NSW public library wiki

• Melinda Hammer, Leichardt
• Helen Foley, Strathfield;
• Will Coombe, Lane Cove;
• Ken Klippel, Marrickville;
• Jenn Martin, Auburn;
• Helen Cowen, Wingecarribee;
• Jenny Nicholson, Kogarah;
• Temufisa Fainuu, Lakemba;
• Sarah Hajjar, Bankstown;
• Lee Burgoyne, Wollomgong;
• Merilyn Hills, Hornsby;
• Pat Annetts, Newcastle;
• Suzanne Micallof, Parramatta;
• Jennifer Wilson, Fairfield;
• Carolyn Bourke, Fairfield;
• Wayne Monkley, Campbelltown;
• Monique Akauda, Sutherland

• Amy Heap, Wagga Wagga;
• Jane Broadbere, Mosman;
• Kate Nalder, Tamworth;
• Therese Scott, Ashield;
• Noel Willis, Fairfield;
• Vassiliki Veros-Elliot, City of Sydney

Jenn gave a quick introduction to Twitter and the monthly meetings on Twitter. So,we have one conversation each month but with a different monthly theme, as per readit2011 themes. One of the really good things to come from these meetings is that the appear to have expanded to include others outside the library parameter. .. authors, UTS students, friends of library staff. The wiki reading group for staff is a great way to engage staff on different levels. Jenn suggested staff keep good records of their twitter and wiki involvement - hopefully you can get some credit in your staff appraisals.

It was suggested that the Marketing Group liaise with the RA group so ideas and marketing strategy are aligned. The Marketing Group has submitted a grant application for 2010, at this meeting it’s purpose was unclear. Suggestion was made that maybe we could get some funding for templates, a monthly themed set of bookmarks, press releases for all libraries to use.

The soft launch for 2012 National Year of Reading is during Adult Learner’s week 1st-8th September 2011. The main launch is set for February, and although the RA group will start 2012 in January, it was suggested that ALL libraries plan and launch one thing even if it’s only a display, on Library Lovers Day. That way we get maximum impact for a national project.

Ideas:

Wollongong Library

• plan to hang chapters or part chapters of books and links to library website on the rear of all council toilet doors, hopefully they will enlist council cleaning staff to help in the hanging.

• Propose to have all kindergarten age children join the library. They are planning to have library bags with both library + 2012 logo on it, the library bag to also double as a school library bag.

Other ideas:

• Street banners with reader portraits/ library ambassadors. You need a camera and release form and a banner manufacturer. Suggestion was that if the banner is made without specific dates on it, it can be re-used and some Councils may see more benefit for their $$$s that way.
• Suggestion that whatever promotions we do, the colour we use is important. Ref back to Parkes festival “Painting the town red”
• Libraries to make full use of love2read.org.au website, logo and Wiggles YouTube video – link them to library websites
• Create Flickr page devoted to love2read. Create Flickr walls in libraries, including photos, reviews, Australian reads and places in Australia to go to read. Remember to use tags to keep the connection going.
• Book trails within libraries
• “Living Books” to talk about what they read rather than who they are – Jenn will put up some “how to” notes.
• Readers in the library – writers, poets, library patrons to come into libraries and read aloud on a theme
• Reading round the world – use map on library wall and encourage patrons to sick a pin or sticker in the place they are reading about.
• Read in Newcastle – this idea comes from the library’s Local Studies staff – they are doing author talks and an annual display of books written about or by Newcastle.
• Run an art or photography competition based on books
• Run a workshop on how to make videos then run a YouTube competition for youth
• Focus on skilling library staff – RA training
• Want to know more about “genres”? Pick a topic, find a panel, get patrons to ask questions
• Author talks in the library – tie in with local bookshops?
• Sleepover in the library – parents with children – probably best 7-13 yrs. Have a read-in, skype to a library overseas and have some extra activities for parents. Make a dvd and give copy to all participants
• Information sessions for patrons – how to start a Book Group - Merrilyn to provide some info for those wanting to start a younger book group.
• hold ebooks information sessions – refer Mosman Library “ereader petting zoo
• “show and tell” library resources
• How to download to MP3
• How and where – how to find new reading material – librarything, novelist plus, readers advice.com
• Show patrons how to make best use of their library catalogue
• Run a drama/playwriting workshop for youth including a performance. “Could you act out a book?” - Google “drama games” for ideas
• Dress up a as a storybook character
• Trivia night - questions about libraries and books
• Movie night – books to movie theme - can hire from Roadshow for $100 + gst or contact www.madman.com.au
• Readers and residents – staff going “out” to read in schools, nursing homes
• Place weeded library stock in medical waiting rooms – you can include a library information sticker on the front (also remember www.bookcrossing.com)
• Explore different ways of reading
• Food for fines – the food goes to library charity of choice
• Book swap – bring a book and a gold coin donation
• Add a reading component to stuff already happening in your library – Ie English conversation classes might include a poetry reading session ( this also means students need to join the library so they can borrow).

How to get staff on board? – Use the monthly themes so it’s easy to plan ahead and create displays. – Make it part of staff performance reviews, so everyone does something during the year 2012 the Year of Reading - a great opportunity to promote reading in your library community.

not discussed

This is based on the UK model www.openingthebook.uk

Jenn gave an introduction, explaining that the idea is to have an indicative list to help public libraries gauge where their collections sit across the state. All libraries across the state have been invited to be involved. The titles have been selected. When the spreadsheets are created (about August), libraries will be asked to evaluate their collection and share the results with SLNSW. Junior and YA collections will be done in 2012 and NF in 2013. Please contact Ellen Forsyth if you need more info.

covered in point 4.

Ken Klippel asked about the possibility of co-ordinating Book Club resources and support materials. He has lots of packs he has finished using etc. Ken is going to set up a survey through Survey Monkey to see how this could work.

• Podcast – MPR – Pop culture happy hour
• House at seas end – Elly Griffith
• The amateur science of love – Craig Sherborne
• Toys – James Patterson
• Black diamond – Martin Walker
• Wind up girl – Paolo Bacigalupi
• The vampire series - Storm Queen series – Richelle Mead
• Of Atlantis series + Lords of the undertaking - Gena Showalter – also Scorpio rising, the Stormrider series is good for boys
• Dead reckoning – Charlaine Harris
• The amtrack wars – Patrick Tilley
• March to the stars – comic sci-fi- David Weber
• How to make gravy – Paul Kelly
• Hitch 22 – Christopher Hitchens
• 22 Britannia Road- Amanda Hodgkinson
• Who am I - Anita Heiss
• The disappeared - Kim Echlin

Meeting finished at 12.05. Thank you to staff at the Whitlam Library for making us welcome and providing a delicious morning tea.

Next meeting at Bowral Library , Thursday 21st July, 10.00 for 10.30am start.