How libraries can save the Internet of Things from the Web's centralized fate

From BoingBoing:

Everyone thinks libraries have a positive role to play in the world, but that role differs greatly based on whether you’re talking to a librarian or a patron. Ask a patron what libraries have in common and they’d probably answer: they share books with people. Librarians give a different answer: they share a set of values. It’s time for libraries to step up to those values by supporting access to the Internet and taking the lead in fighting to keep the Internet open, free, and unowned.

The American Library Association Code of Ethics says: ”We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations.”

That free flow of information on the Internet is at risk because of the past twenty years’ worth of centralization. What was once a field where all comers could express their ideas and create tools and content is increasingly reliant on proprietary services.

Daily Kos: The Koch brothers' vision for America includes destroying your public library

From Daily Kos:

The library [in Plainfield, Illinois], currently an anchor for downtown and is a much-loved and heavily used part of the community. They are asking for a 20-year bond and a small increase in property taxes. The end result will be a brand new library that is three times larger than the current library, still in downtown, and will feature new technology, public meeting spaces, classrooms, and more space for books DVDs and other materials for the community.

So of course the Kochs’ most invasive arm, Americans for Prosperity, had to step in, because FREEDOM!!! They never met a tax increase for the public good they didn't have to destroy, like the Columbus Zoo funding referendum a few years ago. They killed that—and they helped kill the Plainfield Library, too.

They ran anti-library robo calls (seriously, anti-library!) and they won. Not only will Plainfield not get the new library building, but "a 20 percent cut to services and programs will be needed to keep the existing building functional in the long term."

Albany, NY parcel identifier

The City of Albany has released a new and map-based parcel locator on the assessors office.

Summer Youth Employment Applications

The City of Albany's Summer Youth Employment Applications have arrived. You may pick up your copy in the Guidance office before school, during your lunch shift and after school (Albany High School)

http://www.albanyny.org/Government/Departments/YouthandWorkforceServices/SummerYouthEmploymentProgram.aspx

The City of Albany's LIGHT (Learning, Initiative and Gaining Headway Together) Summer Youth Employment Program is designed to provide any young City of Albany resident, age 14-18, with a summer work experience. The goals of the program are to:

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• Introduce and prepare youth for the world of work.
• Help youth identify career interests and attain skills and good work habits.
• Provide income to youth, which may also supplement family income.

The program runs five (5) days per week for five (5) weeks. The first date of employment is Tuesday, July 5th, the last is Friday, August 5th. Except for the first week, employees will work 20 hours per week. Job assignments will be mailed to the home address on file on June 24th. Participants are able to earn between $6.17/hour and $9.00/hour, depending on their age.

Eligibility requirements:

• Age 14 or older on or before April 2, 2016
• Attending a middle or high school in the City of Albany
• A resident of the City of Albany

Applications must be submitted by the students at one of the following locations and times:

• Saturday, March 19th, 9am-12pm TOAST School
• Wednesday, March 23rd, 4pm-7pm West Hill School
• Wednesday, March 30th, 4pm-7pm Hackett School
• Saturday, April 2nd, 9am-12pm Bleecker Stadium

Applications will not be accepted without the following documents:

• 1 copy of the student’s Social Security card
• 1 copy of the student’s Birth Certificate
• The original and 1 copy of the student’s Albany City School District Working Paper card (if under 18 years old)
• 1 copy of the student’s current picture ID (if 18 years of age or older)
• 1 copy of the student’s alien resident card with alien registration number and date of entry to US (if not a US citizen) 

Applications are also available at:

• All Albany middle and high school guidance and/or business offices
• The Dept. of Youth and Workforce Services: 175 Central Ave. – 2nd Floor OR 382 Clinton Ave. – Youth Services Office
• The Dept. of Recreation, 7 Hoffman Ave.
• The Summer Youth Employment Program office, Bleecker Stadium, 721 Clinton Ave.

APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER APRIL 2, 2016

New employee orientation is mandatory for students who have not previously worked for the Summer Youth Employment Program. It is scheduled for June 4, 2016. New employees required to attend orientation will be notified by mail of the time and location. New employees who fail to attend orientation will not be assigned to a work site.

Application clinics are available to help you with the application.  Please call Bleecker Stadium at (518) 438-1082 for locations and other information.

To download an application for 2016 summer youth employment and/or the Cadet Program click here.

To download examples of summer jobs click here.

National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is designed to present the experiences of African Americans and how they helped shape the nation. This new Smithsonian Institute museum is scheduled to open this fall on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Would you like to help the museum tell the African American experience? Among other assistance, NMAAHC is asking the public to:

• Donate objects - NMAAHC is looking for your artifacts, historical documents, photographs, audio recordings, moving images, books, or visual arts related to African American history, to include in its collection.