E-book Reader Ownership Rises Dramatically

The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project’s new report shows that e-reader and tablet ownership nearly doubled nationally over the holidays from 18% to 29%. So, what does this mean to libraries? An increased demand for e-books and library instruction on using various e-readers. Sadly, due to publisher restrictions and limits, library users will not find the wide variety of titles they’ve enjoyed in print in e-book format. ALA’s new Digital Content and Libraries Working Group, is working to push back against publishers who refuse to give libraries rights to their digital content.

Larra Clark of the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy writes “In addition to the content divide that currently exists for those seeking e-books through their libraries, the Pew report also surfaces a new “device divide.” While 36 percent of people from families with annual incomes greater than $75,000 have a mobile reading device, only 8 percent of those with incomes below $30,000 report this is the case. In our effort to create and support a nation of readers and lifelong learners, these divides pose significant challenges to our values and ability to meet community needs.” The Pew report reenforces how integral it is for libraries to stay current and keep thinking about new strategies to engage with their communities.

PIPA, SOPA and the OPEN Act, What You Need To Know

From ALA Washington Office:

“Three copyright-related bills are currently in play at the start of 2012 – all of which take aim at any website beyond U.S. borders that distribute counterfeit or copyright infringing products. All three bills operate under the assumption that there is a problem that needs to be solved – and the best, or only, way to combatonline infringement overseas is with more law targeted at foreign websites. These bills have the potential to negatively impact fundamental library principles. The following chart is for quick reference (not meant to be comprehensive), and outlines the primary issues and concerns of interest to the library community and those who use the Internet.”

SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) is due for markup on January 17, and a Senate vote on PIPA (Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act) is slated for January 24. Meanwhile, the OPEN (Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade) Act, which would cut payment to foreign websites dedicated to piracy and is proposed as an alternative to PIPA, is currently in committee.

Serving Older Adults with Panache

presented by library consultant Allan Kleiman. The silver tsunami is almost here! How are you and your library responding to this shift in demographics — as an impossible challenge or as a unique opportunity? This workshop will provide basic background on the topic, as well as focus on how you can develop innovative and practical ways to serve the baby boomers, older adults and the elderly, now and in the future both in your library and in the community.

The workshop will be presented on February 6, 2011 from 9:00-12:00 at the Southern Adirondack Library System. *Please note that the snow date for the workshop is February 27, 2012.

This workshop is part of the 2011/2012 LSTA grant series aimed to help library staff and trustees obtain the skills to best work with the many diverse groups of people who are using their libraries daily. Participants will earn 3 contact hours for attending a workshop.

This program is geared toward library staff, directors, and trustees. If you would like to attend or send someone from your library, please register at this link by February 2, 2012: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QW8C2WG