New library

With our new library coming along fairly well, on Friday we had two set backs. Firstly there is a potential security / fire issue with the entrance doors. Plus we still have a third of the library that needs to be re-shelved, resulting in there being an additional few days delay on the opening. 

So far a team of myself and two other people have worked 7-8 hour days trying to get the library ready for Thursday. It a shame there is to be a delay. However I feel I would rather open late and completed than half finished and apologising to students. 

On a more positive note I am going to do a write up, for cilip, on my tips for moving. If nothing else I have learnt a lot.  

Image below was taken early Friday morning, this section is now completed, unlike the other side of the library which is Tuesday and Wednesdays task. 

Proof reading

Having decided to work on my proof reading skills, due to my commitments with ARLIS (Art libraries society). I have started to read up on a few things online and putting them in to practice with some work I am trying to get published. 

Tips I have used:

Print it out- this has been critical for me to be able to read a long document. I personally find reading long documents on screen gives me eye strain. 

Contentrate- which sounds obvious, but working in a busy open office environment that isn't easy. To resolve this, I have needed to find a quiet space to work, which is usually at home after my two year old has gone to bed. No TV and no other distractions. 

Check for punctuation- proof reading is about the information being correct, the spelling being right and the punctuation being accurate. So far I have found that I need to do an inital read of the document, then a second more detailed read through. Taking it slowly, contentrating on each line, making sure the words, phrasing and punctuation is all correct. At the moment I am taking quiet a while to get this right, but I am sure I will speed up. 

Check homonyms- words that are spelt or pronounced the same. These can be tricky, and I have found myself speaking sections out loud, much to the amusement of my husband, to ensure I am getting it right. A good online spoken dictionary can also be useful here. 

The use of apostrophes- again this can be tricky, and it makes you think back to your GCSE English class and what did Miss Christopher teach me about when you use apostrophes. To be fair, I was probably younger than doing my GCSE's but Miss Christopher is the only English teacher that I can remember, possibly because she was amazing. One of those teachers who inspired people to read and love literature. Anyway, the apostrophes are important as they also help make sense of what is being said, but checking them is one of those tricky bits. But proof reading is one of those tasks where the devil is in the detail. 

Get a proof reading buddy- get someone else to read it for you, once you have finished. A collegue of mine wants to write a book and I have offered proof read her work, if she will proof read mine. Seems like a fair swop.

This last tip I tried and it didn't show up any problems, mainly as nothing made sense. The tip was to read the document backwards. It completely confused me and the sentences made no sense what so ever, so I am not sure how this is meant to help. 

My future plans are to continue with proof reading, continue to learn as much as I can and use it both in my role as librarian and with ARLIS.

ARLIS meeting

After the train problems of my last trip, due to the Dawlish line breaking, I have finally managed to make it to the ARLIS publications committee meeting. From Plymouth to Reading, I have been proof reading the next art city guide. So 30 minutes to rest before a tube to the V and A. The rest I feel is particularly needed as I currently have laryngitis and tonsillitis, with a very weak voice. Having not spoken for the best part of 4 days, I should be able to do a 2 hour meeting.

Also whilst I am in London, the BA photography students from PCA are having there annual exhibition held at the Old Truman Brewery, which I shall be attending. Which after working with these students for 4 years in some cases, this will be a pleasant surprise when they see me. Plus having been absent from PCA summer show, I feel I have missed out on the celebrations this year. 

Apart from seeing the students work, I intend to spend the next four days in galleries as much as possible, I would like to visit the Tower of London and the Cutty Sark. Plus the wedding dress exhibition at the V and A, having spoken to a collegue yesterday about a dress, I would now like to see it for real. 

By the end of my first day in London, I have realised from the meeting, I need to work I my proof reading skills, starting on my own article about information literacy and that I loved the V and A's wedding dress exhibition. There were several wonderful examples of dresses from decades ago, as well as Gwen Stefani and Kate Moss's wedding dresses. Not to sound like I don't like the royal family, but I did wonder why the busiest part was William and Katherine's wedding highlights on a loop. Which seemed such a shame, you can get that on youtube, but the delicate work of the dresses which told some of England's social history were being almost ignored. 

