#BlogJune, maybe

 I saw the post this morning by @Infoventurer and was reminded of #BlogJune.

I had a look at the posts from 2011 the first year I participated in #BlogJune and it was (mostly) about libraries I would like to visit.  I would rethink the list now, and also take more account of other factors. 

I won't be posting every day, but will try and play along for some of the time.

Getting an apology right in public service

I was recently on a train after major signal failure at Ashfield.  The announcement on the train clearly stated :

We apologise for this disruption.

This was an an apology.  It would not have been an apology if the guard said we apologise if there has been a disruption (or inconvenience or other similar term) - which can occur.  Of course there was a disruption, the train was late, all the trains were late, so the apology was great because it acknowledged that.

Keep this in mind when making apologies at work, otherwise, it can sound like blaming the victim.

If you say we apologise if there has been a disruption (or inconvenience or other similar term) it can sound like there is an obliviousness to the delay, or whatever else is being apologised for.  If you are apologising, then make an apology, don't hedge your bets.

readers' advisory - it is about the client and not you

I know this is a tough idea for some people to understand. I still hear people 'recommending' and not suggesting titles.  There is a really big difference.

Becky Spratford has a great series on her blog which is a Call to action which makes vital points about readers' advisory skills in public libraries. I would suggest reading all of Becky's blog at RA for all, and RA for all horror are there are great ideas which you can use straight away at your library.

Start by reading this post Call to Action: Allow People To Dislike The Books You Suggest and go on from there.  It is about the client and connecting them to something they may enjoy (and not your latest read, not matter how much you think they may like it).  You want to encourage them, and not scare them.

a few thoughts on Reading the reader: A survey of Australian reading habits

Recently the report Reading the reader: A survey of Australian reading habits was released.  The whole report is here, or you can read an overview here with some graphs.  It is a good idea to look at the methodology because it shows that there were some library connections in the research.  I think the research shows some recognition of the work that libraries do with readers' advisory work in many forms. 

This graph (and you are going to have to click the link as it won't let me embed it), actually proves the value of appeal characteristics for readers advisory work (think of the Nancy Pearl element of setting, story, language and character), because 90% of people said that 'topic, subject, setting or style' were important elements.  45% of people said price was key too, which makes me think there should have been more research with people who use libraries as that removes the price element. 

Go and have a look at the report and think about the implications for readers' advisory work in your library and how you suggest reading to your clients.

Connecting information...local land services

There is an impressive series of videos produced by Local Land Services Western Region in NSW. It really looks at land is a variety of ways.  The video I have embedded is by Ben Flick, a local Indigenous man, and is part of the Through our eyes series which has Indigenous people talking about the land and sharing stories. 
 
These videos are interesting, and highlight the importance of exploring local information.  These are impressive local studies videos, and hopefully they are being collected by relevant libraries and promoted to their communities.  This shows some partnerships for libraries, including with their local land services.

back for #blogjune in 2017

I missed #blogjune last year.  It was my first year back at part time study while working full time, and I could not manage it, but...this year I am going to try.

I will probably look at games, readers' advisory work, local studies and whatever else takes my fancy.

That is where this photograph fits in.  I took it while the police car was parked, and I think that this is the reason for the social media promotion - to be read while the car is parked.  If you were reading it while driving along, you would be too close, and would have to be the passenger and not the driver.

So, think about how you let people know your library is on social media.  Do you make it possible to find out about this when library vehicles are out and about - or do you expect people to guess?

Happy #blogjune.  I look forward to reading what other people are writing this month.