Library 2.0 in Southampton

Following Karen Blakeman's presentation in Febrary, some colleagues and I have been looking at ways to use 2.0 ideas in our library in Southampton. We've also put out a call to other members of staff to join in the discussion and I'd like to open the invitation to other library people in the Southampton area. If you're in the area and would like to meet up, maybe for an after work pub discussion please post a comment or drop me an email at sarah.washford@southampton.gov.uk
Sarah

SE Branch AGM at Woking - part 2

I had a very enjoyable evening at Woking Library last week, an opportunity to talk to librarians from other sectors, have a nose around a different library and hear Ian Snowley speak about his presidential themes. This was certainly worth the train trip to Woking! Althought the focus of the evening was the speaker there was also a discussion of the imminent changes to CILIP and possible impact on branch and sub-branch membership. I think just attending the AGM demonstrated how important branches are to CILIP. I've already mentioned meeting people from other sectors and seeing other libraries but we also heard about the activities of some of the other sub-branches and I recommend having a look at some of the other sub-branch pages and thinking about what you'd like to see in our area. Ian Snowley spoke about the changes and also about his 5 Presidential Themes outlined here in his inaugration speech. Under Governance he spoke about the Framework of Qualifications review and the way in which CILIP engages with IT. Activism was about how members need to be active in their organisation, he suggested that we consider moving away from traditional meetings and offer more flexibility in how people get involved such as specific task groups and better use of IT. We also need to show our colleagues the professional benefits to be gained by being involved in CILIP. Professionalism includes promoting the value of skills and qualifications and ensuring that training does not suffer due to financial constraits in our organisations. He also mentioned that we need to recognise and promote the ACLIP qualification as a route to chartership. Advocacy is a theme of great importance locally at the moment and Ian highlighted this as a role not just for CILIP but also for local branches who can engage with their local media and offer a voice on local library issues. I think the HIOW branch are already becoming active in this area! Finally he turned to Professional Mobility and the transfer of skills between sectors. Having the opportunity to meet a variety of library staff at the AGM I wonder if this is something we could promote more at a local level as the more opportunity we have to share experiences with one another I think the less scary the idea of moving between sectors becomes. I had a very interesting and thought provoking evening, certainly not just 'another AGM'! Sarah

SE Branch AGM at Woking

Next Tuesday is the SE Branch AGM at Woking Library. In addition to meeting up with colleagues from around the South East there is also the opportunity to hear CILIP President, Ian Snowley, speak on 'Creating our Professional Future'. It's been advertised quite widely but how about some blog posts or comments about who's going and our thoughts afterwards? Or, if you can't make it, is there anything you'd like someone to raise on your behalf? Questions you would like to ask our CILIP President? I'll be there(train permitting!), anyone else??
Sarah

Oh dear, what a shame

In the last few months we have highlighted issues of professional concern by management restructure in Hampshire, but during the same period something more shameful has been noted. Two instances have been noted of people claiming to be current Chartered Librarians on lapsed membership of CILIP/Library Association. This is a serious breach of the rules and has the potential to damage our professional image by such false claims. As soon as membership of CILIP lapses, so does your entry on the Register of Chartered Members and the right to bear the post nominal letters. In both cases the post nominal letters were wrong, and a quick check with CILIP membership confirmed suspicions. I have no hesitation in reporting such people and I urge the library community to be vigilant for suspicious claims.

Does HIOW meet the expectations of our new CILIP President?

In the April edition of Update, there is a fascinating article from your new CILIP President, Ian Snowley, entitled "Encouraging member activism". Prompted by this, and Edward Dudley's column headed "activists arise" I am blogging the thought of how HIOW has made an impact on the region and do we, through the Committee and members, achieve the Presidential aim.

Mr Snowley is very much in favour of activists from the membership and HIOW is a good example with a strong Committee, supportive membership encouraged through a varied programme of events, and challenging bad journalism on librarianship in the region. Verbal and written feedback has confirmed that we are doing things for our members well and good communication is keeping the Committee fed with ideas. I have always cheekily thought of an advertising strapline for HIOW which is "local CILIP in action" and that's what sub Branches should be about. I have created an email service to promote communication in the region and given an opportunity to engage in web 2.0 with this blog

The other main comment in his article was about professionalism in it's broadest context; not status but pride in our qualifications and skills at all levels of library and information work. It is a shame that the management of Hampshire Libraries do not share this view and regardless of mounting criticism from employees and, importantly, the public, continue to demote and demoralise librarianship to new depths. From the letters to the local papers there would seem to be sufficient support to pass a motion of no confidence in the library management, if this was possible. HIOW has only been able to offer verbal support to colleagues under pressure but at least one local paper know that the Sub Branch has a strong view on their negative reporting on our profession and its skills. HIOW has been active in providing support networks for the Framework of Qualifications through informal email contact groups for Certification, Chartership, and Fellowship, which also include revalidation. We are also compiling a list of mentors in our region, something which has not been easy to identify from the CILIP web pages.

On the back of this Mr Snowley says that you should have fun in what you are doing. I am not sure as to whether my warped humour on librarianship is what is expect by our President. At the 2007 AGM we commented that Web 3.0 will follow Web 2.0, but soon after I found someone had adopted a picture from Star Trek's Jean-Luc Picard as Librarian 3.0 to deal with the emerging technologies efficiently. My favourite site is Warrior Librarian from Australia, from whom I have purchased the book and tshirts etc but a recent entry of cringeworthy note is a website with the blogga song; oh dear. Next year, I celebrate thirty years in the library profession having started in my primary school and continued in paid and voluntary positions. I love this career and all the challenges it brings, but having fun is just as vital as the qualifications and activism.

So viewers, or bloggas, comment on this blog or better still, get a Google account and contribute; this site is for you, the members of HIOW to use. HIOW works because of the members; we are a young Sub Branch but are very active and we will support the qualifications and skills through CPD and other events, therefore fulfilling the qualities required by our current President.