Arriving in Sheffield- Lilac conference

Having just arrived in Sheffield, I was keen to check into the hotel, grab a cup of tea, then investigate the city. Having never been to Sheffield, and having limited knowledge of the city. To be fair, the only thing I know about Sheffield is it has a strong industrial history and Sean Bean was born here. So far the city seems very nice, really clean with lots of places to eat.

Briefly visited the winter gardens, as well as the connected millennium gallery, public library and the exhibition spaces, then I wandered into the town.

As it's been a long day with an early start, I have returned to my room to start doing some background reading for tomorrow's lilac conference.

The Hive, Worcester

I starting my, frankly ridiculously, early day at 5:30am to get to Worcester by lunch time, during the train journey (well one coach, then two trains) I pull out this month’s issue of CILIP update (talk about dedication), of the South West newsletter, there is a review of The Hive, by Dr Judith Keene, the person I am traveling to see. Now I feel that my outfit was completely wrong. Jeans and a top, I think is should have dressed up.

As my train journey comes to an end, I start to compile all of the questions that I want to find answers to. The reason for my very long journey(car, bus, two trains then a short walk), is to see:

A) what a higher educational institution library looks like (use camera)
B) find out the pitfalls involved in moving a library
C) find out what a new library service is offering and how this relates to what we are thinking about offering.
And) finally complete some of my paperwork whilst traveling between Plymouth and Worcester.

Also on a more personal note I lived in the town next to Worcester for several years, almost 20 and having not been there for almost 10 years, I would love to see how the city has changed over that time. I have fond memories of the old library, which was attached to the museum. But I am full of excitement to see how this new venture in libraries compares.

Having arrived, the outside is great, it really stands out as a building and as excellently located.

In talking to members of staff, certain things, such as safe guarding which had never been a consideration for a HEi, where as having small children wandering around considerations such as internet access, book content need to be thought about. As we are moving the other way, this is much easier for us. We have 4 years olds (at Saturday Arts Club), staff are fully aware of the implications of such content.

In terms of it looking like a HEi, it did, but equally it looked like a public library. I think it depends on where you are standing, in fiction then it's public, in non-fiction then it's academic, with subtle variations, for instance non-fiction books are housed in shelves that are 6 shelves high, fiction is 4 or 5.

The usual book patterns could be seen with multiple copies of the most popular non fiction book, very similar to any academic library, but the variation lies in the fact that they were reserved for students.

In terms of pitfalls, we chatted about the designers plans not necessarily working in practice as they did on paper and a robust approach was needed to change the original design. Two years on and they are still changing elements of the design. Which I suppose is to be expected from such a large development offering such a massive service.

In terms of it being a HEi, many members of the public benefit from this, as services like confidence building skills, which may not be seen in public libraries. Services that could, and in several cases should, be offered to everyone. Also the opening hours were really interesting, closing at 8 pm, very similar to my smaller library. One place were the difference between public and academic library was most felt was the charging of printing of paper, with difference pricing structures for both public and students.

Dotted around the library there were also some examples of great innovative technology. What looks like a large see through ceiling lamp shade that when you walk under it, it activates a recorded tape of local history.

 Plus there were a few touch screen tables, where you could activate 6 different folders of maps, information and photos.

Overall I have to say I was very impressed with the library. 

Library of Birmingham

Having see the culture shows program dedicated to this library several months ago and followed its developments online and via cilip update, I jumped at the chance to come here and see it. I was ready to be impressed and mostly I was. 

Having had other librarian friends visit the library before me, I knew a bit about what to expect, one of my colleagues were disappointed with the half empty shelves, which is pretty noticeable to a librarian. 

