The times, they are a-changin'

Another day, another weblink:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/25/nyregion/schools-eliminating-librarians-as-budgets-shrink.html
This is another news story based in America - New York this time - but this one shows how library services are being 'withdrawn' so to speak.

It's so sad to think of Librarians and Library Assistants losing their jobs in the school sector due to budget cuts.  I understand that governments have to make savings somewhere, and in many cases I'm sure that they've exhausted other avenues of change first (and I would never want people to have to lose kindergarden classes - pre-school care is so important too!), only to come to the Library.  I can't help than feel that this could cause so much damage in so many different ways:

1. The obvious: no librarian = no proper library access, therefore detrimental to the school experience
2. No use of Library in school = for many, probably no real access to learning library skills, as who knows how many of these children would be accessing a public library service?
3. This one may be a little farfetched  - cutting librarians = devaluing library services as a profession?

The way I see it is this: if you are looking to cut your budget, and you see the Library as somewhere to make a cut, you will lose professional skills.  You may think that this service could be taken over by volunteers.  In my mind, this is tantamount to saying that 'you do not need professional library services'.  Therefore, you're devaluing the hard-earned and valued skills that some poor library professional has spent probably at least 3 years in gaining, as you're saying that 'anyone could do the job'.  (Yes, I know I'm being rather general in scope here, but you get my point).

Volunteers are wonderful, and do a great job in many different areas of society.  We couldn't get along without them!  But to me, this just underlines the basic assumption that I know a lot of us have come up against: don't you just stamp books?  How hard could it be?  Which is why (being all political and serious - not usually me!) I don't agree with a lot of the whole 'Big Society' idea which the government is subscribing to just now.  Volunteers have their much-appreciated place, but please remember that professional people do too: the need for the qualifications is there, or the courses wouldn't have been developed in the first place!

What does everyone else think?  Let me know!  (normal, not too serious service to resume shortly)  :)

Design changes

As you will be able to see, I've been having a play about with my blog - I rather like the new design!  What does everyone think?  Let me know please - answers on a postcard (or the comments field will be fine)  :)

For those having some trouble with design: either because of running too slow, or not seeing certain aspects (like followers) can I recommend a browser change?  I was having issues with internet explorer, but have changed to google chrome and I am finding it much easier.  My tip of the day!

Libraries in the modern age

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/23/us-libraries-internet-idUKTRE75M45220110623

This article was a good read - based on libraries in America, but I can see the relevance for everywhere.  It's nice to see that more and more people are seeing libraries as a 'social' space, with many different purposes.  It just goes to show that there will always be a need for libraries!

cpd23 - thing 2

Well, as instructed by the cpd23 scheme thing 2 to do, I've had a look around the 'blogging' world to see what other people are up to.  I must admit, I found it really interesting - and a little bit compulsive: you really do find yourself going from one blog to the next!

It's nice to see so many people, who in name are doing the same type of job as me, but in reality have completely different experiences.  There are a lot of people taking part in this cpd23 scheme, and it was really good to see their reasons why they wanted to do this.  I admit that I was in a way 'told' to take part, but I am glad that I was - I would probably not have heard of this scheme otherwise, and I think I will get a lot of good from it.  I have 'blogged' in the past, but many, many moons ago: I think it will be from a completely different perspective now, as my experiences have matured.  Looking forward to the future...

Scanning, scanning everywhere...

This looks like an interesting project:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20072611-93/google-to-scan-250000-old-british-library-books/?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Webware&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+webware+%28Webware.com%29

A quarter of a million books?!?  It would be amazing to be part of a project this size, but could you imagine how time it will take to scan them all?  I'd love to see what sort of material you'll be able to download when it's done: could be some hidden gems there!

My first post!

Hello there, if you're reading!

Welcome to my blog  :)  I'm starting this as part of the cpd23 scheme. 

I'm an information assistant (obviously) and am looking to expand my skills, and I hope that this course will help me to do this.  I hope to learn a lot, and have some fun along the way!