(22 Jan 2021) From CNN Philippines: “With the country’s notoriously fickle internet connectivity and the continuing danger of physical contact, I find books a safe remedy to the growing loneliness of lockdown. Many local cultural workers and institutions, despite the punishing circumstances of this current crisis, are putting out work, which deserve a much…
(5 Feb 2021) Infamous as India’s ‘phishing capital’, Jharkhand’s tiny Jamtara district now has 45 public libraries diverting youth away from cybercrime. A library movement developed in a short span of time in Jharkhand’s Jamtara district is receiving a steady flow of students and helping them turn a new page. The district love for books…
(1 Jan 2021) The Leisure and Cultural Service Department (LCSD), Hong Kong launches its Edutainment Channel, a new one-stop online platform covering informative and learning materials on aspects of culture and leisure. The Edutainment Channel, combing education with entertainment, is best captured by its slogan “One click to treasures – Culture & Leisure” With…
(14 Dec 2020) News from Cambodia: Three ministries have joined hands to organise the annual Cambodia Book Fair from December 12-19. Due to Covid-19, this year’s event is called Book Week and will be held online with the theme of Building a Closer Relationship to Books in the Covid Era”. Cambodia Book Fair Committee…
(9 Dec 2020) IFLA’s new research into digital skills strategies highlights examples of where governments have recognised the role of libraries in helping people become more competent, confident internet users. It provides examples to use in advocacy for library inclusion in such policy documents. While giving everyone the possibility to get online is essential…
(10 Nov 2020) From The Digital Reader: 2020 was a strange year, for obvious reasons. Many of us spent a lot of 2020 in lockdown, either trying to keep up with work or looking for a new job. Some turned to streaming services such as Netflix (for example, I subscribed to Disney…
A non-profit dedicated to science communication offers to connect learners with over 11,000 scientists. (2 Oct 2020) Dr. Sarah McAnulty, an assistant professor at the University of Connecticut and an expert on cephalopods, founded Skype a Scientist, a non-profit designed to put people in contact with scientific experts on a variety of topics. Skype a Scientist…
(27 Sept 2020) The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) released the Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books from the past decade. The list’s release launches Banned Books Week, Sept. 27 – Oct. 3, a vibrant week of programming to rally readers to the cause of First Amendment protections and remind them to…
(10 Aug 2020) A new role of New Zealand Reading Ambassador for children and young people was announced by Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Jacinda Ardern, and Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin, at a Celebration of Reading Event at the National Library in Wellington on 5 August. The Reading Ambassador role,…
(30 Jun 2020) Around the world, 2020 has emerged as one of the most challenging years in many of our lifetimes. In six months, the world has endured multiple challenges, including a pandemic that has spurred a global economic crisis. As societies reopen, it’s apparent that the economy in July will not be what it was…