Craftivism discussion, on video and with lots of links

While this is a long video to watch, it is a very interesting discussion.  It is one to give time to, and to see the different ideas, tensions and cultural differences.  It also demonstrates an extended hangout, and could be a method of programming to consider for a library.

Hearing this discussion is a reminder to think about how people are collecting for their libraries.  What craftivism and activism books/dvd/streaming have you added?

Is there collecting for local studies? Denver Public Library put a call out for collecting material from the local women's march, and various museums (including Fuller Craft Museum) are also collecting in this space.

Have a look at the analysis of twitter from the women's march in Washington, and some additional resources to explore for craftivism.

Has your library connected with local craftivists?  Don't forget groups like the knitters for Wrap with love.  There are many ways to connect with, support and record these communities.

What I wish they taught me in GLAM school for #GLAMBlogClub

This is a tough question.  It has been many years since I qualified as a librarian and there have been changes in workplaces.  I studied cataloguing as part of my qualifications, and my first job was as a cataloguer.  What I learned in my course was useful for this, but, it would have been useful to have been thinking more broadly about cataloging and metadata at that time, and to have been encouraged to think more broadly about these areas.  I still think learning about cataloguing and metadata is important.

Areas like local studies and readers' advisory work were not addressed at all, neither were programs.  There are important areas for public libraries, and have relevance in other library sectors as well.  It would have been helpful to have these areas explored as well.

There is a need for proactiveness in our personal learning.  We will each be interested in different things, or will need different information/knowledge.  Learning is active and continuous, through out our lives, and we will need to explore different methods of learning, and of obtaining information.  I appreciate when other people share what they learn, as I can also learn from this.

Growing library garden programs from @webjunction

Growing Library Garden Programs: Upon hearing news of First Lady Michelle Obama's surprise visit to school and community gardens, we thought it would be a good time to collect together a list of related resources and examples of libraries who are creating gardens and hosting garden programming. Many public libraries are connecting to community partners and transforming spaces to engage patrons of all ages in growing library garden programs. Perhaps the First Lady could visit some of the many library gardens next! Middle Country Public Library's Nature Explorium in Connecticut: Learn all about this innovative garden in a WebJunction webinar, Explore and Discover: Nature-Based Spaces and Activities at your Library Westbank Community Garden at Westbank Libraries in Texas rents out fourteen 8' x 8' organic plots to community members.



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Go and read the above post in Webjunction.  It is a lovely collection of what is happening in the USA in terms of library garden programs.  Library gardens can be useful for so many aspects of library services, and have the potential to connect with:

• readers' advisory (non-fiction and fiction) - connecting plants to reading perhaps through seeing plants which have been read about, or mirroring the growing of plants described in books, or as a way to explore cooking or the environment.
• reference and information - a garden may be the answer to information people are seeking, and instead of the answer being found online or in a print resource, the answer may be in a plant in a garden, or in a method of gardening
• as well as local studies - with the growing of heritage or historic plants

Think about the potential for a library garden in your area.