22 July 2008
Supporting public libraries
Following my previous post I have had a pleasant email exchange with Christine Haskell of Seattle Public Libraries Friends Board. She pointed me to the ‘Friends of Seattle Public Library blog’ (sub title ‘the goings on of the Seattle Public Library’) which is really informative and not only because of the links to other interesting sites that hadn’t appeared on my radar previously.
Having long wanted one, I actually bought my librarian action figure of Nancy Pearl in Seattle PL (and it comes with “authentic shushing action” I’ll have you know!) but I had never realised that there was a full-blown site I could visit. Ok... I can see that it’s obvious when you think about it! Well on the ‘real’ Nancy Pearl’s site the focus is on the written word and her ‘lust for books’. In fact to the bottom left of each page on her site it says “Live a little. Lust a lot.” What a great philosophy for life? She has publised a series of ”Book Lust” titles which provided recommended readings, and is all the rage at events that she attends all over the USA.
There is also a link to a blog for teens called Push to talk. I really like the tone, and the mix of informal chat around books for teens. I couldn’t find an ‘about section’ so don’t know much more about what/who/why etc. I'm sorry. But I particularly liked the following promise:
“WE HEREBY SWEAR that this blog for teens, written by the librarians who serve them, shall be interesting, worthwhile, entertaining, and peppered with pictures of animal babies. Did we miss anything? Let us know what you think, what you want to read, what's boring you to death, etc here: teenblog@spl.org!”
and the text in one of the boxes on the home page, which reads:
“See what we're up to! A group of Seattle teens make up the Teen Center Advisors, and they've made their own MySpace page for the library, full of reviews and other goodies. Or you can take a look at all of our photos on flickr, below!”
.... I'm impressed with myself at getting excited about public library activity when I focussed my early career in workplace (special) libraries because I loved the direct multi-level connection with my users, and I really enjoyed being a solo.
I have a background in industry working for National Grid Co immediately prior to joining the professional body in 1997. My practitioner experience has all been as a solo, hence a previous job role as Workplace and Solo Adviser for CILIP.
I am now helping to set up the new Membership Support Unit at CILIP with colleagues Kathy Ennis and Angela Frampton. We have a very wide remit so it is an exciting time.
I began my library 'career' as a school librarian (I'm trying to find my badge to prove it!) and have experienced doing freelance information searching as well as setting up an interior design library (complete with brick and wallpaper samples).
My basic passion is the potential for our skill set.
I love North Wales, camping and recently discovered the pleasure of boogie boarding (with wetsuit of course - we are talking Irish sea here).
Little known fact?
I have been supporting the re-introduction of the Welsh Highland Railway since the early '80s. The railway will run through the spectaular countryside between Caernarvon and Porthmadog (including Beddgelert). Well worth a visit.
