Library Achievements

We often hear about negative things that are happening in libraries, like budget cuts resulting in loss of jobs or even library closures. Sometimes is it difficult to remember some of the good things people are doing for the LIS profession. 

This past week Australians have been celebrating the life of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam for his contributions to our society. On Tuesday 21 October, ALIA released an article in recognition of the significant contributions he made to the LIS profession.
One of his achievements was the establishment of the Committee of Inquiry into Public Libraries in 1975. This committee examined issues relating to the effective provisioning of free public library services, and made other detailed recommendations on planning, coordination, finance, regionalisation, technological matters and the need for innovation. 

The broad premise - that public library and information services would be the collective responsibility of the Commonwealth, State and local spheres of government, funded in part by each - was strongly welcomed by the LIS profession at the time.

Do you know anyone that is making positive contributions to the LIS profession?

-Gabby 

Library A to Z

Earlier in the year I came across a UK campaign on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter called Library A to Z, have you heard about it? 

It takes each letter of the alphabet and lists lots of great things we all love about libraries (for example…A is for: advice, art, astronomy, audio books, answers, author events…and more!) and with illustrations by Josh Filhol, provides some great promotional resources for public libraries to use like posters, cards and books to encourage library advocacy and get people appreciating their libraries!

There are materials available to download for free under a creative commons licence from their website, with the official launch for the Library A to Z happening from November 17. 

Take a look at some of the materials available, which letter is your favourite? #libraryatoz

Library A to Z project www.libraryatoz.org illustration by Josh Filhol

Library A to Z project www.libraryatoz.org illustration by Josh Filhol

Maria Savvidis
ALIA Social Media Officer

Blog Every Day in June Day 11 : Little Free Library

A curious thing is happening all around the world. Small decorated boxes are popping up all over the place, dotted amongst communities and suburban streets, filled with books. The Little Free Library project runs on the motto of 'give a book, take a book' to "promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide".  Current numbers in 2014 are estimated at around 15,000 little libraries, looked after by the people in the community.  I  have to admit, looking at their pinterest page fills me with glee at seeing dozens and dozens of photographs of the tiny little miniature houses and decorated containers lovingly created to protect these books, each with their own personality.

But are they really libraries? In the interest of balance, I read a short but interesting blog post by Joe Hardenbrook suggesting that while they have their merits they are not libraries and are no replacement for a public library service. What are your thoughts? It's also worth listening to this brief NPR radio spot about LFL featuring people who use them and look after them in the US.

I've always loved the concept of a similar idea to LFL called Bookcrossing, where books are registered online, labelled and left on purpose in a public place (park benches, bus stops) for a serendipitous encounter with a bookworm stranger. 

Have you spotted a Little Free Library or 'caught' a book via Bookcrossing?  

PS:  Look what happened when a group of architects held a design competition for ten specially commissioned LFL around New York last year. 


-Maria Savvidis @m_savvidis
Social Media Officer, ALIA Sydney

Blog Every Day in June Day 7: YA Literature and the Media

This post originally appeared recently on the fantastic blog and resource Teen Librarian Toolbox . Many thanks to Karen Jensen for letting us include it here for #blogjune, and for writing such a candid post as a passionate YA librarian in the US addressing the misconceptions about Young Adult literature. You can follow Karen on twitter @TLT16 .

Dear Media, Let me help you write that article on YA literature

Recently, there have been a voluminous number of articles written about YA literature. And they are mostly wrong. So if you are a member of the press and given this assignment, I thought I would help you out a little. But first, let me start by telling you why I am, in fact, qualified to help you out. Credentials are important, something these articles always seem to lack.