Birmingham library

 

Having recently returned from the public library at Birmingham, I thought I would share my thoughts about the library. Having arrived late on the Tuesday, I wandered around. To say the library is big is an understatement, its big to the point of being bewildering, it took 45 minutes to do a round trip around the library spanning 9 floors. Instead of a feeling of wonderment about not knowing what was around the corner, I had a feeling of being uneasy and just in the way. Which is not a feeling I have ever had in a library before, usually they have been my havens, a meeting place for friends, a place to research and get lost in, that is, in a good way. But here even with a map, I was still wandering around like a tourist, who didn’t quite speak the language.

 

 

Shakespeare

 

Having looked at the map before I entered the building, one of the rooms I really wanted to see was the Shakespeare Memorial room, so I headed straight for there. I am making it sound like it was easy, but confusingly levels 5&6 being off limits to the public, clearly for the offices, but somewhat confusing. I ended up teaming up with another library tourist who was trying to get there. We found the much talked about glass lift from floor 4 out of action, so a normal lift was called for. But when I got to the Shakespeare memorial room, I must say it did not disappoint, it was pretty impressive, including a great view, from the secret garden overlooking the city of Birmingham. The Shakespeare memorial room was a replica of the original due to the 1800s fire. Still it was interesting and provided a grand space, sadly most of the books were placed too high, so I was unable to read the actual spines, and obviously everything was behind glass. But still it was an interesting space.

 

 

Staffing

 

One thing that I couldn't understand was the staffing system, the staff stood out, as they all wore blue waistcoats, but they didn't seem to be doing anything. A couple of them smiled at me, and I am guessing that they would have helped if I had asked. But what I really wanted was to speak to another librarian, about the culture of the library and the complex nature of the move, as I assume there are plenty of the working there, but they seem to avail me. Even before I set off I tried to contact one via their website, but with no luck. Another point about the staff, nobody seemed to tidy up, certain areas looked somewhere between well-loved to overly loved and messy. Nobody seemed to straighten the books. I know at this point I am starting to sound old and grumpy. Which isn’t right at all, I’m not 30 yet and I really liked the library. But for me some of the basics were missing, which a contrast to the high volumes of staff that were standing around. That’s all.

 

The following day, I decided to return and I did manage to speak to a few members of staff, two counter Staff and a cleaner, all of whom seems perfectly polite.

 

 

Design and everything else

 

The planning of this library must have been a mammoth task, clearly loads of research had been done prior to the planning stage into what Birmingham's audience wanted, with a plethora of activities being on offer. The library probably shouldn’t be called a library more library plus because of everything else that it offers, the coffee shop (ok pretty standard now) but the exhibition space, the gardens and Shakespeare’s memorial room were an added bonus, and there was a small shop in the foyer.

 

I really liked the timeless colour scheme, of white up to level two, then it having a feeling like the bodleian library circle. From this point on the décor changes to black and has a more adult/ researchers feel. A stark contrast to the basement floors, which are brightly coloured.

 

It was great to see that the city had BFI Mediatique, this is something I have looked at before for Plymouth, but was unsuccessful in obtaining it, as we needed a purpose built space, something we couldn’t offer at the time.

 

I spent quite a bit of time, just people watching, seeing people sitting 2-3 on the benches; it was clearly a well-used space. To be fair they were mostly teenagers, but this was also 6-7 in the evening, but one group of suited business men. Which I have to say slightly amused me, seeing three expensively dressed men almost lying down and working. But clearly feeling very comfortable in there surrounds.

 

 

The city obviously has a large background in music, as the music library was fantastic, there was a keyboard being played, pretty well, I have to say by two teenage boys. I must have stopped and stood there for quite a while, as when they stopped playing both turned to look at me and both smiled. One boy looked pretty pleased that he had an audience the other less so.

 

If I returned in a few months or a years’ time I would like to see, more signage that is clearer. The signage was on large pillars, and it was clear that some had been moved, as the signage made no sense. Plus there are certain areas that have few books in them, one section I would have liked to have seen more books in was the environmental sections, which has 15 metres of empty shelves. I can only guess that this is here for growth.

