5 UK Library stories of 2009

Following on from from lisnews Ten Stories That Shaped 2009, I thought I would do my 5 UK stories.

1. Cilip 2.0. This was a discussion started by Brian Kelly & Phil Bradley which looked at Cilip Bob McKee failure to take on board some of the web 2.0 technologies within CILIP. The power of the network caused Cilip to rethink there policy and have an open forum on the event in April and produce a draft paper on the subject.

2. Woodsiegirl meme on 'why i became a librarian. I like blogging because sometime one persons post can spiral into a bigger discussion (see above). Well blogger Woodsie girl discussed why she became a librarian. A few others started adding there reasons why and the wikiman made a wiki for others to enter and discuss the subject on. This was actually pretty life affirming and a great idea.

3. Many had heard that Wirral maybe closing many libraries in that area. Thankfully all 11 were saved. Many local people voiced there concern on the closures, making politicans back down (for the moment).

4. Most stupid idea of the year? Culture minister Margaret Hodge's suggestion that libraries should link up with internet bookseller Amazon. Um, people go to libraries so they don't have to pay and store it. A library and a bookseller are two divergent markets and its not possible for one to be the other without major changes in the organisation (read money).

5. UK mashup still going strong. It was good to see many librarians meet this year for two mashups in Huddersfield and Birmingham. I went to the Huddersfield one and was really great to see a profession working to help our users experience (and learn something to).

Anyhow, thats my top 5? Anybody have any others?

Interesting Msc Dissertation

I follow many blogs (and occassionally even get around to read them......but thats another story). One I do follow is edit subscription unsubscribe mark all new related feeds subscribers Joeyanne Libraryanne a 25 year old Resources Librarian at the University of Wolverhampton currently studying for a Masters in Information and Library Studies via distance learning.
Well, in a recent blog post she mentioned an interesting Msc theses she's hoping to write entitled Marketing UK Higher Education libraries: a current perspective. Sounds interesting, and to be honest one of my main bug bears doing my Masters is there was no Marketing module. Its good to see someone write on an important area of librarianship.

Thoughts with Phil Bradley

Many of you will know Phil Bradley's blog. He had said in previous blog post that his wife was ill. Unfortuntely, she seems to be worst by his last entry. There's not really much I can say, except my thoughts are with you and your wife.

French look for Google alternative in digitalisation plan

(Found via here). Seems the French are not allow Google digitalise there nations artifacts, and has 'gone solo'.
Lisnews says:-

A consortium of French technology companies and government-backed I.T. research labs says it can provide the skills needed by European libraries, universities, publishers and others to scan, catalog and deliver to end-users the contents of their archives better than Google can.

he full story is here.

Eurostar gets wacked by twitter

With the Uk weather having a knock on effect on Eurostar needing to suspend services for a third day, the adverse treatment of customers has meant a backlash from the social media site such as twitter. One twitter in PR gave a neat appraisal of events here. There is good coverage of the event here.

Facebook campaign is the Christmas story in the UK

X-Factor winner Joe McElderry has been the first winner not to get a UK christmas number one. A facebook campaign to stop it becoming number one and make Rage against the Machine Killing in the name of. The campaign, set up by couple Jon and Tracy Morter. Not only was this one of the most successful facebook campaign like his, but also Rage Against The Machine shifted 502,000 downloads achieving two new records in the process – the most British downloads in one week and the first download-only track to make it to number one.

Happy holiday period to all readers

Just seasonal wishes to all those that read this Blog especially those who have commented this year (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9). After the 23rd of December I'll be in Germany for two weeks, so I may not be able to post.

Library 2.0 Gang guests Meredith Farkas

Talis December Podcast of the Library 2.0 Gang entitled Social Software in Libraries. Along with the usual suspects of Nicole Engard, John Blyberg and Marshall Breeding are joined by Meredith Farkas. Well worth a listen, in that it discusses the users needs rather than technology for technologies sake. The Mp3 is here.

Pixar Book and there early films

I started reading The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company which is a real good read. Whilst reading I was interested to see some of the early short films. The first one was Andre & Wally B. The second was Luxo Jr. The third and final one was Red's Dream, Pixar's first Oscar. The films were really interesting in how far Pixar has gone and where they began. The books a good read to.

