NGV use of social media

NGV use of social media, a photo by ellen forsyth on Flickr.

When leaving the National Gallery Victoria you are prompted to subscribe to an e-mail newsletter, find them on facebook and twitter or to download their free app. They also have a Youtube channel.  It is an unmissable sign and a welcoming way to connect with the gallery.

Melbourne Museum and social media

Museum of Melbourne and social media, a photo by ellen forsyth on Flickr.

The Melbourne Museum wants to make it really easy for you to connect with them online. They have signs around the museum prompting you to connect with the via facebook, twitter, Flickr, YouTube or Foursquare. They also had signs advertising their free wifi.  They have a free ipad app Please touch the exhibit.

I like the way they prompt and do not assume that you know where to find them online.

#Specfic

Specfic teacosy, a photo by ellen forsyth on Flickr.

My reading for the month of March, for #readit2011 included:
The black prism by Brent Weeks – this was a reread because Brent Weeks was speaking at the #ra2011 seminar. I saved rereading The night angel trilogy for later in the year on holidays, hoarding it up for June. I enjoyed reading The black prism when it came out last year, and I really enjoyed rereading it. There are wonderful twists and turns, and just totally amazing ideas. The whole use of colour is incredible. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series as I know it will be a really entertaining and engaging journey with lots of surprises. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to hear Brent Weeks talk about his work (by Skype) at #ra2011.

Among others by Jo Walton has a character who is enthusiastic in her use of libraries and a very keen reader. Inter library loans are frequently mentioned, as is the reading group run by the local public library. There is also quite a discussion of fantasy and science fiction writing as part of the story. Cory Doctorow put it much better than me.

A wise man’s fear by Patrcik Rothfuss follows The name of the wind. This is a story about stories and story telling. With the adventures of Kvothe we are to question what he is telling us, is it really what happened or how much did he leave out. There are so many stories about Kvothe and we are apparently getting told what really happened, but then something happens to throw doubt on this. It will be very interesting to see where Rothfuss goes next with this story.

• The Mongoliad by Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear and others. This is a serial novel, which I am now up to date with, and am reading each chapter as it comes out each week. It is an amazing and wonderful read. I am looking forward to many more months (years?) of reading with this. It is a remarkable work. I have included it as a finished read because I am up to date with all I can possibly read of it. Note this is a free e-book although I have paid for additional content.
• The ride of a lifetime: doing business the Orange County Chopper Way by Paul Teutul SR with Mark Yost. This was a nice one, with good practical business tips. A fast read this is one of the best business/management books I have read
• A matter of class by Mary Balough (a late arriving reserve for #heartreads) HEA with a twist
• Nordic LARP edited by Jackko Stenros and Markus Montola. This weighty read is interesting and complex as it catalogues and describes the many twists and turns of live action role playing in Nordic areas
• Little brother by Cory Doctorow was good reading at the blood bank (I read a free version on my phone)
• The last watch by Sergei Lukyanenko is an amazing read. I hope more of his work is translated as he is a very interesting writer
• Virtual worlds real libraries : librarians and educators in Second life and other virtual worlds edited by Lori Bell and Rhonda B Trueman – this is a good introductory work if you are new to this area

Also reading New Scientist, Jamie, Delicious

I have started several books I decided not to finish, and several more which will be finished in the next few months.

What is your library garden?

Cato Crest Library, with view of informal settlement, a photo by ellen forsyth on Flickr.

The Cato Crest Public Library in Durban, South Africa has a garden behind it. I can hear you thinking, what is so special about that as lots of libraries have gardens. That is true, but this one is unusual because it is a vegetable garden which is managed by two of the women from the informal settlement around the library. The profits from the vegetable garden are split between the library and the women.

The library is also the site of another small business enterprise. There are several sewing machines in a room underneath the library. It is a nice room, with excellent light. This room and these sewing machines contribute to local businesses run by women from the informal settlement. They aid in income generation for individuals within this community.

Like other South African public libraries there is a large information display on HIV/AIDS prevention but in many other respects this is a public library like many you would find all around the world with a colourful children’s area, pcs for public access, and well selected book stock for loan. It has a large long hours study space, also in a well lit area underneath the main library. This study space, which is open even after the library is closed, has security so people can study here safely, rather than in their tiny homes in the informal settlement. The garden and the sewing machines set this library apart, because it was designed to be responsive to the community needs. It is a library, but is also helps with to local business development. They needed a different kind of small business assistance, information as well as garden space or sewing machines. This exact model is not going to be appropriate for every public library, but you might want to think what is your equivalent of a library garden?

What demonstrates the unique responses your library is making to the community around it? What is your library garden?