2014

Top toys & games offered by libraries

April 2014

Looking to expand your entertainment options? Check out some of our favorite toys and games offered by libraries across the country: Build vocabulary and math skills and learn about American history with Brain Quest from Ann Arbor Public Library. Havelock Public Library (North Carolina) received funding and a grant to support fun and educational toys …

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More than two-thirds of Americans have high or medium engagement with public libraries

April 2014

Library data geeks rejoice! Pew Research recently issued its third stage of research about public libraries, this time presenting a typology that clusters Americans into certain groups based on their connection to libraries. The result is a rich and complex portrait of how public libraries fit into people’s lives—we highly recommend reading the full report! …

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During the next two weeks, 75,000 copies of the book “Grumpy Bird” will be given out to all 4-year-olds in Colorado

April 2014

One Book 4 Colorado (OB4CO) is a collaborative effort between Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia’s office, Reach Out and Read Colorado, the Colorado State Library, the Denver Preschool Program, public libraries, the private sector, and the nonprofit and foundation communities. It is based on the idea that providing young children with access to books promotes …

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In 2012, 1 in 4 academic libraries offered text reference

April 2014

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) recently released its first look at the 2012 Academic Libraries Survey, which collects data on academic library collections, staff, expenditures, and information literacy services. Here are some of our favorite highlights: 252.6M e-books were held at U.S. academic libraries; 52.7 million of them were added in fiscal year …

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Three-fourths of internet users say the internet has been good for society

March 2014

The internet has had a transformative impact on Americans’ lives, and libraries have taken that impact in stride, offering equipment, infrastructure, and navigation assistance sought by patrons across the country. To mark the 25th anniversary of the Web, Pew Research recently released new survey results that demonstrate the internet’s powerful role in our everyday lives. …

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More than half of Millennials have shared a selfie, but how many have posted a #libraryshelfie?

March 2014

Those of you who are familiar with LRS staff may know that a couple of us–Dave and Linda–are photographers. So, we were excited to come across a statistic that touched on our interests in both libraries and photography: a recent Pew study found that more than half of Millennials (ages 18-33) have shared a selfie …

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A survey of US and Canadian public libraries found that 93% offer digital readers’ advisory

March 2014

Amid the chatter of new technologies and service models, sometimes more “traditional” library services can be lost in the noise. Library Journal surveyed nearly 700 public libraries in the U.S. and Canada to get a better picture of one of those traditional services: readers’ advisory (RA). While every single library offered personal RA in the …

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Median e-book circulation in U.S. public libraries more than doubled in 2013

February 2014

Last week, we highlighted some of Pew Internet’s recent findings on Americans’ reading habits, including trends in e-book reading and tablet usage. For the library perspective, Library Journal offers an annual survey on how e-books are being used and adopted in U.S. public libraries. In its fourth year, the 2013 survey includes data from more …

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