Author Archives: richards

‘Design thinking toolkit for libraries’ released

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Aarhus Public Libraries has announced the release of the Design Thinking Toolkit for Libraries. The toolkit can be used by any front-line library staffer to adapt to library users’ changing needs.

Chicago Public Libraries and Aarhus Public Libraries worked with design company IDEO to find out how design thinking methods might best be adapted and applied to a library context. The final result is Design thinking for libraries, a comprehensive new resource for any library leader or staff member hoping to advance their library by using human-centred design methods.

The toolkit guides you through Design Thinking so you can start coming up with solutions to everyday challenges within the library. Design thinking, or human-centred design, is all about starting with people — the users that visit your library. IDEO have been using similar methods to envision new products, services, spaces, and experiences in other business areas. IDEO created this toolkit specifically for the library setting in close cooperation with the project teams in Chicago and Aarhus.

The toolkit comes in two parts: the toolkit guide, and the accompanying activities workbook. If you don’t have much time then download the ”At-a-Glance-Guide” which introduces how you might get started using design thinking over the course of one day.

The toolkit is created with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – The Global Libraries initiative.

 

 

The A to Z of Library Advocacy

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The Library A to Z has been launched in the UK and is now available  for use. The campaign is focused on free promotional and advocacy materials for use by libraries and their supporters, as well as a means of highlighting the economic and social value of libraries to decision makers to encourage continued investment. The key message highlights that modern library services are much more than buildings containing books – they provide services beyond this scope that support the development and well-being of individuals, the community and the economy.

The Library A to Z was funded by 155 generous backers, including key sponsor The Library Campaign, via a Kickstarter campaign during May 2014. We raised £4,543, which was more than twice the basic funding goal. With this money the organisers (Andrew Walsh Gary Green) commissioned freelance illustrator Josh Filhol to produce full colour images depicting the words that reflect the great work, activities and values of libraries. These illustrations are used as the basis for a range of promotional and advocacy materials including posters, cards and a full colour book. As well as the illustrated library alphabet, the book also includes quotes from library users from the Voices for the Library site and a chapter about the positive impact of libraries.
Library A to Z materials including full colour illustrations, posters, book and greeting cards are available for anyone to freely download and use for promotional and advocacy purposes here. Unless otherwise stated, these materials are available to re-use and adapt under a creative commons licence (cc by 4.0). week, 17-22 November.

Siobhan A. Reardon named LJ’s 2015 Librarian of the Year

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Congratulations to Siobhan  Reardon President and Director,  Free Library of Philadelphia who has been named as the  Library Journal’s 2015 Librarian of the Year.

Siobhan has ben recognised for engineering the creation of an ambitious, five-year strategic plan, underpinned by a powerful mission to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity through the Free Library of Philadelphia. She will be known to many public library colleagues for her work with MetLib.

 

Technology Engages Boys and Poorer Children to Read for Longer

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CILIP’s Public and Mobile Libraries Group December Newsletter reported on the the National Literacy Trust’s second annual survey of parents and practitioners on Children’s early literacy practices at home and in early years settings. The report makes for very interesting reading.

The Report suggests that the latest survey data indicated that ‘technology may provide a route in to reading for children of lower socioeconomic status’. Children from poorer households were found to spend twice as long reading stories on a touch screen than from printed sources. Moreover, twice as many boys than girls claimed to read more stories on a touch screen than in print. It would appear that early theories about the advantages of digital technologies for engaging hard-to-reach readers are now supported by the statistics.

It is important to note however that the recommended approach is still, very much a blended one: ‘in general, young children are more likely to have above average vocabulary attainment if they look at or read both printed stories and stories on a touch screen’.

 

Innovative Public Libraries Acknowledged

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EIFL has announced  the names of four winners of their seventh Public Library Innovation Award – for Public libraries contributing to education. The EIFL Public Library Innovation Awards recognize innovative library services that improve lives in their communities. The awards are open to all public and community libraries in developing and transition countries.

The libraries contribute to education of people of all ages – children, youth and adults. They provide support for children attending school, helping them improve in important school subjects, and they provide exciting opportunities for formal and non-formal education for adults.

Congratulations:

  • Kenya – ‘Dr Robert Ouko’ Memorial Community Library, for providing children with desperately needed textbooks, literature and reference books through an e-readers programme.
  • Latvia – Pelči Library, whose ‘Little school of local history’ is educating children about history in an exciting way.
  • Mexico – Public Library ‘Victoria Dorantes’ No. 382, whose online education programme is helping to build a positive learning environment in families.
  • Moldova – ‘B. P. Hasdeu’ Municipal Library, which created a dynamic summer learning centre in a city amusement park.

Each winner receives a prize of US$1,500, a certificate and a trophy.Awards will be presented during international library events. We are currently identifying opportunities for award ceremonies.

 

Desperately Seeking!

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Earlier this year y Bournemouth Libraries in Dorset, UK,  launched a booklet The Library Flame out to the world of public libraries with a request for each library to add its stamp and pass it on. It was conceived as part of the Holocaust Memorial Day 2014 and reflects this year’s theme of ‘Journeys’. Those who received the book were asked to let Bournemouth Library know where it was.

The last known whereabouts of The Library Flame was  in South Eastern Australia.

Bournemouth are anxious to have it back in time for their Holocaust Ceremony at the end of January. If you know of its whereabouts or if it’s passed through your hands can you please let us know? [email protected]

Fingers crossed – please share this message through your networks.

The Sieghart Report on Public Libraries Released

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The long awaited Sieghart Report was officially released today. CILIP are calling the work a ‘convincing roadmap’ as the report outlines a detailed strategy for reinvigorating English public libraries. William Sieghart and panel have three ‘major’ recommendations that form the crux of their proposal:

  1. The provision of national digital resources for libraries, to be delivered in partnership with local authorities.
  2. The setting up of a task and finish force, led by local government, in partnership with other bodies involved in the library sector, to provide a strategic framework for England, and to help in implementing the following.
  3. The task force, to work with local authorities, to help them improve, revitalise and if necessary, change their local library service, while encouraging, appropriate to each library, increased community involvement.

Alongside decisive recommendations for the future, the Independent Library Report for England advocates the value of public libraries: ‘The library does more than simply loan books. It underpins every community. It is not just a place for self-improvement, but the supplier of an infrastructure for life and learning’. The Sieghart Report is an exciting development in the current library climate, reminding us all that change can mean positive developments.

For a look at what CILIP have to say on the matter visit their site. You might also be interested in what David Lankes has to say in Coffee, Wifi, and the Loo: Reactions to The Sieghart Report.