News:
Libraries:
- Arts Council Consultation: The Arts Council is currently consulting on the development of its next 10-year strategy. Despite looming budget pressures this new strategy presents opportunities for libraries and museums. To find out how to feed your views in, and for further information on the consultations, please visit this link:Arts Council Strategy
More details can be found here
- School pupils fight for school libraries: a group of school children are to petition the Prime Minister about school libraries. details
- Communities in Somerset are being pressured to take over their libraries: In order to make £500K savings 15 of its 34 libraries will close if local communities do not form partnerships to run them. details
- Northampton; Government to look into closure plans: a government investigation has been launched into the shutting of 21 libraries. Culture Secretary Matt Hancock promises to ‘consider the complaint fully’. details
- Cambridgeshire libraries launch an autism collection: 30 titles have been selected to support people with autism and their families and friends details
International:
- USA, Author James Patterson donates $2m for classroom libraries: “The best-selling author has increased his annual donations for classroom libraries from $1.75 million to $2 million. Patterson is distributing 4,000 gifts of $500 each to teachers around the country. The so-called Patterson Pledge” was launched in 2015 and is run in coordination with Scholastic Book Clubs, which adds book club points to Patterson’s contribution. More than 80,000 teachers applied for donations”.details
- ASA: Think libraries are passé? Think again: interesting article on the perception of public libraries compared to the reality details
- Public libraries worldwide reach one billion digital book loans: details
- USA:Clevelandlibraries begin automatic renewals:new library system will automatically renew material on day before they are due. It will allow up to five renewals for materials and two for DVDs. details
- Huge refurbishment for Brooklyn Public Library: ambitious plansdescribehow back-of-house library space will be utilised where among other things children could learn about robotics or 3D printing. Lots more ideas are discussed that are relevant to any forward thinking library system details
- USA: First-time public library directors discuss their experiences as managers: panellists share candid experiences and advice at the Public Library Association Conference in the USA details
Sight, vision and disability issues:
- Macular degeneration: vision has been successfully restored in three patients with macular degeneration by implanting a wireless microchip under the retina details.
Also, patients regain sight after receiving retinal tissue engineered from stem cells details more details
Charities seek macular degeneration cure: Four UK charities, Blind Veterans UK, Fight for Sight, the Macular Society and Scottish War Blinded have formed Action Against AMD (AAA)to increase the funding for research into the condition, and specifically to help develop an intervention that stops people losing their sight from AMD. details
- USA, New technology for the visually impaired could expand workforce: Advances in virtual and augmented reality technology could help millions of disabledAmericans improve their standard of living and even enter the workforce in greater numbers.details
ShareThe Vision is a partnership of UK libraries and library organisations that work together to improve the accessibility of library services for blind and other print disabled people.
More information is available from the Chair, Mark Freeman, or 01642 526481. Contributions for the bulletin can be sent to Mark at the email address above.
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