13th IFLA Interlending and Document Supply Conference

Last week I travelled to Beijing to attend the 13th IFLA Interlending and Document Supply Conference.  It was a three day event held at Peiking University.  The event was hosted by China Academic Library and Information System (CALIS) who provided a consistently welcoming and professional experience for those in attendance. I will be writing a full report of the conference that should be published in the FIL Newsletter (with the editor's blessing).  The conference was a great way to learn more about interlending practice, developments and issues.  22 papers were presented with a reasonable number of these being speakers from China.  This provided a fascinating insight into the world of Chinese interlending, systems and collection development.  There were also speakers from Italy, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Canada, USA, Germany, Australia and elsewhere. Translations of all presentations were also provided in Chinese as an abstract by the presenter (or for those that couldn't speak Chinese - a translator). In all, 150 participants attended from 20 countries. It was a great opportunity to share perspectives and thoughts.  It became very apparent to me by the end that  international interlending is very varied and as much as we share some common practices, we share as many (if not more) different ones .

For those able to stay over on the Saturday there was the opportunity to visit the Great Wall of China. 

The conference website has abstracts, presentations (ppt.) as well as photos.

http://ilds2013.calis.edu.cn/

As a member of the IFLA Document Delivery and Resource Sharing Standing Committee I seek to engage the committee with the interests of FIL and the UK interlending community in general.

 

 

 

Well, it was Exec Committee in Birmingham this week. We spent most of the meeting planning Interlend 2014. Edinburgh will make a brilliant venue!

Let us know if there’s something you would really like to see featured, and watch this space (and all the other channels) for announcements of KeyNote Speakers, calls for papers and, most importantly, the booking forms!

Even as I type, one of the committee, Mark, is attending the IFLA conference in Beijing; another reason to consider joining us when places become available.  Some committee members do come to the end of their terms of office next June.

I took the opportunity of being in Birmingham to return to the new public library there, and visit the areas I didn’t manage when there for the CILIP AGM last month. Although it was overcast for this visit, so the views from the top weren’t as good as before, I was able to see the restored Shakespeare memorial room, the amphitheatre and Children’s library.  Lots of interesting spaces, with some very funky furniture throughout the building! I can see it becoming a place to visit at every opportunity as there is so much to see, and different exhibitions throughout the year.

Visit http://www.libraryofbirmingham.com/  for more details.

 

Document delivery, sharing books and rhubarb and custards...

Well it’s Welcome week here at the University of Reading so I’ve not actually been doing a great deal of inter-library loans related work the last few days. I’ve been helping new students find their way around the Library, running some welcome talks and tours of the Library, handing out freebies at the Library fresher’s fair and generally losing my voice from talking lots! To relieve my throat I’ve gone all olde worlde sweet shoppe and started eating these;

As part of our welcome talks and tours we explain how our holds system works (all the copies of a book are on loan, you place a hold on it, the Library recalls it from the person who has it on loan, they return it and we reserve it for you - join in if you know the words…)

The simple message of this system is - the Library is all about sharing things, if 200 students all need the same book, the Library is here to help share out the copies so everyone gets an opportunity to use it.  

The sharing ethos which is so fundamental to how a library works is also the baseline of interlending and document supply - we share materials with each other and with libraries all over the world so that our readers can get what they need. Having worked in inter-library loans for a few years now, I always think that fellow interlenders are the epitome of this libraries / sharing ethos. Not only do we share our materials but we also exchange information, whether it be about our services, systems or processes - interlenders like to talk about how we work.

The FIL committee are here to facilitate all this sharing - it’s always good to see colleagues chatting and sharing ideas at our events and there’s another opportunity coming up soon at our FIL@BL St Pancras day in November. Writing something for our newsletter is also a great way to share your methods with the community. And last but not least, don’t forget the FIL members forum - it’s there for you to discuss ideas and exchange practical tips - go on, do what you do best!

Anyone for a boiled sweet?

Natalie GuestFIL Membership Secretary

To Blog or Not to Blog

Well earlier in the week I typed the 'rules' of blogging - but did I follow them!

The first rules were 'When writing a blog do...'

Find your focus - To do this, you must first ask yourself this question: Who are your target readers? 

• Well I think I got that one okay

Be relatable, be yourself - Let your readers get to know you.

• Okay, got that right.  I told you a bit about myself

Use links within your posts - Whether you are linking to other blogs, do it whenever you can. 

• Well got that right on my second blog, with links to the FIL website - another tick.

Include images - While readers come to your blog for information and personality, they also need to be stimulated visually. Not all posts will lend themselves to an image, but when they do, take advantage of it. 

• Yep, I got images in.

Respond to blog comments -Not all comments need a response, but be sure to respond to ones that do 

• Sadly, no comments received. Oh well at least a know a few (unfortunately a very few of you read my blogs)

Next we had the 'When writing a blog don't ....'

Set unrealistic goals - You know your schedule and abilities better than anyone else, so don’t attempt to post every day if you can’t.

• Okay, got that right, I intended to only write every other day and that I've achieved.

