tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47470907987847050632024-02-07T10:14:05.293+00:00Books and Librariesclaire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-75617435537035560932016-03-17T17:05:00.000+00:002016-03-17T17:05:01.239+00:00Moved blog <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've moved this Books and Libraries blog to https://cracajilelibraries.wordpress.com/</span></div>
claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-73670653524551033282015-06-09T17:54:00.000+01:002015-06-09T17:56:33.100+01:00ELISA Edinburgh visit to Edinburgh College of Art Library On Tuesday 2nd June I went on a visit to Edinburgh College of Art Library which was one of the programme of visits organised by <a href="https://edinburghlibrariesagency.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">ELISA</a> training and development group.<br />
The College of Art is on Lady Lawson Street in Edinburgh Old Town and has an old building at the front and a new building at the back leading onto West Port. The library is in the new part of the building. I have <a href="http://www.donlanlibraries.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/edinburgh-college-of-art.html" target="_blank">visited</a> before in 2012 but it was better going as part of a group especially as we had an interesting talk from the librarian Jane Furness.<br />
The library is based on 3 floors although as we were vising at the same time as the degree show was on, the top floor was being used for the exhibition. Each floor is sort of separate as it was originally going to be an office building so you come out of each floor and use the lift or stairs to get to the next.<br />
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On the main entrance floor is the Help Desk / Service Desk, some PCs and printer, lots of journals and magazines, the short loan collection and a collection of DVDs.<br />
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There is a variety of seating - comfortable seating and seating at tables and chairs.<br />
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On the lower floor there is the main book collection and some desks with PCs.<br />
The whole area is light and bright and has a good feel to it. It feels like a good place to work and the book collection is very interesting.<br />
Jane explained about the collection and about the links with other Edinburgh University libraries and how the students use the resources. Although there are some electronic resources, due to the nature of the subject it is important to have paper based books and artifacts that are accessible and appealing.<br />
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There are display cases containing exhibits and artists stories. <br />
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More information can be found about the library on the <a href="http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/library-museum-gallery/using-library/lib-locate/eca-library" target="_blank">university website </a><br />
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After we had looked round the library we looked round the rest of the building and the degree show. There is a great view from the top floor.<br />
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<br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-52824575081646849662015-06-05T16:50:00.001+01:002015-06-10T09:42:02.299+01:00Libraries and bookshops - Copenhagen Libraries and bookshops in Copenhagen - images via Ben Donlan from his visit Spring 2015 - random selection<br />
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<br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-36576110057263672362015-06-05T16:31:00.005+01:002015-06-05T16:31:52.599+01:00Radboud University library, Nijmegen, The NetherlandsRadboud University library, Nijmegen, The Netherlands<br />
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Image via Ben Donlan </div>
claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-51712969557243587702015-02-01T20:20:00.002+00:002015-06-09T09:56:42.740+01:00Barter Books, Alnwick <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Barter Books, Alnwick - a brilliant second-hand bookshop </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalG7vzwYJ96xzarnuX4Ooja29J9odSvr3Zvk5O2OmSIgfmmBkhmLts70yqEZEQySHIX0i4jhabttXm35ibBSyV81uYvkCajD3FegyC5F3RltXOR5ljLYX0LtRLzrv1srSQBgugDMEsFFl/s1600/WP_20150101_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalG7vzwYJ96xzarnuX4Ooja29J9odSvr3Zvk5O2OmSIgfmmBkhmLts70yqEZEQySHIX0i4jhabttXm35ibBSyV81uYvkCajD3FegyC5F3RltXOR5ljLYX0LtRLzrv1srSQBgugDMEsFFl/s640/WP_20150101_007.jpg" width="640" /></a>claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-2268814462331578432015-02-01T20:00:00.000+00:002015-02-01T20:06:12.774+00:00Billingham LibraryThere is still a week to go to National Libraries Day but as there is a new library in Billingham and we were passing, we went for a look round. Billingham town centre is being revamped as part of a regeneration project and the library is a new building. It is replacing the older libraries that existed in the town and that I visited and blogged about in April 2012 <a href="http://donlanlibraries.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/billingham-libraries.html" target="_blank">http://donlanlibraries.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/billingham-libraries.html</a><br />
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There has been lots of work done to the town centre to improve it and the library building looks great. It is a shared service building with other council services. <br />
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The library part is bright and welcoming with good signage. Modern, practical seating with places for sitting and reading. Access to PCs at clusters of 4 alongside the windows. Self service issue and return machines. <br />
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A very good selection of book stock, lots of fiction, local history, graphic novels and some categories that I haven't seen before....paranormal....<br />
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<br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-16566939438150398402014-11-07T11:44:00.000+00:002014-11-07T11:45:40.078+00:00Sustainable Libraries<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sustainable Libraries</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saving Energy - more sustainable buildings </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Reduce energy consumption - replace boilers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ventilation systems and controls </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lighting systems -- light bulbs and fittings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Library Catalogue machines</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Save space and transport - ejournals</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Printing and photocopying - doublesided printing and pull printing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Donate and recycle books and journals</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Green roof, solar panels</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/aboutus/sustainability/ourinitiatives/sustainablelibraries.html">http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/aboutus/sustainability/ourinitiatives/sustainablelibraries.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.designinglibraries.org.uk/">http://www.designinglibraries.org.uk/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/">http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://greenlibraries.org/">http://greenlibraries.org/</a></span></div>
