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33 results for "libraries"

Rhode Island Bill Puts Librarians in Every Public School
Solutions2d ago

Rhode Island Bill Puts Librarians in Every Public School

Rhode Island lawmakers are backing legislation to put certified librarians in every public school after research showed they boost reading scores and student success. The Save Our Rhode Island School Libraries Act would ensure every student gets daily library access and professional support.

Google News - Student Achievement2 min read
Chicago Turns Student IDs Into Library Cards for 330K Kids
Solutions2d ago

Chicago Turns Student IDs Into Library Cards for 330K Kids

Chicago just made accessing 6 million books as easy as showing up to school. Every public school student ID now doubles as a library card across all 81 city library locations.

Good News Network2 min read
130+ West Coast Libraries Unite for AANHPI Heritage Month
Acts of Kindness4d ago

130+ West Coast Libraries Unite for AANHPI Heritage Month

More than 130 libraries across three states are launching the West Coast's largest book club to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The groundbreaking collaboration brings communities together through George Takei's powerful memoir about Japanese American incarceration.

Google News - Unity Celebration2 min read
Dr. Ambedkar's 50,000-Book Library Lives On in Mumbai
Acts of Kindness4d ago

Dr. Ambedkar's 50,000-Book Library Lives On in Mumbai

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's personal collection of 50,000 books once filled an entire floor of his Mumbai home, built specifically to house his lifelong love of learning. Today, his scattered library reminds us that collecting books isn't about reading them all—it's about surrounding ourselves with ideas that shape who we become.

The Better India2 min read
Scientists Finally Recognizing Librarians as Research Experts
Acts of Kindness4d ago

Scientists Finally Recognizing Librarians as Research Experts

Librarians are breaking free from the "service provider" stereotype to become valued research partners and co-authors on scientific studies. One librarian's expertise in consumer health and digital literacy earned them spots on multiple research teams.

Nature News2 min read
Third places fight loneliness without the pressure
Acts of Kindness6d ago

Third places fight loneliness without the pressure

Coffee shops, libraries, and parks offer something rare: connection without an agenda. These "third places" are disappearing from American life, taking easy friendships with them.

Optimist Daily2 min read
Music Student Earns Award Working at UWM Libraries
SolutionsApr 11

Music Student Earns Award Working at UWM Libraries

Elizabeth Rhinehart turned a college shelving job into a master's degree and an award-winning career in library science. Her journey shows how university libraries create opportunities far beyond books.

Google News - Student Achievement3 min read
Germany Debates Future of Libraries as Books Make a Comeback
Daily MixMar 30

Germany Debates Future of Libraries as Books Make a Comeback

A government official's suggestion to prioritize digital archives over expanding Germany's National Library sparked debate about why physical books still matter. The backlash reveals a growing appreciation for the mindful experience books offer in our distracted digital age.

DW News2 min read
Man Turns 4 School Libraries Into Climate Action Labs
Community HeroesMar 27

Man Turns 4 School Libraries Into Climate Action Labs

In smog-choked Faridabad, Sandy Khanda is transforming neglected government school libraries into hands-on sustainability centers where 2,250 students learn climate action by living it. Vertical gardens made from plastic bottles now line walls where dust once gathered.

The Better India2 min read
Kern County Library Volunteers Power Community Programs
Acts of KindnessMar 27

Kern County Library Volunteers Power Community Programs

Volunteers at California's Kern County Library system are doing far more than shelving books. They're stocking seed libraries, prepping craft programs, and freeing up staff to focus on essential community services like free meals and storytimes.

Google: volunteers help2 min read
Richmond Volunteers Plant Trees to Protect James River
Acts of KindnessMar 27

Richmond Volunteers Plant Trees to Protect James River

Volunteers in Richmond are turning public libraries into green spaces that naturally filter pollutants before they reach the James River. The program has already expanded to eight libraries since launching in 2024.

Google: volunteers help2 min read
Middle Schoolers Make Seed Pods to Save Local Pollinators
Acts of KindnessMar 20

Middle Schoolers Make Seed Pods to Save Local Pollinators

Teens in Southborough, Massachusetts are getting their hands dirty for biodiversity, crafting seed pods filled with native plants that help struggling pollinators survive. The volunteer program teaches environmental science while earning students community service credits.

Google: volunteers help2 min read
NSW Libraries Return $4.25 for Every Dollar Invested
SolutionsMar 20

NSW Libraries Return $4.25 for Every Dollar Invested

New research finds that every dollar invested in libraries generates four times the value in community benefits. For one Chilean family, their local Sydney library became the bridge to a new life in Australia.

ABC Australia3 min read
Six Ancient Indian Libraries Still Open to All Readers
Global NewsMar 18

Six Ancient Indian Libraries Still Open to All Readers

From palm-leaf manuscripts dating back to 1535 to vast colonial archives, six centuries-old libraries across India continue welcoming anyone who wants to explore living history. These aren't museum pieces—they're thriving spaces where ancient knowledge meets modern curiosity. --- ##

The Better India2 min read
NYC's 67 Historic Libraries Get $176M Climate Makeover
SolutionsMar 16

NYC's 67 Historic Libraries Get $176M Climate Makeover

New York just completed a stunning $176 million renovation of five Carnegie Libraries, turning century-old civic landmarks into modern, accessible, climate-friendly community hubs. It's a blueprint for saving historic buildings while making them work for today's world.

Fast Company2 min read
Libraries Save Families $500+ Yearly on Entertainment
SolutionsMar 14

Libraries Save Families $500+ Yearly on Entertainment

While Americans spend over $500 annually on streaming services, public libraries offer thousands of movies, shows, and books completely free. Your library card unlocks the same entertainment without the monthly bills or decision paralysis.

Fast Company2 min read
Ethiopia's New Libraries and Urban Corridors Transform Cities
SolutionsMar 13

Ethiopia's New Libraries and Urban Corridors Transform Cities

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed toured eastern Ethiopia's development projects, inspecting a one-million-book library, modern service centers, and green urban corridors that are reshaping how Ethiopians live and work. These infrastructure wins show how the nation is building knowledge hubs and livable cities across the country.

Regional: ethiopia development (ET)3 min read
Alabama Library Seeks Volunteers for Just 1-2 Hours Weekly
Acts of KindnessMar 2

Alabama Library Seeks Volunteers for Just 1-2 Hours Weekly

The Cullman County Public Library System needs volunteers who can spare just one or two hours a week to keep books flowing and programs running. Even the smallest time commitment makes a real difference in keeping this community resource accessible to everyone.

Google: volunteers help2 min read
Leonardo DiCaprio Built Computer Lab Where His Bedroom Stood
Community HeroesFeb 27

Leonardo DiCaprio Built Computer Lab Where His Bedroom Stood

The Oscar winner donated $35,000 to create a computer center in the LA library that replaced his childhood home. Nearly 30 years later, he's still quietly supporting the Los Feliz branch with surprise visits and five-year subscriptions.

Good Good Good2 min read
Netherlands Has 1,500 Free Little Libraries and Counting
InnovationFeb 26

Netherlands Has 1,500 Free Little Libraries and Counting

Across the Netherlands, tiny libraries are popping up on street corners and outside homes, offering free books to anyone who wants them. The country now has at least 1,500 "minibiebs," and they became lifesavers during pandemic lockdowns.

Dutch News2 min read

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