funding

Another day, another insightful, interesting library blogger. Andy Woodworth published a challenging blog post last week entitled, Why Closing More Public Libraries Might Be the Best Thing (...Right Now).

The American Library Association (ALA) is encouraging public libraries to participate in the 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study online survey. The survey provides an important opportunity for libraries to share information regarding their computer and Internet resources and infrastructure, as well as funding, technology training and how they function as public access technology centers in their communities.

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office is providing beneficial information for the library community in regards to stimulus funding. There is a new document, a web page and a webinar coming soon. Look to these resources to help you wade through the alphabet soup of ARRA, BTOP, PCC, etc.!

If you visit our site regularly or attend our webinars, you'll likely recognize the name of one of MaintainIT's prized Contributors, Stephanie Gerding. You may also know that she's a marvel, sharing her expertise in many fields, including helping libraries find and get grants.

Approximately 60 people participated in yesterday's "Technology Grants for Libraries 101" webinar. Stephanie Gerding, who co-wrote the book, Grants for Libraries, led the session. It's archived!

If the first 5 weeks of 2009 are anything to go by we're going to be too busy to blink our eyes this year. I figured I can take some time off in 2010!

When it comes to the library's computer network, we've been very much like Blanche Dubois, depending on the kindness of strangers. (breathy voice here) Or at least, the kindness of random library supporters. As long as the network was small, with only a scattering of public computers, this has worked – and it has worked for a surprisingly long time.

This was a question that Micheal Krasny, host of the Forum on NPR's affiliate in San Franciso asked of his guests yesterday in an hour-long program called "The Future of Libraries." Al Escoffier, City Librarian for the Burlingame Public Library, Jane Light, Director of the San Jose Library, Jim Rettig, president of the American Library Association, and Martin Gomez, President of the Urban Libraries Council were on the program.