View from the Hill

Books? Why bother? Anne Welsh at LIKE35

Anne Welsh’s presentation at LIKE35 last night was an author’s view of book publishing. Her opening gambit was why bother to try writing a book in the digital age, when so many other possibilities are available for making your ideas public. As a professional cataloguer, her next question was why write a niche book on a niche professional area particularly when, as a friend of hers pointed out, the entire career structure of the stereotypical cataloguer is based on being completely ignored by everyone.  Anne succeeded in answering all these questions in a highly entertaining and absorbing manner, and against all my instincts I found myself quite disappointed not to have won a copy of her new book Practical Cataloguing: AACR, RDA and MARC21 (Facet Publishing, March 2012) in the raffle at the end.

Practical Cataloguing co-authored with Sue Batley has been written at a time of transition in international cataloguing.  It aims to provide cataloguers and students with a background in general cataloguing principles, the current code (AACR2) and format (MARC 21) and the new Resource Description and Access standard (RDA). It also aims to provide library managers with an up-to-date overview of the development of RDA in order to equip them to make the transition. 

As an academic (she teaches cataloguing and historical bibliography at UCL Department of Information Studies) Anne has a vested interest in getting her work formally published – both her career progression and the future of her department depend upon an accredited publication stream. Moreover, as those involved in Information Literacy teaching will know, anyone approaching academic/professional research must be aware of the hierarchies and cycles of publishing: books and peer-reviewed articles, with their extended publishing gestation periods have the intellectual authority that more ephemeral media lack. 

Anne has nonetheless written the book with a strategic eye on her audience and her professional community – and this is one of the lessons she had for aspiring authors. She is quite clear that she intends this to become the standard UK textbook in this field, picking up where John Bowman’s Practical Cataloguing left off, and advance orders indicate that it will be taken up widely in teaching and professional practice.

Anne was also keen to address the issue of printed versus digital media.  There is some evidence that undergraduates may still regard printed books as more authoritative than their Kindled equivalents, although portability is one of many factors steering them towards e-formats. Professional textbooks in particular are nonetheless an obvious choice for digital production, the importance of versioning for practitioners being one of many benefits.

This all makes dry work of what was an extremely engaging talk at the Crown Tavern. I still have slightly alarming memories of Tuesday morning Cat.&Class. seminars at UCL in the early 1990s with the McIlwaines. Anne Welsh blows the cobwebs off the subject and makes us laugh in the process – no mean feat.

- Donald.

Taking the plunge: ARLIS at the National Gallery pt.2

Our second guest blogger from the ARLIS Taking the Plunge event on Saturday 3rd March is Jen Smith. Jen is a student on the MSc in Electronic & Digital Library Management at the University of Sheffield.

 

On a drizzly Saturday morning, a group of working and would-be librarians gathered in The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square to test the waters at “Taking the Plunge: Art Librarianship as a Career Option”. We heard from a diverse range of people at all stages of their careers, and while everyone agreed that the job market isn't as vibrant as it could be, there's no shortage of options for (pre)professional development.

Our first speaker was Richard Daniels, Senior Archivist at the University of the Arts, London. Although he summed up his job as “looking after older stuff and getting it out for younger people”, the rest of his presentation proved to be a little more complicated than that.

Next, Natasha Held, Learning Resources Manager and Librarian at Christie's Education London shared with us the challenges and rewards of working as a nearly-solo librarian in a private institution. Held interacts with global stakeholders on a regular basis: Christie’s in both London and New York, the University of Glasgow (their accrediting body), the tutors, and—of course—the students.

Sarah Maule took us on a whirlwind tour of her career from volunteer cataloguer at Sheffield Hallam University to Library Services Manager at Ravensbourne, a London design college. In addition to a string of library jobs, a SCONUL placement, and an M.A. in LIS, Maule also used social media to keep herself up-to-date and to network. Maule cited Twitter as her most helpful career tool, and she encouraged us all to develop our online presences to make sure that our prospective employers find us interesting when they Google us.

Sarah Currant, Reader Services Librarian at the British Film Institute, also studied in Sheffield, and her path to the BFI had twists and turns of its own. Currant announced the end of the paid membership scheme for the BFI, proudly declaring, “We’re free, which is the dream of all libraries”.

From the other side of the employment table, Donald Lickley brought us a wealth of experience from Sue Hill Recruitment. He reiterated Sarah Maule’s exhortation to use social media to our advantage. Lickley also reviewed the standard rules of CV preparation (identify your skills, list your accomplishments in reverse chronological order, use bullet points, and proofread, proofread, proofread before submission!).

Joseph Ripp, Librarian at the National Portrait Gallery, rounded out the day’s structured sessions with practical advice for applications and interviews. The applicant’s work doesn’t end with securing an interview: it’s essential not only to keep yourself informed about the industry as a whole, but also to research the institution you want to work for so you can make intelligent, enthusiastic responses to their questions and demonstrate that you’re the ideal candidate.

