View from the Hill

SCL says libraries are for everyone

Weren't they already? The Society of Chief Librarians has today announced that we, the library card-carrying public, can now use any of 4,000 libraries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This initiative aims to make local facilities available to everyone, to encourage visitors and to make the library the community centre. There are calls by government ministers for coffee shops to be opened in our libraries and even for a postal delivery service to be in operation. Already there are lively debates opening on this topic, one comment is about book-drops being installed similar to those at your local video store. I'd like to add that my favourite library, the brilliant Barbican library (particularly excellent for music) has a great drop off facility which saved me some late fees the other day!

What are your thoughts?

Uniform for the info pro?

I won't bore you with the details but I've been on holiday. You'll no doubt be delighted to know there was plenty of sunshine, good food and time to watch the world go by! Shall I stop there? Righto.

So, there were a couple of things that made me laugh whilst I was away:

1. A t-shirt for sale in Corfu Town which said "F*** Google, ask me instead"

The clothing manufacturer didn't employ the *** - I'm just safe-guarding my job by not swearing on our blog! If ever there was an item of clothing for info pros...

 

2. The obituary for Keith Waterhouse, author, journalist and playwright, in The Times (although I read it in the much more reading-by-the-pool-friendly and digestible magazine The Week). One of his famous quotes: "Should not the Society of Indexers be know as Indexers, Society of, The?”

 

I did laugh more than twice but these stuck in my mind as being bloggable once I got back to the office. Clearly I'm a geek and should get out more, but just wanted to share!

- Suzanne Wheatley

 

Time Out

So you have just been made redundant.  What now?  Have you thought about having a gap year?  A recent survey conducted by Travelex, the foreign exchange company, conducted a survey which showed that 78% of people who have recently been made redundant have taken the decision to take time out and travel.  In fact the 30-55 age bracket are twice as likely to travel that the 18-24 year olds.

But what about skills and continuing professional development?  Well you can take the opportunity to volunteer, whether overseas or closer to home.  Freepint have produced some helpful information on how to keep your skills up and how to stay in touch with the information world. 

Whether you have taken a self-imposed time out or you had no choice in the matter, you have options.  All doesn't have to be lost.  It can be an opportunity and the advice and guidance is out there and available.  And we, being information professionals, will be able to find it.

 - Katharine Liu 

 

Feeling litigious?

Is it the responsibility of your university to find you a job as well as to educate you? Trina Thompson certainly thinks so. She is a graduate of Monroe College in New York state and has sued the college for not making enough effort to find her a job.

Thinking back to my university days, I took it upon myself to visit the careers centre, to talk to the careers officer and generally to do my own research into potential career options. It was/is my life, after all and I've always been of the opinion that you have to make your own way. I found my own job after graduating. As it has been noted in the article, a college degree does not guarantee you employment.

Is it right to expect someone else to plan your career for you? Or should you take a proactive approach to secure employment and, ultimately, happiness and satisfaction in your life?

- Suzanne Wheatley

Nonagenarian feeds her reading habit

I'm sure any librarians reading today would be very interested to hear what I found today on the BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine in their Daily Mini Quiz: Louise Brown, 91 years old and living in Scotland, has borrowed nearly 25,000 books from her local public library. She borrowed her first book in 1946 and reads 12 books a week.

That's a fantastic effort! Interestingly, given that she borrowed her first book in 1946, it appears that she only started using the library in her late 20's. Since she started using the library it appears that she has borrowed an average of 8 books per week! It makes me wonder how she has found time to do anything else! It's great that she makes use of the local library, and is able to inexpensively indulge her "book" habit. If only there was a free shoe library so I could inexpensively indulge my shoe habit! I did a wee bit of research into this and found this gem http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2009/07/get-a-glimpse-at-the-louboutin.html. Think I will have to pay this library a visit! How many can I borrow at once?

Lizzie Russell

Alphabetical, colour or Dewey - how do you sort yours?

My friend Louise is always good for a news story about our profession and she's come up trumps again today. The Guardian has an interesting article which offers some advice on how to fill your time in a redundancy-style situation. Ok ok, not quite - it's about James Purnell, the ex-Work & Pensions Secretary, and how he has arranged his bookshelves. The article in itself is interesting but what amused me so much more are all the comments. I can't see a comment from Louise (yet!) but I know that she has immaculately arranged bookshelves by author and DVDs/CDs by genre then artist. She also utilises the "pile" theory for new books. Oh dear. Have I revealed too much? Let me share my thoughts. I go for genre then alphabetical with my books. Well. If you've been round to my place you'll know all that means is my Dave Gormans sit together, likewise Bill Bryson, Tony Hawks and Harry Potters. And there's always a massive pile of Louise's books next to my bed, waiting to be read!