Limit your word count - If you have something to say, say it. 

• Another achieved, I didn't limit my word count, not something I could ever be accused of doing!

Make grammar mistakes - And, if you do, correct them immediately. Folks on the Web tend to be more lenient about typos, so don’t stress about it if you do make a mistake.

• Okay, so I'm sure I failed this one. Yes, I work in a library but I have to say grammar has never been one of my strengths and sorry but as long as what I've written can be understood, I don't really care.  (Ooo controversial) 

Be negative - It’s generally unwise to air personal grievances publicly (unless, of course, that’s the theme of your blog 

• I know I wasn't negative, I didn't even put myself down.

Write long paragraphs - Long blocks of text are hard for readers to digest, especially when reading on computers and tablets.

• Don't think I did this, I made a concerted effort to break up the paragraphs with space and / or pictures.

Avoid trying new things - It’s important to let your blog evolve over time, and the only way this can happen is if you take risks every once in awhile.

• Well I didn't avoid trying new things - the blog was a new thing for me.

So, how do I feel about my first blogging experience?  On the whole really good, in a way it's felt a bit like editing and writing for the Newsletter.  At times not sure what I was going to write but once I'd started things started to flow and I found myself enjoying the experience of writing.

Now whether anybody else has enjoyed what I've written or even actually read all the way through, I don't know and I have to say it's a little disheartening not receiving comments or being certain your blog has been read. I think though that if you write on a regular basis, that is something that will evolve, people will respond and comment. Alternatively a more controversial subject will elicit comments or any subject that others have strong feelings about.

Would I do this again? Would I encourage others to write a blog?

Yes, to both questions.  I know some people don't see the point of blogs but then if you are not interested in what other people have to say, you don't have to read a blog.  After all, what's the difference between writing a blog and writing an article for a newsletter or journal?

Maybe next time my subject will be interlending related, maybe it won't but you will be hearing from me again, either here or on my own blog. 

Bad grammar, bad spelling, long paragraphs, and very likely unrealistic goals - hey but that's me and we all know the second rule is Be relatable, be yourself - that I can do!

Tracey Jackson

I thought it was a good idea at the time...

As I said in my previous blog, this is my second time on the FIL committee, previously I was Membership Secretary and had decided that this time on the committee I would remain as 'just' a regular member, no special role but just contribute to FIL in general.

Well, that was the idea!  Unfortunately as I have realised over the years, what I intend to do and what I end up volunteering to do are always two very different things.  After rejoining the committee a message went out saying volunteers were needed for a couple of roles, Vice Chair and Newsletter Editor.  I read the email and decided to just ignore it and let somebody else step forward for the role..... oh how I wish I'd listened to myself.

I knew the Vice Chair role wasn't for me - you need to be outgoing and confident, not me in any way, I hadn't even noticed that I was already considering taking on a role!

All of a sudden I found myself thinking, 'well, how hard can editing the Newsletter be?'  I really should have known the answer to that one, having edited a Newsletter previously for our Archery club. The next thing I knew was I was sending an email off to Marie, saying I'd like to take on the role of the Newsletter Editor if she hadn't had any other volunteers, she hadn't.

Oh good I thought, she's accepted me...

 now what do I do?

To be honest the role isn't hard, the most difficult part is getting enough articles and although we have had to delay publication a couple of times, we have so far managed to get the Newsletter out. 

So, what is involved?

As I say, I need to encourage people to write for the Newsletter, my first victims - oops I mean contributors are always the FIL committee members.  Well, if they have volunteered to join the committee, they can at least contribute to the Newsletter, even if it is just to tell the membership who they are....oh yes, that reminds me we have new members on the committee...Note to self, send emails to remind the new members to write an article for the Newsletter.

So, that's what you find yourself doing, you read something in a journal, on the internet or via an email and think, 'that would make a good article for the newsletter'.  Another message goes off to the author/originator asking if they would like to write up an article for the newsletter. I'm gratified to say, so far I've not been refused and then of course there are those wonderful people who volunteer articles! 

These people are the 'saints' for us Newsletter editors, they have an idea, approach you to see if you would like an article(of course we do!) and then write and submit their articles. 

So all you future saints out there, please don't think that you can't write for a Newsletter; or that what you have to say isn't interesting or important. I can guarantee, somebody out there has the same ideas, opinions as you and there will be some who have the opposite ideas and opinions (excellent another article on it's way). There will also be people out there who will learn something new from your article and you may even find people contacting you to expand your ideas or start a new project to improve methods of inter-lending.

Having an article published also looks good on your CV and who knows where it may take you, you may discover a hidden talent and your publishing career can sky rocket. I know of people who have written an article for a newsletter, then been asked to expand the idea for a conference presentation and ended up writing more articles and initiating projects nationally and internationally. 

So today the FIL Newsletter, tomorrow world domination.....or is that going a bit far!

Tracey Jackson

FIL Newsletter Editor

FIL Newsletter Archive

Thoughts of a FIL Committee member and ILL Bodd.

