What’s worse library behavior: watching porn or stabbing someone?

“What we are supposed to do in libraries: read, be quiet. What we’re not supposed to do: watch pornographic videos, stab people.

The Brookyn Public Library this week found some of its patrons have extremely poor library etiquette. At the Brooklyn Heights branch, one patron accused another of watching porn on the library’s computer — and then, according to allegations, attacked, stabbing him.”  Story

Are We Addicted to Facebook? It’s Complicated.

“Larry D. Rosen, a California psychologist who studies the impact of technology use on society, has been researching how people relate to Facebook over the last several years.  Dr. Rosen said he expected to confirm what he already suspected — that Facebook was an important facet of our evolving digital world. But he said he was “blown away” by how crucial the social network is in the lives of the people who use it.

“Everything we do rewires our brains, but Facebook is having a very strong impact on our society and social fabric,” he said.”   Full Story

10 Changes to Expect from the Library of the Future

“Libraries have acted as community cornerstones for millennia, and every April marks School Library Month, celebrating how they promote education and awareness in an open, nurturing space. What makes them such lasting institutions, though, isn’t the mere act of preserving books and promoting knowledge. Rather, it’s the almost uncanny ability to consistently adapt to the changing demands of the local populace and emerging technology alike. The library system probably won’t disappear anytime soon, but rather, see itself blossoming into something new and exciting in congruence with today’s myriad informational demands.”  Full List

Google launches Knowledge Graph today

What speed do you read?

This is a timed test (with some reading comprehension questions at the end).  It will provide you with a ranking compared to the nation average, and also inform you how long it would take to complete various classic books at your current speed.

How fast do I read?

Just a staircase painted like some books

Google Maps update offers indoor walking directions

“Google Maps is stepping in a new direction — indoors. The popular mapping service rolled out an update offering several additions  including indoor walking directions, allowing users in the U.S. and Japan to use  Google Maps to navigate inside malls and airports.” Continued

 

Amazon to Lend ‘Potter’ E-Books

“Amazon.com Inc. has licensed the right to lend digital versions of all seven volumes in J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series in the U.S., a sign of its willingness to continue funding its e-book lending library despite the costs. Harry Potter fans who subscribe to Amazon Prime will be able to read the e-book editions of the best-selling series free starting June 19th. As is the case for other titles offered in the lending program, titles will be available on a once-a-month basis to owners of Amazon’s Kindle e-reader who have also embraced Amazon Prime.” Full article

The Listening Project by BBC and British Library

“The Listening Project is a partnership between BBC Radio and the British Library that invites people to share an intimate conversation,  to be recorded and broadcast by the BBC and, if suitable, curated and archived by the British Library. These conversations will form a unique picture of our lives today, preserved for future generations.”  Visit

Book banning guaranteed to get even more people to read or care about it

“White-hot controversy continues to flame over a ban of the novel “Fifty Shades of Grey” by the Brevard County Public Libraries system.

The system’s 19 copies of the erotic, bestselling book by British author E.L. James were recently pulled from circulation at the direction of library services director Cathy Schweinsberg, who called it “porn.” Media from around the globe picked up on the story, and at least one local resident is collecting signatures to push for a reversal. She has upwards of 150 signatures.

“A woman named Karen said Dr. Oz touted that book on TV, and she wants it,” Walker said.  “He recommended it, and what Dr. Oz says is the gospel. If I’m the publicist on that book, I’m loving the heck out of this. With Mother’s Day coming up, my own wife has expressed interest in the book. The store I went to was out of it.”  Story