Lorcan Dempsey
@lorcand.bsky.social
The video from my Charleston presentation about libraries, education and career preparation > Opening Keynote: Lorcan Dempsey buff.ly/GKbIiS9
Opening Keynote: Lorcan Dempsey
Libraries, librarianship and cross-LAMination Libraries are dynamic social organizations. Their position and role are being re-negotiated and co-created within…
vimeo.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:58 PM
The video from my Charleston presentation about libraries, education and career preparation > Opening Keynote: Lorcan Dempsey buff.ly/GKbIiS9
'Volvo Centum is a bespoke typeface "designed to make reading faster, attention sharper, and the driving experience calmer."' buff.ly/PGcFfiz
Is this really the world's safest font?
Volvo Centum will arrive this year.
buff.ly
January 22, 2026 at 2:15 PM
'Volvo Centum is a bespoke typeface "designed to make reading faster, attention sharper, and the driving experience calmer."' buff.ly/PGcFfiz
'There is an emergent "arms race" between those designing badly-behaved bots and those attempting to defend against them.' buff.ly/iiISc3I via CNI
Home
Problem 1 - Overwhelming traffic from badly-behaved bots
dealing-with-bots.coar-repositories.org
January 21, 2026 at 8:45 PM
'There is an emergent "arms race" between those designing badly-behaved bots and those attempting to defend against them.' buff.ly/iiISc3I via CNI
"In that same century, we see the first appearance of the heart-shaped, or cordiform book (from Latin cor “heart” + form “shape”), the most famous example, dated to the 1470s, being The Chansonnier Cordiform, a beautifully decorated manuscript songbook."
Heart-shaped Books — I Love Typography Ltd
The first heart-shaped books appeared in the fifteenth century.
buff.ly
January 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"In that same century, we see the first appearance of the heart-shaped, or cordiform book (from Latin cor “heart” + form “shape”), the most famous example, dated to the 1470s, being The Chansonnier Cordiform, a beautifully decorated manuscript songbook."
In a little discussed aspect of Google's role, it dominates font distribution on the web. A small number of Google fonts are the most heavily used > Fonts | 2025 | The Web Almanac by HTTP Archive buff.ly/RK8RuJq
Fonts | 2025 | The Web Almanac by HTTP Archive
Fonts chapter of the 2025 Web Almanac covering performance, design, and development trends for typography across the web.
almanac.httparchive.org
January 17, 2026 at 9:52 PM
In a little discussed aspect of Google's role, it dominates font distribution on the web. A small number of Google fonts are the most heavily used > Fonts | 2025 | The Web Almanac by HTTP Archive buff.ly/RK8RuJq
Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are paying up for ‘enterprise’ access to Wikipedia buff.ly/ap2Kj4A “It is in every AI company’s best interest to support the long-term sustainability of Wikipedia, because Wikipedia and all the other projects that we support are so core to their business,”
Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are paying up for ‘enterprise’ access to Wikipedia
Another source of revenue for the Wikimedia Foundation.
www.theverge.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are paying up for ‘enterprise’ access to Wikipedia buff.ly/ap2Kj4A “It is in every AI company’s best interest to support the long-term sustainability of Wikipedia, because Wikipedia and all the other projects that we support are so core to their business,”
Microsoft is closing its employee library and cutting back on subscriptions - "part of Microsoft’s shift to a more modern, AI-powered learning experience through the Skilling Hub.” buff.ly/37ItgcT
Microsoft is closing its employee library and cutting back on subscriptions
Employees are expected to use new AI tools instead
www.theverge.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Microsoft is closing its employee library and cutting back on subscriptions - "part of Microsoft’s shift to a more modern, AI-powered learning experience through the Skilling Hub.” buff.ly/37ItgcT
"A new library at the University of Galway is to be named in honour of a student who was murdered soon after she completed her studies there in 2006." buff.ly/gTKq3Y5
Library to be named in honour of murdered student
A new library at the University of Galway is to be named in honour of a student who was murdered soon after she completed her studies there in 2006.
www.rte.ie
January 12, 2026 at 2:50 PM
"A new library at the University of Galway is to be named in honour of a student who was murdered soon after she completed her studies there in 2006." buff.ly/gTKq3Y5
Reposted by Lorcan Dempsey
To mark Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, we hosted Wild About Jane Austen: The Woman Behind the Novels, an event exploring Austen as an ambitious, politically aware writer.
Watch the full event on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4_V...