One of the highlights of the day was Elspeth Hector’s tour of the library of the National Gallery. After letting us leaf through treasures such as the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili and the original card catalogue, which was constructed by cutting out pages from the first list of Sir Charles Eastlake, Hector led us to the elegantly designed slide library and told us the sad tale of its impending demise.

Budget cuts and hiring restrictions across the sector can be disheartening, but as Ripp said at the beginning of his presentation, with “a bit of luck and a lot of applications”, we’ll find the right jobs.

  (This article is also being published by ARLIS in a slightly different form.)

 - Jen Smith, University of Sheffield

One man's rubbish

My husband needs a Kindle and just will not entertain the idea of this piece of technology at all.  This is the man who has been collecting rare jazz and soul vinyl records for the past thirty years.  Ironically he does work in our industry and is a Records Manager - in more ways than one! 

Each time we move home we seem to have more boxes of books and records than we do of furniture.

I believe this is an installation from a few years ago but the photo recently caught m

 

y eye whilst trawling the internet.  At last I know how to put some of his books to an alternative use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artist Alicia Martin's tornado of books shoot out a window like a burst of water from a giant hose.

The Spain-based artist's sculptural installation was based at Casa de America, Madrid and depicted a cavalcade of books streaming out of the side of a building. The whirlwind of literature defied gravity and drew attention with its grandeur and size. There had been three site-specific installations, of the massive sculptural works in the series known as Biografias, translated as Biographies, that each featured approximately 5,000 books sprawled out around and atop one another.

Martin's giant book structures gave life to the inanimate objects filled with knowledge. By constructing the curving towers with a rather free and disheveled exterior, while maintaining a sturdy core, the books' loose pages are free to blow and rustle in the wind, allowing the piece to be further animated. 

I wonder if she needs any more books for a future display ...    

- Keri

What are your favourite comfort reads?

Ah January, cold, dark, depressing and, unbelievably, still going on. Depending on who you listen to either yesterday or last Monday was Blue Monday, allegedly the most depressing day of the year. The date seems pretty much arbitrary but I can see their point.

So what to do to beat the January blues? It always seems to me that January is the very worst month of the year in which to form new year's resolutions, give up carbs, chocolate, alcohol or go on a fitness drive. These things should clearly be saved for the more pleasant spring months, when you actually want to go outside and do things or eat more healthily. January is a time to hunker down, eat lots of comfort food, wear cosy clothes, keep warm and, of course, indulge in a little bit of comfort reading. Preferably next to a roaring fire with a nice glass of red or a hot chocolate.

What constitutes comfort reading is a matter of individual taste but I guess it's anything you find reassuring, absorbing and will happily return to time and time again with the feeling of an old friend well-met. I would wager that old childhood classics would feature on many people's lists. Authors such as P.G. Wodehouse, Jilly Cooper, Terry Pratchett, Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, Agatha Christie, Dick Francis and Katie Fforde probably also feature heavily. You will no doubt have your own - what's on your list?

My comfort reading holy trinity are Agatha Christie, Graham Greene and Evelyn Waugh. I obviously hanker back to a certain kind of Englishness.

Whatever yours might be, enjoy until it's safe to go outside again...

- Fiona

Image "Embraced by Words" by Robert van der Steeg

The art of networking: SLA(m)2

Q.  Where can you discuss career development strategies, the latest developments in EDRMS and the fate of Phineas Gage’s skull, all in the space of two hours?

A.  At last night's SLA(m)2 networking evening organized by SLA Europe at Patch Bar of course!

It was a highly enjoyable event, and a fascinating mix of people.  Perhaps it sounds simple – put a group of interesting professionals together in a room, add alcohol and delicious snacks, then stand back.  But of course it’s not quite that straightforward.  Networking events can be daunting.  Going into a room of strangers and being sociable doesn’t come naturally to all of us.  This got me thinking about what advice might be out there to make the most of an event like this.

Many years ago at Tynemouth Market, I picked up a copy of Milton Wright’s The Art of Conversation on a second-hand book stall. I’ve always thought of it as a pompous 1930s oddity, and have only kept it on the shelf as a private joke.  However I was surprised to find that it is still being cited, and most recently, by strange coincidence it was used as the theme for last October’s Design Event North East in Newcastle.

There are a number of web sources that are of more immediate use for the nervous networker.  Kintish.co.uk gives tips on working a room, with 10 mental warm-up exercises, and 6 conversational groupings to watch out for. Scott Allen, blogger at Business.com gives a 5 point plan on making the most of networking events, with a number of further links for additional reading.  The Internet Business Coach gives more general guidelines on networking strategies.

But how to psych yourself up before throwing yourself into the thick of it? Is it a question of picking the right clothes and remembering not to drink too much?  Or should you, as a friend of mine says, who has conquered lifelong chronic shyness to carve a new career for herself as a DJ and producer on London’s alternative cabaret circuit, simply learn to go up to complete strangers, smile and say hello?

 Do you have any advice or experiences to share on how to work a room?

- Donald.

"Leave the libraries alone. You don’t understand their value."

