Highlights of the Week (June 17, 2022)

Of all the public services, from roads to parks to firefighting, there’s one that is near and dear to my heart: the public library. My mother was a librarian for most of her adult life, and I used to spend many an after-school day poring over Dewey Decimal cards, searching for the next book in my YA series. I love the smell of aged books, the two-week deadlines that incentivize nightly reading, and the zero-cost access.

Not into gently used paperbacks? Libraries now provide access to thousands of audiobooks, digital copies for your iPad, and online magazines and papers through apps like OverDrive and Hoopla. They offer free subscriptions to online learning sites like LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com). You can even get annual memberships to museums and CA state park passes through the library.

Now, they’re emerging as the WFH employee’s solution to cramped quarters and noisy neighbors. Called “the original co-working space,” libraries are ramping up services and WiFi speeds to meet the needs of remote workers. They’re even partnering with tech companies to build out better printing solutions, meeting rooms, and resources for workers and entrepreneurs. Read more about the trend here.

Just remember….shhhh.

Meanwhile, here’s a recap of the week’s top stories:

• Monday, we checked in on the ongoing supply chain crisis and one company’s recent hire of an Amazon exec to build out the solution. Flexport is gearing up to save our shores from shipping congestion and address shortages with data wizardry. Find out how.

• For those of us who didn’t get financial education in our schools or homes, we’ve got some catching up to do. Luckily, there are financial literacy tech apps created by some bonafide financial gurus. Learn something new.

• If you don’t quite understand what Web3 is, it might help to look at the innovative companies building the future of the Internet. We looked at several here.

• Yesterday, I broke the news that my precious cat Hammy is missing. I shared resources and tips for bringing the baby home. Thank you to everyone who reached out with pet tech resources, like smart collars from Fi, Halo, and Cat Tailer. Read the article here & stay tuned for more pet tech in the coming weeks!