The next UK general election is probably only a couple of years away and there is a serious possibility that we could see a change of governing party. Against this background Ed Vaizey, Conservative MP for Wantage & Didcot and Shadow Minister for Culture is beginning to shape his thoughts and future policy with respect to libraries.

This podcast conversation, recorded in Ed Vaizey’s office in the Houses of Parliament, explores Ed’s thinking as to the way Government should influence library services provided by local authorities; is the MLA as an organisation the appropriate way to promote libraries at a national level; and even is the Department of Culture the right place for libraries to be represented.

With a guest appearance of Big Ben, chiming the hour, this is an interesting insight into the thoughts of a senior opposition politician on the future of libraries.

This conversation was recorded on Wednesday 10th July and edited on a Mac with Garageband.

Share This

We discuss the report, the reasons for commissioning it, how it will inform the on going debate about the future of academic libraries, and how libraries could use it.

During the conversation we reference the following resources:

• JISC
• SCONUL
• JISC & SCONUL Library Management Systems Study [pdf]
• JISC Information Environment
• Libraries of the Future

This conversation was recorded on Friday 9th May  and edited on a Mac with Garageband.

Share This

From library assistant in East Kilbride to Director of SLIC, Elaine has had a long career in and around Public Libraries in Scotland. For a significant amount of that time she was associated with library systems, which has been a great help in her current position.

We discuss her career; the role of SLIC/CILIP in Scotland; the differences and advantages of working through the Scottish Government; and past and current SLIC projects.

This conversation was conducted as a SkypeOut call on Wednesday 5th March 2008, recorded with Ecamm Network’s Call Recorder for Skype, and edited on a Mac with Garageband.

Technorati Tags: Elaine Fulton, Libraries, Scotland, SLIC, CILIP, Talis, Podcast

Share This

Bob, a librarian with a long career in public libraries and local government, shares his interesting and entertaining views and opinions about the challenges faced by his organisation and the professionals it supports.

He also discusses his experience of blogging From the Chief Executive’s Desk.

This conversation was recorded on Friday 18th January 2008, on a Mac with Garageband.

Technorati Tags: Bob McKee, CILIP, Libraries, Talking with Talis, Talis

Share This

The MLA’s enthusiastic new Chief Executive talks with Richard Wallis about the place and purpose of the organization, it’s challenges, and the opportunities for England’s Museums Archives and Libraries. Coming from several years working with biodegrading monuments at the National Maritime Museum, Roy is obviously up for the challenge.

This conversation was conducted as a SkypeOut call on Tuesday 18th December 2007, recorded with Ecamm Network’s Call Recorder for Skype, and edited on a Mac with Garageband.

Technorati Tags: MLA, Roy Clare, Libraries, Talis, Podcasts, Taliking with Talis

Share This

They discuss how being a Clore Fellow is helping him in his career.  We discover his passion for Idea Stores and how they can engage libraries with the community, without loosing sight of the fact that “books are core”.  Idea Stores have much to offer as examples of innovation in the approach to delivering public library services.

Listen Now

Download MP3 [52 mins, 48Mb]

This conversation was conducted as a SkypeOut call on Wednesday 8th August, recorded with Ecamm Network’s Call Recorder for Skype, and edited on a Mac with Garageband.

Share This

We discuss the impact of being a Young Librarian of the Future, this year’s competition, the challenges of libraries in Bolton, and Public libraries in General.

Listen Now

Download MP3 [38 mins, 35Mb]

This conversation was conducted as a SkypeOut call on Tuesday 7th August, recorded with Ecamm Network’s Call Recorder for Skype, and edited on a Mac with Garageband.

Share This

Listen Now

Download MP3 [43 mins, 39Mb]

This conversation was conducted as a SkypeOut call on Friday 27th July, recorded with Ecamm Network’s Call Recorder for Skype, and edited on a Mac with Garageband.

Share This

Tony who is Head of Culture and Lifelong Learning, for the City of Newcastle, has only recently become the Society President.

We discuss his background in Libraries, the challenges a public library service of today faces, and the role of the Society of Chief Librarians.  Our conversation moves on to the way forward for public libraries in England, and the current associated debate.

Listen Now

Download MP3 [22 mins, 20Mb]

During the conversation, we refer to the following resources:

• Newcastle City Libraries
• The Society of Chief Librarians
• A Blueprint for Excellence [pdf], MLA
• Overdue: How to create a modern public library service, Charles Leadbeater
• Who’s in charge? - Responsibility for the Public Library Service [pdf], Tim Coates 
• DCMS - Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• MLA - Museums Libraries and Archives Council

The conversation conducted by telephone on Monday 9th July 2007, edited in Garageband.  

Technorati Tags: Tony Durcan, Newcastle, Society of Chief Librarians, MLA, DCMS, Public Libraries, England, Podcasting, Talis, Talking with Talis

Share This

We talk about the challenges of providing library services to a diverse population in a large English county; Hampshire’s Discovery Centres; and how being the case study for Tim Coate’s controversial “Who’s in Charge?” report impacted on the library service.

We then move on to discuss the future of Public Libraries and the debate between those concerned about that future.

Listen Now

Download MP3 [39 mins, 36Mb]

 During the conversation, we refer to the following resources:

• Hampshire Libraries
• Hampshire Discovery Centres
• The decline in adult book lending in UK public libraries and its possible causes: II. Statistical analysis. Douglas J.C. Grindlay, Anne Morris

The conversation conducted by telephone on Thursday 5th July 2007, edited in Garageband.  

Technorati Tags: Richard Ward, Hampshire, MLA, DCMS, Public Libraries, England, Podcasting, Talis, Talking with Talis

Share This