Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Using storify - work done by @abcemergency

ABC Emergency on storify is great local studies work. This account brings together information about (mostly weather related) emergencies across Australia.  I would be interested to know how local studies staff are using this information and these resources as part of their collections as photographs of different local areas are included.


Have a look at the work done by ABC news on storify too.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Using storify - work done by @hrw

Human Rights Watch uses storify to highlight issues of concern around the world.  I have embedded a recent one, but you can see more here. I am including this group because of the wider information potential they have.

Sunday, June 11, 2017

A few thoughts about Grief works: stories of life, death and surviving

Grief Works: Stories of Life, Death and SurvivingGrief Works: Stories of Life, Death and Surviving by Julia Samuel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book because I heard a talk by the author on Dan Snow's history hits. I would suggest going and listening to this first.

This is an impressive book, and although I have finished it, and returned it to the library, it is one which I want to reread and mull over more. This book highlights the need to talk about death in whatever way is most needed by those who grieve. It is a series of stories of different people grieving. At times this is a very sad books to read, and a little awkward on public transport, or other public locations. This is one to consider adding to library collections, but also reading yourself. It is hard hitting while also being very gentle and compassionate. One to read to think about how you grieve, but also how you can help others who are grieving. There is no simple solution, but there are a few things not to do. Give it a go. It is most likely to appeal to people who read for story or character.



View all my reviews

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Burton Barr Library - making and connecting

Phoenix Public Library is very interesting.  They have some very lovely libraries, and they keep looking at changes which can be made.

In their central library they have added Mach and Hive.

Hive is for small business
Hive - ​Burton Barr Central Library
with a mix of books
Hive - ​Burton Barr Central Library
and other elements
Hive - ​Burton Barr Central Library
space
The hive - ​Burton Barr Central Library
and they make it easy to find out about social media.
Hive - ​Burton Barr Central Library

Mach is about making and is impressive.
3D printers - Mach - ​Burton Barr Central Library

Thursday, June 8, 2017

readers' advisory - it is about the client and not you

I know this is a tough idea for some people to understand. I still hear people 'recommending' and not suggesting titles.  There is a really big difference.

Becky Spratford has a great series on her blog which is a Call to action which makes vital points about readers' advisory skills in public libraries. I would suggest reading all of Becky's blog at RA for all, and RA for all horror are there are great ideas which you can use straight away at your library.

Start by reading this post Call to Action: Allow People To Dislike The Books You Suggest and go on from there.  It is about the client and connecting them to something they may enjoy (and not your latest read, not matter how much you think they may like it).  You want to encourage them, and not scare them.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

a few thoughts on Reading the reader: A survey of Australian reading habits

Recently the report Reading the reader: A survey of Australian reading habits was released.  The whole report is here, or you can read an overview here with some graphs.  It is a good idea to look at the methodology because it shows that there were some library connections in the research.  I think the research shows some recognition of the work that libraries do with readers' advisory work in many forms. 

This graph (and you are going to have to click the link as it won't let me embed it), actually proves the value of appeal characteristics for readers advisory work (think of the Nancy Pearl element of setting, story, language and character), because 90% of people said that 'topic, subject, setting or style' were important elements.  45% of people said price was key too, which makes me think there should have been more research with people who use libraries as that removes the price element. 

Go and have a look at the report and think about the implications for readers' advisory work in your library and how you suggest reading to your clients.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Connecting information...local land services

There is an impressive series of videos produced by Local Land Services Western Region in NSW. It really looks at land is a variety of ways.  The video I have embedded is by Ben Flick, a local Indigenous man, and is part of the Through our eyes series which has Indigenous people talking about the land and sharing stories. 
 
These videos are interesting, and highlight the importance of exploring local information.  These are impressive local studies videos, and hopefully they are being collected by relevant libraries and promoted to their communities.  This shows some partnerships for libraries, including with their local land services.

Sunday, June 4, 2017

does the library support local sporting teams?

Some public libraries in the USA and Canada have been having fun with book spine poetry to support their local sporting teams.  Have a look a this article which brings together some examples.  How do you think this would look supporting people who play sport in your community?

I think this covers a wide range of library skill sets.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

where photographs end up : part 2

I have an alert set up so I can see where the photographs I post on Flickr end up.  There are a wide range of places including articles about:


Thursday, June 1, 2017

back for #blogjune in 2017

I missed #blogjune last year.  It was my first year back at part time study while working full time, and I could not manage it, but...this year I am going to try.

I will probably look at games, readers' advisory work, local studies and whatever else takes my fancy.

That is where this photograph fits in.  I took it while the police car was parked, and I think that this is the reason for the social media promotion - to be read while the car is parked.  If you were reading it while driving along, you would be too close, and would have to be the passenger and not the driver.

So, think about how you let people know your library is on social media.  Do you make it possible to find out about this when library vehicles are out and about - or do you expect people to guess?

Happy #blogjune.  I look forward to reading what other people are writing this month.

Police and social media