French Government behind Helping Universities and Libraries.......and stuffing it to Google

France's President Sarkozy has released plans unveiled a €35bn (£31bn) spending plan aimed at preparing France for the "challenges" of the future. France are looking to become the premier place to go to university in the world.
He also said:-

Sarkozy warned last week that he would not let France be "stripped" of its culture by the US giant Google's plan to scan books for publication in its online library. "This too is a question of identity," he added, in a reference to his ongoing efforts to discover France's inner self.

Could libraries do with a Steve Jobs in the changing information world?

I have read plenty about Apple's Steve Jobs (1,2 & 3). I have seen him in 2002 at Mac Expo, meet some of his former work colleagues and business associates whilst working on a documentary.
Here is a brief synopsis of Steve Jobs career that really won't do him justice. First of Steve Jobs is not a nice person. Many stories about him being a first class pain in the butt. One story abound that he called the Apple Lisa project was named after his first daughter, even though he denied she was his as he was said he was sterile. It was later proven he was a father.
The interesting thing about Jobs really, is unlike someone like someone like his assumed nemesis Bill Gates, Job's has recreated himself in many guises four times. In the 1970's, him and Steve Wozniak created Apple and the Apple. Jobs was idea's man and the sales force, Woz was the introverted engineer who created the Apple II. Was therefore was the creator of the Apple brand.
Secondly, after John Sculley ousted Jobs from Apple, he went and started NeXT Computer workstations which Tim Berners-Lee used to create the World Wide Web.
In 1986 he paid $5,000,000 for what would later become Pixar studios .
Finally, in 1997 Jobs went back to Apple and created his digital hub. His creating the Ipod and Itunes, has meant Apple has taken a march on the digital music and video market.
My reason for feeling that librarians and information professionals need someone like Jobs is that he has done something our profession needs to do many times. He has created. He has been at the start of the Microcomputer industry. He has been there to create machines that assisted in the world wide web. Started one of the most prestigious film companies in years and started a whole new way listening to music.
All these were not only great pieces of engineering but also management. These were also created with panache. Jobs has constantly re-invented himself and his products he has worked on.
In our profession we need to do this. We need to change and re-invent our role. We all have been to work and heard people say they can get information from only Google. Libraries need people to pre-empt what patrons need before companies like Google take our role. Google have already taken a march on search. We need to take a march in either new area's like some have done already or create an improved and personalised service.
My problem is though, do we have the managers or leaders to take us there? Can we re-invent the library? Are we ever taught this? My main concern at University when doing my Masters was that we were not taught to be advocates of our profession or to think outside the box to keep ourselves relevant. Where is the libraries Steve Jobs? Any idea's would be much appreciated.

What to read for christmas......

I am presently trying to select some books to take on my trip to Germany at christmas. So here is my list for my books away:-
1. Winners and Losers: Creators and Casualties of the Age of the Internet
2. Groundswell
3. The Pixar Touch.
4. Crowdsourcing.

Nice books to read then.

Read? Isn't that a job website......or how Britain is losing another book shop

The recent news that Borders has gone into receivership is pretty sad news. As Indigo Jo points out, the one in Kingston upon Thames Will not be taken over by Waterstones like Ottakars was, as Waterstones has a flagship store at the Bentall centre. Even sadder will be the demise of the Borders at Angel.
Therefore in recent years booksellers have diminished. As mentioned earlier, Waterstones took over Ottakars. Borders took over Books etc, and duplicate shops closed. Know Borders is to close. In some places, a bookshop will no longer exist, and Waterstones will have a virtual monopoly [unless you live in London and have Foyles or Blackwells].
Obviously, with Amazon and other virtual providers providing books this is sad news for the UK. I'll miss Borders, it provided a welcome relief after shopping at the Bentall Centre.

Tim Spalding talk on Yotube

(Found via here) Tim Spalding of Librarything has an interesting Youtube video called What is Social Cataloging? Worth a look.

Mashup with Pipes wiki

(Found via here). Jody Condit Fagan released a Wiki dealing with Yahoo Pipes. I had heard of Jody via Nicole Engard book, in which she looked at this article dealing with Mashing Up Multiple Web Feeds Using yahoo! pipes. Worth a look.