 

 

 

The next day

 

I decided to head back the next day, I ended up arriving really early, at 7.40am when there were already people in the queue to get in, by 8am (opening time), I was the 20th person in the queue. It was all walks of life, men in suits, women and students. Which I have to say, I can’t think of many other libraries where people would be queuing on a cold and damp Wednesday morning. But with that said, strangely there was some hostility towards the door person about not being able to open the doors, 10 seconds after8am.

 

This morning, I had a plan, having dedicated yesterday to the upper levels today I was going to investigate the lower ones. My first stop middle earth in the children's library and I had high hopes, with the cities connection to Tolkien, I was hoping to see like Shakespeare memorial room, something connected to the great man or his work. As I walked down, thinking about the movies, I loved and Tolkien’s work, I was getting more and more excited with each step.  The room was partially obscured by blinds on the inside, making the anticipation even greater.  What I was greeted by was a sterile blank room, with chairs. This is possibly one of the biggest disappointments I have faced. I was gutted, I headed shoulder slumped back to the upper levels, never to mention it again. 

Trying to brighten my mood, I went up to the lower terrace, sitting on one of the two roof terraces, this felt like a real treat, whilst sitting there, I only needed a cup of tea and a good book to read. its not particularly warm and my mind is racing with  the busy journey ahead of me, but this is very pleasant indeed. A librarians holiday.

 

Leaving the roof terrace, I take a wonder over to the Cultural Exhibiton space, which currently is celebrating the history of Birmingham. I was a little disappointed about the tour, only happening at certain times on certain days. As I would have liked to have done that, but I did wander around the otherwise person empty space and loved it. I suppose this is one of the major selling points, this library is more than a place to lend books, it offers a variety of activities and events. Having looked at what events were happening this month, I could have easily attended the library, for an exhibition, a yoga class and other events and never need to borrow a book. This library truly has become a library of the future, one which embraces technology and the audience it is there for. For that reason you have to be impressed, so not everything is exactly to my likely, it was never going to please everyone every day of the week. People of Birmingham you are very lucky to have such an excellent example of a library. Treat her well. 

Visit to a very special collection

Yesterday I was invited to St Saviours, a fantastic, if not recently storm damaged building, which houses Robert Lenkiewicz private book collection. The room itself has that wonderful smell of musty books mixed with damp. A smell that always hold a sense of mystery for myself. The books occupy two floors, with the books on beautiful  bespoke bookshelves, reaching to the ceiling, each with a place for books to be rested upon, made by a carpenter friend of Roberts before he died. The room is enticing and there is something in the room, that makes it such a pleasure to be there.

The collection of books were purchased by Robert himself during his lifetime and rightly so they haven't been added to, so there is a wonderful sense of magic in the room, that you can only get from being with loved books. The thought that someone purchased this, because he had an interest in them is something wonderful. This isn't a public library, these were brought and read by someone genuinely interested in the topic. I get that feeling whenever I am with a large collection of books, having the connection to Robert, provides an added layer of interest. From looking at his books, you can tell a lot, knowing the collection is about the human condition, but who he was inspired by, there are shelves and shelves of books by or about Rembrandt. There are thousands of books by individual artists, it genuinely is a uplifting and heart warming collection. 

The reason for me being there was because the trust is trying to work out what is the best course of action for the collection, which is a tough conversation. With the building damaged, parts of the collection had to be sold just after Robert's death 12 years ago. I am meant to provide a possible course of action, having spent time wandering the shelves of the library. Looking at the rarity of the books, how useful this is for the city of Plymouth as a whole, but more importantly, in my mind to the artist community. 

I suppose one of the other parts which makes me love this place, is there are still Robert's artifacts lying around, or boxed up. Such as his palate boards, or his boots and a purple lined coffin which at one point must have been a prop, I didn't ask, I was hoping it was nothing more sinister. 