What It Means to be a YA Librarian 

So, this is me: I have been a YA librarian for 20 years. Non stop. Dedicated. There are lots of people like me out there, you should talk to us before you write an article on YA. I started in 1993 as a paraprofessional while in college working on my undergraduate degree with a major in Christian Education/Youth Ministry and a minor in Adolescent Psychology and Development. After graduating I went on to get my Masters in Library Science with an area of specialization in Young Adult Services and Youth Services. I have worked in 4 different libraries as a YA librarian in 2 different states. And I have read well over 2,000 YA novels. In addition, I have read reviews and articles on the topic way more numerous than I could even begin to count or articulate. In fact, I have been professionally writing YA reviews for VOYA magazine for 13 years now. Sometimes I even turn those reviews in on time. There are many more qualified, knowledgeable, dedicated and passionate YA librarians out there. So the next time you have to write an article on YA, please take 30 minutes out of your day and pick up your phone to call your local public library and ask to speak to the YA librarian. In fact, call 3. It's called research.

So now that we've established that I am somewhat qualified to talk to you about YA lit, let me get a few basics out of the way for you.

YA Lit isn't so much a genre as it is an age designation

YA literature, or young adult literature, is also called teen fiction. That's because it is primarily written for teenaged people and it generally features teenaged characters. There is also middle grade fiction (MG lit), for middle grade readers approximately ages 8 to 12 or 13ish. And there is adult fiction. These aren't so much genres as they are age classifications to let readers know who the target audience is. But it's not a hard, steadfast rule because teens read MG and Adult fiction and that is a good thing. And adults read MG and YA fiction, and that is a good thing too. In fact, if you are the parent of a teenager, someone who works with teenagers or someone who cares about teenagers, well then I recommend that you occasionally read YA because then you can talk to them about books, or about life. Despite what a lot of people seem to think, the term YA is not a signifier of quality any more than saying a book is written for adults is a signifier of quality. It's really more of a target audience indicator that assists readers in book selection. Teens like to read about teens for the same reasons that married adults who have children like to read about married adults that have children or sports fans like to read about sports: they can relate to it, they are looking for validation, it interests them because it speaks to where they are at in that particular moment of their life, etc.

Under the umbrella of YA fiction, there is any and every genre

YA fiction is not any one thing. In part because YA readers are not any one thing. A YA novel can be contemporary fiction, it can be a mystery, it can be a romance, it can be a horror novel, it can be fantasy, it can be science fiction, it can be magical realism. It can be any of the many numerous genres out there. In fact, sometimes it is a cross between a couple of genres. For example, it can be a historical fiction novel with paranormal or supernatural elements. And I know this is hard to comprehend, but most people are complex beings who are capable of liking more than one genre at a time. Teens are no different, that is why YA is full of a wide variety of genres.

Read more...

Blog Every Day in June Day 6: New Library for Rockdale Clears Final Hurdle

In a closed session late last night, Rockdale City Council voted unanimously to approve the final design and construction of a new Rockdale City Library. Four tenders were considered, with the contract, worth close to $14m, being awarded to Kane Constructions Pty Ltd.

It's been a long process. You can read about some of it in our blog posts from February last year, and in March this year as ALIA Sydney have kept an eye on proceedings. Rockdale City Council and Rockdale City Library have also kept the community abreast of developments through local press and social media channels.

In the open session of the meeting last night, a report on the new library open day held earlier this year, and a visit by the Central Library Development Advisory Committee to Katoomba Library was tabled, and this afforded the opportunity for some community members to speak about the need for the new library ahead of the closed session vote. There were three speakers. Dr John Barclay, who also addressed the Council on this topic in February last year, Mr Andrew Edwards, a student and member of the Rockdale Youth Council, and Ms Marilyn Hart. I caught the tail end of Ms Hart's address which spoke about the value of the library beyond books, as a place of study and learning, quiet contemplation, exhibitions, and local history.

Four councillors also spoke in favour of the new library. Clr Awada mentioned the valuable input of community advocates to the project, Clr Tsounis and Clr Macdonald both expressed the hope that Rockdale would finally get the facility the residents deserve, and Clr Hanna referred to the new library as one of the three pillars for the city and community. In the past the Liberal members of Council have voted against the redevelopment of the library citing the considerable costs of the project being incurred at the same time as other large projects, notably the Bexley Pool redevelopment, and one of the Labor party members has always abstained due to a declared possible conflict of interest, so it has never been a forgone conclusion that this project would proceed. I have heard the current Mayor, Clr O'Brien speak passionately in favour of the new library development at other events, and having two Independent councillors (Hanna and Macdonald) speaking in favour of the proposal was cause for cautious optimism. I was surprised that, in the end, the vote to undertake this project was unanimous, but delighted that it received bi partisan support.

