Walk on Wednesdays – Calling all Superheroes!

Unleash your super powers!
Superheroes needed to walk/run/jog for PWSAI on Sunday 22nd June, 2014
(Photo: B. Gardiner)

So you have the weekend to relax why not try something really worthwhile on Sunday, check out the following run/walk/jog event being held on Sunday 22nd June. It’s a 5K taking place in NUI Maynooth (South Campus) on Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm and all proceeds go to Prader Willi Syndrome Association of Ireland (PWSAI).

You have to be quick mind you as online registration is only open until 5:00pm Thursday 19th June. Okay if you miss this deadline don’t panic you can still register on the day but you are encouraged to do it online to allow those involved organise enough refreshments for participants.

Click Run Ireland to register.

For more details see Facebook – Superheroes are encouraged and welcome!

Even if you are a novice walker it’s just 5K so it’s a nice distance in which to stretch your legs and help raise some money for charity.

A glimpse into the life of a young boy with PWS and his family is available here.

This is 5K so it should be a really comfortable walk. It’s for charity and you can take the whole family with you to make a day of it.

Family (max 2 adults) (min 3 max 7 participants) €20.00 per team

Individual Adult €10.00

Individual Child (u-16) €5.00

Happy walking.

Walk on Wednesdays – Flora Women’s Mini Marathon 2014 Update

Mammoth Tusks & Mammoth Tasks
Going the distance!
Setting: Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, 2014 – Dublin
(Photo: B. Gardiner)

Barbara Cleary the winner of the 2014 Flora Women’s Mini Marathon crossed the line in 34 minutes, 7 seconds. I would like to say we were not too far behind her but I think that might lead to uncontrollable laughter and some disbelief. However I can say we took it in our stride and while our stride was nowhere near Barbara’s time we did have fun along the route. We even had time to stop, have a quick debate and be redirected to go under the flyover bridge at UCD rather than get stuck at the water stop on the slip road.

We had a bit of healthy competition between the six of us but agreed as we were heading up to Fitzwilliam Place to join hands and cross over the finish line together. Little did we know we’d have to queue for our medals, still it was worth it and tucking into coffee, tea, muffins and carrot cake later in a little cafe on Merrion Row; we were very content with our achievement and still full of chat about the day.

It is wonderful to see so many women making a difference to charities across Ireland and abroad. Having taken this year’s mini marathon at a slower place it was nice to read the t-shirts displaying the chosen charity of each individual. Our yellow t-shirts were our beacon to keep a watch for each other in the thickening crowds. The fact that so many other charities had chosen a similar yellow only added to that challenge!

Congratulations to my sister Annette and her very welcoming colleagues Mary, Claire, Catherine and Michelle from Lifeline Ambulance Service. Thank you all for the lovely warm welcome and including me in your little group. To my colleagues in the Library, NUI Maynooth a huge thanks once again for your very generous support in helping to raise money for our chosen charity BUMBLEance.

Click on the link below to enjoy a very short video featuring photos of our day.

Flora Women’s Mini Marathon 2014, Dublin

Happy Walking!

Bursary place at the Internet Librarian International Conference for a new professional at the start of their career

Dipping your foot in the water
Sometimes scary but usually fun …
Setting: St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin
(Photo: D. Behan)

Entries for the CILIP Aspire Award open on the 9th June, 2014.
In 2014 the award will provide a bursary for a new professional to attend the Internet Librarian International Conference to be held in London on the 21st and 22nd October, 2014. The bursary will pay for the conference fee, travel from within the UK and accommodation.

The award is in memory of Bob McKee who was Chief Executive of CILIP.

More details available from: CILIP

Library Camp Ireland 2014 is open to all interested in the Information Profession!

Library Camp Ireland 2014
Let’s get #irelibcamp14 trending!
Logo: Library Camp Ireland 2014

The Academic & Special Libraries Section of the LAI along with the LAI Career Development Group are happy to announce the details of Library Camp Ireland 2014!

