The Bookends Scenarios:Alternative futures for the NSW Public Library Network in 2030

This research report is now available on the State Library of NSW website.

The report is the result of a project coordinated by the State Library through the Public Library Network Research Committee. It poses scenarios for the future,early warning signs to watch out for and provides recommendations to help public libraries adapt to these scenarios. More than 150 NSW public library staff participated in workshops that helped build the scenarios.

What do you think is the future for public libraries? Are we going in the right direction? What professional skills will library staff need as we head towards 2030?

Library Services for Older People - good practice guide

This is a great practical workbook for developing a strategy for library services for older people.

It's a UK publication so case histories are from UK libraries.

Chapter headings include: Introduction: Why should libraries work with older people? Policy background: statistics, of this group, what kinds of services could we provide. Developing a strategy: consultation, marketing, resources, evaluation. Practicalities: Reading and new reading, older people and IT, case studies.

It contains worksheets and checklists in the back which are concise and helpful. I have a print copy at my desk if anyone would like to see it. Mylee Joseph at the State Library of NSW sent us the link.

Library Services for Older People-good practice guide

Associates:the Electronic Library Support Staff Journal

This journal is a forum for and about library support staff issues.It is published online 3 times per year in March,July and November. Subscription is free! If you are interested in a subscription click here
Current Issue

New Books & Articles

Inside,Outside and Online:Building your library community
Christie Hill,ALA,2009

The Customer focused library:reinventing the public library from the outside-in
Joseph Matthews,2009

Web2.0,Library 2.0,Library User 2.0,Librarian 2.0:Innovative services for sustainable libraries
Computers in Libraries Nov/Dec 2009

The future of Reading
Library Journal 1 Nov 2009
Some educators and librarians fear that sustained reading for learning, for work, and for pleasure may be slowly dying out as a widespread social practice

Libraries & readers wade into digital lending
Mokoto Rich NY Times.com 14 Oct,2009
An article on the growing poularity of libraries lending ebooks and audiobooks online

The Dewey Dilemma
Barbara Fister Library Journal 1/10/2009
Discusses how some library classification schemes are being developed to make browsing easier for customers

U.S Public Libraries and Web 2.0: What's really happening?
Computers in Libraries Oct 2009 p6-11

Participation of older adults in cyberspace: how Australian older adults use the Internet
Australasian Journal on Ageing Vol 28 Issue 4 pp 189-193

'Internet at the Museum'
Searcher Nov/Dec 2009 p10-16
Looking for online museum-going experiences?

Training - What's on offer at the Local Library?

The most popular courses on offer at public libraries are..Internet Basics/ Advanced..Email Basics..Word Basics / Advanced & Introduction to Computers. Some libraries offer these courses in other languages for their multicultural community. Libraries have also become involved with organising English conversation classes with volunteer or trained tutors.

More recently libraries are venturing into Social networking...Social Communication:an Introduction...Blogging:an Introduction...Flickr:Pictures on the Web.

Some libraries target particular groups...Seniors - Researching the Web for Travel & Health Information...Online Memories eg storing photos: Students- Research skills for Senior Students...Internet courses for Children. Some target employment skills...Excel Basics...Powerpoint..Job Search & Resumes or new technologies...Skype Basics...ITunes & IPods. and of course recreational interests....Searching Family History...EBay Basics...Digital Photography & last but not least...All about the Library website and library database training

Some interesting training links Bayside Library Service(Vic)..Brimbank Libraries(Vic)...Christchurch City Libraries (NZ)

Do you know of any other training happening in public libraries? Do you have any ideas for our library ?

New Books & Articles - September 2009

If you are interested in any of these books/articles contact Ann X6115/email

Getting the money:how to succeed in fundraising for public & nonprofit libraries
Libraries Unlimited,2009

Teaching Generation M: a handbook for Librarians & Educators /
V.Bowman,2009

Reading is funny! Motivating kids to read with riddles
Dee Anderson, 2009

Libraries Leading the Way
Local Government Manager Aug/Sep 2009 p8-13

Changing the horseshoe on a galloping horse:connecting museums to information seekers
Online Currents Aug 2009
Recent Australian and overseas conferences have highlighted the work of museums in an online environment

Australian Museums and the modern public : a marketing context
Jnl of Arts,Management,Law & Society Summer 2009 p87

Digital museums & diverse cultural knowledge:moving past the traditional catalog
Information Society July 2009 p265

Building a virtual branch at Vancouver Public Library using Web 2.0 tools
Program Vol 43 Issue 2 p140-

Services to older adults: preliminary findings from three Maryland Public Libraries
Journal of Education for Library & Information Science Spring 2009 p107

Stalking the wild appeal factor:Readers'Advisory & Social Networking sites
Reference & User Services Quarterly Spring 2009 p243

Merchandising made simple:using standards & dynamite displays to promote circulation ( Book review)
Reference & User Services Quarterly Spring 2009 Vol 48 Issue 3 p317

Online Currents - New Professional Journal
Reviews, news and analysis of online & Internet products & services. Take a look at the latest issue ! See Julieanne for details.

New Books & Articles July 2009

Library partnerships:making connections between school and public libraries Tasha Squires,2009

Virtual worlds,real libraries:librarians and educators in second life and multi user environments
Lori Bell (Ed) 2008

Partnering with the public library on web 2.0 tools for student research
Multimedia & Internet@Schools May/Jun 2009 p15-19

Twitter for Libraries (and Librarians)
Computers in Libraries May 2009 p22

Public access technologies in public libraries:effects and implications
Information Technology and Libraries June 2009 p12

Library blogs: what's most important for success within the enterprise?
Computers in Libraries Jun 2009 p12-17

Rising to the challenge:a look at the role of public libraries in times of recession
Library Review Vol 58 Issue 5 pp 341-352

Ancestry Library now available at Hurstville Library
New LMG staff who are interested in training please see Ann
http://www.ancestrylibrary.com/

CDATA Online- New on the ABS Website
2006 Census Data can now be customised into tables and graphs . Staff training available on request.
http://www.abs.gov.au/CDataOnline