July 13, 2010

NEWS

New Jersey has slashed its library support by 43 percent, but, though shocking, it's still a victory for library supporters, who staved off a proposed 74 percent reduction. As a result, libraries will lose half their per capita state aid and four regional networks will merge into one. » » »

The Google Books Settlement was still very much on librarians' minds at the recent American Library Association Annual, where experts assembled for a panel discussion, which presented possible outcomes. Even if the settlement is rejected, the "genie is out of the bottle," one panelist suggested, given that publishers and authors would be unlikely to tell libraries holding full-text scans to give them back. » » »

Newark PL Slashing Hours and Staff
Stemming from New Jersey's financial woes (see above story), the Newark Public Library will lay off 31 out of 188 workers, shut down all branches on Saturdays, and permanently close two of ten branch locations at the end of August. Meanwhile, remaining staffers must take 38 unpaid furlough days over the course of the year—more than seven weeks' worth. » » »

Coutts To Be Florida's Primary Academic Print/Ebook Supplier
Ingram Content Company book supplier Coutts has been named Florida's "Statewide Primary Academic Book Supplier." The designation comes as Florida's academic libraries are embarking on a mission to build a collaboratively developed core collection of print and ebooks to serve libraries across the state. Some 68 institutions and 829,000 students are potentially covered by the agreement.» » »

Cengage Learning Consolidating, Gale To Merge with Academic/Professional Group
Cengage Learning is consolidating its operations, with two former business units—Gale, and the Academic and Professional Group (APG)—to operate as a single group along with the company's international operations. Though it will cease to exist as a separate company, Gale's name and brand will continue. As part of the consolidation, two former unit presidents will exit: Gale President Pat Sommers is retiring this month, and Ron Mobed, APG president, is leaving the company. » » »

PA Library Support Drops Another 8.4 Percent
Pennsylvania's libraries are bracing for an additional 8.4 percent cut in state aid following a massive 27.9 percent decrease in 2009. The major component of the new cut is a $5,451,000 reduction (9.1 percent) in subsidies for public libraries. Library services for the visually impaired and disabled were cut by $168,000, or 5.8 percent. » » »


Wyatt's World

Wyatt's World: Tomato Season Reading—Five Books for the Obsessed Gardner and Foodie Fan

 

Review

*Long, Julie Anne. I Kissed an Earl.

Avon. Jul. 2010. 370p. ISBN 978-0-06-188566-2. pap. $7.99. F

Violet Redmond had been humored for so long by her family, especially by her brothers, that she considers her bored yet intemperate behavior to be acceptable. Her elder brother Lyon had disappeared from their midst a year ago, something to do with that awful Olivia Eversea. Violet overhears sea captain Asher Flint, the newly minted Earl of Ardmay, discussing his search for a pirate called Le Chat and decides the miscreant is her missing sibling (Lyon = lion = big cat). She impetuously stows away on Flint’s ship, and when he discovers his surprise “guest,” Flint thinks the unbridled Lady Violet needs disciplining. Or does he find her determination and constancy regarding her brother’s innocence more appealing than annoying?

Verdict The talented Long (Like No Other Lover) adds to her Redmond/Eversea series with this lushly written story of two strong, steadfast individuals in opposition as they navigate rough waters to finding the truth yet hesitant to acknowledge its repercussions. Long’s sumptuous language reveals her protagonists as flawed yet resolute and finally more than open to passion and love. Exquisite for romance fans. One caveat: the quality of the proofreading in this finished edition is well below par; Long and her readers deserve better. [Ebook ISBN 978-0-06-200018-7.]

—Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal



Xpress Reviews

Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books
Zo ë Ferraris's City of Veils, Nicola Upson's Angel with Two Faces, J. Richard Gentry's Raising Confident Readers, and other reviews just in. » » »

LJ ALERT

Take LJ's Entrepreneurial Libraries Survey
In preparation for a future article, LJ is surveying public libraries about their current and expected use of fees for services. Please tell us what your library is doing and why. Click here.

Job of the Week

Systems Coordinator
Gwinnett County Public Library
Lawrenceville, GA
As the Systems Coordinator you play a critical role in supervising the Help Desk, which includes managing the ticketing system and project workflow to ensure that the needs of Library staff and customers are met in a timely manner. You take the lead in researching and testing technology for efficient and effective operations. You set the example by demonstrating complex or difficult maintenance and repairs. You ensure top-notch technical support by managing the daily operations of the Library's software, hardware, networks and related peripheral equipment. You deliver outstanding results to all customers and are able to explain "techno-speak" in everyday terms.
View All