At every conference I’ve ever attended there always seems to be questions raised about how we can better promote our libraries. Here’s a couple of ideas to help inspire those of us involved in developing advocacy campaigns:
Both campaigns are excellent examples of how to promote the value of public libraries, simply and effectively; I’d love to see more stuff like this coming out of the UK too!
Although it’s still early days in terms of official research, public libraries are emerging once again as recession sanctuaries; providing vital services, in times of economic crisis.
I recently presented on this very topic at theSociety of Chief Librarian’s(SCL) Conference at the University of Warwick. (Presentation available via my SlideShare page, click here). Attending the conference was a fantastic experience as I was able to chat to delegates about the impact that the recession has had on their library services; how they’re managing to deliver high quality services despite ongoing budget cuts; and the innovative ways that they’re promoting their services to users, including this inspired poster from Brighton & Hove….
During the Q&A session for my presentaion I noted a strong desire from many delegates to explore Web 2.0 and social media. Unfortunately, however, many are unable to implement their Web 2.0 plans due to restrictions imposed on them by council-wide IT departments and their filtering policies (click herefor a previous blog post about Glasgow City Libraries & internet filtering). A shame really, given that other authorities, with slightly more liberal approaches to web 2.0 are able to forge ahead, creating interactive and collaborative spaces for library users to visit online (e.g.Manchester Libraries).
Seems unfair that public library users and staff, many of whom could benefit greatly from accessing web 2.0 and social media sites are being prevented from doing so as a result of a web 2.0 postcode lottery. Wouldn’t it be great if all public library services across the UK were at the same operational level with web 2.0 and social media…before we have to deal with the challenges and possibilities that web 3.0 presents? Just a thought!
Twitter Feed - SCL Conference 09 - #scl & #scl09
There were lots of other topics discussed over the two days and to highlight some of the burning issues I’ve created a word cloud, using Wordle, based on keywords from the Twitter feed (see above).
If you’re keen to find out more about the role of public libraries in times of recession then why not click hereto check out my recently published article “Rising to the Challenge”, featured in the latest edition of Library Review.
Then the next day I’m heading down to Warwick for the Society of Chief Librarians Conference, which I’m presenting at on the Friday. I’ll be discussing “Social Value: identifying, measuring and sharing some of the less obvious ways that public libraries contribute to economic regeneration”.
Phew! Will be a busy few months but I know I’ll have a fantastic time! Drop me a line if you’re planning to attend any of these conferences and we can arrange to meet up in the hallways!
Been messing about with Wordle this afternoon. So far I’ve pasted text from my blog, research papers and Twitter poststo generate visuals for words that I use most frequently and the types of topics I’m more inclined to write about.
I’m loving the Wordle that’s been generated for this blog:
Thinking this visual might look quite cool on a mug or t-shirt….
Create your very own Wordle here…but be warned, it’s addictive!
Spent the weekend at The Mitchell Library in Glasgow; soaking up the atmosphere from the latestAye Write Book Festival. Attended a couple of really good events too. However, despite enjoying both of these events immensely they’re not what I remember most about my visits…
I had thought it might be a good idea to tweet about the events I attended but when I tried to accessTwitter on The Mitchell Library’s public access computers I was informed that Twitter was considered to be an ‘unacceptable website’. Surely not, I thought, so I tried again, on a different computer. Same message again. Made me wonder about what else would be blocked. Attempted to login to Facebook and although the ‘unacceptable website’ message did not pop up, a strange login screen did and when I attempted to type in my user name and password I realised that nothing was appearing on the screen. Seemed to be locked out of that one as well. Tried MySpace, same thing! Okay, they’re blocking social networking websites I thought….but then something happened that made no sense whatsoever. I was able to login toBebo no problem. I also tried to accessFlickr and YouTube but they were inaccessible too. Stranger still was what I found out later. Glasgow City Council had been using Twitter to help promote the Aye Write festival, and there were buttons on the Aye Write websiteencouraging users to visit their profile on both Facebook and MySpace…
Confused and annoyed I asked a few different Library Assistants why I couldn’t access these websites and they all gave me the same answer; “all social networking sites are banned in the library”. I asked each one why social networking had been banned and also, if there was a ‘blanket ban’ like they were suggesting, why was I able to access Bebo? None of them could answer this question but they did invite me to write my queries on a customer comment card, which I did. I’m looking forward to receiving a response because I really do want to know why Glasgow Libraries have taken this stance against social networking, especially when they appear to be using social networking themselves to promote their own book festival.
I know that Glasgow is not alone in their approach to social networking but I am also aware that a growing number of library authorities are using these new technologies to promote awareness and engagement outwith the constraints of the ‘walled garden’; providing users and staff with an opportunity to learn web 2.0 skills; educating users on how to effectively manage their virtual lives; and encouraging participation and collaboration.
I understand the need for AUPs in public libraries and I am also aware that social networking is sometimes presented negatively in the press but instead of banning these websites wouldn’t it be more beneficial, for both the library service and the users, if more public libraries took on the role of educator rather than censor?
After all, when two world leaders, Barack Obama and Gordon Brown, start using these very websites to communicate with citizens and promote awareness, is it not about time that we stopped banning access to them in our public libraries?
The award has been established in memory of Eileen Gilmour who worked as a librarian for over 30 years, until she passed away in 2008. Eileen loved reading, writing and exchanging stories with other people, so it seems fitting that East Renfrewshire Council, her employers, have teamed up with Eileen’s family to establish this award which celebrates creativity in writing.
And here’s the important details:
Entrants are invited to submit new pieces of creative writing (circa 2,000 words) on the theme of Homecoming Scotland, under one of three categories:
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
4. At Risk by Patricia Cornwell
5. Cross by James Patterson
6. Judge and Jury by James Patterson & Andrew Gross
7. The Quickie by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
8. Death’s Door by Quintin Jardine
9. Echo Park by Michael Connelly
10. The 6th Target by James Patterson
Nice to get a snapshot of library borrowing habits like this. And the BBC reportmakes an interesting observation, suggesting that Scottish borrowers would rather make their own borrowing decisions than listen to the likes of Richard & Judy…
If you fancy comparing and contrasting the nation’s book borrowing habits, then check out Scotland’s top 100 here, the UK’s top 100 here or the full list here.
Participating cities up and down the UK will start reading Arthur Conan Doyle’sclassic adventure story about dinosaurs and exploration; The Lost World.
If you’re lucky enough to live in one of the participating cities then pop into your local public library where you should be able to pick up a free copy of the book; or keep an eye out for discarded copies on park benches, coffee shops and buses as The Lost World is being shared as part of the Bookcrossing initiative.
It took me a while to get intoTwitter but I’m really starting to enjoy it now…
Although some people boast in excess of 10,000 followers I only have 10; and I’m only following 17. But that’s enough for me at the moment.
I’m finding it a useful tool for professional networking rather than keeping up to date with what my friends are up to – we’ve already got Facebook for that!
My name is Christine Rooney-Browne and I'm a PhD student based at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.
I love public libraries but I blog about lots of other stuff too; social value, web 2.0, library 2.0, marketing, management, privacy, what I watched on television last night...
Leave me a comment!
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I'm co-authoring the Public Library Training Handbook: A Frontline Service Delivery Manual with David McMenemy . Check it out on Amazon.
