Category «Libraries»

What is the cost to Americans of the War in Iran?

Via Ben Amata, Government Information Librarian, University Library, California State University, Sacramento: “Neither DOD nor the Whitehouse are providing budgetary information at their websites, to Congress, or to the public on the Iran war costs. Some in Congress are commenting. https://www.congress.gov/119/crec/2026/03/18/172/49/CREC-2026-03-18-pt1-PgH2587-4.pdf https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-172/issue-50/house-section/article/H2609-6?hl=iran+war&s=1&r=1 https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-172/issue-42/house-section/article/H2452-5?hl=iran+war&s=1&r=18 See also – NPR – How much is the Iran war costing …

Subjects: Censorship, Congress, Defense, Economy, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research, Libraries

Paperback vs. Hardcover: Which is Better For Readers (and For Writers)?

Literary Hub – Maris Kreizman Digs Into the Pros and Cons: “If you conducted a survey, I am fairly certain you’d find that the majority of readers prefer paperbacks to hardcover books. I have no stats to back this up, but I know what I’ve heard anecdotally for years. Paperbacks are lighter and smaller and …

Subjects: Libraries

The 2026 Tournament of Books

“Every March, literary bloodsport reigns supreme. Since 2005, the Tournament of Books has been home to a month-long battle royale among the year’s best novels. Each weekday in March, two works of fiction go head to head, with one of our judges deciding which book moves forward in the competition—until one finally wins that year’s …

Subjects: Knowledge Management, Libraries

Websites change. Perma Links don’t.

Perma.cc helps scholars, journals, courts, and others create permanent records of the web sources they cite. Perma.cc is simple, easy to use, and is built and supported by libraries. One good reason to use Perma.cc? How about 404? – Websites change, go away, and get taken down. When linked citations lead to broken, blank, altered, …

Subjects: Education, Internet, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Libraries, Search Engines

My favorite free resources for reading

Jeremy Caplan {Note – this is a long, multifaceted list – below is just a snip] Most Recommended Books Pick the name of an expert to see what books they recommend and why. Goodbooks.io and Read This Twice Explore interesting expert picks. En.app Describe the kind of book you’re looking for and get suggestions. Whichbook’s …

Subjects: Education, Internet, Knowledge Management, Libraries

27 Ways to Access Scientific Research

Card Catalog: A complete guide to finding, reading, and evaluating scientific papers — and knowing what questions matter before you trust the findings. Hana Lee Goldin, MLIS: “We are living through a strange moment in the history of knowledge. More information is available to more people than at any point in human history, and yet …

Subjects: Education, Health Care, Internet, Knowledge Management, Libraries, Medicine, Search Engines

The archivist preserving decaying floppy disks

PopSci – It’s a race against time (and magnetic decay) to preserve decades of cultural history stored on obsolete hardware: “Few nostalgic artifacts capture the spirit of the early personal computing era as clearly as the humble floppy disk. Introduced in the early 1970s, these chunky rectangles became the default way to store and transfer …

Subjects: E-Records, Education, Knowledge Management, Libraries

The Kremlin Banned These Books. You Can Find Them in a New York Library

The New York Times Gift Article: “Millions of banned books were smuggled into the Soviet Union in the 20th century — often in small batches, hidden in deliberately mislabeled containers, packed in food tins or tampon boxes and, in at least one case, tucked into a child’s diaper. Soviet tourists visiting Western Europe brought mini-volumes …

Subjects: Censorship, Civil Liberties, Education, Free Speech, Legal Research, Libraries

US libraries face funding, maintenance challenges

GAO – PUBLIC LIBRARIES – Many Buildings Are Reported to Be in Poor Condition, with Increasing Deferred Maintenance. A Government Accountability Office report reveals that about 70% of US libraries have deferred maintenance, with 39% facing backlogs of more than $100,000. The report highlights that 43% of libraries have accessibility issues and 61% report health …

Subjects: Economy, Government Documents, Libraries

It’s Time for Teachers to Break Up with Amazon

Institute for Local Self Reliance: “Here’s why teachers should break up with Amazon’s wish lists — and where to find better alternatives. Teachers routinely spend their own money on school supplies. With public school district budgets being slashed nationwide, over 90 percent of public K-12 teachers now pay for classroom supplies out of their own pockets, …

Subjects: E-Commerce, Economy, Education, Financial System, Internet, Libraries

All 135 chapters of Moby Dick available to be listened to in your browser – Free

Open Culture: Hear Moby Dick Read in Its Entirety by Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, John Waters, Stephen Fry & More – “We’re glad to say the project reached its successful conclusion. And they certainly called on an impressive roster of celebrity readers: Stephen Fry, Neil Tennant, Fiona Shaw, Will Self, Benedict Cumberbatch, China Miéville, Tony Kushner, …

Subjects: Education, Libraries

In Praise of One of America’s All-Time Great Book Sections (RIP)

Washingtonian: “Actually, the Washington Post Layoffs Were a Bigger Bloodbath Than You Thought. Nearly half of the paper’s newsroom was eliminated during last week’s cuts—possibly the largest one-day wipeout of journalists in a generation. LitHub – Gerald Howard on the Washington Post Book World and the Further Enshittification of All Things. “Here is what it …

Subjects: Education, Knowledge Management, Libraries

Thank you!