State Librarian's visit to Blue Mountains City Library

Deputy Mayor Cllr Janet Mays, Regina Sutton (NSW State Librarian),
Francis Sims (Public Library Network Consultant),
Cllr Terri Hamilton, Vicki Edmunds (Blue Mountains City Library Manager)

The plans for the new Katoomba Library left a big impression on the NSW State Librarian, Regina Sutton, during a recent visit to the Blue Mountains. Blue Mountains Libraries hosted the visit from the State Librarian and the Public Library Network Consultant, Francis Sims, which included a visit to Springwood, Lawson, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls Libraries.

The State Librarian also visited the site of the new Katoomba Library and Cultural Centre precinct. Councillor Terri Hamilton, Chairperson of the Katoomba Library Technical Advisory Panel said, “The State Librarian is very enthusiastic about the new Katoomba Library and Cultural Centre precinct. Having the new Katoomba Library and the City Gallery together in the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre complex, means that residents will be able to access the high standard of exhibitions, collections, displays and forums currently found in the State Library”, continued Cr Hamilton.

The new Katoomba library is to be a two-level, open plan design with twice the floor space of the existing library. The new library will share the pedestrian access and foyer with the planned Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.

“Indeed, the State Librarian was envious of the Blue Mountains having the opportunity to development a new library and cultural centre complex, recognising the benefits to the local and regional community”, stated Cr Hamilton.

Council is currently working with the developer of the Parke St site, Coles Group Property Development, to finalise the fit-out of the new, state of the art Katoomba Library.

BMCC Media Release

Bignoting librarians

"Every book. Every movie. Every album. It's like Borders, Netflix, and iTunes combined -- for free. And it's so easy: You can go online and have the newest stuff sent to your local branch. Why you would leave this complimentary emporium to students and grandmothers is beyond me. Plus, a librarian is like a Google that actually finds what you're looking for and never clutters your screen with porn."

This endorsement of libraries and librarians has come from a very unlikely source.

Update from SLNSW re Library 2.0

Here are some websites and blogs the State Library suggest we check out:

You might like to see how some New Zealand libraries are using web 2.0 tools. Have a look at Dunedin Library on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunedinpubliclibraries/ and on YouTube http://nz.youtube.com/dunedinlibraries

Pew Internet have released two new reports.

Podcast downloading http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/261/report_display.asp shows that more people are listening to podcasts, but it is still a small audience. They have trend data and a demographic breakdown of those who listen.

New E-patient data http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Health_Aug08.pdf includes an analysis of people who get health information online

Handcuffed and charged for failing to return library books

Did you see this news story recently?

A Wisconsin woman has been arrested and booked for failing to pay her library fines. Heidi Dalibor, 20, told the News Graphic in Cedarburg, USA, she ignored the library's calls and letters as well as a notice to appear in court.
Still, she was surprised when officers with a warrant knocked on her door, cuffed her and took her to the police station to be fingerprinted and photographed.
Police Captain Joe Gabrish said officers follow the same procedure with every warrant.
Library director John Hanson said a couple of dozen people are cited each year for failure to return materials or pay fines.
The incident cost Dalibor about $30 for the overdue paperbacks White Oleander and Angels and Demons and her mother nearly $172 to get her out of custody.