Rise up librarians and offer your suggestions! If there are any psychologists reading this...

- Suzanne Wheatley

Births, Deaths and Marriages plus an Anniversary

Or as my beloved and much missed Dad would have said Hatches, Matches and Dispatches.

Yesterday at an excellent SLA Europe Soirée(generously sponsored by Alacra) to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of SLA if was good to see not just familiar faces but many new ones.  A highlight (apart from the fabulousus celebration cake and the champagne) was to talk to the past and present winners of the SLA Europe Early Career Conference Award.  They had found the all expenses paid trip to America to attend the SLA Conference invigorating and life changing.  The networking ethic was reinforced at the start of their careers.   I strongly recommend that if you are eligible for this award that you apply for next year.

Regrettably yesterday also marked the demise of CiG - City Information Group.  This is a group I joined and have been a staunch member of since the day it was formed.  It has been instrumental in educating me, enlightening me, creating networks - both social and professional  - as an individual and as a business it has opened many doors and given me the opportunity to meet and talk to people outside of their office environments.  The events and seminars held over the years haveproved invaluable as an affordable method of staff CPD and training.  Not just attending to learn about how information works in the City, but also to give presentations themselves on relevanttopics.  I don't want to see it end, but it seems the time has come.  I certainly intend to offer a small sum to help ensure that the suppliers and individuals who have offered such good value events venues and services over the years do not lose out.  I have spoken to others who feel the same.  We have all gained from our membership of CiG.

AUKML also announced that it is to consider its future as a membership organisation at their AGM on Tuesday 7 July.  Again this is a group that offers the same type of benefits as SLA and CiG and that provides fantastic support to individuals as they developed their careers.

CiG will be sadly missed, but there are groups out there that we can forge alliances with.  My call to you is not to sit back and give up on your CPD, networks and memberships but to keep them alive and going and be proactive.  Now more than ever we need to support colleagues and to provide a nurturing environment for newcomers to our field.

A time to weep for the departed and to celebrate the survivors. - Sue Hill

Liberian Girl

Michael Jackon's sad, early demise this morning reminded me of the song Liberian Girl.  Many years ago in another life I met the Liberian President, also sadly no longer with us.

Today's news caused me to reflect how many times in my career I have been asked to find a Liberian.  Yes I knew they wanted a librarian, but it was so tempting to say I would get back once I had spoken to the Liberian President.  But then I would think - who I am to talk.  I often mention the Boys' Brigrade.  Not for nothing are there ontologists working on natural language searching projects.  That has to include natural language mistakes as well.

Yes, it's Friday, and the weather is warm and muggy.   Off now to find that ontologist.  I'll leave the Liberians til Monday. - Sue Hill

Driving down costs at the BBC?

On Thursday's Today programme on BBC Radio 4, Public Accounts Committee chairman Edward Leigh asked John Humphrys how much he is paid by the Beeb. The Committee was attacking the Corporation for not releasing salary details of its top radio presenters. Jeremy Peat, of the BBC Trust, joined in the discussion of whether or not the information should be released, using the Data Protection Act to defend his decision.

I enjoy a good debate in the mornings but I do occasionally get angry. Imagine my dismay when Mr Leigh uttered the following words when John Humphrys did not reveal his salary:

"We could drive down costs. There are many younger people who may want to come on and present The Today programme who are perhaps just as good as you, for less money."

Did I hear that correctly? Younger?! Less money?!! Yes, I do occasionally get very angry.

Surely, Mr Leigh, the right person should be employed?

- Suzanne Wheatley

Cabinet Reshuffle- Time for Change

With a Cabinet reshuffle due to be announced by lunchtime today, Friday 5th June - does that mean that the current Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will be 'moved'?  It could be suggested that better the devil you know- however a change could mean a more robust approach by the Government to the role that Public Libraries has within society.  Should this happen there is an expectation that professional bodies and those often 'lone' voices who have been speaking out about inept strategies, poor leadership and mismanagement of budgets, will lobby and build strong relationships with the new Minister.

Listening to a debate on the Probation Service this morning it would appear that many of our public service departments are in crisis.  Not only is it time for change within the Cabinet but in all public services- including libraries. Transparency and accountability are being bandied as a mantra for public servants. The management of our public library service and our professional bodies need to push for radical change and yes it will be tough, people will be hurt, disillusioned and frustrated but without change the already crumbling foundations of our once 'best practice' library service will be lost forever.

- Sue Edgar