Here is a link to this year's presentation.
http://www.conference.co.nz/files/docs/lianza/wednesday/1330%20joanne%20smith.pdf
Beautiful space in terms of the architecture but totally impractical as a library.
Oh My! up at what felt like the crack of dawn to get to the library tours at 9am. Would have been 7am in Melb (a time that means nothing to me on a Sunday!) Saw the Athenaeum Library (which is subscription based) the Carnegie Centre (which was the public library from 1908-1981) and the Public Library (toured pre-opening Ooooo exciting)
Certainly worth getting up for!
Well I made it here for Lianza again this year. I am speaking on Wednesday, which is a bit of a pain. I will be tense in anticipation all through the week. Dunedin is beautiful, it was lovely and warm when I changed in Wellington but Dunedin is misty and mysterious!
Tomorrow the next winner of the MCRS will be announced, I am heading along to the presentation at the SLV. I wonder how the person feels?! If they are half as excited as I was they will be up all night. Good Luck to you ...whomever you are!
Re-development of the Williamstown Library reached the point of no return today when we opened in a temporary site at the Mechanics Institute in Electra Street. This temporary service will operate over the construction of the new building, which is expected to be completed in mid 2012.
http://hobsons-bay-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/williamstown-library-pulls-up-stacks/
While I am sunning myself here at the ALIA Conference in Brisbane I was very excited to discover that I have managed to get my 2nd article into InCite for the year!
Super exciting that I could just happen upon it by flicking through the September edition at the ALIA stand but even more exciting that hopefully others will read it and consider running a Food for Fines Campaign, our 2009 Campaign was a wonderful experience for staff, customers and local Emergency Food Relief Organisations.
http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/incite/2010/09/
Off on holiday to the UK for 3 weeks. Intend to squeeze in a few library visits while I am there. Naturally a visit to Bath but also perhaps the new one in Swindon. Will also squeeze in some ice-creams....isn't a holiday without ice-cream!!
Great little snippet on Today Tonight last night, talking to the Retail Doctor about the placement of stock and targeting of customers, what retailers do to position stock within the store for maximum attention etc. Lessons for us all!
http://www.retaildoctor.com.au/media-center/news/43-today-tonight.html
My article made it.....page 19. Oh my wow how exciting!!
If you submit an article don't be discouraged they don't actually tell you, you just get a surprise when you flick through the pages!
http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/incite/2010/
Good old Keith, he fits the rosters "no name double up" criteria if nothing else!
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7086815.ece
Funny things happen in libraries :)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/south_yorkshire/8574978.stm
KD had a phonecall from our old mates the Librarians they are about to begin production on Series 3 with filming to commence in June.
Unfortunately my abstract was not selected so I am not speaking at ALIA this year....SO disappointed :(
Part II @ 2pm...this is the really important one, the public opening.
The choir were lovely, the turn out not overwhelimg but perfect for the space and the Hon Richard Wynne made his delivery with such a positive energy that I was really engaged and if I had not assisted in dot-pointing for the speech myself I could easily have believed the words were actually his own. In addition to the info we provided he threw in a few relevant and interesting adlibs which only added to the experience.
After pulling a late one on the night before opening (I was greeted at the front door by a bleary eyed man & dog at 11pm) it is here. Opening Day fingers crossed all goes well.
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For those interested in my pics of Gold Coast Libraries I apologise but the have been removed pending approval from GCCC. I apologise to my readers and to Gold Coast who feel I mis-represented myself.
I did tell them that I had a new library opening (which I do - next week) and in a more extended discussion did tell one staff member that I was completing a research study regarding layout, the introduction of self serve technology and the impact on customer service (which I am - hence this blog)
This is the first time I have been asked to remove photos in 18months but am happy to seek approval through the appropriate channels.
I would like to ensure all those libraries appearing on my blog that although I always point out both good and bad aspects of a library, it is merely to draw out thought and discussion. I have a passion for the ongoing development of public libraries and a respect for those working in the industry.
The photos contained no customers or staff, just signage, layout and furniture/shelving so I hope that I will gain approval to return them soon. Stay posted...
Altona North Community Library opening Tuesday 16th March at 2pm.
Check out the range of activites running as part of our opening celebrations...
http://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_Id=887
A big relief to see the first deliveries of stock arrive this week and KD has the honour of shelving the first book!
Today our new staff commenced, mindblowing!
A bit intimidating to have 9 people start on one day, and obviously a bit weird for them BUT HOW EXCITING! what a great team building experience to all be there together and go through the training process as a unit.
A bit stressful to organise but hopefully it will be of benefit to all of us in the future.
At Footscray today for the Operations Network meeting, despite being just 20mins away I have never been here before.
A nice busy library, with a clear layout and good signage. An open layout up front with book stacks at the rear. Shelving was a little high at the rear not the best accessibility wise but I assume this was done to free up open space at the front, the right balance of this is often necessary for those undertaking refurbs not everyone has the luxury of a new build or additional floor space, it is about identifying creative ways to achieve that.
Attended COMPLETE CLIENT CARE training today, via Council.
Nothing I didn't already know customer service wise but it was interesting to see the different interpretations of "high level customer service" in the different Council departments.
I also got some good ideas for the customer service training for our new bods.
http://www.wct.com.au/Training/CSEWARE.NSF/ShowOutline?ReadForm&UNID=C2D4802ABBBB995CCA25741C003EA148
The interviews are complete, phew what a mission!
It always amazes me that despite the work you put into the whole recruitment process you can still end up with some total nightmares at interview. This time was no different but we've got a great bunch...a variety of experience and backgrounds which will hopefully make an friendly and approachable team of staff to support the AN Community.
During the customer service interviews we asked applicants to complete and internet/catalogue search which was a great addition to the process. It was interesting to see the difference in questioning and searching techniques.
We managed to get most of the applications for qualified roles done before New Year, that just leaves the 360 for the customer service roles!
We are being really strict, not pulling out anything that does not directly address the selection criteria. Applications that are generic are also not making it through.
We put a lot of work into this library and we only want people who put effort into their application.
