Why we need to support our public libraries…

I’ve just finished reading a seriously interesting and thought-provoking report; From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America and recommend it to anyone interested in understanding more about public library funding and/or marketing.   Funded by a grant from the Bill and Miranda Gates Foundation, the OCLC hooked up with research and marketing agency, [...]

Read Full Post »

Post offices to merge with public libraries?

Anyone else find the latest ad campaign by the post office a bit annoying?  The one where random celebs like Joan Collins and Westlife stop by to post their mail?   Yeah, they’re totally believable aren’t they?  Doesn’t look at all like the post office jumping on the celebrity bandwagon in a desperate attempt to appeal to a wider audience…. [...]

Read Full Post »

Changing the way we Look at Libraries?

Last year I joined East Renfrewshire’s Library & Information Service for a four week placement, as part of my Masters degree.   During that time I got to meet and work with an amazing bunch of librarians, including the inspirational Liz McGettigan.  It was my job to evaluate the impact of  their Look at Libraries festival, which offered users opportunities to [...]

Read Full Post »

Social Networking: is there a place for public libraries in our virtual communties?

I’ve recently observed a rise in posts about ‘social networking’ on the various public library mailing lists, professional journals, blogs and newspapers that I subscribe to. Wikipedia aside, Facebook seems to provoke the most heated debate amongst librarians discussing Web 2.0. Undoubtedly, social networking is a key element of 21st century online life, but is [...]

Read Full Post »