Library Blog

President Obama declares October 2009 National Information Literacy Awareness Month

On October 1, 2009, President Barack Obama declared October 2009 National Information Literacy Awareness Month. 

The need to be aware of our information, how to process and evaluate it accurately and responsibly is not only a necessity for our students here at RU, but for all information and knowledge seekers.  We at Roosevelt University library are very happy to see President Obama pay attention to such a vital issue and dedicate a month of awareness to this.

From The White House:
NATIONAL INFORMATION LITERACY AWARENESS MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Every day, we are inundated with vast amounts of information. A 24-hour news cycle and thousands of global television and radio networks, coupled with an immense array of online resources, have challenged our long-held perceptions of information management. Rather than merely possessing data, we must also learn the skills necessary to acquire, collate, and evaluate information for any situation. This new type of literacy also requires competency with communication
technologies, including computers and mobile devices that can help in our day-to-day decisionmaking. National Information Literacy Awareness Month highlights the need for all Americans to be adept in the skills necessary to effectively navigate the Information Age.

Though we may know how to find the information we need, we must also know how to evaluate it. Over the past decade, we have seen a crisis of authenticity emerge. We now live in a world where anyone can publish an opinion or perspective, whether true or not, and have that opinion amplified within the information marketplace. At the same time, Americans have unprecedented access to the diverse and independent sources of information, as well as institutions such as libraries and universities, that can help separate truth from fiction and signal from noise.

Our Nation's educators and institutions of learning must be aware of -- and adjust to -- these new realities. In addition to the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic, it is equally important that our students are given the tools required to take advantage of the information available to them. The ability to seek, find, and decipher information can be applied to countless life decisions, whether financial, medical, educational, or technical.

This month, we dedicate ourselves to increasing information literacy awareness so that all citizens understand its vital importance. An informed and educated citizenry is essential to the functioning of our modern democratic society, and I encourage educational and community institutions across the country to help Americans find and evaluate the information they seek, in all its forms.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2009 as National Information Literacy Awareness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the important role information plays in our daily lives, and appreciate the need for a greater understanding of its impact.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

What is information Literacy? Click Here.
To see the original proclamation Click Here.
To tell us what you think, click 'comments' below.

Print on Demand: The Espresso Book Machine

A notable, library-related phenomenon, is the ‘Espresso Book Machine’ (EBM), a standalone automated copy center that can create a “perfect binding” book in a matter of minutes from a given PDF.  Its informational literature notes that “the EBM has access to more than 400,000 public-domain books” through the Open Content Alliance.  This amount is projected to increase substantially going forward.  Similar to a photocopier, the EBM requires but minimal maintenance, including: “refilling paper trays, replacing toner cartridges, emptying the trim-paper receptacle, and clearing paper jams.”

 

According to the October 2008 issue of Bookseller, Australian bookseller Angus & Robertson Whitcoulls (ARW) just unveiled the first retail Espresso Book Machine at its Melbourne Bourke Street store.  ARW is banking on the EBM to quintuple its in-store book selections without adding storage space.  A January 2009 Publishers Weekly article further announced that Northshire Bookseller bought an EBM for its Manchester Center, Vermont store to garner it both publicity and profits.  Northshire hopes that it will increase sales of its Shires Press imprint, classic novels, and local-interest titles.  So far,Roosevelt University has no plans to order one.  See the recent Mass Digitization blog post for information about the Hathi Trust, which may soon become a content source for university library-owned EBMs.

 

The EBM was noted in Time magazine’s 2007 “Best Inventions of the Year”.  Here is the description listed in the piece:  “The Espresso Book Machine -- meaning "fast," not coffee -- can churn out a 300-page paperback on demand, complete with color cover, in just 3 min. The $50,000 machine could transform libraries into minibookstores, making hard-to-find titles as accessible as cappuccinos. At $3 a book they might be cheaper too. Available Now www.ondemandbooks.com”

 

References:

A&R launches instore printer. (2008, October 3). Bookseller, Retrieved February 11, 2009, from Business Source Premier database.

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=34753358&loginpage=login.asp&site=ehost-live

 

Grossman, L., Dell, K., Buechner, M., Dorfman, A., Hamilton, A., Keegan, R., et al. (2007, November 12). THE BEST INVENTIONS OF THE YEAR. (Cover story). Time, 170(20), 59-105. Retrieved February 11, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=27363775&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live

 

Rosen, J. (2009, January 19). CHANGE MAKERS. Publishers Weekly, 256(3), 26-26. Retrieved February 18, 2009, from Business Source Premier database.

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=36289859&loginpage=login.asp&site=ehost-live

 

**Here is a URL for the specification sheet on the Espresso Book Machine:

http://www.ondemandbooks.com/docs/EBM_Brochure.pdf

Libraries in the news: Economic downturn means libraries are booming

    On Dec. 10, 2008, the NBC Nightly News had a segment about library use and how our business was booming (watch it here).  Naturally, being a librarian, I paid some attention to this report since it’s not exactly everyday there are reports on libraries in the news.   Right now, more Americans have library cards than at any time since the American Library Association began keeping records.  Because of the economic downturn, more and more Americans are depending on libraries for books for their classes and for their leisure time.   And it’s not all about books either – library usage is up in the double digits in big cities and in small towns because of DVD’s, children’s programs, free wi-fi and computers available for job hunting or resume writing. More and more Americans are re-discovering their local libraries.

        However, even though usage is on the upswing, current state budgets for libraries don’t exactly reflect this.  Libraries around the nation are being forced to cut hours, staff, their budgets, and in some cases close branch libraries completely.  In Philadelphia, there are plans to shut down 11 of 54 branches.  It’s important that in our economic downturn we realize the importance of our library system and how a library can open up a world of possibilities for anyone that might be open to them.  Our libraries don’t only offer patrons a way to save money.  Qualified staff is there to help with research skills, reader recommendations and information-gathering skills.  It’s wonderful that in a time of financial need our libraries are being used more often.  But no matter what the financial crisis may be, realize that libraries and librarians are there to help as long as there is someone that needs assistance.  As long as school and state budgets keep us alive, hopefully curious patrons will help us thrive.
 post written by Librarian, Geoff Greenberg

Libraries In The News

I came upon this article today which talks about the Brooklyn Public Library.  It talks about how the new director wishes to shake up some preconceptions about what libraries are like.  So what does she do?  She invites rock bands to play,  tells librarians to stop their "shushing", and says that talking in the library is alright.  Dionne Mack-Harvin, the new director says,"We've moved away from what some consider the 'shushing library' model of the past, from being a sterile, educational place that's somewhat elitist...to being a community space where everyone walking in the door can find a place for themselves". In fact, the article reports that she "is so determined to end the shushing that librarians from all 60 branches have been attending training sessions to get the word out about her approach"

So what do you think about this?  Are libraries sterile places that should be quiet and serene?  Do you feel as if you want to be in a community center or in a museum?  I think there are limitations and definite differences between academic and public libraries, but it all depends on who your audience is, right?  Right?!  Check out this article from the New York Daily News and let us know what you think an academic library in the future should be like.

SHELBY, JOYCE. "LIBRARIES FIND NEW VOICE. They're community centers, says chief who bans hushing." DAILY NEWS New York 23 Sep.  2007, sports final ed.: 1. LexisNexis Academic Universe. Roosevelt University. 11 Oct. 2007