The following screen captures from this well crafted article will hopefully entice you to read further. 
There is still hope that we will get the word out that our "libraries (are) ‎a growing organism."

http://booktrib.com/2015/08/how-can-libraries-survive-in-the-digital-age/

Way to go you great wee men and women! Scotland show us the way... tipping a dram in your direction. Proud of you.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-34048868?post_id=10153559705397790_10153565889567790

8 Maps of Displacement and Return in New Orleans After Katrina - CityLab (the Atlantic)

‎You can't plan anything unless you know:

• where you are,
• what you've already got
• and where you want to go‎.

New Orleans hasn't got a handle on any of these criteria 10 years after Katrina. 

Now some individuals are beginning to put a sketchy picture together about where people went, why they didn't come back and what the city looked like before Katrina and ‎what it looks like now.

Lessons to learn from of a real, devastating, human tragedy.

http://www.citylab.com/politics/2015/08/10-years-later-theres-still-a-lot-we-dont-know-about-where-katrina-survivors-ended-up/401216/?utm_source=nl__link3_082515

We keep putting this message out there every time and every way we can.


We wonder, does anyone understand this clear and present danger?

http://ehikioya.com/beware-of-public-wifi-dangers

#extremereading in the #AusNavy encourages everyone to take part in #BookWeek 22-28 August.

Yes they are.

And contrary to the caption on this photo, libraries have ALWAYS been spaces for collaborative learning. Since, well- the beginnings of the concept of The Library.

http://theconversation.com/who-says-libraries-are-dying-they-are-evolving-into-spaces-for-innovation-44820

PLAN22 Archibrarians 
   

www.2plan22.com

There's a schedule of other webinars ‎listed here...check it out too.

http://www.lianza.org.nz/professional-development/education-training/lianza-webinar-series

"I find it beyond challenging to turn out culinary masterpieces (or even just a nice meal) while guests are chatting around me in the kitchen, and also because I just don’t believe it’s a good time to “entertain” anyone while I’m wielding a knife and managing fire. Plus, I’m happier when my whole world—especially my living room furniture—doesn’t smell of bacon grease."

Ms. Brashich had me at the title of this article but by the time I got to this part about the smell of cooking invading the living room I was a devotee!

screen shot

She titles her Article: "I Hate the Open-Plan Kitchen—and Amazingly, I’m No Longer the Only One". 

... that's' because I'm the Other One!!!! 

I have always hated this ridiculous idea that it's such fun to have guests stand around and watch me sweat and screw up in the kitchen and then I have to sit down and look at the mess all evening or work like a dog all day and have everything cleaned up way before the guests arrive (because I have to have time to get myself looking presentable - preferably not in 'comfortable clothes' and needing a shower.!) so that I don't have to be reminded about - WHAT'S IN THE KITCHEN!

I've been waiting for this rant for 30 years. Thank you Audrey wherever you are.

Read Ms. Brashich's whole article HERE.

And here's another link to a 2013 article by By Shawna Dillon, ASID, Kitchen

screen shot / Dillon Article

Designer, Studio Snaidero Chicago. Click on the photo: I love it.

The Ottawa Public Library in partnership with the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) make a documentary: The Human Library.
Video in this link.

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/human-library-stories-trailer-1.3166914

Scroll down and catch the video.
This is a fantastic story.
Computers are dust resistant; work in hot climates; work on 12v batteries without the need for A/C converters or D/C regulators.

And now it all comes packaged in a solar powered classroom‎, ready to assemble. Ready to help children in rural areas get the education they need in the 21st Century.

http://magazine.good.is/articles/aleutia-solar-classroom-in-a-box-kenya?utm_source=thedailygood&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailygood

‎...because Librarians are right up there with the Ideas Folks and Innovators, and they know how to have fun.

http://www.alternet.org/books/all-those-techies-who-predicted-demise-public-library-were-wrong#.VcAqx7IVQ5J.twitter

screen shot WSJ

",,,tablet reading has declined recently to 41% in the first quarter this year from 44% in 2014."

and

"The number of people who read primarily on phones has risen to 14% in the first quarter of 2015 from 9% in 2012."

"The rise of phone reading is pushing publishers to rethink the way books are designed, marketed and sold with smaller screens in mind. It’s also prompting concern about whether deep, concentrated thinking is possible amid the ringing, buzzing and alerts that come with phones."

Read the whole article from the Wall Street Journal here.

We saw our first chained book in Minehead, Somerset. Just sitting out in an open church. Our friends tell us it has since been set and locked behind a secure glass box...good idea!

‎ http://medievalbooks.nl/2015/07/10/chain-chest-curse-combating-book-theft-in-medieval-times/

A new library building is not an end in itself.

The true purpose of your library is to provide programs and services that will meet identified community needs.

All libraries have Four Resources in common:

STAFF

COLLECTIONS

TECHNOLOGY

FACILITY

screen shot - BBC

This photo  accompanies an article from the BBC about the Birmingham Libraries reporting that they are not able to afford to buy new books for their new library.

A library is the sum total of its programs and services. Planning for the future of your library is about identifying your community's needs and assuring that resources are in place to fulfill those needs.

These Four Resources are marshaled throughout the planning process to ensure that you can deliver these services efficiently and cost effectively.

The Resources are not an end in themselves. If the cost of one or more of these resources prohibits your library from acquiring any of the other resources, it is an indication of short sighted or ill conceived planning.

If you don't plan well for instance ... you won't be able to buy new books.

Shortsighted ineffective planning can lead to temporary or permanent disaster.

Related articles

Cuts-hit Birmingham libraries ask public to donate books

Some positive research on on-line social sharing.

http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/06/chapter-4-social-media-and-friendships/