Focus_Newsletter_Autumn2010

Focus
The Newsletter of CDG (Scottish Division)
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
Inside This Issue…
1. Welcome
2. Committee Profile:
Fiona Hughes
3. CILIPS 2010 – a first
timer’s view
4. CDG Conversations at
A Welcome from the Committee
Welcome to the Autumn issue of Focus, the
newsletter of CDG (Scottish division).
This issue’s committee profile features CDG
(Scottish Division) Secretary Fiona Hughes, who
works for Glasgow City Council in the spectacular
environs of the City Chambers. Her story shows that
there is more than one way to create a successful
career in the profession.
CILIPS 2010
5. Visit to Cornton Vale
Prison Library –
attendee and
organiser reports
Chartered Institute of
Library and Information
Professionals
This issue is also packed with event reports: new
committee member and newsletter editor Sharon
Lawler gives a first timer’s view from CILIPS 2010,
as well as a report from our interesting
‘Conversations’ session. Seems that there is still a
lot say about libraries!
Susan Cross and Rebecca McKellar both report on
the CDG visit to Cornton Vale Prison, from the point
of view of organiser and attendee respectively.
From the feedback received by Susan, it sounds
like another successful visit.
As ever, if you have any suggestions for a library
that you think we should visit, or would like to
volunteer to host a CDG visit, do get in touch.
Want to get involved in
the CDG committee?
Contact Fiona Hughes
(Fiona.Hughes@glasgow
.gov.uk) or visit our page
on the CILIP website.
New members are
always welcome and it’s
a great chance to learn
new skills and improve
your career.
Focus
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
1
Committee Profile
By Fiona Hughes
a post that entirely consisted of it. The
days were sometimes very long!
Perhaps this was why, when I finally
signed up for a part-time postgraduate
qualification, it was in Software
Development rather than Library
Studies. It did have a lot of overlap
with library skills however and
modules such as Systems and
Database Management have given me
some fantastic background knowledge
when working with library
management systems and developing
collections. My degree helped me into
a new post running a solo Legal
Library in Glasgow City Council. I have
learned so much here and my post
has developed into a Senior
Information Officer role supporting the
Council’s staff and Elected Members’
information needs.
Fiona at National Council, Feb 2010.
Image: Tracey Ainsley via Flickr.
The worry is that I still don’t have an
accredited information management
qualification and may eventually be
found out! I therefore decided to
charter with CILIP through Pathway 2
and it has really transformed my
professional role. In particular, joining
the CDG committee has given me the
opportunities and confidence to take
on the post of secretary, travel to
London for National Council, help
organise and run an event at the
CILIPs conference, edit the newsletter
and host the division’s AGM and a tour
of our library – and that’s just this year!
Looking back, being a person who has
always enjoyed education and
libraries, it now seems no surprise that
I was heading for a career in libraries.
Leaving university with an MA in
French, I decided to pursue a library
qualification but was told I would first
need to gain some experience. I got a
few jobs in bookshops and then a
summer post as a library assistant in
my local library service. This quickly
became a permanent post and I spent
a year getting to know a bit about
public libraries and the wide variety of
customers who frequent them.
Next on the agenda, once I get my
chartership portfolio handed in, is
definitely getting an accredited degree,
which will be done by converting my
Software Development diploma by
dissertation. My route into libraries has
been a little unconventional – gain
professional post, charter then, finally,
hopefully, qualify – but has given me a
wealth of great experience which I
would like to continue developing with
more opportunities at the CDG.
Still intending to qualify, I took on a
new post in Strathclyde University in
the cataloguing department. I worked
there for 5 years, getting a promotion
half way through to Senior Library
Assistant. Cataloguing is a really
interesting and necessary skill, one
which I still use in my current post, but
I would think twice before returning to
Focus
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
2
CILIPS 2010 – A first-timer’s view
By Sharon Lawler
images by scottishlibraries via flickr
My first visit to the CILIPS conference
coincided with a new venue for
proceedings. Held for the first time at
the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, it was
a change from its usual Perth venue,
which meant less travelling for me and
also the opportunity to attend sessions
on all three days of the conference.
Conferences can be overwhelming,
but I was excited to be attending.
Young People’s Services at Fife
Council. The speed surgeries that
followed also proved popular.
The first day was a partial programme
and included a practical session on
social media. Hearing the difficulties
experienced by some of the other
delegates, many of whom worked in
public libraries, I realised how lucky I
was to work in an HE environment
where social media has been
embraced as a way of reaching users.
