Session 2 History of Libraries
Introduction
In today’s session we will be discussing:- eBooks!
- The History of Libraries
- The Future of Libraries
- We will also be completing a class activity together along with some short videos to watch.
History of eBooks
Class Discussion
Firstly, who reads e-books? Do you enjoy it? Is it the same as reading a "real" book - why/why not? What device do you normally use? What application do you use?
I read both "real" books and ebooks. I read ebooks on my iPad using Kindle for e-books that I have purchased and BorrowBox from Casey Cardinia Library. I recently signed up to Eastern Regional Library (ERL) because my friend Wendy (who works at CCL) said there was more choice on Libby. I am currently reading on BorrowBox because one of the books I reserved a few months ago has come in! I enjoy ebooks for a number of reasons, but mostly because I can access them 24/7.
Read the following articles on the History of eBooks
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/
Read what Project Gutenberg is and how it started https://www.gutenberg.org/help/faq.html
Project Gutenberg Australia: http://gutenberg.net.au/
The ebooks on this site are in the public domain in Australia (not subject to copyright in Australia) and may be read and downloaded without charge.
Spend a bit of time having a look at both the Project Gutenberg site and the Australian site.
Class Discussion
Who has read some books from Project Gutenberg? What book(s)?
Do you think it is a good project?
Did you find anything interesting on either site that you might investigate further?
History of Libraries
Read (or at least scan) the Encyclopaedia Britannica History of Libraries.
OR either of these articles:
Class Discussion
What is the most interesting part of the history of libraries? Why did you find it interesting?
History of Libraries in Australia
The State Library of New South Wales is the oldest library in Australia
The State Library of Victoria, however, was the first FREE or PUBLIC library in Australia.
SLV Timeline
*** You should now be able to answer Q2 and Q7 from Assessment 2 ***
Future of Libraries
Sit back and watch a couple of videos on the Future of Libraries courtesy of my friend TED. We will view the first one in class, but you can watch the others in your own time.
What to expect from libraries in the 21st century: Pam Sandlian Smith at TEDxMileHigh
Public Libraries: The Next Level | Rebecca Raven | TEDxBrampton
The library of the future | Melanie Florencio | TEDxCreativeCoast
The Dangerous Myth About Libraries | Laurinda Thomas | TEDxWellington
The Future of Libraries | State Library of Western Australia | statelibrarywa
Articles/Readings
This is not an extensive list, but a good example of some articles about libraries of the future.
The role of public libraries changing to meet digital world's requirements:
Class Discussion
Where do you see libraries in the future?
*** Some of this section is relevant to PF3 and PF6 in your Assessment Portfolio ***
Mechanics Institutes
What is a Mechanics’ Institute?
"Mechanics’ Institutes are the forerunners of public libraries and adult education in Australia.
The origin of mechanics’ institutes is attributed to Dr George Birkbeck, who in 1799 gave a series of free lectures for the working men of Glasgow. At the time, ‘mechanic’ meant artisan, tradesman or working man. The definition became more specific over time, especially during the Industrial Revolution when workers became increasingly associated with machinery. The lectures were extremely popular because they were offered free of charge (at a time when formal education had been available only to the wealthy and the clergy) and offered in the evenings (when workers would be able to attend them). These lectures led to facilities dedicated to workers’ education – the Edinburgh School of Arts (1821) and the London Mechanics’ Institute (1823)."
More information on Mechanics Institutes
Class Discussion
Have you visited a Mechanics Institute? Which one?
*** You should now be able to respond to Q5 and Q6 in Assessment 2 ***
Pop Quiz! Class Activity
Research and discuss the following questions:
Mechanics Institutes and Schools of Arts played a part in the development of libraries in Australia - where did they originate from?
What was the Munn-Pitt Report?
What was the McColvin Report?
When was the State Library of Victoria established?
What distinction does the State Library of South Australia claim?
The State Library of NSW claims to be the oldest library in Australia. When was it founded and what name changes has it undergone in its history?
What is the name of the famous section of the State Library of NSW which houses many historical literary treasures from Australia’s past – how did it get its name?
Who was Redmond Barry?
When was the Library of Congress founded?
What is the oldest library in the United Kingdom?
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