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.

Inductions 2015 Day one.

Today was the first day of the 2015 inductions. After having throat problems during the summer, resulting in two throat operations, I was pretty concerned with having to start this year's inductions, having to talk for hours on end is going to be tough. But day one is done, only 8 days left.

Day one, 5 inductions over the course of the day, which I did 4 of them. This year I was asked to create a simply Harvard referencing guide for students on day one. To me this felt a little harsh...welcome to the college, now lets learn Harvard referencing. My work sheet was aimed at 16 year old, and was a simple fill in the blanks form

But the sessions went pretty well. The first, as a little ropey, I missed some information out and my usually well organised speech was a little jumbled. By the second group  I was feeling more relaxed and started to enjoy the experience. I will reflect on this for my fellowship.

Having a new cohort of student in the college does give the place a buzz, but it takes some time to get the students to learn our rules. Firstly I had to explain to a student why they should not be smoking on college ground- clearly ignoring the large sites requesting people do not smoke on the site. Or having to explain to loved up students that the library is a place for learning, reading and researching not kissing.

Though I have to say the funniest part of the day was over hearing a conversation in the girl's toilets.
Girl one: do you know how to spell gangster?
Girl two: g-a-n-s-t-e-r
Girl one: (typing in to her phone)- no that's not right... it's GANG- STER
Girl two: oh you want the right spelling.

Generally I was quite confused about this, but it did make me laugh.

missing!

Sadly this last 12 months seems to have flown by and I haven't blogged a thing in over a year. Which I am slightly ashamed to have to admit.

So what has happened...
Well from my last post I was days away from our new library being opened. It opened, no celebration, but a massive sense of achievement. Since the new library has opened there has been a 40% increase in people using the library. There has been no increase in borrowing, but more people are using the space. Which is great.

I re-wrote the information literacy package for the college for both FE and HE, I'll write more about that later. Revalidated my chartership and I have started on my fellowship. I have become a member of the committee for SWRLs, which I am very pleased about. Plus I have managed to make a profit in the shop which I now run.

On a negative side, I was admitted to hospital this year. But all in all it has been a good year.

New years promise...to blog more.

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.