Innovation in libraries

Having recently read over the Art Council England report about innovation in libraries, I thought I would blog about it. Even though the project is based on public libraries, and I work in an academic one, I feel that the innovative projects could be transferred from one area to another. This is of particular interest to me and I feel there is a lot that can be learnt from different libraries as well as my current library is moving location.

This, I think would be an ideal time to alter processes, make them more effective and provide new services. It seems that all libraries at the moment are either having funding reviewed and maybe because of this or due to this there is an increased need for local communities to help with libraries.

One of the libraries that the report highlights is Delft Concept Library, DOK, in the Netherlands, which is basically a world leader on the types of services, facilities and design that it offers its users. Using mobile technology and gaming to help people use the library.

Some of the other services mentioned in the report and offered by UK and overseas libraries, are more main stream but done either in a more personalised manner or found innovative funding. Other innovative services which have been highlighted in the report include:

·         Digital Bazaar, run by volunteers for people who want to learn more about their technology device. Providing hands on experience for people to learn how to sell on eBay, how to make an online phone call to a member of family and how to download an eBook.

·         More technologically advanced projects have been the reading glove, fitted with RFID, where the wearer can choose the direction that there story takes. 

·         Door step library, building on the notion of mobile library service, but instead it is specifically aimed to low income families, who can borrow children’s from someone working at the library.

Joining ARLIS committee

This year has been a great year, professionally speaking. I have now been asked to join one of the ARLIS committee's- ARLIS is the art libraries society and I have become a member of the publication committee. I have to say I am really happy about this, I have wanted to branch out in to new areas of work and this is a great opportunity to be right at the middle of my subject specialism. Also it is starting to be expected of people where I work to have a large network of people you can ask for help etc. So this will be great for that too.

Not sure what I am more excited about- trips to London, living in Plymouth it is a bit of a trek to get over to London on a regular basis. Or the challenge of working on a publishing committee. Visiting the V and A!

Not 100 % sure what is expected of me at the moment, but I also think that in itself is exciting. I would be happy to work in any area of publication.  I have started thinking about projects I would like to work on, but I know I must not get carried away, as I haven't even been to a meeting yet and I have to be realist about what I can achieve in a short space of time.

I think it would be good for me to blog about what is happening during my ARLIS days.