Information Scotland The Journal of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland ISSN 1743-5471 Issue contents | Journal contents | About the online edition of the journal August 2006 Volume 4(4)

Networking

Capital’s finest on display

As an information professional working towards chartership, the library fair provided an excellent opportunity to network with fellow professionals and to take in the diversity of the profession.

Throughout the day, a number of key themes became apparent and permeated through most sessions. First and foremost, the importance of partnership was highlighted from the beginning by the three opening speakers. Councillor Ricky Henderson, Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, emphasised the valuable role of libraries within the City. In his introductory speech, Chris Pinder, Chair of ELISA, stressed the importance of working together in order to overcome the lack of funding which is afflicting Scottish libraries. Indeed, he praised Scottish libraries for their “resolve” and creativity.

Sheila Cannell, Director of Library Services at Edinburgh University, also mentioned the fact that partnership was needed in order get a better deal from publishers but her speech focused on the changing nature of libraries and the changing role of librarians. This important theme encompasses many issues discussed in the best practice sessions. For example, librarians are now assuming more and more of a curatorial role with digitisation projects. With this changing role, the image of libraries and librarians also needs to change. This led, in turn, to the issue of tackling negative perceptions of libraries, the role of promotion and marketing. In addition, it raised the issues of visibility and accessibility. Many issues were mentioned in this speech, all of which are avenues that can be explored in the context of a path to chartership, open access, FOI and information literacy to name but a few.

The shared best practice sessions provided a very good view of the breadth of projects and activities taking place in Edinburgh. Rather than in-depth analyses, these sessions consisted of short presentations on a topic, followed by questions or discussion. This format provided best practice snapshots to be pursued later, according to our individual interests, thus providing a lead to follow in our career and professional development.

The exhibitors’ fair itself was an ideal networking opportunity. I met up with other chartership candidates and picked up quite a lot of promotional material which I found innovative and from which I can draw ideas. Although many aspects were not directly relevant to my current post, I felt that they highlighted the important trends in the library and information world. I came back buzzing with ideas and the realisation of how fortunate I was to work near a city such as Edinburgh, first Unesco City of Literature, with all it has to offer.

I am looking forward to the Edinburgh Libraries Fair 2007, apparently planned as a larger event and this time open to the general public as well.

Agnès Guyon is Children’s Mobile Librarian, Midlothian Council Libraries.

Information Scotland Vol. 4(4) August 2006

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