Next Steps
LF should create an explainer (or maybe host a training) that breaks down public libraries’ digital collection development workflow, including its pain points, for an audience of journalists and nonprofit newsrooms.
This need was identified by Darryl Holliday after I explained how librarians I had interviewed mentioned that it would be easier for them to acquire digital content from local newsrooms if those newsrooms were organized into some kind of consortium that would allow libraries to subscribe to bundles of topically or locally relevant materials. He was curious to know why a consortium would be more appealing than one-off subscriptions. He also wanted to know more about the problems the current digital material licensing model creates for libraries generally. The goal of the explainer would be to facilitate understanding among journalists that could help set the stage for the development of such a consortium.
LF should work with the Online News Association to host a conversation about creating public access to digital news through libraries for its audience of journalists and digital media professionals.
Karolle Rabarison was intrigued by the idea of libraries creating access to independent digital news content for their patrons. This falls squarely within ONA’s mission to elevate new revenue models and best practices for audience engagement in digital journalism. She is interested in partnering with Library Futures on some kind of event/webinar/training for ONA’s audience that could help spread this idea.
LF and NF should convene librarians and community journalists who want to explore partnership.
While each of the individual interviews were generative, it was clear that a structured conversation between the interviewees, or between forward-thinking community journalists and librarians more broadly, would surface additional ideas and challenges while also building direct connections that could lead to future partnerships. LF and NF should consider organizing something to this effect after reviewing this report.
LF should follow up with Nathan Tankus to learn more about the institutional subscription he created for his independent newsletter.
As we were discussing how libraries could create access to independent media/news content, Talya Cooper pointed me to this recent announcement from Nathan Tankus, an independent economist who reports on the Federal Reserve via a Ghost newsletter. I emailed Nathan in late February to inquire about how he set up this institutional subscription and whether other creators might be able to adapt his tech. He was interested in talking, but is currently too busy reporting on the federal payments crises. It might be worth someone from LF circling back with him in a few months.
