Library Technology Guides

Information Futures Summit closes with launch of Brisbane Declaration. The IFLA Information Future Summit had a strong emphasis on exploring not just the trends shaping the environment in which libraries work, but also on how we can shape this in a way that fits with our own values and missions. With the IFLA Trend Report 2024 launched on the first day, a strong programme of keynote sessions drawing on experts from inside and outside of the library field, and rich opportunities to explore and exchange deeply on the themes raised, the Summit provided a great opportunity for a collective conversation about the future. A key output from this is the Brisbane Declaration. Coming 10 years after the Lyon Declaration on Access to Information and Development, the new text maintains a focus on the need to provide equitable and meaningful access in order to support the fulfilment of rights and achievement of development goals. [Full Announcement].

Meet Specto: the Ex Libris AI-powered digital asset management solution. Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, introduced Ex Libris Specto, an innovative AI-powered digital asset management solution designed to streamline this labor-intensive task, allowing librarians and archivists to focus on what truly matters: sharing the rich stories within their collections. [Full Announcement].

ByWater Solutions welcomes Alyssa Drake. ByWater Solutions, an open-source community contributor and America's forefront provider of Open-Source library technology support announced that Alyssa Drake has joined the ByWater Solutions Support team. Alyssa joins us with extensive experience in library services, team management, and customer support, having previously worked with Jackson County Library Services, Ledyard Public Library, and the Public Library of New London. With a proven track record of leading innovative library programming, training staff on ILS systems, and providing exceptional customer service, Alyssa brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to our team. Her expertise in circulation services, social media management, and community engagement will further enhance the level of support we provide to libraries across the globe. [Full Announcement].

Library of Congress announces new members of Copyright Public Modernization Committee. The Library of Congress announced the new membership of the Copyright Public Modernization Committee, which has been renewed for a second three-year term. The Copyright Public Modernization Committee was established to enhance communication with stakeholders and provide a public forum for the technology-related aspects of U.S. Copyright Office modernization. [Full Announcement].

Clarivate unveils comprehensive framework to evaluate the societal impact of research. Clarivate, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, announced the development of a comprehensive framework for evaluating the societal impact of research. The approach has been outlined in a new report published today by the Institute for Scientific Information to address the growing demand for demonstrating the benefits of research and development investments across various sectors of society. The report, A responsible framework for evaluating the societal impact of research, outlines a responsible and robust foundation for evaluation that goes beyond traditional scholarly output and includes a wide range of data sources. The new framework will be incorporated into the forthcoming Web of Science Research Intelligence platform. [Full Announcement].

Nexbib welcomes Regan Dewey as new Sales Director for North America. Nexbib is excited to announce the appointment of Regan Dewey as Sales Director for North America, effective September 1, 2024. With over a decade of experience working closely with public and academic libraries, Regan has a deep understanding of the evolving needs of the library sector. Her expertise in digital transformation and library technology makes her a valuable addition to the Nexbib team. [Full Announcement].

OverDrive and Youth Communication announce co-produced anthologies spotlighting teen stories. OverDrive announced fifteen anthologies created in partnership with Youth Communication, a nonprofit youth media organization that promotes youth literacy and civic engagement through youth-led media. The anthologies are produced via Youth Communication's rigorous writing program where teens work with professional editors to share their personal stories. Written by teens for teens, common themes include body image, bullying, gender identity, living with a disability, recovering from trauma, and more. [Full Announcement].

How academic libraries can help the post-pandemic student thrive. A new report from Ex Libris, “Understanding Changing Student Expectations,” delves into the distinct characteristics of a generation that is often less prepared, less engaged and more physically and mentally remote than their predecessors. Capturing research and experience from Clarivate's UX team and academic librarians, the report identifies key insights that can help libraries adapt and respond, helping these students thrive. [Full Announcement].

PALNI and PALCI awarded IMLS Grant to enhance and sustain Hyku open-source community. The Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration and Innovation and the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana announced that they have been awarded a $248,600 grant for Sustaining the Hyku Repository Platform: Addressing Hyku's Unique Community Coordination and Collaboration Challenges. The two-year grant is one of 85 given by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support libraries and archival services across the country and was made through the National Leadership Grants for Libraries and the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. It aims to strengthen collaborative efforts to ensure Hyku remains a viable, efficient, and sustainable solution for managing and preserving digital content across a diverse range of institutions. [Full Announcement].

Clarivate report unveils the transformative role of artificial intelligence on shaping the future of the library. Clarivate, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, launched its first Pulse of the Library report. The report reveals that libraries are in the early days of Artificial Intelligence implementation. Librarians are considering applications of AI that support the library mission, particularly in enhancing content discovery and increasing efficiency for their teams. However, there are notable concerns, including a lack of AI expertise and tight budgets. [Full Announcement].

