JSTOR’s Post

Speculative Libraries - Nick Thurston on libraries as artworks: "The first example will probably be the most familiar, Katie Paterson’s Future Library, 2014–2114. ... "I would never suggest that art can solve this problem or any other. But I do think speculative libraries are one unique way of proposing different futures for our library cultures, and to change, in turn, the fabrics of our publishing and educational cultures, which libraries quietly line. In short, libraries can always be reimagined and art can be one way of figuring out how." #artmonthly Deichman bibliotek/Oslo Public Library

Hello friends family and acquaintances today is DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM DAY - December 10! Dewey Decimal System Day December 10th celebrates a system of classification and the man who invented it. On December 10, 1851, Melvil Dewey (1851-1931) was born. The librarian invented the Dewey Decimal system of library classification. As the most widely used library classification system, the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) or Dewey Decimal System has been in use since 1876, the year when American Librarian Melvil Dewey developed and established it. Divided into ten main categories, the numerical system arranges mostly non-fiction publications. Since its inception, modern libraries maintain the system using modern technologies. A schedule of expansions and revisions helps keep the system current and progressive, too. The DDC is the most widely used classification system in the world. Libraries in 135 countries around the world have translated the DDC into 30 different languages. It is currently published by the Online Computer Library Center, Inc., and its editorial offices are located within the Decimal Classification Division of the Library of Congress. Melvil Dewey Dewey's interest in simplification led him to create a system that revolutionized library science. Born Melville Louis Kosuth Dewey in update New York, he was only 21 when he invented the Dewey Decimal Classification system. He also established library standards and advanced library education. Dewey went on to help develop the American Library Association and founded and edited the Library Journal. As an entrepreneur, he sold library supplies. Dewey paved the way for new librarians by establishing the first library school at Columbia College in New York City and later became the director of the New York State Library in Albany. #DeweyDecimalSystemDay #dallasharristips

Good Morning America, "From Facts to Fictions" luckily they are not convertible 🤔 The former president and Trumpliklan Party are working around the clock using Project 2025 to remove books from libraries. What is the affects of Project 2025 on libraries? 1) Reshaping Society by Vilifying Libraries  2) Impact of Eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on State Libraries and Public Libraries 3) Impact on Schools and School Libraries  4) Impact on Higher Education and Academic Libraries 5) Understanding the Regressive Ecosystem Relationships Moms for Liberty (M4L) Source of these highlights from https://lnkd.in/epUKYzyc https://lnkd.in/eFs8xnyn

Yet another thing i must do for the internet archive (Again not sponsered). Hello good people of Linkedin, i again have to report something for these fine people at the internet archive. A petition to preserve the Educational Impact, Equity and Accessibility and Cultural Preservation that these fine men and women provide. Readers, Educators, Researchers, Librarians, Authors, Publishers, Historians and Lifelong learners need stuff like the internet archive to thrive, yes; vast amounts of the internet already have that information but it's also been proven thanks to stuff like Wikipedia that information can be altered in a way that a certain perspective is only seen, which is a front to human rights. Yes, we might not want to remember the horrors of WW1, WW2, the cold war and such; but if we don't learn from our history then we are doomed to repeat such mistakes. you can't just white wash all the parts of history that are bad just because it suits your world view, that's not how life works. Life is 'not' a video game where you can hack the data to suit your needs, you cannot 'erase' and 'cancel' everything that doesn't align with your world view. Because if that's taken too far then what are you left with? a world of memories that's stagnate and destined to die off? that's not a life worth it. Life is imperfect, people make mistakes and it's our duty as human beings to recognize those mistakes and become better because of it. So please people if you can, please sign the petition and help the internet archive in whatever way you can. #culturalpreseravtion, #Edcuationalimpact, #Accessability. https://lnkd.in/gkPh495P

I had the honour of talking to a group of passionate librarians over the weekend at the LIANZA Te Whakakitenga aa Kaimai Weekend School in Matamata about the role of libraries in supporting digital equity. This article neatly summarises why embracing our role in this space is a critical to the future role of libraries and strongly aligned to the core values of Librarianship. Building our resilience and adaptability by supporting staff capabilities, preserving free access to safe, legitimate information, developing strategic cross sector partnerships and demonstrating our relevence during rapid technological change to open up funding are just some of the key areas the sector needs to focus on. https://lnkd.in/gFh7A92f

