Day 2 started with a bookcamp facilitated by Angela Meyer. The broad theme was Booking into the future: transforming and supporting storytelling with new media. Angela asked for some members of the audience to come up and help assist the conversation along it's way so the first part of the conversation focused on the never-ending story engaging readers + the power of story.
How do we get current and future readers into the library? Some ideas included the Bookstart program (from memory this was where a bag of books and library information is provided to new mothers). Offer a variety of events to cater for all ages. Does it matter if the person doesn't enter the library but uses it virtually? Getting people into the library is getting people using library resources and tools, wherever they are. Some libraries used local bands to draw the young people in by having Live and Loud sessions.
The conversation then moved on to print vs digital. Libraries should be role models for using new technologies. We should offer technology petting zoos. Library staff should have a wide range of digital skills. Some libraries use volunteers who are technologically savvy to assist library users to use technology. Library staff should be open to trying, learning and providing opportunities to our communities. Some libraries have trouble convincing coucil of the importance in having new technology and being able to access it. We should not forget our core business but the shelf is now also digital.
Does digital change the way we read? An e-device makes it easier to read titles that the reader may be embarassed to be seen reading e.g. 50 Shades of Grey. Reading in the digital world is rewiring our brains to how we read and we do more skimming over text. eReading great for home library service as you can adjust the text size. And then there are the digital reading groups like the Twitter reading group.
The topic then moved onto trends and constants. We do have transient genre and must know what our community wants and will read. How do we predict a trend? eBooks make supply of popular books easier. Libraries need to be aware of male readership and cater to their interests as well as those of others. We must have a balanced collection.
And finally library users as content creators. Must have qualitative assessment of what you are getting in content creation from your community. And how do libraries integrate econtent into their collections?
And once more my blogging has been cut short as I have to go to work - more from day 2 tomorrow.
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