looking at partnerships for #GLAMblogClub

As we continue in lock down, with people working from home or from closed libraries, or various other combinations of work, means this sign serves as a prompt to us, to change, and to think about different ways to do things.


 We are experiencing service changes, and we need to continue to plan for service changes as we are likely to continue at a distance from one another for a while, even when more of us may lose our jobs during this time.  The example shown below is a recent partnership.

Recently, Monash CEO Dr Andi Diamond had the idea that Libraries could supply reading material to Meals on Wheels clients in Monash while Stage 3 restrictions were in place in Victoria.

Thread... pic.twitter.com/Amag6Yu9br

— Monash Libraries (@MonashLibraries) April 23, 2020

Thanks to an alert from Rachel for this. 

What new partnerships is your library involved in or is considering?

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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