A supplement to Update/Gazette from the CILIP NW Branch North West News, No. 44,
Registered Charity no. 313014
July 2013
nw news In this issue of nw news
LILAC 2013
Umbrella 2013
Meet your committee
Aspire Award winner
LILAC 2013 Sue Lawson is an Information and Digital Co-ordinator in Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives. Sue, who won a place at LILAC sponsored by CilipNW, reflects on the importance of information literacy and reports on the conference. The Librarians’ Information Literacy Annual Conference (LILAC) was held in Manchester this year and I was able to attend after winning a place sponsored by CILIP North West. I'd only joined CILIP in late 2012, after chatting to John Dolan at Librarycamp, so felt very lucky to have this opportunity. In my role I look after two websites, manage the library social media accounts, handle Patlib service and answer IP enquiries plus I coordinate IT workshops for the public in libraries across the city. I’m passionate about the impact of digital literacy training and support in our communities. As a newly qualified librarian, way back in 1999, I was setting up silver surfers classes in Manchester Libraries and running IT classes in the then brand new Sure Start Centres. Since then I have continued to obsess over the role of public libraries in the digital world. Information literacy has always been the bread and butter of public libraries. We work with
people who need information from the cradle to the grave. Traditional literacy remains an important service for our communities, but I agree with transliteracy pioneer Bobbi Newman, when she writes that “it’s no longer enough to focus on the ability to read and write alone. Libraries need to shift our focus to digital literacy: the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media.” (http://librariesandtransliteracy. Wordpress.com/about/bobbi-newman/)
and it’s even more pressing now with the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions having a target of 80% of Universal Credit applications being made online. Public libraries need a digital literacy strategy. I am also a fan of John Popham’s blog and work addressing the digital divide in our society. Public libraries need an urgent strategy to deal with our community’s digital literacy needs. “If we accept that we need as many people as possible online then I believe some pretty drastic action is needed. The people who remain resistant to joining the online world are those who would be characterised as “hardest to reach.” In this, as in other arenas, I maintain there are no “hard to reach” people, if you are finding anyone hard to reach you are using the wrong tactics.” (John Popham http:// johnpopham.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/socialhousing-sleepwalking-into-the-digital-nightmare/).
So thinking about all these things I headed to LILAC, having heard lots of good things about the conference via twitter and blog posts from previous years. You’ll find the full programme at http://www.lilacconference.com/WP/programme/ and the parallel sessions are listed at http:// www.lilacconference.com/WP/programme/parallelsessions.
My first session was Not just a pretty face: putting the learning into the Learning Commons with Rosie Jones and Jenni Blake from the University of Manchester’s Alan Gilbert Learning Commons. Rosie and Jennifer explained the concept behind the new learning commons and enthusiastically shared their innovative programmes and ways of working. Library staff have developed a cross university information literacy training programme plus open learning materials to support the learning needs of all students in a modern, flexible space that can host different styles of study and is available to students day and night. I was impressed that library managers were co-located with students, increasing access and conversation between library users and staff. Before this session I hadn’t really been sure what a learning commons was, but I came away with much better understanding of the learning commons concept. Next up was HELP! An AL’s survival guide to developing online tutorials without time or skill from Gillian Siddall, University of Northampton. In a contrast to the small classroom of the previous session, Gillian’s talk was located in a huge lecture theatre. Gillian didn’t let this faze her at all and confidently explained how she has developed a bank of online information skills tutorials for an increasing number of distance learners. In the final part of the session the audience helpfully shared several useful online tools and apps for developing online tutorials. I was pleased to leave with a list of new free technology to try out in my work. And finally it was time for the keynote speaker. J. P. Rangaswami – Librarians and the 21st Century: A personal view. As usual, I had been following the keynote speaker’s blog before the conference, and was looking forward to a thought provoking session. In 2012 J.P. Rangaswami gave a Ted Talk called Information is Food (http://s.coop/1qqeu) and at LILAC he continued his theme, telling us that information is not a commodity. “Actually it is our past, our present and our future. Information is our DNA; it’s the DNA of humanity.” He talked about libraries meaning many things to many people and the joy of information, emphasising the
importance of accuracy and the ability of technology to create community. I’ll let you watch the whole talk at http://s.coop/1qqf4 and make your own mind up. And that was it – my first LILAC conference. Thank you to CILIP Northwest for my place and to the LILAC organisers for putting on such a full and interesting programme of speakers and workshops. You’ll find me on Twitter as @shedsue Do get in touch
Umbrella 2013 Natalia Gordon, Senior Library Assistant at Manchester Metropolitan University, won a place at Umbrella 2013 sponsored by CILIPNW and talks about her experiences there. Natalia’s background is in photography and graphic arts which is reflected in her pictorial article. Change is the
norm.