As I currently work in HE, but am also
interested in other sectors, it was a
fantastic opportunity to sit in on
sessions on a wide range of topics,
from sessions on ejournals and
copyright to the future of academic
libraries.
There followed a full programme of
sessions over the next two days, held
in rooms across the Mitchell. There
were several themes running through
the conference, although the
overarching theme was ‘Yes, we can!’
I also enjoyed the health information
session on NHS Inform and the
MacMillan Project in West Lothian,
very inspiring to see the difference
libraries can make.
CILIPs President, Chris Pinder opened
the conference and introduced the
opening speakers, talking on the
theme of Wellbeing and Communities:
commentator Gerry Hassan and
Duncan Simpson, Service Manager for
There were plenty of breaks
throughout each day, offering us all
Focus
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
3
the opportunity to catch up and
network with our fellow librarians. It
was a great opportunity to meet and
speak to a wide range of professionals
and catch up with others in the
profession.
who entertained the audience with her
tales of acting, writing and interviewing
police officers in the name of research,
the dark subject material leavened
with humour.
A final cup of coffee later, it was time
to say goodbye to the Mitchell and my
first CILIPs conference was over.
Hopefully, it won’t be my last!
The conference was rounded off with
an interview with crime writer Lynda la
Plante, best known for Prime Suspect,
A new online version of Impact: the Journal of the Career Development Group
has been launched. CDG members can see the Autumn issue, a special
conference issue dedicated to Bob McKee, via the website:
www.cilip.org.uk/cdg.
The electronic version :
o allows you to view the issue and turn the pages in a realistic way;
o has been designed to be more interactive with a clickable table of contents
and live links to references, emails and more information;
o can be downloaded to your computer or even an iPad and some
smartphones;
o can be accessed via RSS.
Non-members can also get a taste of Impact by checking out previous 2010
issues on our website www.cilip.org.uk/cdg or directly at
www.issuu.com/CDGImpact. Further issues from our archive will be added in
due course.
The editorial team are keen to have your feedback.
What do you think of the electronic issue? Is it more convenient? Are there
any other features or articles you would like to see?
Please email feedback to Honorary Editor, Alison Barlow:
alison.barlow@nottscc.gov.uk
Focus
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
4
Creating Conversations at CILIPS 2010
By Sharon Lawler
Word cloud of the CDG conversations session at CILIPS 2010
(courtesy of http://www.tagxedo.com/)
CDG ran two sessions at the CILIPS
Conference in June: a chartership
clinic and a conversations session,
designed to get professional
discussions started.
The continued importance of the
library building as a safe, noncommercial space was highlighted,
although the need for ‘separate
spaces for quiet and busy’ is also
important.
A select group of librarians from a
wide range of sectors – public,
academic, voluntary sector, law and
special libraries – sat down for a
session of “conversations”, swopping
groups after each question to make it
more interesting. Six questions, ten
minutes each, GO…!
What sector apart from your own
would you like to work in?
“Legal libraries are really interesting
but can be boring and tricky.”
“In special libraries, you have free
reign though to manage yourself – this
can be great.”
Are libraries a thing of the past?
“Have to market to make sure people
know what the services are.”
“The voluntary sector offers varied
roles, not standardised and with room
to grow and develop more.”
“Good to have multiple organisations
(partnership working) together eg
doctors, CV and public library.”
Most of the attendees felt that they
were already working in the perfect
sector for them, which is a positive
sign. That is not to say that the work is
not without its challenges and it was
interesting to hear other experiences
from different sectors.
“Reaching out to people in the
community wherever they are.”
A thing of the past? Definitely not!
However, it was acknowledged that
this perception may need to be shaken
up in the view of the public. The
importance of marketing, the virtual
library and the prevalence of the
internet were all discussed.
Special libraries can often suffer from
a lack of resources and support, while
the voluntary sector can offer freedom
but a quite different role. Public
libraries were described as highly
Focus
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
5
structured, with a need to stay relevant
in modern ‘coffee-shop’ culture.
With this conversation, there was a
hope that it would glean some insights
into what people expected from
groups, including CDG.
What do you think of new
technology – blogs, wikis, tweets and their use in libraries?
The main reasons for getting involved
were highlighted as the opportunity to
stretch professional skills, including
those that may not be put to the test in
the day job. Networking with other
professionals is another positive.
“Blogs need to be a conversation, not
a decree from on high, it needs to be
open, not starchy.”
“It’s a fashion and adds to the job
description. ”
The mailing lists were also mentioned,
both as a useful way to “get help,
network and share resources.”,
although the perceived reliance on
them was seen as a barrier to
communication.
The groups were split on this one.
