We were met with great enthusiasm at the Edinburgh Central Library. Not only did they set us up in a room for a presentation but we were given free tote bags. The first presentation was given by Alison Stoddart, Digital Library Developer, and was about Web 2.0. The library’s virtual library was started less than a year ago but has given the users a useful alternative to coming into the library in person. The two main purposes of the virtual library are to give access to the users and to raise the profile of the library. You can reach the site here. The library has a blog which is updated daily as well as a twitter and flickr. By making connections outside of the library they can extend their user base and get information about the library out a lot quicker.
The above presentation was followed by Annie Bell and Colm Linnane who gave a talk about Reader Development, or Reader’s Advisory to Americans. The whole point of their department is to engage with the readers and find out how the library environment can be improved. One of the ways in which they try to meet the needs of the readers is through author events which are given every month. Through these author events they can bring in well-known and burgeoning authors who can come in and discuss their works with the readers themselves. They have implemented an online program called “Front Line” which instructs library personnel how to engage with the readers. What I found to be really interesting is that Colm works outside of the library with the residence homes, or orphanages, to try to encourage the young people to take an interest in reading. A program like this is right up my alley and one of the main reasons that I want to work in a children’s library.
The above presentation was followed by Annie Bell and Colm Linnane who gave a talk about Reader Development, or Reader’s Advisory to Americans. The whole point of their department is to engage with the readers and find out how the library environment can be improved. One of the ways in which they try to meet the needs of the readers is through author events which are given every month. Through these author events they can bring in well-known and burgeoning authors who can come in and discuss their works with the readers themselves. They have implemented an online program called “Front Line” which instructs library personnel how to engage with the readers. What I found to be really interesting is that Colm works outside of the library with the residence homes, or orphanages, to try to encourage the young people to take an interest in reading. A program like this is right up my alley and one of the main reasons that I want to work in a children’s library.
The last presentation was given by Karen O’Brien about the library’s special collections and conservation. The materials kept in the library range from as far back as the 15th century. All materials are available to the public but because of this it can be difficult to keep the material in perfect condition. Preservation is done by an outside agency and the item must be in dire need before it is sent out because it can be very costly. She emphasized that if you work in conservation you have to be able to justify your reason for sending something out to be preserved. Of course, there are ways to help preserve materials such as acid free envelopes and archival boxes which is relatively inexpensive and easy.
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