Follow the conversation on Twitter via #irelibcamp14

Date: Saturday 28th June 2014

Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Venue Details & Directions: Wood Quay Venue

Price: Tickets – 5 Euro

Details: Book your place via Eventbrite

Please check Library Camp Ireland 2014 for further details

Let’s get #irelibcamp14 trending!

From Spain to Maynooth: one person’s route to fellowship of the Library Association of Ireland

The sky’s the limit …
Setting: St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth
(Photo: R. W. Richardson)
Hint: Click on the image to fully appreciate the beauty captured in the photo.

Reading through Regina’s guest post I was reminded of a visit we had from Maribel Manzano García one of the librarians at the Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca. It was a unique opportunity for staff in our library to meet and talk with her about her work there and exchange experiences. She kindly sent us a link to a YouTube clip showing Salamanca and the library at the Pontifical University.
Why not check this out when you have finished reading Regina’s post which she kindly agreed to write. She has really captured my imagination here with her lovely descriptive writing. Congratulations again Regina you can be very proud of your achievements and this guest post will also be of great benefit to others considering formulating their own achievements with a view to applying for the Fellowship.

***Posted on behalf of Regina Whelan Richardson, Subject Librarian for Music & Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures, The Library, NUI Maynooth***

After five years at Associate Level, members of the LAI can progress to Fellowship, the highest level of professional qualification awarded by the LAI. This represents professional recognition for outstanding professional contribution.

There are two different routes or pathways to fellowship. Pathway A involves the submission of a thesis, while Pathway B requires demonstration of a high standard of professional development, through submission of curriculum vitae, a professional portfolio, a personal statement and any other documentation the applicant deems relevant, such as testimonials from library clients.

Salamanca, Spain, Summer 1980. Storks fly up to their rooftop nests in the historic university quarter of the city and the sun beams into the student residence where I am writing out my application for an assistant librarian post in St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. I know this is a small university and Catholic seminary in Kildare. I am also aware that it houses the Salamanca archive of the Irish Colleges in Spain and I have been to visit the magnificent building of the former Irish College here in Salamanca. But I have no idea of the long and exciting journey on which I am about to embark- a journey of development, learning and giving, of enrichment in very many senses.

In professional terms this journey began in 1977 when I became Librarian & Information Officer at the Spanish Cultural Institute in Dublin (now the Insituto Cervantes). Here I got a unique grounding in many and varied aspects of libraries, information and culture under the guidance of the director. I was responsible for the Library and Information Services of the Institute, serving the cultural services of the Spanish Embassy and supporting the teaching and learning activities of the Institute.

From working in a small organisation in a team of four administrators I moved to a university library with a much larger staff and a somewhat different clientele. A college which had started on the road to ceaseless and enormous changes and developments in terms of resources, technology, buildings, services, and indeed culture.

From catalogue cards to OPACs, from Gestetner stencilled newsletter to webpage, via subject librarianship in music and modern languages, teaching & learning, collection development, information literacy, academic liaison, editing and research, project management, archives, early printed books and pamphlets, my journey has been one of great variety and interest, and I have been fortunate in that I have been able to incorporate my personal interests into my professional work.

We often take so much of what we achieve for granted, concentrating on carrying out our work every day in the best way possible. It can take a bit of mind-adjustment to consider the many things we have done as achievements and valuable contributions to the profession. Of course, this has to be demonstrated and supported in the application. If you are a hoarder, like me, you can dredge up all sorts of documents and many kinds of experiences can be relevant. Take the wide few of your professional activity and your life.
In my case I presented a portfolio under a number of headings (see below).

For me it was illuminating to look back over a long career in librarianship and allow myself a sense of achievement. And most importantly, it can give a new-found confidence to look for opportunities to move forward and develop not only one’s own career and vocation, but the profession of librarianship in general.

Onwards and Upwards!

