Thing 15

Found the cpd23 post on attending, presenting at, and organising events very interesting. Working in a smallish team in a special voluntary sector library means that it can be particularly useful to get out there and meet people, and learn from those in the same and other sectors. Until recently we've been blessed with a reasonable training budget and my manager has always been very encouraging of us attending conferences. Now that cuts and hard times are biting a little it makes free or low cost training opportunities and events all the more important. I have recently attended a free tour of The London Library which is highly recommended. Of course the tours are not librarian specific but I find it is always interesting to attend another library, especially one as interesting, historic, and beautiful as this. Though it has a slightly corporate bent I would also recommend the Online Information conference and exhibition. There are usually a wide range of free seminars, exhibitors, and opportunities for networking and browsing. I wouldn't say networking is my strong point but I do see the value in it, if there is a genuine desire to share, and make connections. I have never spoken at or organised a conference but have been inspired by Thing 15 to perhaps look into developing tours of our library in the future. At present space and lack of meeting facilities make this difficult but an expected redesign of our office could make this possible in the future.