British library blogs

I noted that Jennie Law has an interesting blog entry entitled UK librarian blogs - the list so far. Like it says, it notes all British library based blogs.

A new beginning

I recently went for an interview at a London University library, for a six month contract initially. Having gone, I was not too confident of getting it (having done badly previously or been messed around by agencies). Thankfully, I was informed the same day I had got it. The new role will mean no shelving to. I will also be working on a new Integrated Library System (not Talis. Also, i'll be working on Bliss classification scheme, alongside Dewey. So, I am celebrating, but I am awaiting the contract so perhaps I should keep quite till I start 2 weeks time.
Starting the new job means I will be leaving North Library in Holloway, which is a shame, as the manager has been very good, and some of the users really nice. Anyhow, i'm happy. It means I can start on my chartership.

Nesta, Andrew Keen and Charles Leadbetter

Its been a few weeks since I wrote, so I thought I would briefly talk about the conference I was going to. This was held at the very nice Nesta building in London. Andrew Keen and Charles Leadbetter discussed there very different approaches to the web 2.0 world. Having been to a few of these before I thought Keen may face a rather pro web 2.0 audience. Wow, was I surprised. Leadbetter's view of we think (almost reminiscent of Star Trek's Borg 'we will be assimilated'). Most people felt his idea's were to vague, served little political purpose and was just not a well though out argument. Keen, on the otherhand seemed to have an easier ride (and argue his point better). Keen has the idea we need a hierarchy and used Steve Jobs as a place in point, of an individual and not the group. Well, I like Keen's argument and book, but Jobs created LISA, the impact of Steve Wozniak. I think Keen has been caught in the reality distortion field
.
It was a good conference and Keen offered me the opportunity to interview him for my blog which was nice of him.
BTW, I unfortunately missed Clay Shirky's talk at the RSA called Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing without Organizations, which is the name of his new book. Anyhow, couldn't go I had work.