Seen as either a nuisance or a
saviour, social media certainly
provokes strong opinions! Described
by one public librarian as ‘the future’,
everyone agreed that love it or hate it,
social media was here to stay and
libraries need to learn how to use it.
What is the value of chartership,
revalidation, certification etc?
“Inspires you to volunteer and try
things you wouldn’t normally do,
though you could take on too much.”
For librarians working for large public
organisations, getting approval for
Web 2.0 projects can be difficult.
However, some authorities, such as
Edinburgh with its Tales of One City
blog and East Renfrewshire on
Facebook are using these tools.
Higher education libraries are
embracing Web 2.0, with social media
considered a useful tool to reach
students.
“Way to become qualified and gain
recognition from skills and experience
especially for those with experience
but no qualification.”
“Need it to progress up the career
ladder, required for some posts in
public libraries.”
The use of social media in public
libraries was also discussed in relation
to the difficulties with children
accessing unsuitable material. The
somewhat ephemeral nature of some
tools was also seen as a possible
barrier.
While the actual process of chartership
was felt to be a valuable career
exercise, opinion was split between
the sectors regarding its usefulness as
a career boost. Some of the attendees
currently undergoing chartership
admitted that while the process had
been rewarding, if difficult, getting
motivated to complete the portfolio
was difficult to muster
Why get involved with special
interest groups?
“Engages you with the sector.”
While public librarians and
SLIC/CILIPS still rate it as important, it
was discussed that it may not be as
important in other sectors, especially
for solo librarians who work within an
organisation where they are the only
information professional.
“Opportunity to get involved with
events.”
“Libraries are libraries wherever you
are.”
Focus
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
6
Making revalidation compulsory was
also mooted, as a way of ensuring that
librarians keep up with the profession,
although this was seen as more
pertinent within a public library
perspective.
What is the biggest challenge
facing your library service? How
could this be tackled?
well as improving public and media
perceptions of libraries, was
highlighted as key to future success.
Getting people to understand what the
profession actually does and what the
library offers is highly important.
Partnership working was described as
vital, with schools, education, health
and employment agencies seen as
credible partners.
“Dragging it into the 21st century,
making it relevant.”
All in all, it was an interesting
afternoon, which gave the attendees
the opportunity to reflect on not just
their own career and experiences but
also the profession as a whole.
“Money!”
Ensuring that senior management
appreciate the value of libraries, as
CDG Visit – Cornton Vale Prison Library
by Rebecca Louise McKellar
phones), we were shown to the library.
First, the LRC Prison Co-ordinator
gave us a really interesting talk about
the learning opportunities offered to
the prisoners.
As in other prisons, learning is
managed by local colleges - in this
case Carnegie College. There was
some overlap with the services we
offer in our public libraries, such as IT
and Creative Writing classes (the
courses are SQA accredited), plus
careers advice to prepare prisoners for
release. Financial literacy is a key
objective: inmates have a small budget
to spend within the prison, which they
are taught to manage. Learning
opportunities have included cookery
classes (prisoners created their own
cookbook as part of their Skills Project;
we also saw the passionate chef midclass), and groups involved in singing,
craftwork and film.
Alcatraz Library by Banlon1964 on Flickr
Having seen a number of prison library
posts advertised over the years, I
imagined it to be a really interesting
area of librarianship, and was curious
to know more: what particular skills
does a prison librarian have, and what
does the job involve? What are the
right skills and experience to be good
at the job, and to enjoy it?
So, when the Career Development
Group visit to Cornton Vale Prison
Library was advertised, I was keen to
go along. Currently chartered, I am
now gearing up for revalidation. Also,
while I work in public libraries, I felt this
visit was particularly relevant, because
there is a prison in my local authority.
User consultation and evaluation are
priorities. There were requests for
vocational learning to develop skills for
a career in beauty, and a salon has
been designed to fulfil this need. This
is a women’s library, and the choice of
classes are based on a combination of
demand and feasibility, but I was
After the naturally strict security on
entry (including removal of our mobile
Focus
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
7
impressed with the variety of classes.
The library is run with assistance from
inmate volunteers and it was
wonderful to hear their enthusiasm for
the projects, and for working in the
library.
The Library is managed by Stirling
Libraries and the Community Outreach
Librarian spoke to us next. They
allocate some of their budget to
purchasing books for the library.
Supplier catalogues are left for
prisoners to make requests for
particular titles. Again, the lack of
internet access means that this
material cannot be catalogued on the
internet-based library management
system that Stirling uses. However,
the users in the library can view
material on a LibrarySoft system.
