Thing 20 centres on library advocacy and engagement; about the fundamental role libraries play in society and how library professionals can advocate for libraries effectively.
As I am not working or studying within the Library and Information Services area this Thing will be from an outsider’s perspective rather than an insider’s one. I have done my best to answer all the questions posed in the task for Thing 20 (although I found it too difficult to answer question 9, even though I did try), however, because of my situation there are some aspects and things that I do not know so I have had to alter my answers accordingly.
Exercise 1: Name three detrimental effects to a local community when a public library is closed.
For me one of the largest detrimental effects would be the loss of access to information, not only the physical books but also the internet, online databases, and art that is contained within libraries.
There would also be the loss of other services that many libraries provide, e.g. guided tours, public talks and discussions, workshops, help with research and computer software, etc.
The third effect would be the loss of the social role that libraries play. Libraries can and are community builders providing a space for people of all backgrounds and are not limited to certain socio-economic backgrounds.
Exercise 2: Find a Library Strategic Plan in Ireland or beyond for a library of any size. Identify three ways in which the strategic plan also advocates for the Library Service.
I looked at the National Library of Ireland Strategic Plan 2008-2010 which had six strategic aims. The three aims that I thought also advocated for the Library Service were Strategic Aim 3, 5 and 6.
“Strategic Aim 3: Achieving Outreach, Collaboration and Synergy. To pursue outreach, endeavour and Synergy.” Because this aim reaches out to the community and brings people into the library it is highlighting the importance and role of libraries.
“Strategic Aim 5: Developing Staff. To provide optimal support to the staff in pursuit of Excellence.” This aim would help support and retain library staff and would enable them to provide the best services they can to help bring in and retain library visitors and users.
“Strategic Aim 6: Developing the Organisation. To put in place appropriate organisational structures, systems, and policies that will underpin activity, delivery and the highest quality of service.” This aim would refine and optimise a library’s service helping it to excel and grow.
Exercise 3: Name three ways in which you can demonstrate the impact and value of the library service that you work in or use.
For me, the library I have used most is my university’s library.
The most obvious impact and value of my, and any, university’s library is giving students access to books and online databases for their course work and providing them with a dedicated space to work on and complete that course work.
For me a second key aspect of the university library was its promoting of Open Access thereby allowing students, lectures, and academics in general to easily read and build on existing findings, and giving them access to the latest research.
The third impact and value is the archives department of the library which often preserves individual and community historic artefacts and oral histories, it may take part in digital history projects and the digitization of vital records, and it provides a place where people can research genealogy and immigration history.
Exercise 4: Identify three key people (name their role) outside of the library in the wider organisation/community that you need to network with in order to advance the development of the Library Service.
Since I am not familiar with whom libraries need to network with I have chosen groups as opposed to individual people.
Local councils or government officials – I think that it is very important that a library networks with the local councils and government officials. If the library can demonstrate its importance to the local community to the local councils and government officials then they could gain some much needed support and funding, as well as an increased audience reach.
Local Schools – I think it is vital for libraries to interact with local schools, if children are introduced to libraries at a young age and the importance of libraries is cultivated then they will carry that with them through their lives. A related example which was given in the ‘Next Generation Learning Spaces Seminar’ (which I wrote about in Thing 17), recounted that a school with an underused library built a slide out of one of the windows and every time a child took out a book to read they could go down the slide. Suffice to say the library was no longer under used and it was not only the school children who wanted to take out books, the teachers wanted to as well!
Local businesses – If libraries could network with local business they could partner up and collaborate with one another increasing advertising and the audience reach, there could also be promotional days or offers all of which would bring in more library visitors and users.
Exercise 5: Write down in 200 words or less an idea for Library Ireland Week for a library you work in or use.
I had not heard of Library Ireland Week before this so I’m not sure what has been done before or what would be suitable. The idea I am outlining below is pure hypothesis and somewhat whimsical but I hope that won’t be held against me!
One idea could be to follow in the footsteps of The Open Book in Wigtown, Scotland. Renting The Open Book through Airbnb - https://www.airbnb.ie/rooms/7908227 - allows you to run your own bookshop for a week or two providing the “first ever bookshop holiday/residency experience”. This quirky bookshop rental idea gives people a great experience of running a book shop and promotes an interest in books and reading.
Perhaps this bookshop rental could be combined with popup shops or mobile libraries whereby a popup, mobile bookshop/library could be rented out and travels around the country visiting and staying at every library in the country for a couple of days.
Exercise 6: In your opinion what are the three best features of the My Library, By Right Campaign and why?
This is the first time I have heard about the My Library, By Right Campaign and when I tried to look up their website for more information I kept getting 404 Error messages. I’m not entirely sure I understand what ‘the three best features’ of the campaign are but I have tried to answer the question in any case.
From what I can gather, three of the key issues the campaign is fighting for is the “public’s rights to libraries to be recognised and respected,” for “public libraries to be treated as the statutory services they are,” and it is fighting against the withdrawal of financial and political support from public libraries. Libraries contribute so much to society and the My Library, By Right Campaign is fighting to get that contribution recognised and supported. Using a variety of methods the campaign has highlighted these issues, through #MyLibraryByRight, posters, a petition, and writing to government officials; as well as getting internationally renowned writers such as Ali Smith, Joanna Trollope, Neil Gaiman and Sir Andrew Motion to add their support through The Society of Authors.
Exercise 7: In 200 words or less, describe a new area of librarianship that you are passionate about. How would you go about promoting it within the library that you work in and/or the wider library profession?
I am not aware of the different areas of librarianship or what is considered new but I’ll try to answer the question anyway basing it on what I know so far.
Perhaps, going back to the ‘Next Generation Learning Spaces Seminar’ in Thing 17, the development or redevelopment of library spaces it get more people interested in the library and to get a better user experience. To promote it within the library I think organising seminars to initially get people involved and interested in the topic would be best. After that I think getting local schools or children’s clubs involved in designing their own designated ‘children’s’ area. There could also be a ‘Best Design’ competition among local businesses and the library could implement the winning design.
Exercise 8: Choose an area of library practice that you feels requires debate.
As above I am not aware of library practice areas but I’ll try to answer the question. From what I can gather the growth of digital technology, e.g. the internet, online databases, and ebooks etc. is a challenge to libraries and is one that they have to rapidly adapt to. From spaces for borrowing books to community spaces with access to technology libraries are challenged to keep up with the rapid development of technology. Bridging the space between both old and new, maintaining the old while advancing the new is a difficult practice with many different avenues to take and one that I think will always require thought and debate.
This has not been an easy Thing to do; I have had to challenge myself to imagine what it would be like to work in the LIS area and what I would do to engage with and advocate for that imagined library. Despite this it was interesting to start thinking about advocacy how I would and could get involved.
