- for these resources to be engaging, I needed to make novel and accessible something which is probably not the most exciting or engaging.
- These resources were to be used for self-training. Potentially a daunting prospect, but there was a useful freedom in devising training that would be engaging and approachable, to boil down the necessary information into a user-friendly format.
27 Nov 2023
21 Nov 2023
Bringing Collections to a Wider Audience - Digitisation @MU Library
16 Nov 2023
Libfocus Link-out for November 2023
Welcome to the November edition of the Libfocus link-out, an assemblage of library-related things we have found informative, educational, thought-provoking and insightful on the Web over the past while.
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Images featured in this month's libfocus link-out articles |
The real impact of #BookTok on library circulation
Aline Zara crunches the numbers on how BookTok affects the circulation of backlist titles (titles that have been on the market for 1 year+) in Canadian public libraries.
Let ‘No’ be ‘No’: When Librarians say ‘No’ to Instruction Opportunities
Anna White looks at when, why, and how librarians say no to additional instruction opportunities, and whether we even feel comfortable saying no in a professional capacity.
Understanding CC Licenses and Generative AI
Creative Commons address some common questions, around CC Licenses and Generative AI, while acknowledging that the answers may be complex or still unknown.
Most libraries in UK to provide ‘warm banks’ again this winter
Library service schemes offering free, heated spaces last year in response to the cost of living crisis will resume at the end of October.
Sci-Hub presents a paradox for open access publishing
Sci-Hub has provided a popular, if illicit, access route to much of the scientific record. However, as unintended consequence being included in Sci-Hub decreases the Open Access citation advantage of publications.
Quantifying Consolidation in the Scholarly Journals Market
The market of scholarly journals has significantly consolidated since 2000 — when the top 5 publishers held 39% of the market of articles to 2022 where they control 61% of it. The data shows that the biggest companies get bigger, and smaller publishers seek the shelter of a larger partner.
Ensuring a vibrant future for LIS in iSchools
A recent paper examining how we can best position our research and education programs to lead the information field and future of libraries.
Feeling lonely? Go to the library
There is a higher demand for third spaces outside of the home and office where people can gather and libraries might be the answer.
Paying more attention to the health and social benefits of libraries is overdue
In this article Canada's Globe and Mail health columnist, André Picard talks about how public libraries have become essential community hubs. How can we help them flourish when their funding doesn't reflect the vital services they provide and they're struggling to meet demands?
Meet the University Librarian: Elaine Westbrooks on what her job entails, her vision for the Library—and what she’s reading for pleasure these days
In this article, inspiring University Librarian Elaine Westbrooks talks about her role, what makes Cornell University Library special and her vision for its future in the face of considerable challenges.
The Evolution of Library Workplaces and Workflows via Generative AI
Wherein Mohammad Hosseini and Kristi Holmes reflect on how libraries and their existing workflows are evolving alongside the rise of generative AI.
Identifying key factors and actions: Initial steps in the Open Science Policy Design and Implementation Process
Wherein Hanna Shmagun and colleagues endeavour to understand and classify the factors influencing the adoption of Open Science. They propose possible actions for decision-makers to develop relevant policies.
14 Nov 2023
“Brewing up a storm” – Outreach to develop your professional profile
This blog post by Catherine Ahearne from Maynooth University was highly commended in the CONUL Training and Development Library Assistant Blog Awards 2023.
What professional growth means to me is, it is an active process and that involves more self reflection that I had realised. As someone who had lived by the phrase “self-praise is no praise,” looking back at my career and truly examining it, is difficult. Aware of the library experience gap in my C.V., my career path has not been a linear nor smooth one. I have worked in Law, Public, Tax and Academic libraries, but have also done several years in an administrative role for one the big 4 four accountancy firms. I worried that this would put me at a disadvantage when compared with my library peers. But when I looked closely, I could see the transferable skills that I bring to my library role. This also allowed for me to notice and focus on my weaker areas, treating the process as a needs assessment if you will.
I have spent the most recent part of my career looking at my professional development so that I can progress and succeed in my position to the best of my ability. I have obtained the Associate of the Library Association (ALAI), participated in conferences as a poster presenter even speaker. But what I have had to acknowledge is that I qualified more than a decade ago and through my various roles I have seen how much the profession has changed in that time. A professional profile for librarians is now a crucial element of professional development. But how do we create this? Networking is one way of building relationships with others in our field allow us to share ideas and experiences. Outreach is a tool that not only benefits your institution but also you on a professional level.
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Picture of the Russell Library taken by Catherine Ahearne |
The outreach experience that I am going to share is writing for RTÉ Brainstorm. An email was sent to the Special Collections & Archive team based on our MU Library Treasures blog exposure, that the editor of RTÉ Brainstorm Jim Carroll was available to talk to any of the team who might interested in writing for RTE Brainstorm and can help define a story with them. 10- minute one-to-one feedback sessions were organised. The feedback sessions enabled staff to share an area of work with the editor. And receive suggestions on generating an angle for the story.