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claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-40445785622161935642014-11-02T14:46:00.001+00:002014-11-07T11:46:31.158+00:00Waverley 200 <br />
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claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-81161655600114196962014-09-21T13:14:00.002+01:002014-09-21T13:27:20.624+01:00Library Camp UK Newcastle #libcampuk14 <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last Saturday 13th September, I attended Library Camp UK in Newcastle. If you've not attended a library camp before and you're interested in libraries then I would recommend it. It's an interesting, friendly and informal way of spending the day with people discussing current topics and issues - an unconference. Usually tea and cake and in an interesting building. It was held in Newcastle City Library and if you've not been there before I would recommend that you go now, immediately - it's an impressive place, cool and friendly (like Newcastle really).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Introduction by the organisers of the event Sue @shedsue and Richard @<span class="u-linkComplex-target">richardveevers</span></span><br />
<span class="u-linkComplex-target"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then pitches by people who wanted to do sessions. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then while we chatted and ate cake, the organisers sorted out the time slots for the sessions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="u-linkComplex-target">The first session I went was led by </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Tom Kistall </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">@thomaskistall from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sheffield Hallam Uni. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He's a 'Digital Innovation Librarian' and looks at improving the user experience.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the topic for the sessions was how to communicate with staff in your team especially if you have l<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ots of part time staff working at different times in different locations. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Face to face communication is the most common method. I mentioned about using google forms and google drive as a means of sharing and collecting information. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Many places have SharePoint and I think it is fair to say that most staff don't particularly like it as it is difficult to use apart from as a repository - it's clunky and at some places it is mandatory to use it. You can set up </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">SharePoint alerts so that come to your email and sign up to different groups. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Most people were agreed that on a practical basis the quickest and easiest way was to communicate f</span>ace-to-face or w</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">rite stuff on whiteboard and sometimes you need to know something before you log on. I sort of agree with this but I would like to get to the stage where alerts and notifications were pushed or pulled to mobile devices. So it didn't involve logging on to the system but you received the information in a timely manner in a useful format. </span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Shared outlook calendars and emails are common practice so that all staff can view events. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">TopDesk Unidesk was mentioned - this was interesting to me because quite a lot of what I'm working on at the moment is about using the IT help-desk system or similar to process library issues and enquiries.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Other channels:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Are blogs used for internal communication? It seems not and I don't know why there is a lack of enthusiasm for them - there is often i</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">nitial enthusiasm but it doesn't last - used more for </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">outward facing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Online meetings? They are m</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ore natural if you've met face to face previously and d</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ifferent cultures have different ways of participating at different times.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Online training is an important consideration and how to include staff who don't work full time so that they have the same opportunities and experience. The training can be online and/or be recorded so can be cascaded. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Managers need to be flexible in providing training and this may involve working evenings and weekends to deliver it. There is the dilemma of whether to limit the means of communication to two or three channels / platforms. This makes s</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">taff development easier as you can ensure that staff know how to use them effectively. Personally I think it is ok to go with a diverse range of tools and channels to see what works best. Also students / library users have access to a wide range of tools so we should be able to know how they work. There does need to be some understanding of the d</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ifferent tools, which are appropriate for which content and who will use them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The second session I went to was about York City Libraries who extracted themselves from local council control to become the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Explore York Library service. This was a result of the service being s</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">hrunk due to cuts. They talked about the process and how they had, and have, a</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> vision of what they wanted to do. This was a useful and informative talk as I hadn't realised what the options would be for services that are not council run and not volunteer services - it seems there is another way to keep libraries open. The Cabinet Office </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Mutual support programme. I appreciate that there is a lot more to know about this but these are the interesting parts that I took notes about: </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">External consultant to advise. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Buildings still owned by council so rent from them. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Council quite helpful - b</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ut the support services of council were difficult especially to get information - need to dig in the council to find out contracts, procedures, finance. Legal forms - discover stuff</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Charitable organization. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">A good move for the service and for the people who work as part of it. It i</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">nvolves art and culture, community engagement, innovation. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Funding - council does provide funding to provide library services - it is 5 years contractual at the amount that was cut to in final year. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Also provide adult learning in library buildings. Social inclusion, community engagement.