LLRX.com - Rothman, David H.

Voice Dream e-reading app: Stellar for text to speech - and promising as a general reader

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:04:11 -0700

David H. Rothman reviews the Voice Dream Reader app for iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches. At $10 it is more expensive than the average app, but David's deep dive has resulted in a recommendation that there is enough value to justify the cost.

Promising DPLA debut--but please don't confuse with a full-fledged 'public library' demo

Sat, 04 May 2013 11:00:03 -0700

David H. Rothman discusses the strengths and gaps of the current site, which he notes is a demo project with which the DPLA hopes to raise money and attract more, and much needed volunteers. The organization also plans to use this iteration as an opportunity to apply lessons learned to future versions as the project navigates forward in a demonstrably challenging time for libraries.

A national digital library endowment: More details, a FAQ, and an invitation to librarians and others to help shape the proposal

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 17:55:06 -0700

David H. Rothman's work spearheading this pioneering program inspired mentions on The Atlantic's website and elsewhere with a call for a national digital library endowment for the United States. David champions the case that endowment funds should come entirely or almost entirely from philanthropists, in the beginning at least, given the hostility of so many politicians toward new programs. The endowment would be just one source of library funding, but he believes it can have a significant impact.

A national digital library endowment: How America’s billionaires could be modern Carnegies for real

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 18:36:31 -0700

David H. Rothman discusses how e-books, collections of electrons, not atoms, come with special advantages. They eliminate physical-shelving costs and are especially useful for blind people and others with special needs. Digital technology can also help multiply the selection of books for residents of small towns as well as large cities with underfunded neighborhood library branches. This technology can likewise drive down the costs of providing best-sellers and help with popularizing authoritative information on key issues such as health and finance.

Google’s powerful Nexus 10 Android tablet as a library patron’s delight: The hardware and the apps that shine on it

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 15:04:40 -0700

David H. Rothman reviews the Android Nexus 10, which he considers a standout from among the well known group of available e-book readers. David documents key reasons to choose this e-reading machine, including the 10-inch screen, which can easily display 500 or 600 words of text. He also highlights a wide range of essential apps available for researchers, librarians, knowledge managers and of course, book lovers.

The risks if the DPLA won’t create a full-strength national digital library system: Setbacks for K-12, family literacy, local libraries, preservation, digital divide efforts?

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:39:30 -0700

David H. Rothman maintains that the Harvard-originated national digital library initiative is an underachiever in K-12 matters and identifies other areas where the DPLA could better serve America's libraries and their users. These areas range from family literacy to the content creation needs of local libraries, preservation and digital divide efforts. Rothman details specific remedies to these challenges consistent with his strong advocacy on behalf of strengthening national digital library systems.

Hurricane Sandy and the national digital library issue: Could we have stopped or slowed down global warming?

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 17:40:48 -0700

David Rothman's commentary maintains it is imperative that civic matters, including those that resulted in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy, not become lost opportunities to find and share information, and to make best use of lessons learned. Accountability, effective communications, access to actionable information, building reliable infrastructures, and providing dynamic access to agile solutions during times of national crisis provide opportunities to leverage the evolving Digital Public Library of America.

DPLA Grant: Possible Synergy Between Libraries, Schools and Newspapers

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:30:55 -0700

David H. Rothman, a leading national digital library advocate, continues his series on the evolving framework for the Digital Public Library of America. In this column, he discusses the impact of new program funding from the Knight Foundation. Rothman believes the potential result could be the start of new synergies between libraries, schools, and newspapers - leading to more interest in civic participation, better monitoring of government at all levels, and maybe even a revival of many young people’s interest in newspapers.

The New Digital Public Library of America Board of Directors

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:41:11 -0700

David H. Rothman's current commentary highlights the composition of the new board of directors of the nonprofit DPLA, an organization that continues to grow and change, along with clarifying its goals and objectives.

Friends of Quinn and LD OnLine: Two good Web sites illustrate need for separate national digital library systems - public and academic

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:14:31 -0700

David H. Rothman highlights how two Web sites on learning disabilities demonstrate the need for separate but tightly intertwined national digital library systems - one system public, one academic. Collaborating with an academic system, a national digital public system could work with local library sites and public partners at different levels to provide the most trustworthy information available to all patrons.

OverDrive, safeguarding classics, the Jane Austen-'Hunger Games' connection, and a few other priorities for the DPLA to ponder

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:26:39 -0700

David H. Rothman's current commentary on the Harvard-hosted Digital Public Library of America highlights successful components of the project and prospective concepts that would support attaining the goal of a national digital library system.

Should libraries start their own, more trustworthy Facebook?

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 15:33:31 -0700

David Rothman proposes that the time may be fast upon us for libraries — perhaps allied with academic institutions, newspapers and other local media — to start their own more trustworthy Facebook. His involvement with the Digital Public Library of America provides a reference point and support for the integral role that this new model of virtual connectivity and knowledge sharing can play moving forward.

National Digital Library System - Early Childhood Education and Family Literacy

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:48:26 -0700

David H. Rothman's latest commentary on the DPLA states his position clearly: Priority One of a national digital library system should be early childhood education, bolstered by family literacy. Other areas also count, but early childhood education is dearest to him and among those especially likely to give the taxpayers the most for their investment. We could use tablet computers and good old-fashioned tutoring and mentoring from librarians, educators, and volunteers to help the disadvantaged--parents as well as children.

Using tablet computers, e-libraries, and family literacy initiatives to encourage young children to read

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:40:58 -0700

David H. Rothman continues to articulate and comprehensively document the case that a public national digital library system should serve people of all income levels and all ages, centenarians included. In this article he focuses on how books for young, disadvantaged children are one area where it could make a special difference, and how better-off families would benefit along the way.

Ingenious Beta Catalog Interface - Good for Academics and Other Serious Users - in Newest Beta Sprint Video from DPLA

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:12:47 -0700

In his continuing review of the evolving Harvard-based Digital Public Library of America, David H. Rothman highlights the online demonstration of an ingenious catalog interface that he believes should please many an academic.