#BritishLibrary #Libraries #JaneAusten250
Watch the full event on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4_V...
#BritishLibrary #Libraries #JaneAusten250
Wild About Jane Austen: The Woman Behind the Novels
YouTube video by British Library
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
To mark Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, we hosted Wild About Jane Austen: The Woman Behind the Novels, an event exploring Austen as an ambitious, politically aware writer.
Watch the full event on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4_V...
#BritishLibrary #Libraries #JaneAusten250
Watch the full event on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4_V...
#BritishLibrary #Libraries #JaneAusten250
I wonder is it possible to gatecrash some sessions of this, coming to Columbus this year > 2026 Polar Libraries Colloquy | Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
2026 Polar Libraries Colloquy | Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other…
buff.ly
January 4, 2026 at 2:15 PM
I wonder is it possible to gatecrash some sessions of this, coming to Columbus this year > 2026 Polar Libraries Colloquy | Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
"This is what the traditional university becomes when it stops pretending to be for everyone: an elite finishing school for the wealthy and exceptionally talented poor who win full scholarships." buff.ly/dDjb36H
The End of the American University as We Knew It
And the Models Likely to Replace It
stevenmintz.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:18 PM
"This is what the traditional university becomes when it stops pretending to be for everyone: an elite finishing school for the wealthy and exceptionally talented poor who win full scholarships." buff.ly/dDjb36H
Overview of ongoing issues at the British Library by The Standard > The worst of times: Trouble at the British Library
Cyber chaos, striking staff and a crisis of leadership. Claudia Cockerell investigates a national treasure’s year of reckoning
Cyber chaos, striking staff and a crisis of leadership. Claudia Cockerell investigates a national treasure’s year of reckoning
The worst of times: Trouble at the British Library
Cyber chaos, striking staff and a crisis of leadership. Claudia Cockerell investigates a national treasure’s year of reckoning
buff.ly
December 20, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Overview of ongoing issues at the British Library by The Standard > The worst of times: Trouble at the British Library
Cyber chaos, striking staff and a crisis of leadership. Claudia Cockerell investigates a national treasure’s year of reckoning
Cyber chaos, striking staff and a crisis of leadership. Claudia Cockerell investigates a national treasure’s year of reckoning
Some local news > A supermajority of Columbus Metropolitan Library workers on Friday submitted signed union cards to the State Employment Relations Board to begin the union election process. buff.ly/ZLHSBR7
Columbus Metropolitan Library employees submit cards for unionization effort
More than 600 library employees including librarians, customer service specialists and others, wants better working conditions and more input on library policies.
www.wosu.org
December 15, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Some local news > A supermajority of Columbus Metropolitan Library workers on Friday submitted signed union cards to the State Employment Relations Board to begin the union election process. buff.ly/ZLHSBR7
Fonts are in the news! I am surprised that libraries have not taken more of an interest given the design, values, identity, cultural expressiveness and business issues they raise (albeit in small ways). An exploration of ecosystem and choices from a while ago buff.ly/sfBJVu8
Font choices, value and ecosystem. National Library examples
Typefaces and fonts are functional. However they also contribute in other ways - to brand, to atmosphere, to feeling. This is a brief introduction to aspects of the typeface ecosystem. I combine this…
www.lorcandempsey.net
December 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Fonts are in the news! I am surprised that libraries have not taken more of an interest given the design, values, identity, cultural expressiveness and business issues they raise (albeit in small ways). An exploration of ecosystem and choices from a while ago buff.ly/sfBJVu8
Interested to come across this community based diamond access publication. I wonder how many regional library publications of this type there are? > Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): Pennyslvania Libraries: Research & Practice buff.ly/tBVSJhb
Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): Pennyslvania Libraries: Research & Practice | Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice
ISSN 2324-7878 (online)
palrap.org
December 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Interested to come across this community based diamond access publication. I wonder how many regional library publications of this type there are? > Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): Pennyslvania Libraries: Research & Practice buff.ly/tBVSJhb
Nice placard - "things are bad when a conservator loses their patience' > British Library staff 'feel huge disconnect' from leadership - Arts Professional buff.ly/dT9tRI8
British Library staff 'feel huge disconnect' from leadership - Arts Professional
Union representatives picketing the British Library say the legacy of the organisation’s 2023 cyber-attack has disproportionately affected workload.
