A Free Web Toolkit for the Modern Library - a MMIT conference workshop promo video (UK)

Here’s a promo video for Andy Tattersall and Claire Beecroft's ScHARR Workshop: "A free web toolkit for the modern library". In the workshop, Andy and Claire will introduce delegates to a variety of tried and tested web 2.0 tools which offer real value to LIS professionals. This workshop is part of the MmIT National Conference 2012: Reduced budgets? Increased impact! Tools and technologies for an effective library and information service being held on Tuesday 17th April 2012 at the University of Sheffield

British Library acquires original manuscript of Benjamin Britten’s 'Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra'

The British Library has acquired the draft score of 'The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra', one of the most famous compositions of Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). Completed on New Year's Eve 1945, this original manuscript charts the composer's earliest ideas for what has become one of the most frequently performed pieces by any British composer. Britten subsequently wrote out a full orchestral score, after which no further use was made of the draft, which he gave to a friend. It remained completely unknown until last year

Mobile library cuts to hit elderly and rural dwellers (UK)

Nearly a third of local authorities have reduced or cancelled their mobile library service in the last year, according to statistics obtained by The Daily Telegraph. The cuts are having a disproportionate effect on the elderly and people in remote communities, who rely on the library vans for their reading material. Prominent writers have condemned the cutbacks, with Joanne Harris, author of novels including Chocolat and Blue Eyed Boy, describing reduced access to books as a "dangerous thing". She said that mobile libraries play an essential role in many communities, and their loss will hit people least likely to embrace alternatives ways of reading, such as via ebooks. According to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), 28 per cent of the 174 library authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have reduced the number of mobile library vehicles that they operate over the last year

National Park Service launches Civil War website (USA)

As part of its commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial and coinciding with events marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh, the National Park Service has launched a Civil War themed website that provides an overview of the war, with special emphasis on the Civil War sites administered and preserved by the National Park Service

ALCTS webinar: Preserving Your Personal Digital Photographs

Digital photos are fragile and require special care to keep them accessible. But preserving any kind of digital information is a new concept that most people have little experience with. Technologies change over time and become obsolete, making it difficult to access older digital photos. Learn about the nature of the problem and hear about some simple, practical tips and tools to help you keep your digital photos safe - April 26, 2012

ProQuest celebrates National Library Week in the U.S. with free resources

ProQuest is celebrating America's National Library Week with a rich assortment of goodies for libraries and their patrons. Each day from April 8 through 14, the company will open some of its most popular databases found exclusively through library web sites and help librarians fine-tune their marketing with free access to promotional tools and demographic data on book lovers. Plus, the company is sponsoring a sweepstakes that can earn cash prizes for libraries

One-Pager - library website template

One-Pager is a library website template that allows your patrons to find what they want

E-Books 101 – PLA Webinar

E-Books 101: A Look at Devices, Platforms, and Training Ideas - April 17, 2012 - 1:00 p.m. Central

The National Archives and Arts Council England announce partnership (UK)

The National Archives and Arts Council England have announced a new partnership that will benefit archives, museums, libraries and the people who use them

New titles in PubMed Central

Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine

Translational Psychiatry

Nephron Extra

Journal of Prenatal Medicine

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle

Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry

Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research

The Korean Journal of Hepatology

Nutrition & Diabetes

American Journal of Blood Research

2012 CILIPS Annual Conference: Libraries Enriching Society

2012 CILIPS Annual Conference: Libraries Enriching Society - 11 Jun 2012 - Dundee, Scotland

Above the Fold - March 21, 2012

Above the Fold is a Web-based newsletter published by OCLC Research. It has been developed to serve a broad international readership from libraries, archives and museums - March 21, 2012 - Vol. 5, No. 12 now available

Geofacets from Elsevier

Geofacets is a web-based research tool that offers access to an extensive database of georeferenced geological maps. With intuitive features designed for geoscientists working in upstream oil and gas exploration, it enables users to efficiently and confidently assess a region or basin's geologic characteristics and potential – so they can drive better business outcomes and recommendations

"Community-run libraries are part of the degradation of the service" - (UK)

Sophia Deboick of The Guardian writes - "Volunteers can bring much to libraries, but the fact they are replacing paid staff shows how much de-skilling has taken place"

Gloucestershire library cuts of £1.8m agreed by council (UK)

Protesters have been ejected from a meeting called to agree £1.8m of cuts to the library service in Gloucestershire. The campaigners were escorted from the council chamber to a cry of "shame on you" as the new proposals were agreed by the county council. About 12 members of the public attended the cabinet meeting at Shire Hall. The council will continue to run 31 libraries but seven will lose funding and be run by local communities. James Beecher, from Stroud Against the Cuts and the main heckler in the meeting, said: "Sixteen thousand people signed a petition against these proposals the first time round, they've barely changed despite all the comments that people have made. I'm disgusted with what's happened"

Green Libraries Conference 2012 (UK)

Coventry University Library is hosting a one-day Green Libraries Conference on 13th of June 2012. With six different speakers from a range of institutions, the day provides an excellent opportunity to engage in the green agenda, to find out about projects and initiatives at other institutions and to network with colleagues who have in interest in green matters. Although the focus of the day is predominantly HE based, we welcome delegates from all areas of the Library and Information sector

Colorado Association of Libraries Annual Conference 2012 (USA)

Colorado Association of Libraries Annual Conference 2012 - October 18-20, 2012 - Keystone, Colorado, USA

New York Public Library to digitize Washington, Thoreau and Twain

Letters written by George Washington, Henry David Thoreau's pencil-drawn map of Walden Pond and Mark Twain's manuscript of "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" are among the items from the New York Public Library's American collections that will soon be digitized and made available to the public online, the library has announced

The Global Information Technology Report 2012

Over the past decade, The Global Information Technology Report series, has become the most comprehensive and respected international assessment of the preparedness of economies to leverage the networked economy. This research provides a unique platform for public-private dialogue on best policies and for determining what actions will further national ICT readiness and innovation potential. Through the evolved methodological framework of the Networked Readiness Index (NRI), The Global Information Technology Report 2012 measures the extent to which 142 economies take advantage of ICT and other new technologies to increase their growth and well-being. This year, Sweden tops the rankings, followed by Singapore and Finland

Virtual International Authority File service transitions to OCLC

VIAF (Virtual International Authority File), a project that virtually combines multiple name authority files into a single name authority service, has transitioned to become an OCLC service. OCLC will continue to make VIAF openly accessible and will also work to incorporate VIAF into various OCLC services