A useful guide to the process of application is:

Burns, Jane and Fallon, Helen (2012) The Fellowship of the Library Association of Ireland (FLAI): Reflections and Guidelines. An Leabharlann. The Irish Library, 21 (2). pp. 6-9. ISSN 0023-9542

With thanks to all my great colleagues over the years, and to librarians who encouraged me and gave me opportunities.

Portfolio contents

1. Application Form
Personal Statement
Curriculum Vitae

2. Degrees & Diplomas

3. Testimonials

4. Publications

5. Russell Library/Salamanca Archive

6. Learning, Teaching & Research

7. Bibliographic Services

8. Music

9. Exhibitions

10. School Library

11. Spanish Cultural Institute

12. Visual Arts

Regina Whelan Richardson. Select list of publications:

The Irish in Asturias: the footprint of the Irish College, Salamanca, 1913–1950. in Archivium Hibernicum, 65. pp. 273-290. (2012)

Index in Kabdebo, Thomas. Ireland and Hungary : A Study in Parallels, with an Arthur Griffith Bibliography. Dublin: Four Courts, 2001.

Larousse dictionaries in Kabdebó, Tamás, and Neil Armstrong, eds. Dictionary of Dictionaries and Eminent Encyclopedias : Comprising Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and Other Selected Wordbooks in English. 2nd ed. New Providence, NJ: Bowker-Saur, 1997. pp. 176-177

Richardson, Regina Whelan, ed. The Salamanca Letters : A Catalogue of Correspondence (1619-1871) from the Archives of the Irish Colleges in Spain in the Library of St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Ireland = Las Cartas Salmantinas : Un Catálogo De Correspondencia (1619-1871) De Los Colegios Irlandeses En España En La Biblioteca Del Colegio De San Patricio, Maynooth, Irlanda. Maynooth: St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, 1995.

The Salamanca archives in St. Patrick’s College (Maynooth (Ireland). Library, and Agnes Neligan, ed. Maynooth Library Treasures : From the Collections of Saint Patrick’s College. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy, 1995. pp. 144-7

Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Russell Library and John Paul II Library in Laidlar, J. F., and Advisory Council on Latin American and Iberian Information Resources. Iberian Resources in the United Kingdom : A Directory of Libraries. London: ACLAIR, 1996. p. 138

In-house publications

Music : guide to reference material in the Library. (1987) With annotations & updates
Music Ireland : a select bibliography based on material held by the Library, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. (1987). With annotations & updates

French : guide to reference material in the Library. (1987) with annotations and updates

French & Music collections in Directory of Collections : John Paul II Library, SPCM. 1990
(Library archives ; No. 7). pp. 28-30 ; 44-46

Finding list of documents in the Rectors’ Desk, Salamanca archive. [199?]

Recording, Recognising and Reflecting – Associateship of the Library Association of Ireland.

Marie G. Cullen photographed with Helen Fallon, Deputy Librarian NUI Maynooth
Photo taken when Marie was awarded Associateship of the Library Association of Ireland (LAI) in March 2013
(Photo: B. Teeling)

Some time ago on the blog I promised some more stories from people who applied for Associateship of the Library Association of Ireland. My colleague Marie has kindly outlined the process involved and her experience is detailed along with some helpful advice which she has included in her guest post below. Well done again Marie, what a great achievement and thank you for agreeing to share it.

***Posted on behalf of Marie G. Cullen, MLIS, PGDHE, ALAI Assistant Librarian, JPII Library, NUI Maynooth***

The CPD Education Committee of the LAI has recommended that all LAI members should engage in 25 hours CPD per annum. The LAI offers two awards for which members may apply – Associateship and Fellowship, both of which recognise achievements in professional development.

I was awarded Associateship of Library Association of Ireland (LAI) in March 2013 and this is a short outline and reflection on the process involved.