It's Monday morning so you're bound to be busy. I won't keep you long. Thanks to @mrchrisaddison on Twitter for pointing me to this wonderful and inspirational speech by Philip Pullman. He gave this speech back in January 2011 but it's only just appeared on my radar.

I hope it will give you a little extra lift on this lovely sunny day.

- Suzanne

Synthesising, synergy, scrambled eggs and smoked trout

On a brilliant sunny morning a diverse group of information professionals met this week at Roast Restaurant in London’s Borough Market and talked at length about the two things that are currently having the biggest effect on their working life.

The list, as Val Skelton so aptly summarises in the Information Today blog, was lengthy.  The organisations represented ranged from Central Government, Investment Banking, Charities, NHS, Academia, Digital Content Support and Publishers and yet commonality of interest shone through. 

I am still intrigued at the comment that the Punk generation (now 40-55) are currently running our businesses and that they are generally not inspirational managers.  Is it any wonder given that their 1980-1995 MBAs were written by others who did their MBAs in the 1960s?   One breakfaster deep into his MBA had been asked by his MD what ‘Creativity’ (the title of one his modules) was.  Lateral thinking?  Whatever the name a skill that is either welcomed or stifled depending on management.  Seven years working in Australia was seen as a fast track way to develop skills and push the boundaries as the general attitude is ‘What are you waiting for?  Do it!’

Information workers shouldn’t worry about what they do, where they fit and where they stand on the ‘professionalism’ ladder but more act as consultants, confident they have something unique and special to offer.

Next time I am going to have the pancakes with yoghurt and rhubarb jam.  - Sue

Farewell Library, Hello Aptitude Centre

Wellington College, the £30,000 per year school in Berkshire, is planning rather exciting changes for its library, as reported in The Sunday Times on 15 May 2011. Out go the books (80% of the stock will wing its way to Africa and other “worthy causes”) and in comes the Aptitude Centre.  Students can step away from the 140 year old book stacks into the glass walled pods, dip their toes into one of the eight pooled water libraries then pick up one of the iPads before heading for the café. 

The College follows an holistic approach to education, developing each pupil’s gift by nurturing 8 aptitudes -  moral, social, physical etc. Anthony Seldon, College Master, wants the new zone to be a place for students to think and debate. 

Well, he did inherit an “arid” library full of 20,000 books which had barely been updated since the college’s inception in the mid 19^th century.  The library webpage remains mundane, its resource list a reminder that private schools are often stuck in a bit of time warp with architecturally beautiful buildings rather than spaces fit for 21st century purpose.  My son’s inner London secondary school, when rebuilt 3 years ago, was designed around the library with all the classes using whiteboard technology and laptops.

But, as Annie Mauger, the Chief Executive of CILIP points out, literacy rather than the medium through which it is pursued is the key to children’s education.   

The Wellington alumni can always pick a book in the Bodleian; meanwhile hope no one drops an iPad into the water.

- Anne Williams

Boomerang books at the Barbican

I practised my words whilst waiting patiently in the queue, feeling the embarrassment start to wash over me. Suddenly it was my turn. "I'd like to return these three books, pay the fine on one of them and <gulp> I've lost one of the books". Oh, the shame. "Never mind," said the friendly Barbican Librarian, "these things happen." Off she went to get me a form to fill in. Then she came back, reviewed my account and we found that the strangest thing had happened...

The book had found its own way back to the library. No, I hadn't had a senior moment and brought it back myself. A kind person had returned it. And that kind person is most likely someone from my IRMS Conference session as it was a children's book that I used (and lost) that windy day in Brighton.

Thank you, whoever you are, for being my library angel.

- Suzanne

Library lottery and salt in short supply

Travel certainly broadens your mind and opens your eyes to to differences in things we often take for granted.

Last week whilst wandering around the lesser known areas in Hong Kong I was intrigued to see crowds of people fighting to get to the front of what could loosely be called a queue.  Were they after Lady Gaga tickets I wondered.  No.  A mysterious white powder was being shovelled into small plastics bags and money was frantically changing hands. When I got back to my hotel and read the South China Morning Post it seems salt was the prized item in demand.  Salt had sold out in China and the rumour that iodised salt would ward off radiation from the Fukishima disaster was now rife in Hong Kong.

I read on and was astounded to hear that the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications had controversially announced that library seats (in high demand by students) were to be allocated by lottery. The university intended to use lucky draws to distribute seats and tenancy for the  fortunate winners would be for one academic year.  Currently large queues of eager students wanting library seats form in the early hours of the morning.  There are grave concerns that those who fail to secure a seat will find it difficult to find other places to study.  (For a fabulous example of machine translation that gives more information see this China Daily post.)  I undestand that most universities have the same problem of more students than library seats.

I see here a wonderful opportunity for a lottery draw in the UK.  Once the majority of libraries have been closed and or opening hours reduced to the barest minimum the remaining library seat availability could be added to the weekly Saturday Lottery Draw. 

- Sue H