New Year's resolution

New Year, new start. After not blogging for most of last year, I'm hoping to get back to a more regular pattern in 2014. Let's see how well I get on!

Mastering Digital Librarianship - new book

I haven't been able to blog for a while due to intermittent time off work this year, but I just have to mention this new book coming out soon (15th Nov). In fact, my last post was about starting to write the book!
 

Mastering Digital Librarianship: Strategy, networking and discovery in academic libraries

is edited by Alison Mackenzie and Lindsey Martin but contains chapters by many well known folks. I'm pleased to say there's a chapter by me too, writing about our experiences of providing a digital library service to an international branch campus.

"The book examines the changing roles of the librarian and how working within a rich digital environment has impacted on the ability of professionals to develop the appropriate 'know how'; skills, knowledge and behaviours required in order to operate effectively.  Expert specialists and opinion makers from around the world discuss the challenges and successes of adapting existing practices, introducing new services and working with new partners in an environment that no longer recognises traditional boundaries and demarcation of roles.

The book is structured thematically, with a focus on three key strands where the impact of digital technologies is significant:

Rethinking marketing and communication - this strand looks at strategic approaches and practices which harness social media and illustrate the importance of communication and marketing activities in these new online spaces.

Rethinking support for academic practice - this part examines the professional expertise required of librarians who engage with and support new academic and learner practices in digitally rich teaching, learning and research environments.

Rethinking resource delivery - this section investigates the use of strategies to maximise access to online resources and services - harnessing system data to enhance collection management and user choice, the design and management of mobile 'friendly' learning spaces and in providing virtual resources and services to an overseas campus."

It's going to be a riveting Christmas read - make sure you add it to your must have list!

Libraries and International Branch Campuses

A few months ago I was pleased  to be invited to contribute a chapter to a new book edited by Alison Mackenzie and Lindsey Martin entitled Mastering Digital Librarianship. It has all be a little rushed since then, but I'm hoping the chapter I've just submitted will be acceptable. It's about International Branch Campuses and some of experiences we've had here in Newcastle in supporting our staff and students in Singapore. Here's a snippet from the introduction: "In a globalised economy, as institutions, driven by the need to maximise their income, extend their reach outside their country’s borders to establish outposts around the world, what thought is given to the library’s role? Does our digitally rich learning environment lead to unrealistic expectations of library support or is it an enabler to a more consistent level of access? ...this chapter will illustrate some of the benefits and challenges of engaging in international activities, particularly in a digital environment."

UNESCO IL Report

UNESCO have produced the “Overview of Information Literacy Resources Worldwide” . It brings together information about IL resources in 42 languages from all around the world: websites, books, journals and other kinds of publications, compiled by Dr Forest Woody Horton Jr. Amazingly, this blog is listed in it too!