To apply, applicants should submit the following to the Education Committee:

• Completed Application Form
• Outline of continuing Professional Development (not more than 500 words)
• Supporting relevant documentation
• Fee of €100

The LAI has a CPD record form which I submitted with the ‘supporting relevant documentation’. The requirements are straightforward, but as with many things the devil is in the detail. I had kept records of my CPD activities including, copies of CPD certificates and details of events attended. Unfortunately, I had not always kept copies of programmes, agendas, organiser details, locations, etc. For some events I had kept electronic links to event websites, but these were not always live when I went back to them. This caused difficulties when it came to completing the CPD record form. In most cases I was eventually able to find the details required. Obviously the application process would have been somewhat easier if I had recorded this information at the time.

Applying for Associateship is an opportunity to

• put a structure on the recording of CPD activities
• recognise achievements
• and to reflect on the impact of CPD activities and their contribution to professional growth and development

I would encourage any librarian who has two years post qualification experience to undertake this award as I found it a very worthwhile process.

Useful links

Associateship & Fellowship – Library Association of Ireland Awards

Continuing Professional Development Learning Portfolio

Education Committee: CPD

Walk on Wednesdays

When the walk is over …
Hector taking a well-earned rest!
(Photo: M. Walsh)

So which has been the bigger challenge since I began this blog over eight weeks ago, walking or talking about walking? Well I’m sure I could debate that one for quite some time but I’ll concentrate on talking about walking for now. I came across a really helpful website which offers encouragement and some very useful tips for walking. It’s appropriately called The Walking Site. Even if you are already familiar with it check it out it again, it might give you the boost you need to get back on track if you’ve waned a little as sometimes happens.

We are constantly being reminded about the increase in obesity rates around the world, perhaps those with concerns might consider enrolling for this free course offered by the University of Reading on Obesity: Causes and Consequences starting on 9th June, for 4 weeks, 3 hours per week. I have included a link to it and other courses offered by Future Learn in the Personal Development section of this blog.

If that does not appeal and you’d rather just get on with the process of becoming more active check out these really good Yoga Videos. Don’t be put off if you are a complete novice, even I could manage and that’s saying something believe me, coordination not exactly being my speciality. Some of the videos are a little slow to load but run smoothly once loaded. There is even a short video reminding you of the really important health benefits of walking as a weight bearing exercise.

So to return to the question I asked myself at the start of this post about which has been the bigger challenge since I began this blog over eight weeks ago, walking or talking about walking, I’m reminded of that phrase “you can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?” Well I can talk alright, I’m not 100% sure of the value of my words but my walking skills will be tested on Monday 2nd June when I walk the walk, that is the 10K Flora Women’s Mini Marathon 2014. Wish me luck.

Happy Walking!

Patron Driven Acquisition – A short overview of the seminar

Patron Driven Acquisition
Point me in the right direction!
Setting: Dublin Zoo
(Photo: D. Webb)

Sometime ago on the blog details were given of a forthcoming event organised by the Acquisitions Group of Ireland on Patron Driven Acquisition. This seminar was well attended and it was a great opportunity to hear first-hand experiences from staff in other libraries. The speakers gave a useful well-rounded account of their experience with PDA. My colleague Elizabeth kindly agreed to share her experience of the day.

***Posted on behalf of Elizabeth Murphy, The Library, NUI Maynooth***

The Acquisitions Group of Ireland held a seminar on Patron Driven Acquisition in Trinity College Dublin on 23 May 2014. The programme listed six speakers from Ireland, the UK and Sweden. It was a luxury to have a day devoted to Patron Driven Acquisition. While there was much commonality in experience, each approach was different and each speaker added something new. Of particular interest to me was the checklist from Sweden. This was brought to life by hearing the experiences of other libraries. A report from the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) on recommended practice for PDA is expected shortly.

Distance Learning – it may be just the challenge you are looking for!

