for children’s books.”

Boston.com – “In his decade serving as the president of the City-Wide Friends of the Boston Public Library, David Vieira has seen the importance of libraries peak and slide along with the nation’s economy The recent economic downturn has seen the Boston Public Library take on unprecedented importance to residents looking for a cost-free and convenient way to access materials, with the library breaking records for both book borrowing and website visits in the last fiscal year.”

The Boston Globe – “Communities find matching funds are casualties of recession economy.”

Universal Hub – “As one city councilor held out hope that savings from a possible concession by firefighters could save four branch libraries, BPL President Amy Ryan told the City Council she has little choice but to cut the branches – and jobs across the branches and at the Copley Square central library (roughly 75 workers – no managers).”

Boston Globe – “The decision about which of Boston’s libraries to potentially close will be based on far more than just how many books and DVDs patrons borrow. Library administrators will rank the 26 neighborhood branches by foot traffic, computer use, and how many Web surfers use laptops to log on to Wi-Fi networks. They will count how many programs are offered at each location and tally the number of people who attend storytime and English classes.”

Michele V. Cloonan – “IN A city of education giants, the Boston Public Library stands tall. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in the United States, the first large library open to the public, and the first public library to allow users to borrow books”

Adam Viser – “Boston Public Library trustees are planning to remove president Bernard A. Margolis, who has served for the last 10 years at the helm of the nation’s oldest public library.”

MarketWire- “The Boston Public Library is sharing Boston’s local music scene through the Internet by adding albums of area bands to its online collection of audio books, music and videos to lend to patrons through its website, as well as share with libraries around the world.”

Boston Globe – “”Before, you could never really get a computer; you had to wait for someone to get off,” said Nigel Alexander, 21, a summer worker from Ireland. “Now there is always one free for an hour. I haven’t had to wait at all.” Alexander visits the library two or three times a week to send e-mails to his friends back home.” (via)