Public Library
Libraries are still alive and well, and even thriving, with an estimated 139,287 librarians and media collections specialists, 16,383 library technicians, and 92,159 other educational instruction and library workers in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census. How, exactly, are libraries thriving when they must rapidly adapt to meet the demands of the public…
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DisruptED
Public Libraries are Protecting Against Censorship and Introducing E-Sports
Within the last six to eight years, what qualifies as fact-based information has been challenged by several political groups and debates. Advocacy for censorship has been on the rise; this is especially true for young adult books involving LGBTQ+ themes and books centering around people of color. While censorship demands were predominately held in…
DisruptED
Episode Two: Queens Library—The Public Library Innovations that Created an Even More Essential Service for the Community During the Pandemic and Beyond
The Queens Public Library is a library system that includes a digital and written collection with sources of information in over 200 languages, provides free classes and workshops each year at 65 locations across 178 square miles, and welcomes more than 11,400,000 visitors through its doors with 940,000 active cardholders. When the pandemic hit…
DisruptED
Essential Community Services—A Profile on the Queens Public Library
Host Ron J Stefanski is excited to bring another episode of this special DistruptED Public Library Edition series to listeners and viewers. In this second installment, Stefanski looks at Queens Public Library and the public library innovations that created an even more essential service for the New York City Borough for over 125 years,…
DisruptED
Boston Public Library-David Leonard Speaks on the Power of the Public Library
Public libraries have become more than just a place where people can read, borrow books, and access various types of information. They are vital centers for research in many schools and institutions. Technology has significantly impacted the growth of libraries and their necessity. Since the 60s, the introduction of computers into libraries, technology continues to…
DisruptED
Public Libraries: Essential to Community Building Like Never Before
The majority of Americans over the age of sixteen say public libraries play a critical role within their communities, with 95% agreeing the materials and resources available at public libraries provide opportunities for everyone to succeed and promote literacy and a love of reading. 94% of these Americans say having a public library improves the…
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Flood the Zone: University of Virginia’s New Strategy to Scale Experiential Learning for Every Student
Experiential learning is having a bit of a reckoning moment in higher ed. For years, the default answer was “get an internship” or “do a co-op”—as if every student can pause life, relocate for a summer, and take on a high-stakes role that’s supposed to define their future. But students’ realities have changed: many…
The True Cost of Free Tools: When Free Platforms Own More of Your Network Than You Do
Nowadays, getting a project off the ground usually means moving fast. A quick map gets sketched. A file gets shared. A design gets reviewed in whatever tool is closest at hand. In the moment, it feels efficient — even smart. But in the telecommunications industry, as networks become more automated, location-aware, and powered by AI,…
Predictive Networks: How Baron Weather and GIS are Strengthening Telecom Operations
Severe weather is no longer an occasional disruption for telecom providers—it’s becoming part of the operating environment. During Hurricane Ida in 2021, the Federal Communications Commission reported that nearly 1,000 cell sites across Louisiana and Mississippi went offline. In 2024, Hurricane Milton left more than 12% of cell sites in impacted areas of Florida…
The DAISY Foundation: Impacting Nurse Careers Through Recognition
Recognition is often described as a “nice to have” in healthcare, but on this episode of Care Anywhere, it’s framed as something far more essential. Host Lea Sims sits down with Deb Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer of The DAISY Foundation, and Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, co-founder of the organization, to explore…