NLS4 Meetings

The conference is fast approaching and yet again I have trekked up and down that highway for meetings. I have actually struggled to make it down to Melbourne during the week but as NLS4 meetings are on Saturday’s there is no problem making these (except for being tired afterwards!) We had meetings on:
March 25th dinner venue visits and a public holiday for me!
March 29th meeting
April 19th meeting

It will be here before we know it and it looks set to be a wonderful conference.

Book: My Brother's Keeper

I love a bit of true crime. I picked this one up on mooch and read it within 2 days! It’s about a murder in Sydney a few years ago that included the “Bra Boys” a name I had only heard about and included an international world renowned surfer. Just one of those great reads that really suckers you in. I was a bit dubious about some of the things said but hey – it’s true crime – you can’t dispute it!

Book and bookclub: The Don’s

I was also pleased that this was the next book for the group as I have had this book in my shelves for years. It was a nice little book and a quick read too which was good as time was short. It’s about a teenage boy who lives with his mum and grandfather. It centred around him becoming a man and understanding what life’s about and what really matters to us.

Graduation

I also headed up to Wagga for graduation from my Masters on April 10th. Mum and I had a lovely time meandering up the back way and stopping at wineries, cheese factories, chocolate mills, mustards shops, bookshops etc. A taste sensation which I am still enjoying!

Book: The Big Year

I picked this up at a cheap booksale (you know all books $5 each) with thousands to choose from. What a great read. It is a true story about 3 guys from America who are trying for a “Big Year”. They are bird watchers and are aiming to break the current record by finding the bigger number of spieces in northern America. It was a really great read as the three guys were so different to each other. The lengths they went to were amazing (and so god damn expensive). They hired helicopters, boat charters etc. Just extraordinary! I mean I know nothing about birds but it was still a great book.

Book: The Appeal

Just read the latest John Grisham – The Appeal. Not a bad read. He still isn’t back to his best though. The Appeal reminded me a little of that Erin Brokovitch movie. You know big company versus little town. However in this scenario the outcome of the case hinged on an appeal. And that is what the novel was based around. When you appeal the judges make the decision. This novel was basically about buying a judge and the power it can bring. Really interesting from that point of view but I was so disappointed with the ending.

Kevin Hennah

I was lucky enough to go to one of Kevin Hennah sessions in Melbourne (cause my boss was sick). As my library is expanding and getting a makeover it was most timely. Here are my notes from the day (in no particular order):

Sydenham – great photos – nice looking library
Raeco – Library solutions catalogue
Loose the ugly bits
Make the most out of existing resources
Select a colour palate – work with what you cannot change
Create uniformity of style – pull it through
Nice colours: charcoal, ashwood (light pine), karkey
Join/As/Borrow instead of circulation
Don’t need the top shelf
Can mix colours to match logos ie. blue/white/yellow/orange
James Richardson – chairs – in Abbotsford
Presence (the outside)
Layout
Interior design
Signage
Need more signage before you enter the library
Nothing matches ie. furniture, different fonts etc.
Green – no go – very little places to go with
Health Matters – do this fortnightly – Library News
Meet the needs of customers not staff (ie. photocopiers convenient for them, not us)
Welcome to the WR GRIFFITHS LIBRARY (mounted off the outside wall)
Information, ideas, inspiration – your library
Vinyl lettering stuck on glass (Norma’s office)
When you walk in again state name and www.bhslibrary.org.au
Have a solution not just a problem
Sign writer can drop the artwork onto your photos
80% of loans generated by 20% of the collection
New Titles – Returned Today – What’s Hot – doorway openers
Quick choice (little stands on tables) displaydesign.com.au
Use aisle ends – slat wall (asionline) raeco. Qls
You can put books, catalogues (flat screens) etc.
Think about number of slats and their positioning
Signs – all uniform – BHS template – use letterhead
Limejuice.com.au (graphic designer)
In non-fiction have more signs ie. Psychiatry, O&G, Nursing, General Medicine etc. like in Borders
Mei + Picchi
The shop for shops – Fitzroy
Suction caps to hang signs – neat finish – no sticky tape marks

Book and bookclub: Rachel’s Holiday

I was really pleased that this was the next bookgroup book as I have quite a few Marian Keyes books on my shelves but I had just never got around to reading any of them. It was also interesting because of the 10 odd people in my bookclub very few managed to get through the whole thing. Most hated it! I didn’t mind it but it certainly wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read. Rachel was 27, a drug addict (who didn’t know it yet) and was sent to rehab. You got to meet and know all the other characters in rehab etc. but you basically worked through Rachel’s problems. I didn’t mind it as I know a recovery addict very well and it helped me to understand a bit more what they went through and how I could possibly help them. I will give Marian Keyes one more try…

Book: Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe

This was a very quick little read about Danny Wallace who ventured to the town of Wallace in the USA to a little town who claimed that there sewage hole was the centre of the universe. Quick funny read

Leap into leadership

On my extra day in February (the 29th) I headed to the State Library of Victoria for a workshop organised by ALIA Vic and a group of former Aurorians. The workshop was intended to be an experiential introduction to a range of perspectives of leadership.

So did I get much out of it? Yes and no! For me the most beneficial part was listening to a panel of experienced industry leaders. Notes from the leaders:

Craig Anderson

Your skills come from within
Ethics continually bought into practice

Patti Manolis
All experiences are fodder for learning
It’s ok not to know everything – keep learning
Develop confidence
Feel the fear and do it anyway
Leaders say sorry – we are all grown ups – take responsibility!

Janette Wright
Continually learn
To be a leader you need followers
And…you have to have been a follower to be a leader
Mentoring – get one
Mistakes is essential for learning
Ask lots of questions
Listen first then express your viewpoint
Network and build a social support system – ask for help when needed
It’s ok to be vulnerable
Cultivate originality and creativity

So it was a good day – interesting. The bonus was that I then sort of overcame one of my fears by speaking in public. At the very end of the day I gave a spiel about NLS4. I was very nervous but it was a small step for me on my way to becoming a leader.