As part of the FIL committee I was asked to write a blog for our FIL Blog - but what to write? I decided to 'Google' for help on writing a blog, never having written one before. Found an 'expert' who has written some rules titled 'How to Write a Blog...'

So, good place to start, these are the rules:

When Writing a Blog Do …

Find your focus
To do this, you must first ask yourself this question: Who are your target readers? 
Okay, I know that one - FIL members and other ILL bods - that's an easy one!

Be relatable, be yourself
Let your readers get to know you.
Okay, so I need to let you know who I am...hmm how much information is good to put out there? Well, I'm a FIL Committee member on my second go on the Committee. The Inter-Library Loans Supervisor for Hertfordshire Libraries and been at Hertfordshire Libraries for all my library career and other than a short stint on the 'front line' I've always worked 'behind the scenes' and for the majority of time in Inter-Library Loans. Outside work, I'm a crafter, especially working in Silver and beading, plus card making and now willow weaving, I also read for pleasure and as a reader for the Romantic Novelist of the Year awards and no, romance books aren't my usual reading choice and finally I'm a Longbow archer and now training as an archery judge. There, me in a nutshell....

Use links within your posts
Whether you are linking to other blogs, do it whenever you can. 
Sounds like a good idea, IF, I have something to say that I can think to link somewhere.....I'll work on that one!

Include images
While readers come to your blog for information and personality, they also need to be stimulated visually. Not all posts will lend themselves to an image, but when they do, take advantage of it. 
Well, images...hmm. Well one thing I know I'm not posting and that's photo's of me! Sorry for now your 'visual stimulation' will have to wait.

Respond to blog comments
Not all comments need a response, but be sure to respond to ones that do 
Oh good, an easy one. I can respond to comments, if I get any.... mmm must however remember to check back to see if any comments are received.

Post to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and anywhere else you can
Another easy one, this is all been set up for me.

When Writing a Blog Don't ...

Set unrealistic goals
You know your schedule and abilities better than anyone else, so don’t attempt to post every day if you can’t.
I'm okay on this one, I'm at home this week on annual leave - just chilling, plenty of time to write my blogs. Now what was that saying about 'famous last words'...

Limit your word count
If you have something to say, say it. 
Oh, I will say it....when I can think of something to say!

Make grammar mistakes
And, if you do, correct them immediately. Folks on the Web tend to be more lenient about typos, so don’t stress about it if you do make a mistake.
Well, you'll just have to accept my apologies now on this one, that's all I'm going to say on the matter...

Be negative
It’s generally unwise to air personal grievances publicly (unless, of course, that’s the theme of your blog 
Safe on this, airing personal grievances should never be done publicly and I won't be doing that, but don't hold it against me if a little negativity creeps in to my blogs - it will probably only be against myself so no flaming please.

Write long paragraphs
Long blocks of text are hard for readers to digest, especially when reading on computers and tablets.
Hmmm now how long is long?

Avoid trying new things
It’s important to let your blog evolve over time, and the only way this can happen is if you take risks every once in awhile.
Okay, no worries of me avoiding trying new things - I do it all the time, at work, at home. I've only ever written once before for a blog, so this experience is completely new. Oh no, what have FIL done, unleashing me on the world of blogging, you never know I may love this so much I'll start my own blog and then the world will never be free of me!

Well that's the rules for 'How to write a Blog'. Okay, I think I may be able to manage this, now I just have to think of a subject for my next blog....any ideas anyone?

Tracey Jackson
FIL Committee Member & Newsletter Editor

Hertfordshire Libraries

Awareness week .....

It has been a funny old week in the NHS health library in a well known part of Birmingham …. We are a staff library in a teaching hospital, funded to support all hospital staff equally whether they are a consultant, placement student or secretary. We have been having an Awareness Week to attract new users, to advertise to existing users and also to demo a few of our selected products and services. And have been giving away pens and mugs like they were going out of fashion …. A large work stream for us are ILLS so have spent part of the week promoting our automated ILL requesting service. It allows users to request on or off site, tells us whether we have the item in stock and lets the user know at what stage their request is at. We mainly request journal articles rather than books and have local networks we can call upon, as well as using the BMA Library and the British Library. The journal articles are used mainly by clinicians directly for patient care or research which means requests are a priority for us. As part of the Awareness Week, we have been showing clinicians how to use Anatomy TV. It’s a 3D online anatomy resource where bits of our bodies can be rotated and layers can be added or removed to see exactly what is going on underneath our skin! The resource is used a lot during the teaching that goes on in the hospital. My highlight of the week was 20 senior hospital staff all sat wearing cardboard 3D glasses (no expense spared- we are the NHS afterall!) going ‘oooh’ and ‘aahhh’ at an image of a skull in 3D. On a serious note, it made me think about how resources are changing in libraries. Once upon a time everything was paper based but now anything goes. How does that affect us in ILLs ..? How will that affect our ILL networks … more licences or less … more work or less …? What do you think ..? Can you come and talk at a training event or Interlend about your experiences and how ILLs have changed or are changing ...? Let us know if you can ... Jennie (Marketing person FIL)