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">All staff engaged in the process - no option to stay the same - pay and pensions. The leader of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">CYC library service has become CE of board. There is s</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">taff representation on board. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1 part owned by staff, 2 parts owned by community. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Services are provided by council and can be pricematched at end of Y1. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">It has been a positive change for staff. There is c</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ommunity involvement eg project to sell fruit and veg. There is i</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">nvolvement rather than a hierarchy. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Donations. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Volunteers are wanted and needed but are not responsible - the staff are paid. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br />The next session was about 'What is a Librarian?'. This session was led by Marianne Bamkin @mainlymazza</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">I have mixed feelings about this question and topic as I think there is a danger that librarians spend too much time either being precious or disruptive about it and what it signifies to them rather than concentrating on what it means to the outside world. Whatever you think about being a librarian, there is a need to be positive about it and promote it as a useful and significant role and profession - it's a great 'brand', don't through away the opportunity to use it and instill it with value. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So back to the session - we came up with a series of words that reflect what a librarian is or does:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Knowledge</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Facilitate</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Information</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Users</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Empower</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Support</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Find</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Conduit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">enabler</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Connections<br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Entertainment/enjoyment</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Resource</span>Community</span><br />
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The ones I like best are Find, Support and Empower<br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Different definitions are needed for different audience e.g. stakeholders, students but would it be useful to have a tag line </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">made up of simple words?</span></span><br />
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The last session was by Dawn of the Unread</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://www.librarycamp.co.uk/2014/08/aaarrgh-dawn-of-undead-sponsor.html</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://www.dawnoftheunread.com/</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All in all it was a great day - I met lots of interesting new people and caught up with lots of others who are based in the North East. Thanks to all those who organised and attended. Thanks to those who made cakes - they were delicious</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm now looking forward to Library Camp Glasgow in November #libcampgla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">http://bit.ly/1AZc8kx</span><br />
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-88231562510830952722014-08-06T09:22:00.001+01:002014-08-06T09:26:09.355+01:00Dutch Library - Nieuwe Bibliotheek <br />
Dutch Library - Nieuwe Bibliotheek<br />
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<a href="http://www.shareable.net/blog/how-a-new-dutch-library-smashed-attendance-records">http://www.shareable.net/blog/how-a-new-dutch-library-smashed-attendance-records</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.denieuwebibliotheek.nl/">http://www.denieuwebibliotheek.nl</a>claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-48549468962769354152014-08-02T22:00:00.000+01:002014-08-02T22:00:14.814+01:00Holiday reading #books <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last week I had a weeks holiday - a week off work and a week without technology. Once a year I have a week without emails and social media which means chilling out and reading. <br />During the week I read 5 books:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="line-height: 1.16em;">What the **** Is Normal?! by Francesca Martinez - we </span><span style="line-height: 18.559999465942383px;">are</span><span style="line-height: 1.16em;"> reading this for Book Club and I enjoyed it a lot. Funny and poignant and interesting. I'm going to try and get a ticket to see her stand up comedy show at Edinburgh Fringe.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><br /><span style="line-height: 18.559999465942383px;">Miss Webster and Cherif by Patricia Duncker - I bought this from a second hand book shop in Robin Hoods Bay. A good read, intelligent and moving - a quick and easy read.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="line-height: 18.559999465942383px;">The Connoisseur by Magda Sweetland - this has been on my book shelf for ages and I first read it years ago. I enjoyed rereading it as it is set in Edinburgh and North Berwick - it was good but the ending was a bit flat.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="line-height: 18.559999465942383px;">Suicide Excepted by Cyril Hare</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="line-height: 18.559999465942383px;">My Name Is Michael Sibley</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1e1e1e;"><span style="line-height: 18.559999465942383px;">These two are typical old Penguin Crime - 1930's to 1950's. I like a good 'whodunit' / classic crime - nothing gruesome, get the murder over at the beginning then a complex plot to solve.</span></span></span></div>
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claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-9737007156909308012014-02-08T23:04:00.001+00:002014-02-08T23:06:07.277+00:00National Libraries Day 2014 #NLD14Another National Libraries Day - is this the 3rd or 4th? - I can't remember but it's definitely something to look forward to.<br />
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NLD13 blog post http://donlanlibraries.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/my-library-visits-for-national-library.html<br />
NLD12 blog post http://donlanlibraries.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/national-libraries-day-nld12.html<br />
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#savelibraries blogpost Feb11 http://donlanlibraries.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/my-library-tour-for-savelibraries.html<br />
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An excuse, if any is ever needed, to visit libraries, to persuade others to visit libraries and to promote libraries especially via social media. <br />
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This year the library where I work, Heriot-Watt University library, is open to visitors on a National Libraries Day. The library is usually open on Saturdays but we have promoted the fact that it is open and also organised a display and some leaflets. <br />
