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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">News from the American Library Association.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue">Pamela J. Hickson-Stevenson, Ohio Chapter Councilor to ALA and<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue">Deputy Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue">Akron-Summit County Public Library<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue">60 S. High Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue">Akron, OH 44326<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue">(v) 330-643-9102<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue">(f ) 330-643-9160<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#1E1EE0">Visit us on the
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue">Web</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#1E1EE0"> at
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#FF6600"><a href="http://www.akronlibrary.org/"><span style="color:#FF6600">http://www.akronlibrary.org</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#F79646">
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#1E1EE0"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#1E1EE0">or on
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:blue">our Mobile Site</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#1E1EE0"> at
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#FF6600"><a href="http://m.akronlibrary.org/"><span style="color:#FF6600">http://m.akronlibrary.org</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#E97E09"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#FF6600"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#FF6600">The Akron-Summit County Public Library provides resources for learning and leisure,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#FF6600">information services, meeting spaces, and programs for all ages that support, improve,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Andalus","serif";color:#FF6600">and enrich individual, family, and community life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> Michael Dowling [mailto:mdowling@ala.org]
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 18, 2012 5:01 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> ALACRO-L<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [alacro-l] New ALA Issues Brief Highlighting Innovative Services at Public Libraries<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p>Contact: <a href="http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/user/437">Judy Hoffman</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<h1>Innovative services at public libraries highlighted in new ALA issues brief<o:p></o:p></h1>
<p><span class="caps">CHICAGO</span> — Libraries continue to transform lives by providing critical services and innovative solutions to information access in spite of years’ worth of consecutive and cumulative budget cuts. More Americans than ever are turning
to their libraries for access to essential technology services not found elsewhere in their communities, including free computer and Internet access, technology training and assistance with job-seeking and e-government services.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span class="dquo">“</span><a href="http://www.ala.org/research/sites/ala.org.research/files/content/initiatives/plftas/issuesbriefs/issuebrief-weatherstorm.pdf"><span class="caps">U.S.</span> Public Libraries Weather the Storm (<span class="caps">PDF</span>)</a>,”
a new issues brief from the American Library Association Office for Research <span class="amp">
&</span> Statistics, highlights how strategic vision has helped public libraries not only “weather the storm” of the Great Recession, but also advance their role as a lifeline to the technology resources and training essential to building digitally inclusive
communities essential to full participation in the nation’s economy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span class="dquo">“</span>Libraries are continually evolving to support the diverse information and training needs of their communities,” said Kathy Rosa, director of the
<span class="caps">ALA</span> Office for Research <span class="amp">&</span> Statistics. “Over 60 percent of public libraries report increased use of computers and Wi-Fi, and 36 percent report an increase in participation in technology classes. More than 96
percent of libraries report providing help accessing online government services, an increase of nearly 16 percent from last year. At the same time, 57 percent of libraries report flat or decreased operating budgets, straining their capacity to meet the demand
for services.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Libraries continue to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in their communities. Some of the highly innovative services described in the report include:<o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
Creative technology incubators such as the Maker Station at the Allen County (Ind.) Public Library, where do-it-yourselfers share sophisticated tools and expertise. “Maker spaces” allow users to collaborate and create, expanding the parameters of information
access at the library.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
The application of <span class="caps">QR</span> (Quick Response) codes by the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Library delivers instant access to library materials and services to cardholders with a mobile phone. More public libraries are adopting mobile technology
to increase community interaction, enhance access to services and improve channels for information dissemination.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
To help local businesses gain a competitive edge, the Library System of Lancaster County (Pa.) offers the MarketEdge Competitive Intelligence Certification Program, which teaches people to perform effective competitor research. In effect, libraries are serving
as small business incubators, providing a wide range of support including assistance for business plan development and current legal and financial databases.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p><span class="dquo">“</span><a href="http://www.ala.org/research/sites/ala.org.research/files/content/initiatives/plftas/issuesbriefs/issuebrief-weatherstorm.pdf"><span class="caps">U.S.</span> Public Libraries Weather the Storm (<span class="caps">PDF</span>)</a>”
was jointly authored with the <a href="http://ipac.umd.edu/">University of Maryland Information Policy and Access Center</a>. The issues brief draws from national data published in the
<a href="http://www.ala.org/plinternetfunding">2012 Public Library Funding <span class="amp">
&</span> Technology Access Study</a> (<span class="caps">PLFTAS</span>), the longest-running and largest study of Internet connectivity in libraries and the funding that enables free public access to these resources. The study is funded by the Bill
<span class="amp">&</span> Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Library Association.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Library staffs are encouraged to use content from the issues brief and the <span class="caps">
PLFTAS</span> report as an educational tool with community stakeholders, including elected officials, funders and program partners to raise awareness of the innovative services available and in demand in their own communities. Staff can use this format as a
template for providing local data and examples related to a given topic. <span class="caps">
PLFTAS</span> issues briefs can be accessed and downloaded at <a href="http://www.ala.org/research/initiatives/plftas/issuesbriefs">
http://www.ala.org/research/initiatives/plftas/issuesbriefs</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>The <strong>American Library Association</strong> is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 60,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.
<a href="http://www.ala.org">http://www.ala.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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