Back to school...

... said one of the regulars as we waited on the platform this morning. It does feel a little like that as I put on the uniform (dark suit, blue shirt, striped tie, black shoes) and pick up my satchell sorry briefcase no actually rather scruffy red backpack before setting out for the office. There's an autumn chill in the air, and the autumn term has begun.

So far the timetable seems pretty busy - and there's plenty of homework to do: but at least the classes are varied. We've had sessions on: revising the Disciplinary Regulations; reviewing the Framework of Qualifications and Accreditation; considering the future for public libraries; learning how to deal with controversial stock; redefining professionalism for the modern world; monitoring our business performance; futureproofing our pension scheme; and discussing our progress with web/ICT developments.

For homework I've been writing reports for the next meeting of Council (next Thursday, the 25th) and doing some reading - Digital consumers: reshaping the information profession,  ed. David Nicholas and Ian Rowlands (Facet, 2008): well worth reading, and we're doing an Executive Briefing on it at Ridgmount Street on 27th November if you feel like debating the issues directly with the authors.

There've also been some interesting trips out of the classroom. To Portcullis House to discuss the forthcoming programme of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries and Literacy over coffee and really good cake - more on this at the Public Library Authorities conference next month. To Queen Elizabeth Hall to hear about the achievements of the National Year of Reading (I've blogged about that already). To the Royal College of General Practitioners to consider the development of NHS Choices, by which all you ever wanted to know about health is delivered to digital information consumers (see Nicholas and Rowlands, above). To Peter Jones in Sloane Square to hear about the work on knowledge transfer commissioned by MLA London - that was last night and the report will be my next homework reading.

So, school's back after the summer (summer?...) with plenty to keep me busy: and plenty to tell you about as we move through the autumn term. I'll keep you posted.