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?