I was undecided whether to stay in Edinburgh this weekend or come back to Durham but decided to come home as it was Book Club meeting at my friends house and I wanted to catch up. <br />
I made a slower start than usual today due to other family commitments ie visiting my mum and the cat then picking up T2 from station but this afternoon we set off to visit a library I've not been to before. The one I'd picked is Washington (Tyne & Wear) town centre one. Washington is in between Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle and is a new town and has a big shopping centre called the Galleries. (There is Washington Old Hall which is a National Trust place). The library is situated in the shopping centre and we managed to negotiate our way through the Saturday afternoon crowds to find it. <br />
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It is a very nice library - typical town centre public library with lots of fiction books but bright and cheerful and appealing. <br />
They did have a sign in the entrance about National Libraries Day which is an improvement on a couple of years ago when I visited about 6 libraries and none had anything about it. <br />
There were lots of children's books including information books. The displays were cheerful and there was a good selection available. <br />
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I liked the teenage section with the groovy chairs and writing on the wall. <br />
They also had some books for sale which were too difficult to resist. <br />
All in all, a cool place. <br />
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Next on the list was Gateshead library which I have visited before. I googled to see if it was open and it was but I should have checked the actual Gateshead libraries website because when we got there it was closed. <br />
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Luckily the Shipley Art Gallery is practically next door and it was open. The Shipley Art Gallery is fantastic and one of our regular places we visit. It has great exhibitions and is a beautiful building. There is always something of interest and useful things in the shop. We sometimes go there after we have visited the Baltic Art Gallery and it is a good antidote.....<br />
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So onto Durham and to the Clayport library in the city centre. This is one of my regular libraries as it is in County Durham the same as a Sedgefield where I live. It's in a big modern building opposite the Gala theatre. Again lots of fiction books, great selection. <br />
A good young children's area which is always full of noisy small children and conscientious parents......<br />
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I don't know the difference between novels and fiction but that matters not. Again, a sign and display for National Libraries Day but not as wow or exciting as I would have thought. But in the current climate maybe that's all that's available or wanted / needed. I can never quite discern the vibe or atmosphere at Clayport library - it's slightly different but I'm not sure why. Downstairs is the digital media stuff - computers, DVDs, music, graphic novels - quite good and well used. <br />
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Upstairs is the reference library which I've never used but has computers and some book stacks. On the stairs was a picture I liked of the Miners Gala. <br />
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So a good afternoon visiting libraries. It's inconvenient that lots of public libraries are not open Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Personally I think that if they were they would be used more as a space and resource by a wider audience. Lots of people who work or have other commitments like reading and like going yo interesting buildings to read and sit and drink tea and coffee and eat cake - why can't libraries be those places?? claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-16786298755669635232014-02-03T13:54:00.003+00:002014-02-03T13:54:53.273+00:00Library of Birmingham I visited the Library of Birmingham last year when I was in Birmingham for an Association for Learning Technology meeting at Aston Business School.<br />
The library is an impressive building from the outside, a great landmark for the city.<br />
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The entrance foyer is spacious with plenty of room for people to gather and to wander around and enjoy the space. There are lots of colourful displays and appealing things to look at. There are books on each floor but the overwhelming impression is of space and places to explore and find out information. There were a lot of people about but it didn't seem crowded and it wasn't noisy.<br />
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On the ground floor / lower ground floor there was a great space to look at books and sit and read. These red chairs pictured below were very popular and perfect for relaxing and escaping.<br />
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The groovy blue escalators give the library a wow factor and I explored each floor. At first I was a bit disappointed that the first floor didn't have many books but it was a good space to wander around and to sit and read or chat with groups of people and friends.<br />
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As you make your way up the floors there are more books although some of the subject areas were not obvious to me but I assume this would be easier if i had been looking for something specific. Also I was expecting to find the layout familiar on my first visit which wasn't the case.<br />
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The library has definitely got the wow factor and is a very positive space with lots of users.<br />
From my point of view I do think the space is important - a library space or a learning space or a being safe space - sometimes more important than the contents.<br />
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<br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-1817089945382855762013-11-08T23:38:00.002+00:002013-11-08T23:41:38.248+00:00Seven Years of Book Clubbing <br />
This evening we had a Book Club meeting and as ever it was a very good time. At my house, with tea and cake and chocolate and most importantly lots of talking and catching up. Our book club is not particularly high brow or intellectual and we read a mix of books including popular fiction and classics. The group is a sub-set of a larger friendship group and so we all know each other well and enjoy each others company. We spend time chatting and discussing a variety of topics including the books.<br />
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Tonight we discussed the two books we had read which were:<br />
Stalin Ate My Homework by Alexei Sayle (v interesting especially about the strange visits to eastern bloc countries, communists in Liverpool and eccentric mothers)<br />
The Last Runaway by Tracey Chevalier ( a good read, interesting about the Quakers and Runaways, main character a bit selfish mainly due to be young and naive).<br />
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Our books for next time are The Blackhouse by Peter May and May We Be Forgiven by A. M. Homes. <br />
I have just sent round the email to everyone with the titles for next time and also included a list of all the books we have read so far. It is fascinating to look back at what we have read and to realise that we have been Book Clubbing for nearly seven years - it has been a great experience. <br />
(I've included the list below)</div>
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Book Club Books <br />
