Aberdeen Central Library Class Visit
“To survive the digital age and stay relevant, public libraries need to be brave and innovative. They must embrace both the physical and virtual.” (Doherty, 2014).
Aberdeen City Libraries (ACL) invited the ILS class along to the Central Library on the 26th of October to hear a talk on the provision of library services across the city. The class were also given the chance to see “behind the scenes” of the library and to see first-hand how the library is engaging with users. It was an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into how library services are evolving in the 21st century to match the needs of both users and the wider community. Most importantly, we were also introduced to Library Bear but more about that later!
Library Services
During our visit we learned that, in addition to providing traditional library facilities, ACL offers a diverse range of services to the public. In seeking to fulfil its mission statement, “to inspire lifelong learning and creativity, advance knowledge and strengthen our communities”, ACL’s services are designed to appeal to the needs and interests of every demographic in the city. Here are examples of some of the services the class was given information on, all of which can be accessed by clicking here:
The Central Library contains four departments: the Information Centre; Media Centre; Central Children’s Library; and Adult Lending Department. Also offered from the Central Library site are the following free services:
- Business and Enterprise Service - provides free access to business information resources and information in intellectual property matters;
- Europe Direct Information Centre - provides advice and information about the EU, including migration, language and cultural matters; and,
- Local Studies Service - offers access to a wide variety of resources, including an online digital archive.
In the provision of such a diverse range of services, ACL are aspiring to fulfil their vision to, “provide lifelong learning and creativity, advance knowledge and strengthen our communities”.
The Dolphin Project
In addition to the services mentioned above that are offered by ACL, we also learned about some of the other ways in which ACL has participated in the life of the local community. In 2014, Aberdeen Library and Information Services were a sponsor of the Wild Dolphins Project and participated in the 'A School of Dolphins' project which saw over thirty miniature dolphin sculptures displayed in libraries across Aberdeen. In addition to increasing the overall number of visitors to ACL sites, the project received an award for its level of community engagement, partnership-working and the use of multiple platforms to promote the initiative.
Library Bear
The highlight (for some) of the class trip to the library was making the acquaintance of Library Bear! Look how happy we all are...
© 2015 Aberdeen City Libraries
Library Bear is a practical way of promoting the services that ACL offers but he also engages younger users by introducing them to what the library does in a friendly and interactive way. If you look really closely at the photo, you can see that Library Bear has his own staff ID, so he is very much a part of the ACL team! We encourage you to read more about Library Bear’s numerous adventures here.
Some Final Thoughts
Public libraries (and librarians) face the challenge of remaining relevant and serving communities effectively in the digital age, while maximising ever diminishing budgets. Reflecting on everything that we saw and heard during our visit to the Central Library, ACL is striving to assess the needs of users and also to engage members of the wider community in a variety of ways. The diversity of services offered by ACL, that go beyond the standard perceptions of a public library, are ensuring that the library remains relevant and an integral part of the community in Aberdeen. Thanks again to ACL and (of course) to Library Bear for making the ILS class feel welcome!
Interested in more events being hosted by the Aberdeen Libraries? For more information on upcoming events hosted by Aberdeen City Libraries click this link here.
Useful Links:
this is a great blog, sharing the experiences of our visit to Aberdeen Central Library. The links are really brilliant as well, allowing us to follow the journey of the Library bear and also to SLIC and all the services offered by the ACL in this ever changing climate. You even mentioned the Dolphin project which won a 'Silver Award for the Silver City' from CILIP. A fine (braw) reflection on our official visit to our city Library :)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post! Thank you very much for visiting us at the Central Library, we were thrilled to show you all around the building and introduce you to Library Bear! Since your visit, our Information Librarian has been hard at work trying to find the answer to your question about the oldest Dictionary in our collections. The oldest Scottish Dictionary we have been able to locate is an 1808 edition of Jamieson’s Scottish Dictionary. The earliest edition of the Scottish National Dictionary we hold is from 1941. Hope this helps, and thanks again for visiting!
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed! Our visit to Aberdeen Central Library was informative, and quite fun! From the resident ghosts to art/community projects, and everything in between, your library is a bustling place full of life and learning. And thank you for the information on your oldest dictionary, lexicography is fascinating to me. What was once a reference item is now an notable piece of your library's history. Thank you!
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