I've lived in the area for a bit more than ten years, so consider my experience of the current central library. In the Local History room, there is no work surface to have material open and take notes at the same time. In the central reading room there are tables scattered around with four chairs surrounding them, but the tables can really only accommodate two people with materials open. The Children's Library is often uncomfortably full at story time because of the restricted space, and there is not a great deal of room a library display, however one has been placed alongside the main walkway. Armchairs for reading are located right next to the YA fiction such that it is a little awkward to browse if someone is sitting there. It is a cramped space, not much bigger than some of the branch libraries. Yet the programs the library runs are the equal of any, the staff are winning awards, the collection continually addresses the changing needs of the community, it's a real shame the space has been so uninviting. But no longer.

Have a look at this "fly through" created by the designers, it's pretty impressive. My favourite part? The rooftop terrace for which Council separately allocated just over $100K to fund construction.  I can't wait for construction to begin, hopefully by the end of the year, depending on development approval. If things proceed smoothly, then the new building could be completed by February 2016.

Advocacy for projects such as this is important, and it's often hard to generate a groundswell of interest in sufficient numbers. I see a need for sharing of strategies and more concerted action as pressures on funding increase. Around Australia the growth of movements such as Get Up! have re engaged citizens to press for change on issues that affect them on an issue by issue basis, and the growth of tools, particularly social media tools, has assisted this enormously by reducing costs and increasing reach. The current campaign from the NSW Public Library Association "Fair Deal for Public Libraries" is one such action, and if you haven't yet signed the petition, then I encourage you to do so on the NSWPLA Community Funding Campaign website, and maybe even Become A Library Champion via the same page.

Do your bit and things can change. Even after 30 years.

-Lauren Castan

Sabotage in the Library / Are you ready for #blogjune ?

Hello everyone,

If we have been a little quiet on the blog front lately, that's because we are preparing for the full-on-funfest-of-posting that is the annual #blogjune challenge.

Starting on Sunday we will aim to bring you one post each day in June. We have some great guest contributors lined up and writing about a range of interesting topics that will be sure to grab your attention. If you have something great to contribute to our blog in June, as always we'd love to hear from you . Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the next month of reading on ALIA Sydney's blog.

Also, as we are more than halfway through the working week, let's celebrate with a very special library remake of Spike Jonze's iconic 1994 Beastie Boys video for 'Sabotage'.

-Maria Savvidis @m_savvidis

Social Media Officer, ALIA Sydney

Wondering what happened with Rockdale Library? It's good news.

One year and one month ago, I posted on this blog about the vote at Rockdale City Council to go ahead with funding to build a new library. ALIA members in Sydney turned out to support the library at pretty short notice, and community members and ALIA Executive Director Sue McKerracher spoke passionately in favour of going ahead with the new building and the need for great public libraries. The Councillors agreed and the vote was carried 7 votes to 6.

So what's happening now?

In the time since, a Central Library Development Advisory Committee has been formed, made up of council staff and community members. Architects and interior designers have been engaged to begin planning the building. CK Design and Lefler Simes Architects have been appointed to prepare detailed drawings, and some of you may have attended the ALIA Sydney event in June last year 'Advocate, Promote, Brand' at Parramatta where Cecilia Kluger the principal of CK Design spoke. Construction work is projected to begin in January 2015, and the new library is expected to be opened in March 2016.

The artist's impression of the building looks wonderful.

This weekend a Community Open Day will be held in the Rockdale Town Hall Foyer from 10am to 1pm on Saturday to meet the architects and the design team and find out more about what they are planning. The website contains extensive documentation about the process and the planning of the new building. The local newspaper, The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader has followed the story and this has generated plenty of letters to the editor, mostly in favour of the $16m project.