Getting out of your comfort zone – is never easy!
Roxy asleep & possibly dreaming of big adventures …
(Photo: M. Walsh)

Distance Learning is happening all around the globe, at any given moments in time people achieve their long wished for goal through hard work, dedication, huge effort and it has to be said sometimes great expense. Not everyone has the stamina or indeed sometimes the support needed to reach their goals but I’m happy to report that Mary’s story, which she recounts below is a successful one. I’m sure it will encourage others to forage forward on their journey to success and perhaps maybe tempt those on the brink of making this huge commitment to see that it is indeed very worthwhile and achievable. Congratulations Mary we are all very proud of you.

***Posted on behalf of Mary Brien, The Library, NUI Maynooth***

Distance learning for me

Introduction
A few years ago I decided I wanted to earn a degree but returning to full-time education was not appealing. I had rent to pay and a social life I enjoyed. It was 2009, I was working full-time in Froebel College library and liked the job so much I decided I would like a library qualification. I knew I had to start at the beginning, earn a degree and re-introduce myself to study life. I wanted an easy and affordable option. I was aware of Open University but preferred the idea of an Irish-based college. I found out about DCU’s distance/online learning programme, Oscail. This offers undergraduate and some postgraduate degrees in Humanities, IT and Management. I always had an interest in Literature and History and chose to study these two subjects along with Sociology on the Humanities course. I paid my fees, received a student card (student discounts here I come!) and braced myself for student life.
Course Structure
The course follows the traditional academic year of September to May. I had to complete twelve modules to achieve a degree or I could leave with a Diploma in Arts after eight modules. I set my sights on the larger twelve module goal, as I fancied the letters BA (HONS) after my name! The subjects offered are; History, Literature, Philosophy, Sociology and Psychology. Each subject has six modules and each module reflects different aspects of the subject. For instance the History foundation module (or His 1) introduces early modern Europe while His 3, 4 and 5 are specific to Irish independence, politics and local history. I structured a ‘pathway’ through the twelve modules as I had to complete five modules from one main subject with the remaining seven to be taken from the other four subjects. I chose History as my main subject as I liked it in school and it still fascinated me. I also chose Literature and Sociology as I felt they complimented History quite well and I figured since I already liked reading it would be easy. I had to pass a foundation module first in my chosen subjects in order to continue studying them to degree level.
Course Assessment
Course work was assessed through three assignments per module per year, with either an exam in May or a project to be completed. Since I began five years ago, the course has been updated to include more online interaction through Moodle. Assignments were mostly 1500 to 3000 word essays but more recently included participation in online discussions and poster making. At first I was unsure about this element but looking back I see how they are very effective learning methods and although somewhat torturous, made the assignments a lot more interesting. Later modules like Lit 6 or His 6, involve a 10,000 word dissertation instead of an end of year exam, scary but surprisingly achievable.
Course Materials
At the beginning of every academic year, I received my course notes which are divided into chapters or units and are worked on chronologically throughout the year. I accessed these electronically through Moodle but I could have requested a printed version be delivered to me for an extra cost. A number of academic books were required some of which could be borrowed from the library others had to be bought. All this reading worried me at the beginning but they mostly held my interest and sometimes felt like leisure reading. Sometimes however, I got frustrated with not being able to source recommended books or astounded by the price of them. As a DCU student I had access to DCU library, whose online catalogue is very useful and meant I could check the availability of books before making the trip there. The library has a fantastic eResource section with an array of online databases such as JSTOR to help with research and study.
Costs
The cost of the course is significant. Oscail charge €850 per module which works out at over €10,000 to complete the degree. Part-payment is accepted and tax relief is available. I also had to buy some textbooks but thankfully I could get most second hand or borrow.
Fitting Study into a busy life
I had to take on between one to four modules per year. Doing four modules is akin to studying full-time, so I weighed up working life, social life and time left over for studying and chose to start with two modules. I pushed myself to three modules for the following two years and although manageable I did miss a friend’s wedding, my niece’s christening and had the odd mini-meltdown before making assignment deadlines. It was recommended by DCU that I give at least 12 hours per week to each module. I attempted this but realistically it was unsuccessful so I took time where I could. Literature and history require a lot of reading but I fitted this into my commute, lunch break and night-time reading. Preparing for assignments required more intense study commitment but I drew up study plans and forced myself to commit.
Group Support
Although distance learning suggests isolation and completely independent learning, I found this was not the case. Upon registering each year I was assigned a group with a tutor. Each group had between twelve and thirty-five students, depending on the popularity of the module. I could correspond with my group and tutor via moodle or email. I attended face-to-face tutorials on DCU campus which were held on various Saturdays throughout the academic year. This was a great opportunity get clarity from my tutor and to meet and mingle with my fellow students. I got the opportunity to see the diversity of people taking the course and their differing reasons for doing so. For some, it was the beginning of a career changing road, for others it was a tentative return to education and one or two just enjoyed the torture of assignments. As the years went by l saw many different faces and some recurring ones drifting between modules. These tutorials are run parallel to online evening tutorials which I could log into live or watch on play-back at my convenience.