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December 2013 The Blackhouse by Peter May <br />
May We Be Forgiven by A. M. Homes<br />
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November 2013 Stalin Ate My Homework by Alexei Sayle<br />
The Last Runaway by Tracey Chevalier<br />
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September 2013 Dr Zhivago by Boris Pasternak <br />
The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence <br />
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July 2013 The Taliban Cricket Club by Timeri Murari<br />
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood<br />
Short Stories by Somerset Maugham<br />
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June 2013 The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce<br />
The picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde<br />
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April 2013 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot<br />
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn <br />
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March 2013 The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt <br />
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern<br />
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November 2012 The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker <br />
The Hundred Year Old Man ..........by Jonas Jonasson <br />
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September 2012 The Thread by Victoria Hislop <br />
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins<br />
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July 2012 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark<br />
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel <br />
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June 2012 The Moment by Douglas Kennedy <br />
Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson<br />
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April 2012 Catch 22 by Joseph Heller<br />
Pigeon English Stephen Kelman <br />
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Feb 2012 A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving <br />
Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson<br />
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November 2011 Singing in the Shrouds by Ngaio Marsh <br />
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens<br />
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October 2011 We need to talk about Kevin - Lionel Shriver <br />
Battle hymn of the Tiger Mother - Amy Chua<br />
The End of the Affair - Graham Greene <br />
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July 2011 Money - Martin Amis <br />
The Tent, the Bucket and Me - Emma Kennedy <br />
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May 2011 The Darling Buds of May - H E Bates <br />
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte<br />
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March 2011 Room - Emma Donoghue,<br />
Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks<br />
Operation Mincemeat - Ben Macintyre<br />
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January 2011 Guernica - Dave Boling<br />
The Last of the Mohicans - James Fenimore Cooper<br />
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Nov 2010 The Diary of a Nobody - George & Weedon Grossmith<br />
Going Gently - David Nobbs<br />
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September 2010 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows<br />
A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth <br />
To the Lighthouse - Virginia Woolf <br />
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June 2010 The Daughter of Time - Josephine Tey<br />
The Bean Tree - Barbara Kingsolver<br />
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April 2010 Ethan Frome - Edith Wharton <br />
White Tiger - Aravind Adiga<br />
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March 2010 Girls of Riyadh - Rajaa Alsamea<br />
The Pirate's Daughter - Margaret Cezair-Thompson <br />
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Jan 2010 Desert Ascent - Simon park<br />
New Europe - Michael Palin<br />
Family Life - Elizabeth Luard <br />
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November 2009 The Elegance of the Hedgehog – Marie Barbey <br />
Dreams from my Father – Barack Obamah<br />
St Agnes Stand – Thomas Eidson <br />
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Sept 2009 Lady Chatterley – DH Lawrence <br />
The Almost Moon – Alice Sebbold<br />
Cider with Rosie – Laurie Lee<br />
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April 2009 Bel Canto – Ann Patchett<br />
Gentleman Players – Joanne Harris <br />
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March 2009 Under Milk Wood – Dylan Thomas <br />
When will there be good news? – Kate Atkinson<br />
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Jan 2009 Rabbit Run – John Updike<br />
Northanger Abbey – Jane Austen <br />
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Nov 2008 Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger <br />
Cloning of Joanna May – Fay Weldon<br />
19 Minutes – Jodi Piccoult<br />
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Sept 2008 Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver<br />
Notes from an Exhibition – Patrick Gale<br />
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June 2008 Blood River – Tim Butcher<br />
Join Me – Danny Wallace<br />
Master & Margarita – Mikhail Bulgakov<br />
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April 2008 Mitford Girls – Mary Lovell<br />
Jekyll & Hyde<br />
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March 2008 Jane and Prudence – Barbara Pym<br />
What Ho Jeeves – PG Wodehouse<br />
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Jan 2008 Bitter Sweets – Roopa Farooki <br />
Suite Française – Irène Nemirovsky<br />
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Nov 2007 The Two of Us – John Thaw – Sheila Hancock <br />
Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood<br />
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Sept 2007 Knots and Crosses – Ian Rankin <br />
Day of the Triffids – John Wyndham<br />
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June 2007 Purple Hibiscus<br />
Handful Of Dust – Evelyn Waugh<br />
Matricide at St Martha’s – Ruth Dudley Edwards<br />
History of Love<br />
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Feb 2007 Promise of Happiness – Justin Cartwright <br />
Tales of the City – Armistead Maupin<br />
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January 2007 Picklehead by Rohan Candappa</div>
claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-13043816641535995302013-10-30T16:10:00.003+00:002013-10-30T16:14:10.867+00:00Most interesting libraries and bookstores website<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most Interesting Libraries</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.miragebookmark.ch/most-interesting-libraries.htm" target="_blank">http://www.miragebookmark.ch/most-interesting-libraries.htm</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most Interesting Bookstores
