Tag Archives: News

Chickens in the Library

Posted on 6 August 2010 by Rick Mason

So, what would you do if live chickens were released in your library?  Is this covered in your organization’s disaster plan? If you need to examine another library’s response, review this Shelf Check comic for the following procedure: Alert the … Continue reading →

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One Possible OCLC Solution

Posted on 2 August 2010 by Rick Mason

I am going to be very presumptuous and put forth a possible solution to the OCLC situation. Ready? Divide OCLC in two. One entity, which we will call OCLC.org (just to keep from having to make up some name for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cataloging, Ethics, ILS, Libraries, Licensing, News, OCLC, Online Databases, Online Services, OPAC, Open Access, Open Source, Search, Software | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How the Digital Revolution Changed Our World

Posted on 24 July 2010 by Rick Mason

An visual chart in the current Newsweek sums up many of the changes we have seen over the past decade: Exactly How Much Are The Times A-Changin’? The categories that are in decline speak volumes: The US Postal Service is … Continue reading →

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Tragic Death

Posted on 15 June 2010 by Rick Mason

It has been a long time since I worked there, and I highly doubt that I would recognize or be recognized by anyone currently on staff, but the news of the tragic death of a librarian from the Brookfield Public … Continue reading →

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Library of the Year

Posted on 7 June 2010 by Rick Mason

The Columbus Metropolitan Library System was named 2010 Library of the Year by Library Journal. Hoo-Rah! (And given budget realities, I bet directors were nervous to be called into a surprise meeting this morning!)

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I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a library today…

Posted on 13 May 2010 by Rick Mason

Another method of dealing with fiscal woes is beginning to impact library organizations. My former state of residence, Illinois, has always for years run several months behind in payments to state-funded organizations.  I know this from keeping an eye on … Continue reading →

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SSNs @ Your Library?

Posted on 18 November 2009 by Rick Mason

My former place of work (FPOW) used to have Social Security numbers as college ID numbers, which were written on book checkout cards.  About ten years ago, we switched to an ILS and began generating in-house ID numbers for students. … Continue reading →

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Future of Libraries, With or Without Books

Posted on 4 September 2009 by Rick Mason

The Future of Libraries, With or Without Books is a rarity : a mass-media (CNN) news article about the ongoing evolution of libraries that doesn’t dwell in stereotypes, cliches or “gee-whiz” style examples.  What the reader gets is a well-written … Continue reading →

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Ohio Gets A Budget

Posted on 14 July 2009 by Rick Mason

The deal has finally been closed, and the state of Ohio has a new two-year budget.  The proposed cuts to libraries were scaled back by two-thirds, to about 11%.  All told, library funding is expected to drop between 25-30% from … Continue reading →

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Strickland Gets Strict

Posted on 6 July 2009 by Rick Mason

Last Saturday, Governor Ted Strickland suggested that Ohio Librarians ought to take a pay cut rather than be critical of his budget proposal: As for libraries, which, in Strickland’s original budget framework were slated for a 30 percent cut in … Continue reading →

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OCLC Withdraws Records Policy

Posted on 29 June 2009 by Rick Mason

The Review Board on Principles of Shared Data Creation and Stewardship has released their final report on OCLC’s proposed policy for use of records (pdf), and after reviewing the report, OCLC has formally withdrawn the policy. This conclusion to the … Continue reading →

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American Libraries on Ohio Funding

Posted on 24 June 2009 by Rick Mason

The American Libraries article is just one of many to explain the issues facing Ohio, but I found the following information worth posting: Strickland’s office was also flooded with phone calls; gubernatorial spokesperson Amanda Wurst said in the June 23 … Continue reading →

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Dear Governor Strickland…

Posted on 22 June 2009 by Rick Mason

Here are two quick and effective ways for Ohioans to contact the Governor’s office and convey our thoughts on the library aspect of the budget crisis: Contact the Governor is a standard contact form that resides on the official governor’s … Continue reading →

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Ohio Libraries Update

Posted on 22 June 2009 by Rick Mason

A few items of note to update yesterday’s post: The Library is Now Closed (a.k.a. Shuttered Library) is a blog created by an Ohio librarian named Mike (didn’t see a last name) which is compiling links to a vast amount … Continue reading →

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Ohio Potentially Cutting Library Support in Half

Posted on 21 June 2009 by Rick Mason

It’s happening, folks.  State and local budgets are under extreme pressure, and tough decisions are being made by Governors, state officials, countys counties, towns and taxing districts.  Libraries that rely on public funding are now almost certainly facing severe cuts. … Continue reading →

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Hard Economic Times a Boon for Libraries?

Posted on 28 February 2009 by Rick Mason

There it is, on CNN.com:  Hard Economic Times a Boon for Libraries.  Recognize that, oftentimes, the writer of a news article is not the same person who writes the headline for the article.  However, it does seem as though the … Continue reading →

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