Advance learning in libraries: an American approach.

Having just read the very exciting article entitled: 4 strategies in advance learning in libraries http://www.cilip.org.uk/cilip/blog/4-strategies-advance-learning-libraries. This paper was written in America and it is fascinating to read, several library leaders came together over 2 years to identify impact and outcomes of funding for libraries. Though this paper looks at federal funding, and examples are American. This is something useful to take from our state side information professionals. Having attended many conferences over the last few years, it has always occurred to me that America is somewhat ahead of the game. Having introduced a national Information Literacy month... yet the UK lags behind.

So to return to the summary article on these meetings. Though the meetings covered many topics, and looked at a variety of information professionals settings, 4 main themes were established. A full report is accessible https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/imlsfocuslearninginlibrariesfinalreport.pdf which on my reading list.

In brief, for now, here are the 4 topics

1. Connect LIS education and professional development to 21st century librarianship- starting and progressing from school librarians, this section looks at creating a new space and new services fit for the 21st century. Librarians should be embedded within the community that they work with. 
2. Pursue research that connects with library practice- connecting research that informs and is informed by practice. Working with others, and ensuring dissemination needs to be optimal for impact and influence. 
3. Designing participatory learning programs that demonstrate innovation and scalability- Design and develop library programmes that aid patrons over their lifespan.
4. Develop cross-disciplinary collaborations that advance library services nationwide- Engage with other non library organisations on a national level, to broaden the service of the library to new audiences. 

Cilip update September highlights

Ok, this issue clearly didn't have as much to engage me in the issue. Lots of space is dedicated to the up and coming LMS showcase, an event that I attended last year. Which was very useful and informative- considering the change in system that I am currently investigating. Obviously having attended the event already it holds limited interest to myself now...and probably won't hold any interest again until my employer thinks about changing. However being in that position last year the event was very useful...having the top LMS providers in one room.

But a few things caught my eye in terms of interesting things to read- firstly was the highlighted research project developed by Cilip. Potentially useful with my employer having an emphasis on individuals completing and presenting research ideas- plus my own personal plan is to complete my Masters within the next few years. Having already done a post grad in library and information studies, I left prior to the Dissertation- at the time not seeing the relevance of such a project and instead invested my time in Chartership. Reading this article there is possible future uses for being involved in such a project. Also as I am an Art librarian, of which we are a dying bred and being located within the south west, teaming up with others or working as part of a wider group always has it's advantages. This is on my watch list.

There was one interesting article- by Duncan Chappell, following up one year on from the terrible fire at Glasgow School of Art, which damaged the library and book stock. A year ago I was covering the maternity post for the co-editors role at ARLIS and contacted Glasgow School of Art so highlight the cause of the library. One year on, improvements have been made, which is so good to see.

CILIP update July/August highlights

After finally having half an hour to myself, I managed to read CILIP update July/August issue- yes I know I am about a month behind the rest of the world. But what can I say, it's been a busy couple of weeks.

Early in the issue, the future of libraries report by Arup is highlighted http://publications.arup.com/Publications/F/Future_Libraries.aspx and one that I intended to read. The report focuses on the every changing landscape of libraries, how libraries deal with collaboration within all sectors of the profession.  Something I need to look into, when I next get an hour free.

The July/August issue focuses on three main topics, Ebooks which is probably the only element which is looking at Educational libraries, CILIP still heavily focuses on Public libraries. This issue also looks at the CILIP conference and Carnigie and Kate Greenaway award.

What interested me the most of this issue was two articles on libraries changing LMS. Currently I am reading through 4 tendering documents, as I am looking to change LMS within the next 2 years- hopefully 12 months. The article discussed the new innovative project by Swansea University combining LMS with NHS libraries across Wales. They have selected Ex Libris Alma , which is a big system that functions well over large or multiple sites. With the added bonus of having Primo. Later in the issue London's Natural History Museum has also opted  to change to Ex Libris Alma system.

As we are currently looking to move to a new system, we first created a modest list of 25 "wish list" items. This list took a long time to formulate, within a small team. Having to compile this list whilst not causing any negative impact on either service and improving what is offered to both must have been a massive task, with a tremendous amount of planning and negotiating. Considering my current project at work this is a story which I want to follow.

Moving on to another article that caught my eye, is the mention of the Library of Birmingham, having lived nearby and visited the library a while ago http://artlibrary-donnag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/library-of-birmingham.html. This does seem to be a good news story, linking services and resources to the British Library. It's good to hear something positive following the news earlier in the year about a reduction in stock, staffing and opening hours.

The final two articles that interested me, where on the CILIP toolkit, a potentially interesting article in light of the organisations performance appraisal happening in a few weeks. The final article was in connection to the CLA- who are currently at the college doing a 6 week audit. The article informs that the CLA will be making making it easier for universities to buy rights for printed material. I do wonder if this extends to all Higher education institutions or just those with university in the title.

Off to read CILIP update September's issue.

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.