<a href="http://www.miragebookmark.ch/most-interesting-bookstores.htm"></a>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.miragebookmark.ch/most-interesting-libraries.htm%22%3E%3C/a%3E" target="_blank">http://www.miragebookmark.ch/most-interesting-libraries.htm</a>claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-60604940788771365382013-10-27T19:18:00.001+00:002013-10-27T22:11:15.781+00:00Library Camp Glasgow #libcampglaYesterday, Sat 26th Oct, I went to Library Camp in Glasgow at the Mitchell Library. It's an impressive building with an interesting history. I hadn't been there before and don't know much at all about Glasgow. Coincidentally I went in through the entrance to the old part then walked through to the more modern part. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/27/1999.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/27/s_1999.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I didn't take any notes or tweet very much at the time which is unusual for me. So this is just a brief summary of the day from my point of view and from memory. <br />The event was well organised with instructions on eventbrite and a wiki. <br />Nice goodie bag on arrival and brief outline of the day. As it was an unconference the content of sessions was not decided until people had pitched for the sessions. <br />The icebreaker was the bingo game when you have a sheet filled in with various attributes or experiences and you have to go round finding people who do or have done that thing. It's a tried and tested activity and works well to get people to circulate and introduce themselves. <br />There was an introduction by the organisers - Anabel Marsh, Myra Paterson, Lesley Thomson and Lynn Corrigan. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/27/2000.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/27/s_2000.jpg' border='0' width='158' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Then pitches for the sessions and some soapbox rants. <br />During the day I went to 3 sessions plus the tour of the Mitchell Library. <br />Sean McNamara (Cilips) led a session about what to do for National Libraries Day in February. Various ideas were discussed from collecting interesting stories from individuals about how libraries had made a difference to their lives to children's events and sleepovers to flash mobs?!?<br />There needs to be widespread awareness of the day and events in a joined up high profile way. It is difficult because you're probably either speaking to the converted ie people will visit libraries who already visit them or treading carefully as there are library closures. I think the important thing is to have a series of appealing events happening in order to attract people in and also make it easy and accessible. <br />Another session was led by Isabel Hood about End User Education. The discussion covered various points including the usual ones about how difficult it is to get students (& staff) to engage in inductions and information skills sessions and indeed staff to engage with training and CPD. If it's not mandatory, there has to be 'something in it for me' otherwise some people just won't participate. For students it's finding ways of making it relevant and available at the point of need. Building up relationships with students is important and getting recommendations and testimonials from staff and students. <br />After lunch I went on the tour of the library led by Myra Paterson. It was very interesting and I could have listened to her all day talking about the building and working there and how things have changed and developed over the years. <br />At the end of the tour we caught the end of a session led by Andrew McDougall (NLS) about youth employment in libraries and how to manage the staff demographic. I'll be interested to read write ups of this session and to find out what people think about it. It's important to get young people involved in working in libraries but there are only a limited amount of jobs and people tend to stay in the jobs they've got. My take on it is to get skills, qualifications and experience in related fields such as education and IT and move in and out of library related posts as and when the opportunities arise - but that's a personal view and for another post. <br />Finally there was a session led by Graeme Arnott and Ally Crockford about Wikimedia and being a wikimedian and the events that are happening to encourage people to take part. It was very interesting and I'm going to find out more about it and why and how etc. I usually just think of Wikipedia and that's it and people can edit it but nothing more than that really. <br />At the end of the day there was a brief summary if the sessions and prizes for the best rant and best badges. It was a great day and I enjoyed it.<br />I'll reflect over the next few days about unconferences, networking, libraries, CPD, sharing and collaborating etc. etc. and what it means to me. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/27/2001.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/27/s_2001.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/27/2002.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/27/s_2002.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-64895922234210575592013-10-17T10:58:00.001+01:002013-10-17T10:58:58.055+01:00Norwich Library (July 2013)On the way back from the Latitude Festival we stopped off for the night near Norwich. We explored the city briefly mainly to find somewhere to eat late afternoon with limited success. We did however find Norwich library which was excellent. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/17/370.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/17/s_370.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/17/371.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/17/s_371.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/17/372.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/17/s_372.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/17/373.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/17/s_373.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/17/374.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/17/s_374.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/17/375.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/17/s_375.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-10906997486411461062013-10-02T22:42:00.001+01:002013-10-02T22:42:45.169+01:00No time for Wittgenstein?To tell the truth, in recent months the amount of reading I've done has been minimal. This is mainly because I've not had time and also because I've not had the 'headspace' to do so. Since I started my current job in June and various family commitments over the summer, I've been concentrating on essentials with no time for frivolous thoughts or reading for fun. Also I've started to listen to podcasts and the radio more, especially when falling asleep on a night. Less effort I suppose. <br />However I do need to encourage myself and make time for reading. I even had to pretend that I'd read the books for book club last month when I hadn't finished either of them. <br />I went to the library after work tonight (busman's evening out) and took back my overdue books. I've still got a couple out that I've started to read for book club so wasn't intending to get any more. Then I saw these two books. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/02/1539.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/02/s_1539.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I would like to read them both but made a choice and chose the Wittgenstein one. It is plainly ridiculous to think that I'll read it all but that doesn't matter, I'll read some of it. In the dim and distant past I did read Wittgenstein (actual philosophy not a book about him) when at Uni but gone are the days - or at least on hold are the days :)<br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-39237937651751727822013-08-27T22:15:00.001+01:002013-08-27T22:15:31.802+01:00Hunt Library : bookBotHunt Library : bookBot<br />http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/huntlibrary/bookBot<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-84973049698153077752013-06-21T18:34:00.001+01:002013-06-21T18:34:57.004+01:00Two not quite but nearly library visits Today I was at Aston University Business School for an ALT meeting. After the meeting across the road I saw Aston University Library. It looked new and exciting - I went in and asked if I could look round but they said no. It's a shame when you can't look round a Uni library out of interest, I didn't want to use any of their resources but I suppose it is understandable for security ?!?