Welcome to the October edition of the Libfocus link-out, an assemblage of library-related things we have found informative, educational, thought-provoking and insightful on the Web over the past while.
Images featured in this month's link-out articles |
The New York Public Library Acquires Archive of Oliver Sacks.
Lizzie Tribone reports that the New York Public Library has acquired the archive of the pioneering physician Oliver Sacks - author of bestselling titles that include Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat. His work transformed how people have come to understand the human brain and individuality and the archive will interest researchers who are studying the meaning, nature, and consequences of disabilities and the experiences of neurodivergent people.
The (Cursed?) Original Book of Witchcraft.
In this entertaining blog for the Library of Congress Neely Tucker and Elizabeth Gettins look at “The Discouerie of Witchcraft,” written by Reginald Scot in 1584. King James I was outraged by the publication, which was believed to be the first book published on witchcraft in English. Scot's intention was to explain that witchcraft was in fact folk healing and magic was just sleight of hand and illusion. Yet his book became a handbook for magicians in Europe and America, well into the 17th and 18th centuries.
New Jersey Library Director Opens Used Bookstore.
Kara Yorio speaks to Brianne Colombo for Student Library Journal. Colombo is the Director of Glen Rock Public Library, and also, owner of the Gingerbread Bookshop. This article looks at the cross over between bookshops and libraries, and Colombo’s feelings that the two are a complimentary to each other, rather than rivals.
UMD Researcher Writes a New Chapter for Prison Libraries.
Sala Levin for MarylandToday looks at the first updates to the American Library Association’s (ALA) “Standards for Library Services for the Incarcerated or Detained”, since 1992 and the current state of library programming in the US.
I botched my poster presentation — how do I perform better next time?
Nikki Forrester contemplates in Nature how to avoid moments of panic while giving talks or discussing your research (subscription access article).
Engaging with Your Community to Effect Change: An Irish Case Study.
In the popular Scholarly Kitchen blog, Alice Meadows reports on the national persistent identifier (PID) strategy in Ireland.
Trinity College Dublin renames library after poet Eavan Boland.
The main library at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has been renamed after Irish poet Eavan Boland. It will be the first building on Trinity's campus to be named after a woman.
Gary Price from OCLC Research summarises a recent report looking at how library staff at seven institutions in the Netherlands are integrating OA into user workflows.
Educause Horizon Report: 2024 Cybersecurity and Privacy Edition.
Rhea Kelly from Campus Technology discusses an Educause report on the trends and key technologies shaping the future of cybersecurity and privacy in education.
A Comprehensive Study of Library-Led Textbook Affordability Initiatives in the United States.
This study by Mitchell Scott and Rachel E. Scott (both University of Kentucky) presents findings from a survey and interviews investigating library-led textbook affordability initiatives in the United States. The results document diverse considerations and divergences in workflows, challenges librarians face in establishing and maintaining textbook affordability programs, and the intersection of these initiatives with library and institutional strategies. Findings suggest that these programs have grown in number and scale over the past few years, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, and are sustained—even without permanent, designated funding—due to consistently positive perceptions about their impact on student success, just-in-time delivery, and alignment with library and institutional goals.
2024 Top Trends in Academic Libraries
The ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee explores the topics and issues that have been trending in academic libraries over the past two years. It draws on research and initiatives from librarians across the profession, highlighting the constant change libraries face. The launch of ChatGPT sparked discussions about the potential impact of artificial intelligence, open access and open science initiatives continued to gain momentum, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 on library workspaces and student well-being remained significant. Rich citations to the literature provide opportunities for further exploration. For example, in the area of open access, equitable publishing and bibliodiversity, a recent article by Lai Ma, Jane Buggle and Marie O'Neill received a citation.