rare books and special collections in virginia

A deviation from the program - this week I've been in Charlottesville Virginia at Rare Book School. I took a course called 'Introduction to Special Collections Librarianship' which was taught by Alice Schreyer, Director of the Special Collections Research Center at the University of Chicago. Most of the students in the class were librarians or administrators of university special collections, which meant that the course naturally emphasised this area of SC librarianship. We discussed the theory and practice of SC librarianship, with a focus on rare book collections, although we did speak extensively about manuscript and archival collections. Among other things, we covered areas such as access, reservation, digitisation, using SCs in teaching and outreach (including exhibitions), the phenomenon of 'hidden collections', and the recently-drafted document outlining core competencies for SC professionals. It was a really interesting week and a great perspective on how the SC community in the US functions (actually, quite an eye-opener in some ways, especially in terms of funding and the positioning of the SC profession within the general library community). I've made copious notes, of course, but can I read them???

Mash it up

Well, this week was kind of fun (though it did take an awfully long time to be creative). A lot of what is on offer out there is a bit pointless, except for fun, but there are some exciting possiblities. Talis ran a library mashup comptetition a few years ago and some of the entries were intriguing. The winner was John Blyberg who created Go Go Google Gadgets, a suite of library gadgets which could be added to your personalised Google desktop. Blyberg is also the creator of the fabulous Catalog Card Generator.

Anyway, I spent a long time on Bighugelabs trying to choose a toy to use, then another very long time on Flickr, agonising over whether I could pinch someone's photo, despite my usual scruples about copyright (I did use it in the end - and I acknowledge a fine photo by The Kruger.) I'm not sure which value this illustrates - it covers all bases really. It is supposed to be a positive message by the way!

Pod on...

Podcasts are great! There is a lot of scope for us to be using them in LibraryLand, in fact many many libraries and cultural institutions have been offering them for years. They add another level of 'interactivity' to a website (although I dislike the word 'interactive' relating to websites - that's the whole point of the internet, isn't it?)
The Natural History Museum in London has a fantastic program called Nature Live Online. Every day at 12.30, there is an informal talk by one of the Museum's researchers or curators in the Nature Live studio in the Museum. The talks are also shown via live webcast and the onsite and live web audiences can participate in the discussions. The webcasts are then archived and are available online (currently Brilliant.
SLNSW could be podcasting lots of events which already occur here at the library - public talks, staff talks, training sessions for use internally, 'how to' guides for clients etc. I actually love the last idea. My concept of 'how to' guides for clients and potential clients could include short podcasts on how to apply for a reader's card, how to fill in a stack slip, how to use a locker, how to book a PC in the reading room, tours of resources in the reading rooms etc etc etc. It would go a long way to demystify the library for clients and familiarise them with procedures before they even get here! Let's go!

A rose by any other name ... might sound really silly

You know what I hate about 'Slam the boards'? The name. Why oh why are librarians continually trying to make themselves cool, or down with the kids by coming up with these ridiculous names? It's right up there with the continuous desperate attempts to make science or Christianity cool (no offence intended to anyone scientific or Christian). It's just a little bit embarrassing and you're mostly preaching to a converted audience already (no religious pun intended). If people want to use your services and you're providing a good one, they will! You're not going to get in a whole lot of newbies and convert them to the wonders of what can be provided by librarians/scientists/God by giving the service a hip and happening name. In fact, I'd argue it looks a bit desperate and dates really quickly.

However, having gotten that off my chest (deep breath) the idea is great. People are asking questions in these places anyway, so there may as well be people like us who make reference a business out there answering them. Just don't make me wear an 'Ask me anything!' name badge.

LibraryThing

This 'week' includes LibraryThing, which I'm happy about, because I'd forgotten that I signed up and started using it at the beginning of the year. I thought it would be a good way of keeping track of the book series I collect. So, I've entered my whole collection of King Penguin books, and I even had a comment from another collector! It is good fun and a great way for me to keep a record of my own collection, including where I bought the books and what I paid, but again, yet another website to keep on top of, log in to etc. Am I really this focussed and organised? I'm not sure yet, but I suspect not...
The image is pinched from a blog by Penguin Fancier.