Washington/Baltimore

Arrived Washington yesterday afternoon. Beautiful drive from the airport through woods and good roads. Too tired to do any walking and exploring. Today caught the amtrak to Baltimore. Met by three librarians who showed us around for the day. Went first to Visionary Museum, really interseting with very different artwork and installations including artwork by Saddam Husseins former physician and interns from Guartanamo Bay. Huge structures including Big Bird and Divine. All really interesting including the external art- huge metal bird and nest attached to one of the buildings. Toured around some of the city, including the waterfront where The Wire was filmed and upperclass neighboured with gorgeous houses and middle class where Anita Shreve lives. Then to our Librarian's house to meet a writer from the wire. A former journalist on the Baltimore Sun he was so interesting and informative. Then off for dinner of crabs- very messy but enjoyable. Just back at the hotel at 11pm. So no libraries for two days, suffering withdrawal! Registering for the Conference tomorrow!

OCLC and Colombus State University Library

Another awe inspiring day. The headquarters of OCLC first with presentations from senior staff plus a tour of the computer centre which use to take up 3 floors but which now takes up one with plenty of space. The tec spec very impressive., lots of security and evn robots harvesting the tapes. They have a few methods of diaster recovery including the tapes as a last resort. Any IT person would be thrilled to see and hear about this opeeration. OCLCs public purpose is to further access the worlds information and reduce the rate rise of library costs. They have 1.6 m holdings with 72 collections in 171 countries. NLA have recently uploaded their holdings, so this presumably means that all libraries with holdings on Libraries Australia must be members. They did a search for Harry Potter and received a response from Australia using postcode 2100 ( and all libraries near this would be searched) in less than a second. Leichhardt, Ashfield and Bankstown Library holdings appeared. Question why no others like Warringah who upload to LA? There are 20,000 users at any one time. Worldcat aims to be a gravitational hub for libraries and also a switch to a particular library. Speaker mentioned that Trove was a showcase for the world. Also spoke about their move to cloud computing. All very interesting and something worth further investigation. Mentioned that before cloud computing 70% infrastructure and 30% initiative. So cloud computing should reverse this. Worldcat local provides single search and delivery with lots of databases including among many 18 from Ebsco British Library and Gale coming.
We also looked at their library and all of us swooned as we got to touch and see the original Melville Dewey with his handwritten scribbles all through it. It was unbelievable especially for former cataloguers. Took lots of pictures which I hope come out.

In the afternoon we went to Ohio State University set in beautiful grounds with beautiful buildings including the library which reopened after extension, modification and refurbishment. 4 stories, open atrium beautifully furnished, lots of space and technology. Quiet study spaces, group study rooms, library classrooms all quite overwhelming. Once again have taken lots of pictures but unfortunately unable to upload so hopefully we can catch up with the pictures in Washington.

Columbus Metropolitan Library Ohio

This Library won the 2010 Library of the Year and they deserve it. We joined about 40 other local librarians in a seminar on E-Books- very interesting and thought provoking. Consensus that all devices so far are for consumers not creators- more on that when we get home. Visited the Northern Lights Branch Library- low socio economic area with high migrant population mainly from Somolia and also Afro-American. Library was packed- lots of kids. Young volunteers signing kids up for Summer Reading programme and two bikes as prizes! All WiFi and Internet free. New building but already too small! Staff excellent. Partnership with Columbus Literacy Council and Parks and Gardens allows for English and Homework Help and free lunch for children Mon- Fri. CML has 21 branches serving a pop of 800,000 circ 17.5 mil. Ready to Read Program has been running in all 3 libraries we have visited as a federal initiative. Based on 6 principles 1. Loving Books (Print Motivation) 2. Sounds (Phonological Awareness) 3. Words ( Vocabulary) 4. Using Books (Print Awareness) 5. ABCs ( Letter Knowledge) 6. Storytelling (Narrative Skills). Also have book bags to supplement holding 3 board books, bag of toys, game, notepad, and ready to read pamphlet. This was the first library with lots of face out books and displays and really good signage. Operations Centre is out of town- huge building housing IT, Collections, Cataloguing Processing, Finance and Property Management. Big, Big, Big- they have had a budget cut of 11mil- reduced 150 staff by atritution and reduced opening hours. Great Library!

Seattle Public Library - public art work

One of the most interesting aspects of the new Seattle Library was the careful attention that had been given to the development of the public art for the building. Significant public buildings have 1% of the total cost of the building devoted to public art. Above the inquiry desk in the public access computer area of the library are a series of screens that are linked to the circulation system and as items are borrowed or used in the library the dewey number and title dynamically scroll aross these screens in a cloud tag. This doesn't sound like an art work but it is absolutely fascinating to see what is being used and to have it presented as a living changing art work. This was only one example of the use of the public art funding for this building.

Seattle Public Library

This is a very large modern building, all glass panes. A ramp takes you up through the building to each level which is dedicated to subject areas. Rows of shelves are high, however there is plenty of other space with bright lounge funky modern chairs and lots of desks with computers. One area is dedicated to 132PCs. WiiFii is accessible everywhere. The Children's Library is on ground floor, along with the popular library. The popular library has all the latest books, CDs, DVDs etc, not childrens. They are like are branch libraries or indeed are public libraries whilst the rest of the collection is more like our state library but you can borrow. Our impression of libraries so far is they have lots of staff, very heirachical and siloed. The clerks do all the circulation work, they are not qualified in library work or indeed have any desire to be... they may have other quals. say in business and are waiting for something to come up in their area of study within the City (Council). Everyone else has to have a Masters in Librarianship. There is lots of security satff on the entrance and each floor! They sit and watch! This has been the case in all 3 libraries so far.

Pictures of LA Libraries

Photos of Los Angeles Libraries posted from a borrowed Mac in Seattle

Los Angeles Public Library Cont.

In Seattle Public Library on one of their 150 PCs! Toured this magnficant Library today. Went to Gates Foundation this afternoon. Now we will try to upload some photos from the last few days! Not succeeding will try later.

Day 1-3

Day 1
Arrived early morning, checked in fabulous hotel on Avenue of the Stars in Beverly Hills behind Fox Studio! Then we walked to Rodeo Drive- checked out Tiffany etc! Then caught a cab to Hollywood to see the Chinese Theatre, Hollywood sign etc etc no stars except on the footpath/sidewalk- and two large elephants, and egyptian temple! then caught bus all the way to Santa Monica Beach- looked at pier! then caught bus to Venice Beach and wre impressed by the skate boarders on their graffiti free rink! Had dinner at Venice Beach ( Manly on steriods) then caught bus back to hotel, had a nice red and went to bed!
Day 2
Three significant buildings on downtown LA- Cathedral of the Angels, Walt Disney Music Centre and then wonderous Getty Museum. Lots of photos to come when we get a minute. Dinner at Luques with Michelle Obama and her secret service entourage who frisked us and searched our handbags before we went in! this is not a joke! The food was absolutely delicious!!! and this is not a joke!
Day3
LA Public Library Central and Silver Lake and Chinatown branches. Hospitality outstanding, pictures to follow when we have time.

LA Public Library