Then from 2pm-4pm there will be celebrations within the library itself to launch the new Nepali collection, with dancing and food. The community languages section is a very important part of the library, and librarian Stephanie Lee won an award for Most Outstanding Multicultural Librarian in November 2013 at the Metropolitan Public Libraries Association conference.

In 2013 I can remember three efforts for library advocacy by ALIA in NSW, with Rockdale in February, Goonellabah in June, and the ADCA National Drugs Sector Information Service seeing some activities in Young in December. Advocating for libraries is one area of focus for ALIA, and one of those things that you sometimes don't think about until it's needed. But when it is needed it is needed sorely and can only be effective if the network is already in place, so it's comforting to know that ALIA stands ready and can marshall resources to help when called upon.

Maybe I'll see you at Rockdale on Saturday.

-Lauren Castan

edX Offers Library Advocacy Unshushed

MOOC provider edX is offering a new course beginning in late February 2014 - Library Advocacy Unshushed: Values, Evidence, Action. The University of Toronto is the provider, and the course will run for six weeks.

A problem that many people face when attempting these types of courses is that they are unable to maintain their commitment for the entire course. This course addresses the problem by offering two streams of study. You can try for a Certificate, agreeing to be bound by the Honour Code and completing all activities, or you can "Audit" the course, receiving all course materials, tests, and access to the online forums, but you will not receive a certificate. If you want some proof of your participation, then you can print your progress chart from the course materials.

If you'd like to know more, please follow the link above to the edX page which describes the course and the presenters, plus gives a brief introductory video.

Of course, ALIA Sydney will be offering professional development and networking opportunities throughout 2014. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Lauren Castan

Open Access for All

Issues associated with open access certainly seem to be the discussion topic of the month, or year, or years. And really, why shouldn’t it be? Open access is one of the most exciting developments in making the world seem a little closer to the utopian vision that lives in my head. In essence, it’s about levelling the playing field. Why should information that benefits society be limited to those who are in the financially privileged position to access it? The more people who have access to research, the greater chance there is of producing even better, more varied research.

Of course, it is not a cure all. There is still the rather large obstacle of the digital divide, whether it is within countries or between countries. However, the move towards open access scholarly information provides yet another reason why governments should be investing in communication infrastructure. But developing communication infrastructure is really only the tip of the iceberg. Unless we want a future in which global information flows are further imbalanced.

In a perfect world, open access will enable developing countries to promote more of their research outputs. However, this is not a key focus of current open access discourse. However, it needs to be. I read a great article recently, Open Access Initiatives in Africa — Structure, Incentives and Disincentives, which detailed the obstacles to African participation in the open access era.  According to the author, Nwagwu, the Directory of Open Access Journals reports that there are 384 open access journals in the region. However, 75% of these are Egyptian, which emphasises that many African countries are under-represented. What is more concerning is that repositories in Africa account for only 0.6% of the world’s repositories.¹

So what are the major problems?

• The development of repositories requires experts, hardware, software, all of which cost money.
• Many educational institutions do not have specific policy statements regarding open access.
• The same can be said for governments. 
• Many local journals do not have self-archiving policies.
• Author fees for publishing in open access journals can be a major disincentive.

Nwagwu suggests that the priority must be awareness building among the interest groups – scholars, libraries, institutions, organisations and governments. This made me curious as to what progress was being made in terms of advocacy and concrete advancements. There is an international not-for-profit, Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL), which works to enable “access to knowledge through libraries in developing and transition countries”. Their OA branch has some great examples of how increased advocacy has resulted in some significant changes. I suggest people go have a look at how much is changing in developing countries, and start getting excited about what this means for the future of global knowledge development.

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^1. Nwagwu, W. E. (2013). Open Access Initiatives in Africa — Structure, Incentives and Disincentives. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 39(1), 3-10. doi: 10.1016/j.acalib.2012.11.024

Dimity Flanagan is an Information Services Librarian at UNSW Library