It was such a special day yesterday and luckily St Saviours is only a short walk away from where I work, so I can easily pop over, and be enticed and inspired by such a wonderful atmosphere. For a librarian, this is a marvelous legacy to leave the city, now Plymouth just needs to work out how it can be sorted and viewed. 

Article, ARLIS and LILAC bursary

Well, yet again, it has been a while since I last managed to write which is a little frustrating. However this week has been exceptional busy, possibly one of the most exciting weeks, where professional some exceptional events have happened.  

 

Firstly I have had a piece of work published in CILIP update. This is the fourth piece of writing I have now published (not including my blog). This piece was a piece that both my mentor and I wrote about our use of Skype in our chartership, from her position of the mentor and mine the mentee. The reason using Skype came about was we were unable to physically meet up. Over the course of 12-18 months we met virtually every other month. Towards the end of my chartership, which I successfully completed and have been awarded MCLIP in November 2013, we started thinking, how unique is this? Using conference call technology to complete something like a chartership, which needs to have two people working together for guidance etc? Which got us to ask the question, how many other people have used this method of working? With everyone having more and more work demands on them, travelling several times a month, year or every week become not only expensive but also impractical. 

 

I am very proud to have been a part of this project and I will continue to be grateful for the support of my mentor. She has already suggested we meet up with a glass of wine on Skype to celebrate, which personally seems very fitting.

 

Secondly I have now a member of the publications committee for ARLIS, which is amazingly exciting. ARLIS is the Art Libraries Society for the UK and Ireland, which promotes excellence within this community. Sadly due to the weather I was unable to travel to London, however Skype was used, with some success. Not to go in too much detail, but I think there is some great potential in an established publication. Alongside being a committee member I will also been asked to help co-edit the newsletter, which is brilliant, whilst someone else is on maternity leave. Editing is something that I have not done previously, however I have done proof reading. Having my husband’s aunt work in editing has always fascinated me. So being given this opportunity is one that I am very enthusiastic about.

 

All of this came about by attending last year’s ARLIS conference, which was in Bristol and I had a great time. I ended up chatting to loads of people, and obviously I must have made a pretty good impression on them. A few weeks after the conference I was asked to join the committee and then asked to become the co-editor. 

 

So it really has been an amazing week. Then I find out that I was successful in getting the bursary for the LILAC conference in April. Which I was really surprised that I had won and completely thrilled. I am hoping to do a write up after the sessions, for publication in CILIP, as well as blog about the days. Information literacy is a massive part of my role and something I have developed within my own role. 

 

It truly has been a remarkable week, were connected have developed in to exciting new projects or hard work has paid off. 

Media and information literacy

Last night, I joined in with my first blog chat, having taken part in Twitter chats before I think I preferred the blog version. The topic was one that I wasn't 100% familiar with, however I found the method of being able to write more and follow the conversation more easily, without the use of hashtags a much easier way of working.

The blog chat was focusing on media and information literacy, which is a revised version of current thinking, a more joined up within, one which will incorporate, in my case more departments were I work. To explain:

"Media and Information Literacy consists of the knowledge, the attitudes, and the sum of the skills needed to know when and what information is needed; where and how to obtain that information; how to evaluate it critically and organise it once it is found; and how to use it in an ethical way. The concept extends beyond communication and information technologies to encompass learning, critical thinking, and interpretative skills across and beyond professional and educational boundaries. Media and Information Literacy includes all types of information resources: oral, print, and digital."


 This enhanced and more holistic concept in information literacy can only be seen as a benefit in terms of life long learn, increasing  people's chances of getting employment and improving education. However for this to happen a more collaborative approach is needed, bring different parts of society together to create this program, or for myself, different departments. Originally the information literacy program started as a joint venture between academics, blended learning and the library, however since then it has dropped to the library and blended learning team doing our own thing. Which is a shame, maybe this needs to be looked at again, to create a more media and information literacy approach. 

 At national level, the government need to provide provisions for people to get involved, school curriculum's needs to be changed and have MIL imbedded. As well as a complete culture change, which doesn't come easy.