My own work remit covers children
and families, so I was particularly
interested to hear of two of their most
successful projects: Storysacks and
Storybooks Mums. I also have an
interest in the marketing of services,
and wondered how this worked in
prison libraries. Apparently the
learning services are always so wellattended, this isn’t an issue!
The Community Outreach Librarian
spoke of some of the Reader
Development projects in which the
inmates have been involved, including
Reader In Residence (which has been
sustained by a bookgroup in the
prison), plus health promoting
literature, using bibliotherapy and
linking to the Books on Prescription
project.
It all sounded really positive, but of
course there are many challenges –
some of which will sound familiar to
most librarians, and some unique to
prisons. The Learning Co-ordinator
emphasised that her work is targetdriven. There is a focus on work with
young offenders for example, and it
can be frustrating that she can’t work
with remand prisoners as much. A lack
of funding and staffing can, like many
areas, be inadequate.
The day finished with a chance to look
around the library and learning centre,
ask questions, and talk to the women
who helped run the library to hear
more about how the system works
day-to-day in terms of loan policy and
so on over a cup of tea.
We also heard that support for the
library service has varied according to
ongoing shifts in prison management
over the years – a major issue. One of
the most obvious challenges I hadn’t
considered is that prisoners can’t
access the internet. This self-evidently
makes computer courses rather basic,
but when learning is increasingly webbased, it is a constant challenge for
tutors.
The visit was fascinating and, as with
all visits, offered plenty of opportunity
for reflection! In particular, the visit
emphasised to me how important it is
to gain an insight into the work of other
library and information sectors
.
CDG Visit – Cornton Vale Prison Library – feedback
by Susan Cross
To evaluate the organisation of the visit to Cornton Vale Prison Library in Stirling on
Tuesday 20th July 2010, and for future development, an online survey was created
and the link sent to all attendees after the event. 45% of the attendees completed
and returned our survey (results overleaf).
Using an online survey to obtain feedback on this visit was highly successful and
may be used for future CDG Scottish Division events.
Focus
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
8
Personal
Findings
information
Type of
FE/HE Libraries (20%)
Education Knowledge Services (20%)
library/Information
Public Libraries (20%)
Health Library (20%)
services work for
Commercial Organisation (20%)
Current role within the Senior Management Team (20%)
Information Officer or equivalent (20%)
workplace
Librarian or equivalent (20%)
Library Assistant (40%)
Areas travelling from
East of Scotland (20%)
West of Scotland
Central Scotland
to attend the event
(40%)
(20%)
Event feedback
Preparation of the event:
Information about the place
Good (60%), Very Good (40%)
Information about how to get there
Good (50%), Very Good (50%)
Information about the event
Good (50%), Very Good (50%)
Advertisement
Good (50%), Very Good (50%)
Booking
Good (50%), Very Good (50%)
Comments:
The event leaflet provided a detailed itinerary for the day, and it was good to have the bus timetable
for the bus which goes between Stirling station and Cornton Vale.
Visit on the day
Good (80%), Very Good (20%)
Reception
Session delivered by the Prison LRC Co-ordinator
Good (25%), Very Good (75%)
Good (25%), Very Good (75%)
Session delivered by the Outreach Community
Librarian
Tour of the Prison Library
Good (75%), Very Good (25%)
Tea and Coffee
Average (25%), Good (50%), Very Good (25%)
Q&A opportunity
Good (75%), Very Good (25%)
Comments:
Very interested in volunteers role and in potential bibliotherapy/books on prescription development
The sessions are very interesting and informative, provided me with insight into an area of
librarianship that I didn’t know very much about. It would have been good to have had a bit more time
to around the learning centre at the end. It felt a little rushed. I can appreciate that there were
security considerations that affected this.
Usefulness to individual professional
Yes (100%)
development
Comments:
The visit will be added to the CPD log for my Chartership portfolio – it will help to demonstrate my
understanding of the wider professional context.
Attended other events organised by CDG (Scottish Division) Yes (40%)
No (60%)
Comments:
Attended the HarperCollins Visit, the Tour of Glasgow City Chambers and its library and information
services
Interested in attending future events organised Yes (100%)
by CDG (Scottish Division)
Suggestions for future events
Networking – on Inclusion and Health Inequalities in particular
Visits to a variety of libraries – they are very interesting and worthwhile
Odd social event
Introduction for LIS students – sessions where students can meet members of the group, learn a bit
more about what it has to offer, find out about useful mailing lists to subscribe to which provide
information on CPD opportunities in the area
Focus
Autumn 2010, Issue 14
9