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Nice placard - "things are bad when a conservator loses their patience' > British Library staff 'feel huge disconnect' from leadership - Arts Professional buff.ly/dT9tRI8
'The winning content? Hyperlocal news, breaking news (as it happens), scoops, notable first-person narratives, and investigative journalism. AI can’t or won’t summarize this information because it’s too recent or too unique.' buff.ly/Q2CXrYg
Sorry, the explainer is dead
"Remember when we told journalists to write more explainers? Yeah, sorry about that."
www.niemanlab.org
December 6, 2025 at 10:14 PM
'The winning content? Hyperlocal news, breaking news (as it happens), scoops, notable first-person narratives, and investigative journalism. AI can’t or won’t summarize this information because it’s too recent or too unique.' buff.ly/Q2CXrYg
'The acquisition would also complete the conquest of Hollywood by tech insurgents.' Netflix to buy Warner Bros. buff.ly/32trr8V
Netflix to Buy Warner Bros in $83 Billion Deal
The deal to acquire the Hollywood giant’s television and film studios as well as HBO Max will bulk up the world’s biggest paid streaming service.
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM
'The acquisition would also complete the conquest of Hollywood by tech insurgents.' Netflix to buy Warner Bros. buff.ly/32trr8V
Zig quits GitHub, gripes about Microsoft's AI obsession buff.ly/MI6SKYP
Zig quits GitHub, gripes about Microsoft's AI obsession
: Zig prez complains about 'vibe-scheduling' after safe sleep bug goes unaddressed for eons
www.theregister.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Zig quits GitHub, gripes about Microsoft's AI obsession buff.ly/MI6SKYP
Reposted by Lorcan Dempsey
A voice out of the dark of time; the once and future LIS discipline. New blog post by myself and @lynrobinson.bsky.social. theoccasionalinformationist.com/2025/11/25/a...
November 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
A voice out of the dark of time; the once and future LIS discipline. New blog post by myself and @lynrobinson.bsky.social. theoccasionalinformationist.com/2025/11/25/a...
Extraordinary numbers about tax revenues and impact on irish national economy of one drug > How weight-loss drug Mounjaro is making Ireland the world’s fastest-growing economy www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/in-...
How weight-loss drug Mounjaro is making Ireland the world’s fastest-growing economy
In the News podcast: Surge in Irish exports almost entirely driven by shipments of Mounjaro ingredients
www.irishtimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Extraordinary numbers about tax revenues and impact on irish national economy of one drug > How weight-loss drug Mounjaro is making Ireland the world’s fastest-growing economy www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/in-...
Nice overview. Thank you for generous comments.
Drawing particularly on the writings of @floridi.bsky.social,
@lorcand.bsky.social, @dixondom.bsky.social, and Niels Winfield Lund
@lorcand.bsky.social, @dixondom.bsky.social, and Niels Winfield Lund
November 25, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Nice overview. Thank you for generous comments.
I enjoyed speaking at Charleston recently. Here are my slides > Libraries, librarianship and cross-lamination: notes on education and career preparation for libraries buff.ly/NHtpkIq
Libraries, librarianship and cross-lamination: notes on education and career preparation for libraries
This presentation was the keynote at the Charleston Conference. It discusses the education and career preparation of libraries. It discusses the current library service environment, the broad…
figshare.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I enjoyed speaking at Charleston recently. Here are my slides > Libraries, librarianship and cross-lamination: notes on education and career preparation for libraries buff.ly/NHtpkIq
'Arizona State University is creating ASU London, expanding its presence in the United Kingdom with a U.K.-accredited higher educational institution.' buff.ly/3hPgAr9
ASU launches ASU London, bringing global reputation for innovation to the UK | ASU News
Arizona State University is creating ASU London, expanding its presence in the United Kingdom with a U.K.-accredited higher educational institution.Building on the success of The Engineering & Design…
news.asu.edu
November 20, 2025 at 7:17 PM
'Arizona State University is creating ASU London, expanding its presence in the United Kingdom with a U.K.-accredited higher educational institution.' buff.ly/3hPgAr9
Facilitating our work is a great army of library staff, who are also cultural workers. Without them, the library does not function, the books do not get read, the culture does not come to pass. buff.ly/riUOc4I
Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library | Zadie Smith
The dispute over pay at this great national institution gets to the heart of our misplaced priorities, says novelist Zadie Smith
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Facilitating our work is a great army of library staff, who are also cultural workers. Without them, the library does not function, the books do not get read, the culture does not come to pass. buff.ly/riUOc4I