Thing 20 Advocacy and Engagement

Answers to the Questions 

I have been out of the game for longer than I thought I would so this is first post since Christmas. I have answered most of the questions Marie asked I think. The ones I have left I will hopefully come back at a later date and answer them.

Exercise 1: Name three detrimental effects to a local community when a public library is closed.

I feel there is a lack no secular quite spaces in the world. Everyday and everywhere is filled with noise and seemingly all of drive by commercial interests. Libraries were like churches in that it was a place you could go to and not be bombarded with selling of useless stuff and ideas.

The death of local Ireland is here more than rural Ireland. I think libraries like post offices, local shops allowed people to meet and engage as a community. There are places where if you’re not seen you’ll be missed.  

Libraries act as an archive for a place and community. With people not living or working in the same place libraries can offer an anchor to people remembering the people and history of an area which would be lost or scattered otherwise.

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 haven’t found one! 

Exercise 3: Name three ways in which you can demonstrate the impact and value of the library service that you work in or use.

I'm aware that question probably merited answer about impact levels but..

The Production of books and manuals on the library and archive service. Guides for heritage groups. These are always popular productions and generally go fast.

Galway county council have musicians in residence programme the contempo quartet play in smaller towns outside Galway city and bring classical music to people who cant get to concert hall in Dublin to hear it. Every concert is full.

WiFi Usage and the use of the public meeting rooms.

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.

Community Development Committee

Heritage Officer

Group Head e.g. Active Retirement Group

Exercise 5: Write down in 200 words or less an idea for Library Ireland Week for a library you work in or use.

2018 is year of major anniversaries : it’s a 100 years since the first Dail, its 100 years since Irish women got the vote, and it’s the year of Irish language. The county library could hold lunch time Irish conversion classes or just casual basic chitchat over lunch. The library service would hold exhibitions on its first TDs. To commemorate the right to vote for women talks and exhibitions on the campaign in the county and on notable women from the county.

Exercise 6: In your opinion what are the three best features of the My Library, By Right Campaign and why?

It’s a unified approach users and librarians together.

It’s a charity.

Its across lots of platforms online and in the real world. 1000s of people all saying the same thing. Will the message be heard though? Sadly probably it will but will be ignored.

Exercise 8: Choose an area of library practice that you feels requires debate.

Its not one as far as I know but document control and document management should be taught in library school as it offers an optional and broadly similar employment  in the private sector especially pharma.