Library

Library Construction Projects in DE and OH honored!

September 19, 2018 By cb_exec

I am so honored to see two of my library technology design projects making the 2018 American Libraries Design Showcase list!

American Libraries Magazine recognized the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center in New Castle County, Delaware and the Dayton Metro Library project!

For the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center in New Castle County DE I completed a Needs Assessment Addendum; the Technology Program for Building Construction; and assisted with select bits of tech-related construction management.

For the Dayton (Ohio) Metro Library, I completed a Technology Assessment of the Library System, and Technology Design Guidelines for all of the new and renovated libraries in Dayton, including the library’s new Central Service Center.

You can see all the recognized projects at American Libraries.

Robots: Our New Helpers or Our New Overlords?

October 17, 2017 By cb_exec

Do you feel surrounded by automation and robots? Both are booming, and as our right side-view mirror often says: “objects are closer than they appear!” What’s a library to do? Please join me for a brand new talk on the subject on November 16!

While there’s nothing new about automation systems in libraries, recent developments in robotics (including autonomous vehicles, drones, and AI chatbots) is turning the whole notion on its head. How are these trends impacting our society now, and how might they begin affecting libraries? This session with Library Technology Consultant Carson Block takes a fun and thought-provoking look at the potential and pitfalls of robots and other automation in delivering public services.

Participants will:

• Learn how automation & robots are impacting life and work

• Learn how automation & robots are used – and may be used – in libraries

• Explore strategic perspectives on automation & robots

This presentation is sponsored by LibraryWorks and offered for a fee.

More Information (from LibraryWorks)

Make Your Own Makerspace!

November 13, 2014 By cb_exec

Yowsa – I am probably the slowest blogger around. Lots of excellent things have been happening since my last post — here’s one: a webinar I did for Demco exploring the basics of the library as a place of creation rather than just consumption. Take a look!

SXSW and Libraries

March 17, 2014 By cb_exec

When Neil Young takes a moment to be photographed holding up the library symbol after using the South by Southwest (SXSW) platform to launch his new high-quality music service, you know libraries are held in high esteem throughout our culture.

How did this happen? Two factors converged at the conference known for convergence – a growing and organized library presence at SXSW, and the fortune of being in the right place at the right time to advocate.

After his presentation on Pono in Austin (within a day his kickstarter fundraising/engagement campaign blew past its modest goals and has now raised millions) Mr. Young briefly signed autographs and shook hands with the crowd rushing the stage. I asked if he would allow me to take a picture of him holding up the library symbol. He studied the symbol for less than a second, nodded, and held it up for the shot.

While this picture is a highlight, it is only one of many amazing outcomes. Watch this space for more on the growing library involvement at the conference through a scrappy volunteer organization that I’ve helped coordinate (along with a handful of other incredible library people) called #sxswLAM – Libraries, Archives, Museums as well as partner organizations such as the American Library Association (ALA), The Public Library Association (PLA), the #ideadrophouse, EveryLibrary, Urban Libraries Unite (ULU), the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), and the Digital Library Federation; as well as vendors including Innovative Interfaces Inc., Mobile Beacon, Proquest and others.

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