Getting out of your comfort zone – is never easy but usually always worthwhile!
Roxy awake & ready to begin a new adventure …
(Photo: M. Walsh)

A Degree
It has taken me five years to complete my degree. In some ways that feels like a very long time in others it doesn’t. I am very glad I completed it and feel such a sense of achievement. Looking back I see how much I have learned, in an academic and personal way. It has encouraged me to look towards my next academic goal and gain even more letters after my name. Working full-time, moving house (more than once), taking holidays and even getting married were all achievable tasks while working towards this degree. If it takes three years, five years or even eight years to get there, I would highly recommend it.

Community Development at Local Level – taking an active role!

Can anyone tell me the fastest way to get to Kilcock?
Setting: Royal Canal – A Maynooth Swan!
(Photo: B. Gardiner)

I have always marvelled at my good friend and colleague Val’s commitment to her role in helping with the development of her local community. Given that she is originally from Bristol, though well adopted by Ireland and all things Irish :), she along with her colleagues and the members of Kilcock Community Network (KCN) are exemplary in the amount of time they give towards helping to improve their local area for everyone in their community.

Why not check out some of the voluntary groups in your area and consider getting involved?

Val brings us up to speed with what’s happening in Kilcock which also has implications for the surrounding community.

***Posted on behalf of Val Payne (aka Mulligan) member of the Steering Group of the Kilcock Community Network (KCN)***

What’s happening in Kilcock?

I am a member of the Steering Group of the Kilcock Community Network (KCN) and I was nominated to this Group by the Kilcock Community Centre group. The KCN is a voluntary body, established in October 2011 under the Integrated Services Programme (ISP) for Kilcock. The ISP is an interagency initiative of Kildare County Development Board and it involves state agencies, voluntary organisations, local businesses and local community groups working together. The purpose of KCN is to support the development of Kilcock as a vibrant, strong sustainable place to live. The membership of the KCN consists of over 40 community clubs, groups, residents associations and organisations in Kilcock.

After extensive research was carried out by the ISP, 33 objectives for development in Kilcock were identified and the areas of Health; Community Facilities; and Enterprise and Employment were prioritised. Currently a planning application is being considered by Kildare County Council (KCC) for the development of an HSE Primary Health Care Centre in the Bawnogues, a site owned by KCC and situated near the M4 interchange. Alongside this development, it is hoped that a Shared Use Multipurpose Community Facility will be co-located. I am a member of the Project Management Team for this objective. We have recently finished a Business Plan for this facility and are talking to the architects, who will be submitting a planning application for this development this year.

Sadly, we heard recently that the finance for a Greenway cycle/walking project alongside the Royal Canal from Dublin to Mullingar had been withdrawn. It is hoped that finance can be found from another source for this project. On a selfish note, I was hoping that I would be able to cycle safely to work from Kilcock to Maynooth!