<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/21/1085.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/21/s_1085.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/21/1086.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/21/s_1086.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />When I was in Birmingham earlier in the week I saw the new City Library building. It looks fantastic, I think it is opening in September so I'll have to try and visit in the autumn. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/21/1087.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/21/s_1087.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-9406576073971372702013-06-19T21:11:00.001+01:002013-06-19T21:11:54.276+01:00Library Camp NE #LibCampNELibrary Camp NE<br />On Saturday I went to Library Camp NE - it was interesting and I enjoyed it. <br />First point to note - all of my family and friends that I mentioned it to in advance thought it was either hilarious or weird. Why? What? On a Saturday? Yes, it's hard to explain so I just say 'it's a CPD sort of thing'. <br />Mind you they think this about other sort of library focused events such as visiting libraries for National Libraries Day although in that case I give them a serious answer and persuade and cajole them to come with me. <br />Learning Technology events fare slightly better as long as there's no embarrassing or weird people there. <br />So to Library Camp which was held at Northumbria University in the Sutherland Room of the Sutherland Building. It is a beautiful space. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/19/2013.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/19/s_2013.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />It was organised by @nikkidavey @MiningLibrarian @audesome @louiselib (apologies if I've missed anyone out) who are library people from Newcastle. It was nice to see quite a few people that I know from when I worked in Middlesbrough and people that I've met through work and networking events in the North East - and through twitter of course. <br />The first activity of the day was to decide on the unconference format for the day so in groups everyone decided on some topics for discussion. These were combined with some that had been volunteered beforehand with people offering to lead a discussion. The organizers then sorted these into a grid of groups and time slots and that was it. You just had a look at the chart, see which discussions were happening in which group at which time and move around accordingly. <br />The discussions I took part in were:<br />1. Closed Stock Libraries 'Argos Libraries' - which models would work? What are the advantages apart from saving space?<br />2. Operating a library from a temporary location eg Portakabin. <br />This is quite common for short periods of time but what are the pitfalls and problems if its for months or years instead of just weeks?<br />3. Shared services - what are the advantages of library services sharing their space, desk and roles with other customer facing facilities? <br />4. Job hunting and creative CPD. What should library professionals do to increase their chances of successfully getting jobs? What are the useful hints and tips for applications and networking? <br />It was an interesting day - it's good to meet up with colleagues, fellow professionals, library people etc. and share ideas in an informal setting and format. <br />I hope it happens again with cups of tea too :)<br />I've storified the tweets - not very well as in random order but they give more information about the day and the discussions. <br />http://storify.com/clairedonlan/library-camp-ne<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/19/2016.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/19/s_2016.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/19/2014.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/19/s_2014.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-72667771955429708202013-06-18T21:05:00.001+01:002013-06-18T21:05:56.134+01:00Edinburgh Libraries Tweet Up eltu1Last week I went to the first Edinburgh Libraries Tweet Up #eltu1. It was organised by Lynn Corrigan, advertised on twitter with tickets available through eventbrite. <br />The event included a visit to the Scottish Poetry Library http://www.spl.org.uk/. I had been before for a quick look round but this time we had a guided tour by the librarian Julie Johnstone. She talked to us about the architecture and history of the building - outside and inside. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/18/1809.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/18/s_1809.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/18/1810.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/18/s_1810.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The library is a modern, beautiful building although it is quite small - like a treasure trove. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/18/1811.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/18/s_1811.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/18/1812.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/18/s_1812.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Upstairs the space is brighter and lighter and can be used as a flexible space for events. There is also a children's section with a variety of books. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/18/1813.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/18/s_1813.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Back downstairs we had a look at the book sculptures which have been made and left by the infamous anonymous book sculptor in Edinburgh. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/18/1814.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/18/s_1814.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Then we had a talk by Colin Waters the Communications Manager who is charge of the library's social media activities. He outlined their social media strategies and explained about their podcasts of poets readings. <br />The visit was very interesting and the overall impression was of the library being forward thinking and involved in making poetry accessible to a wide audience. <br />After visiting the library we went for food and drink at Hemma bar restaurant - where we had cider as recommended by Lynn. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/18/1815.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/18/s_1815.jpg' border='0' width='271' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />There were 8 or 9 people there and I'm sure the next tweet up will be even more popular. It was good to see Anabel Marsh again - (we met through twitter) who organises the Glasgow Library Tweet Ups as well as other Glasgow Library related stuff. http://gltweeps.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/scottish-poetry-library/<br />Other people there included Karen, Ria and Simon from Napier Uni whom I'm hoping to arrange a visit with. And Kirsten who lives in the same area as me. <br />I'm looking forward to the next LibTweetUp. <br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-47502929979013621352013-02-09T18:04:00.001+00:002013-02-09T18:06:28.282+00:00My library visits for National Library Day NLD13Usually my library visits for NLD are in the Durham area but this year I'm in Edinburgh. I started yesterday as I was at work and needed to check out a few library buildings anyhow. At the Kings Buildings site of Edinburgh University there is a brand new library - the Murray Library. There is still some of the library areas in other buildings but mainly study areas and teaching and learning clusters. This is in the Darwin Building. <br />
