Category: books

Some book shelf solutions

Ah, the joys of Crib Candy – so many pretty things appear in my feed reader!

Of course, as a library geek, I keep a note of the nicest shelving solutions…hey, you never know when my employers might go mad and demand a redesign of the Library using only eco-friendly materials, or one entirely suspended from the ceiling, right?!?!

So, here’s some of the most interesting book shelves that I’ve seen recently.

Diagonal Bookshelves

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Slat shelf

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Rotating Bookshelf

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Rotating Shelving System

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Double Access shelf

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Leaf Shelf (with perhaps a OTT claim – “Available in all leaves of the known universe.”

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Leaves Bookshelves

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Bamboo Bookshelves

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Think that’s enough for now…more to follow!

Edinburgh Festival of Libraries

Starting on Saturday 8th November, the Edinburgh Festival of Libraries will be running a week long programme of talks, walks, tours, presentations roadshows and behind-the-scenes peeks into some of the many different types of library services working in Edinburgh.

Lots of interesting things going on, but I’m kinda ruled out of any of the daytime events by working (I’ve maxed out my holiday allowance for the year, boo, hiss), which is a shame, because there’s plenty I’d have loved to be able to go to!

So, to make sure I still get to do *something*, I’ve emailed to book a place for the finale event on Friday 14th November:

Finale event – Future of the Book

Panel discussion “The Future of the Book”

Print books or e-books? Uplift or download? Writers and readers or interactive interchange? We are pleased to present a panel of informed people who will present and discuss a range of views on this topic.

The discussion will be chaired by Stuart Kelly, Literary Editor of Scotland on Sunday

Panel members include:

Donald Smith, Scottish Storytelling Centre

Francis Bickmore, Canongate Publishers

Hugh Andrews, Birlinn Publishers

Michelle Harper, OCLC

Join their discussion and get thinking about what part you will play in the future of the book. After the panel discussion, you are invited to continue the discussions on an informal basis and to enjoy a glass of wine, some light refreshments and some good company. This event is supported by OCLC and the National Library of Scotland

Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunk’s Close, 55 High Street, EH1 1SR

7.00 pm onwards

Free – to book a place please contact 0131 623 4675 or email events@nls.uk

Just my sort of thing, yay!

Random library and book bits


A collection of some of the pretty / fun library related stuff I’ve bookmarked over the past few weeks…

Furniture and decorative bits, made out of those pesky, un-recyclable books:

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Elephant / bus / snail shaped bookshelves for kids rooms…funky!

Some fabulous, (and some insane) shelving / bookcase ideas here. My favourite is this one, the arrangement in the top right makes it look like a tree full of books:

And finally, a way to reuse all those Metro papers that keep appearing in the corner of rooms…. roll them into twine, and make them into rugs!

Book Preservation Awareness Workshop

Once again, another SLLG members event has been organised, this time we’re sorting out our poor, abused books:

 The National Library of Scotland have agreed to host and deliver a Book Preservation Awareness Workshop for SLLG members.  This half-day session takes a pro-active approach to preservation and the training will be provided by a qualified conservator.  The workshop will cover the causes of deterioration and the basic first aid treatments to apply once the root cause of the damage has been identified.

Topics for the Book Preservation Awareness Workshop:

1.         Prevention is better than cure
2.         Basic repair methods to include tip-ins and tears
3.         Four-flap enclosure
4.         Proper use of Clarkson Book Cradles
5.         Book handling
6.         Books on shelves
7.         Taking a book from a shelf
8.         Hygroscopic nature of books
9.         Photocopying
10.         Damage to collections e.g. paper clips, post-its, rubber bands etc
11.         Food and drink
12.         Regular book cleaning programme

The workshop will take place on the morning of Thursday 9th October, at the National Library on George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.  Places for the event will be limited to a maximum of 12 people, and be issued on a first-come first-served basis.  The cost for the half-day workshop is £25 for SLLG Members and will include tea / coffee.  Please contact Sandra Turkington on sandra.turkingtonATscotland.gsi.gov.uk to book your place.

Ah’m booked on, yessiree!