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Map taken from John Hall’s, Tour through Ireland: particularly the interior & least known parts (London, 1813) |
I went to the pitch a little unsure if I would be able to provide something that would be of interest to Brainstorm. My pitch was about the opinion and attitudes of the Irish as expressed through the travel guides of the 18th and 19th century. The Pitch was successful, and I was given a word count and deadline. I began to write; I had some trusted colleagues review some of my early drafts. Up to this point anything that I had written had been for a specific audience, “the library world,” so before submission I asked the communications officer to review, and she made some extremely helpful suggestions that would allow the blog to have an appeal to a wider audience than just those interested in Special Collections. The 15th of March saw my blog go live, “People drinking whiskey, porter and punch” Travellers to Ireland and their thoughts on the Irish”.
This exercise in outreach not only highlighted my profile within my own institution, but also gave me positive feedback, and an opportunity to engage with academics about the blogs success. Another benefit of completing the blog was that it allowed me an opportunity to promote my colleagues that also write for our own blog “The Maynooth Library Treasures” and the celebrate the rich collections of the Russell Library. In recent weeks, the article has been promoted again by MU Spotlight on research. My advice for anyone interested in developing their professional profile is to take the opportunities you are offered; you need to be seen to be heard. You can use these to gain experience, increase your confidence and as a form of continuing professional development.
7 Nov 2023
Unlocking Voices: DCU Library Creative Writing Competition and the Mountjoy Education Centre
This blog post by Grace O'Connor from Dublin City University was highly commended in the CONUL Training and Development Library Assistant Blog Awards 2023.
Since 1999, DCU Library has hosted an annual Creative Writing Competition for participants of adult reading and writing schemes in North Dublin. It aims to reward those who have returned to education to improve their reading and writing skills. Each year we receive entries from more than 12 literacy groups in North Dublin.
Library staff volunteer to participate in the judging and organisation of the competition, and an awards night for all writers and their friends and family is held each year. There is one overall winner announced by a guest judge, and 10 commendations given.
The competition
has a real impact on winners, some of whom decided to pursue writing as a
full-time career, or complete their Junior Certificate English exam.
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Guest Judge Sophie White addresses attendees at the 2023 DCU Library Creative Writing Competition Awards Night in O’ Reilly Library Pic: EilÃs O’ Neill |
Involving Mountjoy Education Centre
In 2023, we once again emailed all eligible
writing groups seeking submissions for this year’s competition. For the first
time in the competition’s 24 year history, tutors from Mountjoy Prison Service
got in touch to submit entries from members of the City
of Dublin ETB Mountjoy
group.
The aim of the CDETB service [in Mountjoy] is to help prisoners cope with their sentences and prepare them for release, and particularly to offer them the opportunity to discover and develop new potential within themselves.
“Everyone has a story to tell, and it’s [on] that basis that I run the creative writing classes” says Margaret Hannigan, an English teacher in the Mountjoy education centre. Margaret has taught here for 24 years and is always looking for different competitions and writing festivals for her students to enter. It was through a new colleague, Christine Smith, that she heard about the DCU Library Creative Writing Competition.
Christine Smith has only worked with the Mountjoy Education Centre since October 2022, but prior to this had been a tutor Cabra Adult Education Service, where she tutored many previous entrants and winners of the competition. She was aware of the positive impact it had on her students and their confidence as writers, so she was keen to have her new students in Mountjoy participate.
Anonymous Judging for Fair Evaluation
Judges receive the stories anonymously, with all author and writing group details removed, so they can judge the entries on their own merits. However, entrants' names and details are recorded on entry forms, and any shortlisted writers are asked to attend the awards night to read their story. All stories along with the entrant’s full name are included in a booklet for attendees to take home.
Navigating GDPR and Confidentiality
In a phone discussion about the entries,
Christine let us know that because of GDPR/confidentiality reasons, only the
first names of the finalists should appear on the booklet, website and on social
media. It wasn't difficult to accommodate that, but we had to be careful with
aspects like the certificates all shortlisted entrants receive, which were
photographed showing the surnames of the finalists. These were removed from the
images before posting them on the website and on social media.
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Mountjoy Education Centre tutor Clare O’ Connell accepting the Creative Writing Award from author Sophie White, on behalf of her student Dermot Pic: Kyran O’ Brien/DCU |
Standout Entries and Performances
Julie, a library assistant who has been
judging the competition since its inception, finds that the personal stories
resonate deeply with her. She noted that the 2023 entries exhibited a raw
quality, providing profound insights into the authors' experiences. Among the exceptional
submissions, "Surprise" by Dermot emerged as the clear winner,
captivating the judges with its compelling narrative. Library assistant and judge,
Alana, praised this story for its ambition and execution. Alana also
particularly enjoyed hearing the audio recordings of the authors from Mountjoy
Education Centre reading their stories. She said of one (Hardcore by Eric) “...while I
read this poem initially as a stand-alone piece of writing, I think this post-
competition performance emphasises the art of language and how some stories
sing once performed orally.”
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The 10 runners up and winner of the Creative Writing Competition 2023. Runners-up from Mountjoy were represented on the night by their tutors. Pic: Kyran O’ Brien/DCU |
Fostering Connections
The competition held special significance for Margaret, as one of her learners became a runner-up, receiving a certificate, book voucher and a DCU Library tote bag. Margaret expressed her delight at this achievement and eagerly looks forward to entering the competition again next year. Recognising the value of the creative writing classes at Mountjoy Education Centre, DCU Library seeks to foster a meaningful relationship with the institution. As a gesture of support and appreciation, the library has been invited to attend one of Margaret's creative writing classes in the near future.
Listen to the winning 2023 story via the Youtube
link here: Surprise by
Dermot