History Gone

Here's what the old Levy's at El Con Mall looks like today. Soon, it will be another Walmart. This picture was taken through a gap in the tarp that covers the construction fence.

Libraries Want to Streamline E-Content Delivery

Photo Illustration by Robert Jaime, Arizona Public Media

The Pima County Public Library is part of a national effort to ensure patrons continue to have free access to electronic content.

As electronic books gain popularity, through devices like iPads, Kindles and Nooks, the demand sometimes exceeds the supply, because of ownership and rights issues.

More than 70 library systems across the county, including Pima County Public Library, recently launched what they call the “ReadersFirst Initiative” to make sure electronic content is readily accessible and easy for patrons to download.

Read more and listen (via AZPM)

Making Sense of Ballot Propositions

With the election season upon us once again, now is a good time for a primer on how the ballot measures numbering system works.

• Propositions in the "100" series are constitutional amendments initiated by the people, or referred to the ballot by the Arizona Legislature.
  
• Propositions in the "200" series are citizen initiatives to create new state laws, or to amend current statutes.
  
• Propositions in the "300" series are referred to the ballot by the Arizona Legislature to create new state laws, or to amend current statues.
  
• Propositions in the "400" series deal with local matters.
  

I hope that helps.

(Source: Arizona Secretary of State's Office)

Pima County Library Bookbike

The Pima County Library’s Bookbike is rolling around Tucson, handing out free books to anyone who wants them.

  (Photo: Robert Rappaport/Arizona Public Media)

“The Bookbike is an adult, three-wheeled tricycle that has a specially-created box in the front. When you open it up, it has bookshelves and it can hold hundreds of books,” says Adult Services Librarian Karen Greene, who modeled the program after one she first heard about in Chicago. “We take the Bookbike out to different locations to give away the books, to give away library cards, to give out information about library programs and literacy projects, as well as bike maps and bike programs,” she says.

Read more and listen (via AZPM)