Conference Begins

Hi All,
An interesting 3 days. Spent the weekend with Judy Kong exploring the National Library - 13 stories of pure bliss. They have managed to get it right. Culture, user focus and preservation in a state of the art building that incorporates cutting edge technology and is designed to last for the next 50 years. The National Library has also focused on taking services to the users, so local libraries are situated in shopping malls. However, the collections at each shopping mall are different and tailored to the clientele - so at the Arts Centre + shopping mall, the collection was mainly nonfiction, arts or arts related subjects, photography and multimedia. They even had performance space and an instrument practice room. They all also have cafes in the library, reading spaces and access to a wide range of newspapers. Another library which had just relocated out of the shopping mall due to space constraints, was in a separate building next door to the shopping mall and housed with the local community centre - much like a telecentre here, with Internet access for the general public. All libraries were heavily utilised. The National Library of Singapore uses RFIDs on all its resources and has automated some the the ciruclation functions in the returns section. Of course a national ID card helps - anyone can borrow from anywhere with their card. The National Library building also has indoor gardens and corporate spaces where big business can hold functions - really taking knowledge to the people.

Had the doctoral seminar today - an intimdating experience but very worthwhile - had to hold my own so the speak in front of 3 professors in the field firing off questions about my research. Have gleaned some very useful information. The morning session consisted of a 3 hour workshop on strategic marketing in libraries which was also very useful - will incorporate some of this information into IST1161/4103 - not something we think about very much but becoming more and more important.

All in all a very useful 3 days. Conference begins tomorrow and the schedule is gruelling - 8:30 - 5:30, with the dinner until 10:30.
:)
BC