The Source: news about digital libraries and library innovations from around the web

Introducing The Source

Global financial crisis and recession: Impact on the arts (Note: PDF)

From the International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies (IFACCA) website

Arts councils and ministries of culture have a key role in working to minimise the negative impacts of the downturn on the arts and in helping artists and arts organisations navigate such uncertain times. They also have a key role in advising on and coordinating the arts and cultural aspects of the much-publicised central government responses to the downturn. The aim of the report is to consolidate the collective expertise of IFACCA members as quickly as possible in order to help members respond to the downturn in a timely and informed way. This report presents the results of a survey of members of IFACCA on the likely impacts on the arts of the global downturn, and on how arts councils and ministries of culture around the world are helping arts sectors meet the challenges of the downturn.


Copyright: 2008 Country Reports Now Available from IFLA

From the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) website

Read about changes in national copyright legislation, lobby & educational activities, law cases, and strategic plans for the future from various countries, including.
*Australia
*Canada
*Denmark
*Finland
*Germany
*Netherlands
*Norway
*Sweden
*United States


Oxford Internet survey 2009 report: the Internet in Britain (Note: PDF)

From the Oxford Internet Institute website

A new survey into how British people are using the Internet in 2009 suggests that the proportion of people reading online newspapers has doubled since 2007. The Oxford Internet Survey 2009 (OxIS), carried out by the Oxford Internet Institute at Oxford University, shows that nearly six out of ten (58%) Internet users said they read a newspaper or news online, compared to three out of ten (30%) two years ago. The survey also shows, however, that most users are continuing to read print versions of newspapers as well as reading online news.
One of the main challenges in creating a Digital Britain will be to change the perceptions of the third of the British population who choose not to use the Internet, according to the latest in a series of Oxford University surveys. The Oxford Internet Survey shows that while most British Internet users (84%) are extremely confident about using new technology and see the Internet as central to many activities, over half of non-users of the Internet (57%) now distrust new technology more than they did before.


Libraries to the Rescue

From the Institute of Museum and Library Services website

“Libraries have emerged as one of the go-to places for people looking for work or filing for unemployment, starting new businesses, or learning how to use computers for the first time,” said Anne-Imelda Radice, IMLS Director. “Libraries are proving just how important they are to their communities. In these episodes, library leaders share their expertise so others don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”
Libraries to the Rescue provides valuable insights from:
*Mary Boone, State Librarian of North Carolina
*Bernard Margolis, State Librarian of New York
*Sheryl Mase, Michigan Library’s Director of Statewide Services
*Jan Walsh, State Librarian of Washington, and Randall Simmons, Program Manager for Library Development in Washington
*Kendall Wiggin, State Librarian of Connecticut
The five episodes cover a range of topics, including how libraries are increasing access to key information through virtual libraries, the importance of broadband access, and new partnerships between libraries and state and federal agencies to help citizens access all types of assistance. The Libraries to the Rescue episodes are short (12-15 minute), digestible audio episodes designed to educate IMLS’s library audience.


U.S. Public Libraries and E-Government Services (Note: PDF)

From the American Library Association (ALA) website

In the fourth of a series of reports regarding technology access in U.S. public libraries, the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Research & Statistics (ORS) is highlighting how public library technology supports public access and use of e-government information and resources. The issues brief draws from national data published in the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study. “U.S. Public Libraries and E-Government Services” describes the increased use of online government information and services, the critical role of public libraries in helping provide access and assistance using these resources and the challenges that must be addressed to improve e-government at the local, state and federal level.
Among the findings from the national study are:
*71 percent of libraries report they are the only source of free access to computers and the Internet in their community
*80 percent of libraries report providing as-needed assistance with e-government services
*61 percent of libraries report providing access to government information is one of the most critical Internet services they provide
*Public libraries offer a number of training classes and/or as-needed assistance on a range of topics, particularly Internet use (92.8 percent), general computer skills (91.3 percent) and online Web searching (76.9 percent)


How Teens Use Media (Note: PDF)

From the Nielsen website

At the annual 'What Teens Want' conference in New York, The Nielsen Company presented 'How Teens Use Media', which argues once you look past the hype - American teens are not as alien in their media usage as you might expect. Sure, it might sound hip and trendy to suggest they’re too busy texting, Twittering or LOL-ing to be engaged with traditional media, but ultimately, the research proves otherwise.
Key points:
*Teens are NOT abandoning TV for new media: In fact, they watch more TV than ever, up 6% over the past five years in the U.S
*Teens love the Internet … but spend far less time browsing than adults: Teens spend 11 hours and 32 minutes per month online. Far below the average of 29 hours and 15 minutes
*Teens watch less online video than most adults, but the ads are highly engaging to them: Teens spend 35% less time watching online video than adults 25-34, but recall ads better when watching TV shows online than they do on television
*Teens read newspapers, listen to the radio and even like advertising more than most: Teens who recall TV ads are 44% more likely to say they liked the ad
*Teens play video games, but their tastes aren’t all for the blood-and-guts style games: Just two of their top five most-anticipated games since 2005 have been rated “Mature”
*Teens’ favourite TV shows, top websites and genre preferences across media are mostly the same as their parents: For U.S. teens, American Idol was the top show in 2008, Google the top website and general dramas are a preferred TV genre for teens around the world