NEH announces $37.5 million for 240 humanities projects nationwide. The National Endowment for the Humanities announced $37.5 million in grants for 240 humanities projects across the country. These grants will support a feature-length documentary on the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the first female pilots to fly for the U.S. military in World War II, and their fight for recognition as veterans after the war; a new book on the history of the travel souvenir; and the refinement of remote sensing methods for conducting noninvasive surveys and analysis of buried archaeological sites of Indigenous settlements in the US. This round of funding, NEH's third and last for fiscal year 2024, will support vital humanities education, research, preservation, and public programs. These peer-reviewed grants were awarded in addition to $65 million in annual operating support provided to the national network of state and jurisdictional humanities councils. [Full Announcement].

Rachel Bruce to deliver opening keynote at NISO Plus Global/Online. NISO announced that Rachel Bruce, Head of Open Science at UK Research and Innovation, will deliver the opening keynote, “Open research, incentivizing change, and underpinning infrastructure: A UK Perspective,” at the NISO Plus 2024 Global/Online conference, September 17–18, 2024. [Full Announcement].

Last week to enter the AspenCon2025 logo contest. Don't miss the chance to submit your logo designs for AspenCon's second edition, taking place in Nashville, TN, October 8-10, 2025. The winning design will be selected through a public vote in September and featured on the conference website, social media sites, posters, printed materials, gifts, and more. [Full Announcement].

Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Library launch Chicago Book-Wrapped: a groundbreaking initiative providing immediate eBook and eAudiobook access for all. Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Library (CPL) proudly announce the launch of “Chicago Book-Wrapped", an innovative popup eCollection initiative that redefines access to literature in the city. Powered by OverDrive, the company behind the library reading app Libby, this initiative eliminates barriers, offering instant access to curated eBooks and Audiobooks with no wait times or library card requirements during the eCollection period. This visionary project not only broadens access to knowledge but also serves as a cultural touchstone, enhancing the experience of Chicago's most significant events. [Full Announcement].

Digital Public Library of America and Independent Publishers Group have partnered to rewrite the future of providing ebooks to benefit libraries, authors and readers alike. The Digital Public Library of America and Independent Publishers Group have announced a groundbreaking agreement that will transform how American libraries provide access to books for millions of readers. Through this landmark collaboration between IPG and DPLA, libraries around the country will now have the power to purchase and own in perpetuity, rather than merely license, tens of thousands of ebook and audiobook titles from dozens of independent publishers. The agreement will empower libraries to fulfill their mission to provide access to books for readers nationwide. Publishers such as Austin Macauley, Arcadia Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, Dover Publications and JMS Books, alongside dozens of other renowned indie publishers, are participating in the deal. [Full Announcement].

JSTOR announces Artstor on JSTOR. The JSTOR platform is now the official home for the complete Artstor Digital Library, an unmatched collection of rights-cleared images and media for use in teaching and research. Comprised of over 2 million images, videos, panoramas, and audio files contributed by museums, galleries, and other cultural organizations around the world, the collection is now known as “Artstor on JSTOR,” signaling the collection's deep integration with the more than 2,800 journals, 100,000 books, 50,000 research reports, and robust primary source collections accessible on JSTOR. [Full Announcement].

Launch of IFLA's Internet Manifesto. This year marks a decade since IFLA's last Internet Manifesto was launched, and of course the world is a very different place today, the way we access and exchange information keeps changing, however, connectivity remains the gateway through which we can turn that information into knowledge. With the world and our lives becoming increasingly digital, our commitment to global communities remains. This document represents a unification of library voices in regard to the Internet, it provides our vision of the Internet we want, it sets out a compelling narrative about the place of libraries in the digital space and provides a series of recommendations for different actors. Of course, we also see the manifesto as an opportunity to ensure that the library voice remains relevant and strong in the international discussions that are shaping the way forward in Internet Governance processes. [Full Announcement].

AspenCon 2025: Logo Contest. The second edition of the annual Aspen Discovery conference, AspenCon2025, is coming to Nashville, TN, October 8- 10, 2025. The conference is looking for an original logo design that will be used on the conference website, social media sites, posters, printed materials, gifts, or anywhere else conference organizers choose. [Full Announcement].

OverDrive announces strategic leadership appointments for global digital media distribution. To keep pace with surging demand from millions of students, readers, and viewers benefiting from digital content available through their local libraries and schools, OverDrive announced the formation of a newly established Content Group. The newly configured business unit will drive innovation for digital content discovery and sales, integrating Kanopy's 30,000+ film and video library alongside OverDrive's vast collection of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, comic books, and educational resources, while enhancing metadata and collection development services reaching over 90,000 institutional buyers. To lead the OverDrive Content Group, Jason Tyrrell has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Content. For the past three years Tyrrell served as General Manager of Kanopy, OverDrive's video streaming service. [Full Announcement].

IFLA selects Astana, Kazakhstan to host the 2025 World Library and Information Congress. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has selected Astana, Kazakhstan to host the 2025 World Library and Information Congress from 18-22 August 2025. This is the first ever edition of IFLA's flagship event to be held in Central Asia and reinforces IFLA's role in developing the international library field. [Full Announcement].