Serendipity. I love that word both for it’s beautiful sound and the concept it encapsulates, ‘the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.’ I had a series of serendipity moments last week all related the libraries and Denmark. Intrigued? Let me explain. It started when Kevin Hennah, library merchandisingContinue reading “Serendipity”
Author Archives: Jan
Transferrable Skills
We often refer to ‘transferable skills’ when when we’re talking about recruitment and professional pathways but I wonder if we reflect on our own expertise and consider the ways in which we use this in our non-professional life. In the past 12 months I have become involved in Friends of North Bruny (FONB) which facilitatesContinue reading “Transferrable Skills”
Tasmania Reads
Time today to reflect on the highly successful, inaugural Tasmania Reads week which wound up officially on Saturday. Tasmania Reads is a subset on the national Australia Reads campaign which is a partnership between writers, publishers and libraries. This year there was a strong focus on the role of reading for pleasure to reduces stress,Continue reading “Tasmania Reads”
Face to Face Again
Almost two weeks since SWITCH 2022 in Albury, the NSW Public Libraries Association Conference. Its two years since we were last together, face to face in Penrith in 2019 (when we were blissfully unaware that the dreaded COVID was heading our way). For obvious reasons the 2020 Conference was cancelled and in 2021 the AssociationContinue reading “Face to Face Again”
Inspiration Everywhere
Yesterday we caught the ferry from Hobart up to Mona, David Walsh’s brilliant Museum of Old and New Art on the River Derwent. What’s not to love about this place: the location on the water’s edge; the amazing architecture; the eclectic and engaging collections; or the generosity of spirit that made it possible? To allContinue reading “Inspiration Everywhere”
Mentors!
I am currently blessed to be working with a number of emerging professionals in the role of mentor. These arrangements range from ALIA’s fabulous Mentoring Scheme which I’ve been part of for a couple of years, to less formal agreements. I love it and look forward to my catch ups with my colleagues. They stretchContinue reading “Mentors!”
Libraries, Archives & Museums
Earlier this year I was delighted to be appointed to the Tasmanian Library Advisory Board (TLAB) which advises the Minister for Education on issues concerning the delivery of Libraries Tasmania’s services. Libraries Tasmania brings together State Library of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Archives, 46 public libraries, the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts and theContinue reading “Libraries, Archives & Museums”
Little Gems
I’ve spent the last week reviewing the findings of community survey I undertook for a cultural facility in NSW. We had an excellent response and people gave us detailed, well thought out answers which included suggestions, niggles and compliments. Something we can work with. When we know our service well we can often predict theContinue reading “Little Gems”
PLOTY
Entries for PLOTY, or to give it its full name the 2022 IFLA/Systematic Public Library of the Year Awards are now open. Applications close on 29 April. Established in 2014 these Awards were developed to celebrate libraries which have been built in new or re-purposed buildings in the preceding 12 months. For the 2022 AwardContinue reading “PLOTY”
Library Lovers Day – the accidental campaign …
Today is Library Lovers Day here in Australia, a time to reflect on the myriad of ways that libraries contribute to our lives and to say out loud how much we love them. Library Lovers Day (or LLD) holds a special place in my heart as it was something that I helped develop with aContinue reading “Library Lovers Day – the accidental campaign …”
Jan Richards Consulting 