OCLC Report now available - Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community

A new OCLC report Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community, a sequel to the 2005 Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources, is now available as a free download. The new report provides updated information and new insights into information consumers and their online information habits, preferences and perceptions. Particular attention was paid to how the current economic downturn has affected information-seeking behaviors and how those changes are reflected in the use and perception of libraries.

The report explores the following issues:

• Technological and economic shifts since 2005
• Lifestyle changes Americans have made during the recession, including increased use of the library and other online resources.
• How a negative change to employment status impacts use and perceptions of the library
• How Americans use online resources and libraries in 2010
• Perceptions of libraries and information resources based on life stage, from teens to college students, to senior Americans.

Amazon rolls out new lending feature for Kindle users

Following on the heels of competing e-reader Nook (Barnes and Nobles) built in LendMe feature, Amazon has finally acquiesced to users requests and added a lending feature for its very popular Kindle e-book reader. Users can loan out supported publishers titles once for a period of 14 days, but there is a one-loan limitation which prohibits the lender from accessing the e-book while it is on loan.

Read the Mashable blog for detailed instructions on How To: Use Amazon’s New Kindle Lending Feature. This is great news for Kindle users...

OCLC and RLG releases joint document on five year accomplishments

OCLC recently released the document OCLC Research and the RLG Partnership: A Five Year Overview of Accomplishments which highlights some of the issues over the last five years that have had high impact or have changed the topography of the information landscape. The issues are identified under five broad headings with action items and impact listed for each heading. These headings are:

• Reasearch and Information Management


• Mobilizing Unique materials


• Metadata Support and Management


• System-wide organization


• Tools and Solutions

This document can be of value to the library, archive and museum communities, as it not only highlights joint achievements of both organizations but lists a broad array of initiatives, and online publications easily accessible to all.