Archive for June, 2007
Public library administration
Tim Coates takes it to the streets. Well, Readers’ Digest.
Management is one of his regular targets. He feels there’s too much of it, and that it adds an unacceptable cost burden. Also, ‘managers’ are seen to be distant and distanced from the public.
What can be done? Well, firstly it is not a universal problem. In [...]
Filed under: Patrons, Public libraries, Service, Visitors | 3 Comments
Recruitment
If you said to ‘the public’*
‘those doctors only employ qualified doctors with some experience of hospitals’,
you would get a ‘well, yeeeees’ look. Similarly if you talked about teachers, nurses etc.
I guess people think ‘the public’ wouldn’t react that way if you said ‘public librarians’ because you don’t need qualifications or experience to work in a [...]
Filed under: Libraries, Public libraries | 3 Comments
Of nepotism…
Okay I’ve posted a reply in the comments, but can anyone else see where I ‘imply’ that it’s ok for libraries to recruit ‘friends’ without regard for the needs of the public?
Comments are from Tim Coates’ blog, following a post on public library recruitment policies:-
Well, I think many people see Public LIbraries as closed to [...]
Filed under: Public libraries | 13 Comments
From Booksurfer, a good news story about public libraries. Seems ERYC have increased loans and general use, through a balanced investment in buildings, books and IT.
Who’d have thunk it eh
Filed under: Public libraries | 1 Comment
Umbrella 2007
As well as following up on the public library debate, CILIP Update and Gazette covered Umbrella 2007. It’s now just 23 days away! Thanks to Michael for the countdown on the Clippers Umbrella wiki.
It’s good to know you get a notepad in your conference pack The rooms also have wireless internet access, so there [...]
Filed under: CILIP, Chartership, Conference | 2 Comments
An end to Dewey?
A story here about a US public library using topics as opposed to Dewey.
OK as far as it goes. But Dewey has the advantage of being a ‘universal’ system, albeit one with many faults. Categories can, and most likely will, vary from library to library.
Signs etc can be used to identify the ‘topics’ that DDC builds [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized | 6 Comments
Middle gears
Well, the holiday was great Weather not so good, but we played a lot of games so all was well.
Now, to libraries. Middle gears. Yes, this is what we need. Less of the ‘end of the world is nigh’ thrill ride of the Saviours of Libraries, more the less thrilling but more rewarding steady [...]
Filed under: Balance, Customers, Patrons, Service, Visitors | 0 Comments