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There is also a library store with older books and journals<br />
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The Murray library is in an impressive new building with a cafe on the ground floor. It is a mixture of books and computer spaces. <br />
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It is great but not that spacious I don't think and they have a sort of 'atrium' (inevitably) and so the noise comes up from the cafe. It's well used and there is an outside balcony space with seating for in the warmer weather. <br />
Later in the day I went back to George Square and to the main library. It is a brilliant library, large with a variety of different areas and different resources. It is well used by students and an ideal university library for many people. But it's not for me - I prefer the library at Edinburgh College of Art or the Divinity Library at New College - luckily there is a choice. (When I was in the Main Library I asked if they were doing anything for National Libraries Day - they replied no, nothing - I wonder why not...)<br />
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Today I was with my friend Kate who has come to visit. It's a bit mean of me to expect my guests to do what I want when they have made the effort to come and stay so a bit of compromising was needed :) We walked to Fountainbridge Library. It is in an impressive building. <br />
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There was a lot going on in the library - lots of people of all ages, plenty of activities, it was fairly noisy but in an upbeat happy way. The staff were friendly and efficient. There was a mixture of books and other resources including newspapers. There were computers in the main area and in a separate area. <br />
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It had a good community feel, as if it was part of other support services and mutually beneficial. <br />
We then walked to the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art. Beautiful buildings and interesting art although some of it was too outlandish for me - I'm not interested in angry, explicit stuff. I like the buildings and the 'everything is going to be alright' and the 'no miracles'. <br />
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A surprise was that there was a library there The Gabrielle Keiller Library - Surrealist artists, authors, poets etc. <br />
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Next we headed back into the city centre then George IV Bridge to the Central Library. I visit here quite frequently so it was just an extra visit for NLD. I like this library, I'm not that keen on self service as I think you lose that relationship between the reader/borrower and the librarian and I don't think it is any more economical but it's not a deal breaker for me. <br />
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I love the shelving in this library. <br />
We went upstairs with the intention of going to the reference library but instead went to the Fine Art library - it was lovely. Lots of great books and interesting artifacts. <br />
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Hinder a librarian at your peril!<br />
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Book sculptures<br />
Finally onto the National Library of Scotland for a quick look round <br />
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Then it was time for tea and cake. I enjoy visiting libraries - they are a vital resource for many people and should be supported by us all. <br />
<br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-86569443547652600792013-01-30T21:56:00.001+00:002013-01-30T21:56:30.147+00:00Book Sculpture I have seen this book sculpture a few times as it is outside the Informatics building in George Square. I took a photo of it today because the sun was shining after days of rain and it cast an interesting shadow. The plaque explaining the sculpture is situated below it so it doesn't detract from the book itself. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/30/1637.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/30/s_1637.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/30/1638.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/30/s_1638.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />claire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747090798784705063.post-39956441606839703472012-11-22T21:54:00.001+00:002012-11-24T07:58:00.367+00:00My 'A Moment in Time' Library VisitsIn December 2010, I decided that I wanted to visit as many libraries as I could - as part of every day life. I started this blog to record details of my visits. I wanted to visit libraries for a number of reasons <br />
1. Political reasons - libraries closing due to public sector cuts and the need for all those who value libraries to publicise their importance. <br />
2. The increase in use of digital resources does not mean libraries are not needed, they are needed more than ever. <br />
3. Libraries are fantastic and interesting - escapism, peace and quiet, historical, useful and fun. <br />
4. I like visiting libraries - I think all libraries should be open to all and people should make the effort to visit them and if you work in a library you should promote and advocate libraries. <br />
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Since Dec 2010 I've visited 39 libraries (plus 5 almosts i.e.ones that I've got to the door but no further due to access restrictions). <br />
They have been mainly a mixture of public libraries and academic libraries. <br />
I'm not sure what I've achieved. <br />
Hopefully it has had a positive effect on the libraries that I've visited - one more user who has appreciated the space, resources and library assistant/librarian.<br />
I've blogged about them which may help raise awareness (every little helps). I've done my bit to promote and advocate the use of libraries and explain that they are essential. <br />
I feel very fortunate that I have always been able to visit libraries since I was about 5 and in which ever area of the country I've lived in. I realize that I'm probably not very important as a reason to keep public libraries open as I have access to other libraries, to online resources and have the means to buy and borrow books from friends or shops. But I do feel it is, and should be, a right for everyone to have access to libraries especially young people and children. <br />
One important point it has made me realize is that I have a different view of libraries from a professional point of view than I do from a personal point of view and it is the professional part that is important. Libraries need to be relevant, they need to provide access to books but also access to a wide variety of electronic resources. They need to provide space, space to learn. They need to provide expertise and the people to facilitate the search for information and knowledge. Most of the libraries that I've visited do provide these crucial elements. <br />
From a personal point of view I'm glad I can visit libraries because I want to look at the books and be in the space to stand and stare and feel the history and the mixture between purposefulness and escapism. <br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneclaire donlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695631584523346182noreply@blogger.com0