The Guild of Book Workers – The National Organization For All The Book Arts:

“A book worker is one engaged in the hand book arts, which includes “bookbinding, conservation, printing, papermaking, calligraphy, marbling and artist’s books.” The Guild of Book Workers is a century-plus-old American organization that sponsors workshops, lectures, and exhibitions. Their website is a great resource for book workers, or for those interested in viewing and learning about the hand book arts. Visitors unfamiliar with book art should definitely take a look at the “Galleries” link under the “News & Events” section of the site. Some of the themes of the exhibits in the gallery are “Marking Time” and “AbeCeDarium”, which is the alphabet, and a classic theme for the book arts. Visitors will find it enjoyable to see how the same theme can be expressed or interpreted in so many beautiful, moving, or disturbing ways by book artists. The multitude of online galleries on this site is a real treat for those who enjoy the creativity of the book arts.”

>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2010. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Local News | Library use jumps in Seattle area; economy likely reason | Seattle Times Newspaper:

A library card has become a hot property in the Seattle region — area public libraries are experiencing a surge in circulation. While busy libraries in one of the nation’s most literate cities are nothing new, some librarians credit (or blame) the recession for a dramatic upswing in business.

In a kind of follow-up to a previous post, this article describes a dramatic increase in library use in the Seattle area.

In difficult economic times, libraries become even more popular with the general public

Books fly off shelves as library use soars

http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090108/NEWS0107/901080426/1001/NEWS01&nav_category=NEWS01

The Santa Barbara Independent Libraries Busy in Faltering Economy

http://www.independent.com/news/2009/jan/08/libraries-busy-faltering-economy/

The Public Library Renaissance

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/the-public-library-renaissance/

Judge orders libraries to stay open

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20090106_Judge_orders_libraries_to_stay_open.html

Andrew Carnegie and Carnegie Libraries

http://andrewcarnegie.tripod.com/

Nancy Pearl’s Book Lust Wiki

http://booklust.wetpaint.com/

In economically challenging times, many people choose to omit certain luxuries, including pedicures, new (or used) cars, and other items. Retailers are also now reporting that consumers are also buying fewer books, CD’s, and DVD’s. Are people just not listening to music, turning on the television, or reading? That’s definitely not the case, as the nations’ libraries are reporting record numbers in terms of new library card applications and the sheer circulation numbers of their various holdings. A column in the Boston Globe reported that the checkouts of such items are up 15 percent in Modesto, 17 percent at the Newark Public Library, and that the Boise Public Library also reported a 61 percent increase in new library cards. Many people also rely on public libraries to perform job searches online, hold community meetings and forums, and as a place to spend a few hours away from inclement weather. Despite the recent uptick in public library use, there are a few ominous signs on the horizon. Many cities have been forced to cut library operating hours due to severe budget shortfalls, and Michael Nutter, the mayor of Philadelphia, even proposed closing 11 branches of the city’s public library system. A recent ruling by a judge kept those branches open, but many of the challenges remain in Philadelphia and in hundreds of public library systems across the United States. [KMG]

The first link will take users to an article from this Thursday’s Bend (OR) Bulletin that talks a bit about the increased library use at the Bend Public Library. The next link leads to a like-minded piece from the Santa Barbara Independent, which discusses the importance of their local libraries within their community. The third link whisks users away to a recent post from the “Freakonomics” weblog at the New York Times. The post talks a bit about the previously mentioned Boston Globe article and also offers link to other relevant sites on libraries. Moving on, the fourth link leads to a piece from this Tuesday’s Philadelphia Inquirer about the recent ruling that requires Philadelphia to keep all of its libraries open. Those persons with an interest in the history of public libraries in the United States will enjoy the fifth link, as it contains information about the famed Carnegie libraries, paid for via the fortune of industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Finally, the last link leads to a site created by noted Seattle librarian Nancy Pearl. Here visitors can create their own book wiki, trade information on favorite books with other bibliophiles, and so on. [KMG]

From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/

The Big Read is a national page-turner – Los Angeles Times:

Developed by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Big Read funds projects nationwide in an effort, NEA literature director David Kipen explains, ‘to restore reading to the heart of American life.’

This newspaper article, which understandably focuses on Southern California, may pique your interest about what Big Read events are planned in your state or local community. A good place to start would be your local public library.