Big Publishers and a Threat to Education

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/02/01/library-supporters-worry-us-may-back-publishers-copyright-case

I was alerted to this story by one of my colleagues.  I was quite surprised that the Obama administration would even consider siding with the publishers who just seem petty in threatening a public school. What happened to the right to education? And the ability to provide learning tools to students? Especially when at one of the largest public universities in the nation?

I spoke with a someone I know who happens to work at GSU and asked what things were like on campus.  She said that students aren't afraid to speak up.  I hope the students make their voices heard loud and clear and assert their right to a quality education.  One that does not have to fear the threat of bullying publishers.

The Library as Space

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/arts/design/norman-fosters-public-library-will-need-structural-magic.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&emc=eta1

This article presents some very interesting thoughts about the nature of the library as "space." New Yorkers how come to know the 42nd Street building for what it is currently. The building has been made famous by movies so much so that tourists from around the world make it to stop in a visit the city. More than a space, the library also has a special place in our cultural memory. Tranforming the interior is more than a matter of architecture and construction, it's a matter of memory and history. 

As the article points out, the designers should make sure to take into consideration what New York library patrons actually want. I'm not yet certain that what they want is a desicration of a beloved building.

Patient Portal for Design Challenge

It's really exciting to see the innovative ways that people are working to bring health information to those that need it most!

http://nyehealth.org/news-list/nyec-partners-with-health-2-0-to-launch-patient-portal-for-new-yorkers-design-challenge/

Books You Have Always Meant to Read

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20121019/BLOG5201/121009908

Books You Have Always Meant to Read is a program at the Everett Public Library in Washington state. What a great way to get people re-discovering books! I like this idea especially because I have a looooong list myself of books that I have been meaning to read. Maybe I'll finally get to them after I finish library school??

Cool Librarian Writes a Cool Book

If you're like me and you like "knowing stuff," this may be just the book for you! NPR Librarian (which may be the coolest librarian job ever) Kee Malesky has written a new book: Learn Something New Every Day: 365 Facts to Fulfill Your Life. Here she talks to NPR about it:
http://www.npr.org/2012/10/13/162797436/a-years-worth-of-facts-from-an-npr-librarian

Here's to Medical Librarians!

So I am not officially a medical librarian, but I work part-time at a medical library and thus have many colleagues that are medical librarians. Take it from someone on the inside, medical librarians are awesome! Whether you are a patient, medical student or medical professional, they are your best guide through the dense and abundant world of medical literature. Here's an article that think medical librarians rock too: http://journals.lww.com/tnpj/Citation/publishahead/Celebrating_medical_librarians.99925.aspx

(hopefully you can view it, if not, here's the location information:

Nurse Practitioner:

August 31, 2012 - Volume Publish Ahead of Print - Issue - ppg

doi: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000419301.77137.1a)

Back in the Saddle

I initially started this blog for a class, but I've decided to give it a go at keeping it going! I hope this will be a good way for me to reflect upon the career that I am about to enter and plan to use the blog to post articles, news clippings and other things relevant to library students and librarians alike.