Library Stuff

“The card catalog drawers at Doheny Library haven’t had cards in them for years. They are built into the wall of a charming alcove off to the left of the circulation desk. Removing them would not necessarily be difficult, but the aesthetics of the little space they occupy is quite enjoyable and older alumni love to regale us with tales of how they spent hours there transcribing titles, call numbers, etc. Rather than remove the drawers, we have instituted a new use: fundraising. Enter the Top Drawer Society.

via Ink and Vellum

“Both summer reading and serious scholarly research could get a lot easier with the Digital Public Library of America. The visionary project has raised $1 million to help make library materials freely available online to anyone. The open-access digital library plans to use the $1 million award from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to build a single “sky-way with global access ramps” that reaches digital library collections across the nation. The project would also free up resources for local libraries to focus on community needs and activities catering to neighborhood kids and adults.”

via Mashable

“A cash-strapped Queens library has found an unusual way to raise revenue: selling soda, chips and candy. The Queens Library recently installed two vending machines stocked with unhealthy snacks near the entrance of its Long Island City branch. But after calls from the Daily News, library President Thomas Galante reached out to Sterling Vending on Thursday and requested that more nutritious items be included. “The library always supports the healthiest eating habits and supports the health and well-being of the community,” said library spokeswoman Joanne King.”

via NY Daily News