This statement by Ben Showers from JISC held a certain resonance for me during the Umbrella 2013 conference. From issues arising from Big Data and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) to discussions on the impact of Social Media, change seemed to be a common theme. These issues are just a small sample of the vast changes and challenges for Information Professionals in the current climate. There were two important themes that remained with me after the conference: change through technology and change through collaborations or partnerships.
It is difficult to ignore the impact of new technologies on our profession. In some areas, this has led to the integration of IT and library services. Simon Barron discussed this and its challenges in his futuristic sounding talk “Rise of the Cyborgs: the Librarian/IT Hybrid.� In another example, Hannah Gore, from the Open University, examined how librarians are critically embedded in MOOCs landscape in her presentation on the emergence of social learning.
spoke about her work with the Critical Care team in Wirral. Victoria joins the doctors on ward rounds where she performs evidence searches to clinical questions on an iPad. This demonstrates how clinical librarians can build relationships with medical teams by combining skills. This innovative approach has been proven to save lives. The fact that she copresented with Dr Girendra Sadera, consultant for the Critical Care team, is a testament to this successful collaboration.
There is a
disconnect between what we do and how we are
perceived. Far from being seen as the Mechagodzilla that attacked Japan, the recent advancement in technology is being embraced. One example is the innovative use of social media to create interactive information literacy sessions by Suzanne Tatham from the University of Sussex. You can see the short discussion on Twitter at #digienvub. Another example was given by Roly Keating on the use of crowdsourcing at the British Library to geo-reference the map collection to make it fully searchable and viewable. This use of new technology has made the cataloguing job much easier.
To a certain extent, information professionals have always shared knowledge.
However, in the current climate of - Phil Bradley, CILIP instability and change, this is an even more pertinent issue because it causes us to examine who we are and what we do. This means a change in our future work patterns by creating new partnerships to achieve a common goal. In return, these collaborations will give others a better understanding of what we as information professionals do.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a
librarian!
I had a fantastic time at Umbrella 2013. It was an inspiring experience for a new professional and I would like to thank CILIP North West for this tremendous opportunity.
- Victoria Treadway, Clinical Librarian
The British Library crowdsourcing example leads to the other theme, collaboration. An inspiring use of collaboration was presented by Victoria Treadway, a clinical librarian, who
Natalia is on Twitter @cheekygnat
Meet Your Committee This month it’s the turn of CILIP NW Web Liaison Officer, Mark Burgess
Name: Mark Burgess Job Title & Place of work Assistant Librarian, Gaskell Library, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University Where did you study? I completed my MSc in Information Management at Manchester Metropolitan University. How long have you been in your current job? I have been an Assistant Librarian just shy of four years now. How did you get where you are today? I’d love to say that I actively sought out a career in librarianship and that it was my sole ambition and purpose in life. In actuality, however, I fell into librarianship, and haven’t looked back since. After reading my first master’s degree in Sociological Research at Manchester University, I had two options: continue on to complete a PhD or get a job. I decided that it was time to enter the real world of work. After deciding that I’m quite good at finding and organising information, or so the online skills survey said, I applied for a graduate traineeship at Manchester Metropolitan University, and spent a year in post as a GT down at Didsbury Library. This put fire to my latent ambition to become a librarian. Then on completing my MSc, I gained my first professional post, as a subject librarian and have been in it ever since. Are you where you thought you'd be when you started in the profession? Yes Position on the Committee and for how long? Did you do something else on the committee before that? I am the Web Liaison Officer and I have been in this position for about two years now.
