A few thoughts on The Weeding Handbook: A Shelf-By-Shelf Guide

The Weeding Handbook: A Shelf-By-Shelf Guide by Rebecca Vnuk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a pacy and helpful book to read. When I worked in public libraries I always enjoyed weeding, and I think it has a key role in developing and maintaining library collections. Too often people are at extremes either weeding little or taking a slash and burn (or throw) approach with little regard to the actual statistics on use (or consideration of poor cataloguing or inadequate displays or even poorly managed selection). Vnuk also highlights the importance of informing the community so they are seeing you manage rather than pillage the collection.

This is a detailed booked looking at the different number classifications, however the most helpful sections are looking at the over all strategy of weeding, and references to other resources such as Crew and the examples from specific libraries mentioned within the book. While some of the material is slightly dated, the big picture information is still crucial. It also includes the need to manage your econtent selections.

I read this on Indyreads.

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A few thoughts on Palaces for the People: How To Build a More Equal and United Society by Eric Klinenberg

Palaces for the People: How To Build a More Equal and United Society by Eric Klinenberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a pacy an engaging read, and it still took a long time for me to read it. It highlights the value of social infrastructure including places like libraries for community health. Places like libraries can help connect people and these connections help lead to stronger communities. The examples are not all about libraries, but they show that the connections people have with others in their communities are crucial for community health (and in a key example in the book led to less deaths during a heatwave).

Key points in this book include connecting people of difference ages and backgrounds, and this will take work. Anyway, go and read this book, and think about how you can apply these ideas in your communty.

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a few thoughts on Conducting the Reference Interview: Third Edition by Catherine Sheldrick Ross, Kirsti Nilsen

Conducting the Reference Interview: Third Edition by Catherine Sheldrick Ross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a pacy and engaging read. It is also a very useful reminder of the value of an effective reference interview. The authors bring together research which highlight the importance of a reference interview to finding out exactly what the person is seeking help to find. There are also sections on online or telephone reference interviews. This is a practical book which could also be used for training.

Some of the research which is described in this books shows how little some staff actually listen to the people seeking help, and this information helps show the value of a well done reference interview.

I really enjoyed reading this book.

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A few thoughts on Baking with Kim-Joy: Cute and Creative Bakes to Make You Smile

Baking with Kim-Joy: Cute and Creative Bakes to Make You Smile by Kim-Joy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is joyful. I am yet to make any of the recipes, but I keep borrowing this as an ebook, and reading it again. There is a halloween cake with meringues as ghosts and some spooky pears. I am sure that everyone needs a space turtle cake in their lives with the incredible colours it provides. There are pages of instructions for some cakes but this seems helpful rather than overwhelming. The recipe I want to make first are the Tangzhong Cat Buns (think a tin of bread rolls that look like sleeping cats), but first I need to add some food dye to my kitchen supplies. The Space Turtle Melonpan Buns also look joyful. Macarons are turned into many animals including cats and koalas. The lemon tarts with meringue cats also look lovely as do the Pigfiteroles in Mud (choux pigs in chocolate).

This would be an interest addition to reading group discussions.

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I am doing this as my #GLAMBlogClub post for January, because I am struggling for humour this year, so I thought this joyful book may help.  With the struggle for humour I have been exploring data instead. The NSW Department of Primary Industries has excellent data on the extent of the drought in NSW, and the Bureau of Meteorology has excellent climate data including for temperature and rainfall. The Fires near me site or app also provides useful data.  Apologies for not providing drought and fire map links for other states, but I am trying to not spend too long on this blog post. If this is all too grim, have a look at the Customer service wolf. 

Make sure you have a look at Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service Birdie stories which are written to help children through stressful events, and can be helpful for others to read as well. You could also contact an organisation like Beyond Blue for help.