Great news, courtesy of People Management magazine under the strapline 'Swearing at work can cut stress'.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia found that not only could swearing ease stress, but it could also boost team spirits. This is true for peer groups it seems. However it is not big or clever when you swear in front of clients or superiors.
Very many congratulations to David Errington who graduated from the University of Northumbria yesterday with First Class Honours. David also won the TFPL High Achiever prize and we really look forward to welcoming him in London to attend a training course of his choice.
I had a great day in Newcastle yesterday. The ceremony was wonderful and the staff at the university were terrific. Thanks to everyone at the School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences for being so welcoming.
'Information literacy' has earned its place as a valuable role/outcome/concern for many information professionals, and nowhere is the topic more relevant than in schools and further education. IL skills are an integral part of learning - they are also life skills.
Yesterday CILIP's Information Literacy Group ran a workshop 'IL in schools and FE' which explored current relevant research and practitioner practice. The event was not only lively, illustrating the energy and commitment among librarians in this sector, but also demonstrated that the challenges and principles are not dissimilar to other sectors. IL is not a stand alone skill - it has to be learnt and developed in context. Librarians need to work collaboratively - with teachers and pupils -to develop effective techniques. In order to gain the attention and cooperation of their teaching colleagues they must understand the challenges and imperatives of the school and the staff. They must speak the right language. Their IL 'services' and 'products' must have an articulated and valued outcome.
Being a school librarian may be one of life's real challenges, but it obviously has the potential to make a real difference to the development of an information literate society and to be immensely rewarding.
The speakers' slides will be mounted on the CILIP ILG website and its is hoped that the workshop will be repeated later this year.
The workshop was hosted by TFPL.
Fans of the Archers will know that Lillian, the lady of a certain age and capacity to enjoy herself, has given up alcohol for Lent in order to raise money for the local cricket team. We are very pleased that the script writers have followed our example. TFPL's very own version of Lillian did the same thing two years ago and raised £700 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. She is taking up the challenge again this year. Lent started yesterday and so far we can report 100% success.
Angela Abell is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Relief by going on the wagon for Lent. If you are interested in sponsoring her, please contact her on angela.abell@tfpl.com
'Underneath the Lintel', (starring Richard Schiff from The West Wing) is currently playing at the Duchess Theatre in London. The intriguing plot involves a librarian trying to solve the mystery of why a book has been returned 113 years late. The TFPL drama club plans to see the play in the next couple of week and members will post reviews on the blog!
Along with many others, I was a victim of transport chaos yesterday. I left King's Cross at 13.00 on my way to Glasgow where I am supposed to be participating in a workshop today. About 15 minutes out the train in front of us was struck by a tree. With the power turned off, and no water in the loos, we sat on the track for several hours before eventually being shunted backwards into London.
However, as is often the case, fellow passengers kept me amused. Sitting in a group of four seats were three young women who obviously work for a food company. They took about 100 phone calls between them from colleagues. 'No please tell him that the skins on vegetarian sausages ARE baggier than on non-vegetarian ones'.
Later one of them arranged a meeting with a colleague. A chocolate pudding meeting. A meeting to discuss chocolate pudding...
Why can't I get an invite to a chocolate pudding meeting?!
Thank you so much to everyone who entered our famous landmarks competition. Hundreds of you did so, hoping for the chance of winning a luxury John Lewis Hamper.
Well, the results are in and we are delighted to announce that Susan Moore, of ICAEW is the lucky winner of that chocolate monopoly and everything else.
If you are planning to send us back your answers to the postcard picture competition, please post it to us today!
We are planning to make the draw next Wednesday (13th December) to ensure the lucky winner gets their John Lewis goodies in good time for Christmas.
HURRY!
Hello from Online again! It's so busy on the exhibition floor today - perhaps it's because it's the last day and everyone is rushing around trying to fulfil appointments and see everyone they have missed so far.
If you are planning to attend, don't forget to pick up your Competition postcard from our stand. The prize is a really nice John Lewis Christmas hamper (I ordered it myself). The questions are visual ones and there are clues on the TFPL blog.
Good luck. I am particularly jealous of the chocolate Monopoly...
