@MNSpy

You can also participate in the #BooksUnbanned project from the #SeattlePublicLibrary: https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/teens/books-unbanned

#Seattle #PublicLibrary goes low-tech after #cyberattack

Clare McGrane
June 07, 2024

"Creative solutions

While the attack crippled key systems, the library's 27 branches are still open, hosting events and checking out physical materials.

"For 10 days after the attack, checkouts were done manually with a #PencilAndPaper. Librarians wrote down patrons' library card numbers and cataloged each item borrowed on stacks of forms. One joked that they were back in 1990.

"Now staff have cobbled together a temporary solution that relies on Microsoft Excel, moving forward in time to 1995.

"'I just scan your card into the spreadsheet,' said Spenser Hoyt, demonstrating the check-out process. Hoyt is the borrower services operations manager at the library's central branch.

"'We are able to use our fancy RFID tag technology, so all I have to do is set [the book] on the pad... and it is 'checked out' to you," Hoyt said.

"Hoyt puts air quotes around the phrase "checked out" because the item isn't technically logged in the library's cataloging system. For now, the spreadsheet acts as a record of checkouts that will be uploaded into that system when it's back online.

"One wrinkle in this work-around: There's no way to check materials back into the library's collection. (SPL is asking patrons to hold on any books or other materials until they can process them again. The system doesn't charge late fees.)"

Read more:
https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-public-library-goes-low-tech-after-cyberattack-knocks-out-most-digital-services

#Libraries #cyberattack #SeattlePublicLibrary #LowTech

One of Seattle’s most daring structures is its library. Described as “the most exciting new building it has been my honor to review” by The New York Times architecture critic Herbert Muschamp, this hulking geometric geometric mass of glass and steel is one of downtown’s most distinctive buildings. The central branch of the Seattle Public Library opened its doors in 2004, but the design will make you feel like you’re visiting a sci-fi utopia of the future.

The building is representative of architect Rem Koolhaas’ distinctive style, with clean lines, tons of natural lighting, and large scale. Inside, visitors can experience the unique Books Spiral, which displays the library’s entire nonfiction collection in a continuous wheelchair-accessible ramp; the gooey Red Floor, where 13 shades of red paint create a sense of entering the beating heart of the building; and the Zine Collection, home to over 30,000 examples of zines, minicomics, and indie publications.

At an eight-minute walk from the conference center, the Central Library makes for a great excursion during Worldcon.

https://seattlein2025.org/2024/10/09/around-seattle-seattle-central-library/

#RemKoolhaas #SeattleCentralLibrary #SeattlePublicLibrary

Around Seattle: Seattle Central Library: The flagship branch of the Seattle Public Library system is a futuristic crystal palace designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas. … (#RemKoolhaas #SeattleCentralLibrary #SeattlePublicLibrary)

Full post: https://seattlein2025.org/2024/10/09/around-seattle-seattle-central-library/

Thursday: Central Library hosts Anna Zivarts talk about ‘When Driving Is Not An Option’

Site Note: Our ancient and no-longer-supported calendar plugin finally died for good this week, so the Seattle Bike Blog Events Calendar is out of service until I find a replacement. As a result, you may see more event notices posted as regular posts.

Anna Zivarts is giving a free talk 7 p.m. Thursday (September 19) at the Central Branch Library downtown about “how improving our transportation system with nondrivers in mind will benefit everyone.”

I reviewed Zivarts’ book When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency when it was released back in May. “In her book, Zivarts punctuates the hard data and research with people’s personal stories, creating a deeply humanized analysis of the scattered and often dangerous state of nondriving transportation in our nation and how we can make things better,” we wrote.

The talk comes a week and a half before the start of the Week Without Driving, an annual challenge Zivarts has been growing through her work with Disability Rights Washington. The challenge can be an enlightening moment for many people who are used to relying on their cars, but it is especially useful for transportation policy decision makers.

Thursday’s event will include live-captioning and ASL.

#SEAbikes #Seattle

Wrapping up Seattle Public Library summer book bingo on the last day. List of books in image alt text.
#BookBingoNW2024 #SeattlePublicLibrary #books #reading #bookstodon

I am inordinately pleased to have access to my Seattle Public Library account today as they continue to recover from the ransomeware attack. Time to check on my holds!
#Seattle #SeattlePublicLibrary #spl #library #bookstodon

#TIL When reading about Seattle Public Library's ongoing, months-long recovery from a ransomware attack, I learned that SPL is the 8th busiest library for digital checkouts in the world. And King County, which contains the city of Seattle, has the 3rd busiest library in the world.

(I'm responsible for busyness in both systems, but not THAT much)

More from the library's public statements: https://shelftalkblog.wordpress.com/statement/

#Seattle #SeattlePublicLibrary #library #ransomware #KingCounty #KingCountyLIbrary

Ok, I did also purchase a few used books at the Friends of the Library shop.
#library #SeattlePublicLibrary #PrimeDay

I celebrated “prime day” with a trip to the library. Free books! You can’t beat that deal.
#library #SeattlePublicLibrary #PrimeDay

#LACountyLibrary has partnered with #BrooklynPublicLibrary and #SeattlePublicLibrary to join the #BooksUnbanned initiative, a response to an increasingly coordinated and effective effort to remove #books tackling a wide range of topics from #library shelves. #BostonPublicLibrary and #SanDiegoPublicLibrary are also joining Books Unbanned. All five library systems will work as crucial partners in defending and expanding the freedom to #read . #bookstodon

https://lacountylibrary.org/books-unbanned/

Plasma Bolts • Seattle, Washington, USA
Minolta DiMAGE 7hi • 2004

#Photography #DigitalCamera #ColorPhotography
#Minolta #MinoltaDiMAGE7HI #PointAndShoot #BridgeCamera

#Seattle #SeattlePublicLibrary #Light #PostModern #PewPew #Reflections #ReflectionPhotography

Tobi Ogundiran at the Seattle Public Library: Please join members of Norwescon at Tobi Ogundiran’s presentation of his new book Jackal, Jackal: Tales of the Dark and Fanta… (#NisiShawl #SeattlePublicLibrary #ThirdPlaceBooks #TobiOgundiran)

Full post: https://www.norwescon.org/2023/07/20/tobi-ogundiran-at-the-seattle-public-library/

Books Unbanned | The Seattle Public Library

This brilliant program makes #ebooks and #audiobooks available to teens and young adults anywhere in the country. It was started by #brooklynpubliclibrary and #seattlepubliclibrary is the second one to join in helping kids and young people everywhere access books being banned by the religious right.

I hate that it has to exist. I love that it does.

If you know or are a young person living somewhere where books are getting banned because adults are afraid of change, follow the link and get your free card to private access to all the books.

https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/teens/books-unbanned
#library #libraries #bookstodon #books #freedomofthought #freedom
#seattle