Of interest to smaller libraries:
Need help with handling your billing duties (overdues, Interlibrary Loans)? I just learned of this online service: FreshBooks http://www.freshbooks.com/tour.php?ref=631
They even send the invoices to your patrons - no more stuffing envelopes!

Great Britain proposes universal broadband - story from Reuters:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE50S35W20090129

After my tour of the great state of Nebraska a couple of years ago to visit public libraries across the state,
http://www.unmc.edu/apps/library/travelog/log.cfm
I came back impressed by the towns we visited, and saying that broadband should be deployed to rural areas just like they did the Rural Electrification Administration. People would still be hand-milking cows by lantern-light and using foot-pedaled sewing machines if that system hadn't come into being - no corporation was willing to pay for the extra costs to get electricity to rural areas. Currently, we have 60 million Americans living rural - they should have broadband to quickly access information and possibly to use to make a living right where they reside. There is good living to be done in rural areas - you shouldn't have to move to an urban area just to ditch the modem (or possibly to get Internet access at all).

C'mon, President Obama, sir - would you suggest that the United States also go for universal broadband? Think of the jobs that would be created, and the millions of citizens that would benefit from such a project! I know that the stimulus plan includes improving roads and bridges - this is also a road/bridge that needs improving. I would hope that somewhere in the hundreds of billions, there is room to include this project.

Before the 'net crashes due to the increased video load as we all try to see the history-making inauguration today, I wanted to post these positive news items about the value of libraries in this economy:
From the Wall Street Journal: Folks Are Flocking to the Library, a Cozy Place to Look for a Job
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123197709459483585.html

and from CNBC, a commentary about the article above: Unlikely Destination For The Successful Job Searcher http://www.cnbc.com/id/28751365 The really great take-away from this article: the author's company, Vault.com is "joining forces to provide free career coaching, research support, and information sessions next week at the library. " Are there any new partnerships you can create with your library's customers or higher-ups? Public libraries could join with the city/county administration... academic libraries could join with campus career centers - the possibilities are enormous, and benefits likewise.

I am proud to say that I have used the library while searching for every job I have ever had, way back to 1977, when I applied for a newspaper delivery job...

Is your library still considering adding social networking links to the services and/or collection? Does the committee in charge of looking at this new level of marketing/service wonder if there will be any patrons to use it after the hard work is done? Take a look at this new Pew Internet & American Life Project report: Adults and Social Networking
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/272/report_display.asp
Creating a MySpace or Facebook site for your library might not seem such a far-fetched idea, now.

"Audience development officer" That could be the new official title instead of "librarian" in Edinburgh, Scotland:
http://news.scotsman.com/edinburghcouncil/Strike-threat-as-librarian-title.4865123.jp

Take a look at the comments listed at the bottom of the story - patrons are patrons the world around.

Like your eyes haven't rolled enough today... here is a story about how the new law intended to keep lead out of children's toys may result in kids being barred from the library:

Congress bans kids from libraries?
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/74940-Congress-bans-kids-from-libraries/

Our library, at a medical university setting, could end up posting a sign saying no one allowed if aged 12 or under. None of our books are intended for children's use, but kids have come in here with parents before. Can't say as I know of ANY book chewing incident by humans or animals, though.