What does that mean you actually do? Web Liaison Officer basically means that I do anything relating to our web presence, which includes managing our social media presence, as well as our new bulk emailing system called communicator. This also means that whenever you see a change to our North West pages, it’s almost certainly me that’s done it. In the past twelve months I have also been doing a lot of the ground work to ensure a smooth transition from our current website to our new and improved website, as part of the CILIP web refresh project. It’s been challenging, particularly trying to weave the workload into my existing work obligations, but it’s a great addition to my CV, which is one of the reasons I enjoy being a member of the committee: a chance to explore new skills and develop professionally. How do you feel being a member of Cilip NW Committee benefits you? My committee membership benefits me greatly. It has allowed me to widen my understanding and knowledge of wider professional issues, including those outside academia. But, it also has allowed me to appreciate more the context in which I currently operate, allowing me to reflect on the state of the sector I find myself in. In addition, I have developed a wealth of new skills, such as organising events, project management, communication and negotiation skills and much more in between. Importantly, though, I have met many new people and developed a larger network because of my involvement with CILIP NW. Last book you read? The last book I read was The Wayward Bus by Steinbeck, and I am currently reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Book or eReader? I like the feel and texture of print books, even if the pages get bent or twisted in my bag. However, for convenience, I like being able to carry around my entire Library in a very light and sturdy device. The answer is both. Favourite library? I’d have to say Chetham’s Library, Manchester. I loved the chained up books. Dream job? LIS or other!! My dream job would possibly be a lecturer of information and library science, or be a master of my own destiny and own my own business.
Aspire Award Winner Kate Grigsby Librarian at Knutsford Library and HMP Styal wins the CILIP Aspire Award and a place at Umbrella 2013
A word from the Editor
I hope you enjoyed this edition, my first as editor. Alison has temporarily handed over the reins as she enjoys some well earned time with her new daughter. Many thanks to Alison for showing me the ropes and entrusting me with her role. It has been a busy time for CILIP with the North West well represented by hosting both LILAC and Umbrella. Thanks to Sue and Natalia for their contributions to this edition. I take great pleasure in including a special congratulations to my Cheshire East colleague Kate for winning the Aspire Award, absolutely well deserved.
Congratulations to Kate Grigsby for winning the CILIP Aspire Award and a full delegate place at the 2013 Umbrella Conference. The award was established in memory of Bob McKee and is aimed at helping new professionals develop through networking. Kate succinctly summed up the contribution her roles at Knutsford public library and HMP Styal library have made to customers and the community and stated what attendance at Umbrella would mean to her. Award judge and conference Director Biddy Fisher said: “In a tough field Katherine clearly demonstrated her support for the positive contribution that library services make to society. Her enthusiasm for her work and commitment to the profession is clear.” Kate said: “It is a great privilege to be awarded the opportunity to attend Umbrella. I am really looking forward to meeting other library professionals and learning more about what they do. It is also a chance for me to share my experiences in prison and public libraries and emphasise how much these community spaces and their staff contribute to society.” Read Kate’s full report on Umbrella in a future issue of CILIP Update. For more information on this CILIP award and others visit http://www.cilip.org.uk/aboutus/medalsandawards/pages/default.aspx
What is happening in your service? Are you attending an interesting course or planning an exciting event? Contributions for future issues of NW News are always very welcome and make a great addition to your CPD.
Copy dates for next issue of NW News. Editorial Copy Deadline: 1st September 2013 Cover date: October 2013 Contact the editor: Jenny Norton Email:
jenny.norton@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Tel:
01625 374818
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