Librarians are tackling the challenge of diversifying and preserving digital archives. Capturing everything from social media to emails, they strive to ensure all voices are represented. Princeton's Daniel Linke highlights the difficulty of saving digital content, while initiatives at institutions like Carnegie Mellon work to address historical gaps in archives. Discover the evolving efforts to preserve diverse digital records in Lauren Coffey's insightful article. #DigitalArchiving #DiversityInArchives #Librarianship #EdTech https://hubs.li/Q02LblXn0

Register now to save your spot at the Online Reimagine Libraries Roundtable, that the LibrarIN Horizon Europe Project convenes on Wednesday, 16 October from 11h00 to 12h30. LibrarIN researchers, library innovators and European and national policymakers Luis Rubalcaba Anna Triantafillou Robert Seitovirta Ilona Kish Giuliana De Francesco Catarina Vaz Pinto and Katrina Kukaine, will explore collaboration for innovation to tackle libraries’ 21st century challenges. Libraries are much more than book archives, they are cultural institutions that play a key-role in social inclusion and cohesion. Libraries as public services are facing European challenges of the 21st century. In the case of libraries, these challenges are met with an increasing demand for innovation, as reflected in the current discourse between what citizens demand and the responses offered by these institutions. Social innovation in public libraries and citizen participation in the future of libraries are increasingly important trends. But when do libraries make the strategic choice for collaboration to innovate? Should libraries seek collaboration with overarching organisations or foster participatory activities engaging individual library users? Do existing collaboration strategies really address the variety of services offered by libraries today?  Addressing these questions, the LibrarIN consortium invites innovators in libraries, policymakers and practitioners to the Online Reimage Libraries Roundtable.  More information here: https://lnkd.in/ddnbeMEN You can register here: https://lnkd.in/dxsumSFr 

The power of language in libraries extends far beyond words on a page - it shapes how communities connect with our collections and how stories echo through time. A recent American Libraries Magazine article, "Words Matter," highlighted what many of us already know: we need to thoughtfully address legacy language in our catalogs and metadata. Here at LA County Library's Digital Projects Unit (DPU), we've embraced this challenge. In late 2023, we launched a comprehensive metadata audit of our digital collections - work that continues to evolve. To directly and proactively address this issue, I also crafted this guiding statement: "LA County Library's Digital Projects Unit creates digital collections that welcome and respect all members of our vibrant community. While some historical materials may contain outdated or harmful language, we're actively working to identify and address these instances while preserving vital historical context. Your voice matters - we welcome your feedback through our 'Get Involved' link to help improve our descriptions and metadata." This isn't just a statement on our CONTENTdm platform - it's an invitation to our community to help shape more inclusive collections. We've developed thoughtful workflows that balance updating problematic language with preserving historical authenticity. The "Words Matter" article reinforces what drives our work: creating truly representative collections matters now more than ever. While we're proud that our proactive approach puts us at the forefront of this movement, we know this journey requires ongoing dedication, community input, and continuous learning. I'm curious about your experiences - how is your institution tackling inclusive metadata and language in collections?

📚 University librarians have long been concerned with streamlining digital archiving, a task made even more daunting by the need to ensure diversity and equity and address gaps that leave many stories untold. See how different universities are tackling this issue. 👇 https://hubs.li/Q02zxNcR0 #HigherEd #DigitalArchiving #LibraryScience #EdTech

Special collections have their own set of policies and procedures when it comes to access and preservation. But how have those rules evolved with time, research, and technology? Dr. Jae Rossman's new book, "Access to Special Collections and Archives", explores how practitioners’ perceptions of access to special collections have changed from the formative period of the 1930s to today. "An exploration of access through the lens of special collections is especially meaningful because of the tension between the principles of preservation and access within the special collections community." Check out Dr. Lauren Hays' full interview with Dr. Jae Rossman, special librarian and author of "Access to Special Collections and Archives", to learn more about the motives and research behind Jae's book and what special librarians can gain from reading it. #Libraries #SpecialCollections #Access #AcademicLibraries #BookInterview