Librarianth

Librarianth

@librarianth.bsky.social

University of York Acquisitions Librarian. Professional Northerner. Bang on about armchair politics, books, ebooks, coffee, & Boro. Views/opinions personal. UTB

4.2K followers2.3K following729 posts

Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

One of the world's most famous Librarians has checked out Feels like we need the Library version of a 21 gun salute

IGN@ign.com

British actor Anthony Head, best known for portraying Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso, has died aged 72.

Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

The deadline is looming to sign up for either the @uklibrariesnag.bsky.social Public Library Forum or the NAG 16th Collection Development Seminar for Academic Librarians Here are 5 excellent reasons to join & support NAG doing its important work librarianth.home.blog/2026/04/30/5... #NAGcd16 💙📚

librarianth.home.blog5 Reasons to join the National Acquisitions Group (NAG)What is NAG National Acquisitions Group, which will hereafter be referred to as NAG, is a membership organisation involving Librarians (public, academic, and specialist), suppliers, and publishers.…
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Wars/Trek, HP, LOTR, Marvel

Caroline Ball@heroicendeavour.eurosky.social

Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Wars/Trek, HP, LOTR, Marvel

Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Check out the latest Kindle skullduggery from Amazon and how it relates to the experience Libraries have been banging the drum about for years... librarianth.home.blog/2026/04/15/a...

librarianth.home.blogAmazon gives the public a taste of the treatment academic libraries have been highlighting for yearsFor over a decade, the Amazon Kindle has been the poster child for the digital reading revolution. It promised a library in your pocket, a seamless partnership between the tactile world of paper an…
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Amazon gives the public a taste of the treatment academic libraries have been highlighting for years We are seeing the erosion of customer rights and expectations as well as their downgrade to an ancillary coincidence in favour of profit pursuit at all costs.

librarianth.home.blogAmazon gives the public a taste of the treatment academic libraries have been highlighting for yearsFor over a decade, the Amazon Kindle has been the poster child for the digital reading revolution. It promised a library in your pocket, a seamless partnership between the tactile world of paper and the convenience of the cloud. But for millions of users clinging to older, perfectly functional devices, that promise has recently curdled. As reported by the BBC…
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Have a light bit of Friday afternoon reading about Reading List Policies and Guidelines 5 ways that they can be robust, and why academic libraries inevitably need them Enjoy...

librarianth.home.blog5 Pillars of a Strong Reading List Policy & GuidelinesIn the complex machinery of a university library, metadata and discovery systems are the engine, the powerful and intricate components that keep the gears turning. But even the most sophisticated engine is motionless without the right input. If discovery is the engine, then the Reading List is the fuel. Reading lists are the primary vehicle for the identification and acquisition of teaching materials.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

People are better than Systems This is a mere taster of the presentation I will be giving at the @uklibrariesnag.bsky.social Seminar 2026 in May, come along and enjoy all of the reasons that I think people rule and systems drool Happy Friday, enjoy librarianth.home.blog/2026/03/27/p...

librarianth.home.blogPeople Are Better Than Systems: 5 Reasons Why Human Expertise Trumps Shiny CentralisationI am really looking forward to presenting about this topic at the NAG Seminar 2026 in Nottingham on May 20th and May 21st (open for bookings now, get signed up and if you aren’t a NAG member,…
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

People are better than Systems This is a mere taster of the presentation I will be giving at the NAG Seminar, come along and enjoy all of the reasons that I think people rule and systems drool Happy Friday, enjoy

librarianth.home.blogPeople Are Better Than Systems: 5 Reasons Why Human Expertise Trumps Shiny CentralisationI am really looking forward to presenting about this topic at the NAG Seminar 2026 in Nottingham on May 20th and May 21st (open for bookings now, get signed up and if you aren't a NAG member, consider joining this fantastic organisation) At the seminar, I will be talking very specifically about the knowledge and expertise that has been invaluable from our teams at University of York, consider this a teaser article that covers a small fraction of the concepts, ideas, and examples that will be delivered (powerpoint style) to Seminar attendees.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Welcome to the final part of my Buying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians series In Part 5 we will look at The Wider Sector

librarianth.home.blogBuying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. Part 5 – The Wider SectorIn our previous post, we dove into the somewhat surreal world of library analytics, where a turnaway is the digital equivalent of a student lamenting access in the stacks, and marketing is the art of promising a party where there’s only one chair. We’ve looked at the metadata, the licences, and the spreadsheets. Now,, it's time to look more widely, because as much as we’d like to believe our acquisitions strategies exist in a vacuum of local need and budget, the reality is that we are small fish in a very large, occasionally predatory, corporate ocean.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Welcome to the latest entry in the Buying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians series... Part 4 - Statistics & Promotion This section looks at how we talk to our user communities about the e-books and packages that we have acquired

librarianth.home.blogBuying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. Part 4 – Statistics & PromotionIn our previous post, we looked at the "invisible" life of an e-book once the invoice is paid. We explored the high-stakes world of metadata, the frustrations of DRM, and the ethical imperative of accessibility. We established that buying the book is only half the battle; the other half is ensuring it actually works for the human at the other end of the screen.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

A recap on this, for all the budding acquisitions librarians out there, or for anyone interested in a peek under the Library hood Part 1 - Purchasing E-Books Part 2 - Schemes and Packages Part 3 - Managing E-Books All parts are cross-linked: librarianth.home.blog/2026/02/23/b...

librarianth.home.blogBuying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. Part 3 – Managing E-BooksWelcome to the third post in my series, Buying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. In our previous post, we navigated the high-level landscape of e-book procurement—explorin…
Librarianth@librarianth.bsky.social

The newest addition to the "Buying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians" series Once we've worked out the "where" and "how" of buying e-books, we then need to work out what to do with them in our collections Welcome to Part 3 – Managing E-Books

librarianth.home.blogBuying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. Part 3 – Managing E-BooksWelcome to the third post in my series, Buying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. In our previous post, we navigated the high-level landscape of e-book procurement—exploring how Evidence-Based Acquisition (EBA), DDA, and big-brand packages allow us to scale our collections. We looked at the "how" and the "where" of getting content into our digital ecosystem. Here is a breakdown of the series so far:
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

The newest addition to the "Buying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians" series Once we've worked out the "where" and "how" of buying e-books, we then need to work out what to do with them in our collections Welcome to Part 3 – Managing E-Books

librarianth.home.blogBuying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. Part 3 – Managing E-BooksWelcome to the third post in my series, Buying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. In our previous post, we navigated the high-level landscape of e-book procurement—exploring how Evidence-Based Acquisition (EBA), DDA, and big-brand packages allow us to scale our collections. We looked at the "how" and the "where" of getting content into our digital ecosystem. Here is a breakdown of the series so far:
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

The newest addition to the "Buying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians" series To build a scalable, responsive collection, we have to look beyond individual transactions. Welcome to Part 2 – Schemes and Packages.

librarianth.home.blogBuying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. Part 2 – Schemes and Packages.Welcome to the second post in my series, Buying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. Over the coming weeks, I will be pulling back the curtain on the digital supply chain to explore methods of purchase, supplier relationships, and what happens next. Today we are looking at Schemes and Packages Here is a breakdown of the series so far:
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Part 1 of a 4 part series looking at the acquisiton of e-books for academic libraries Part 1 - Purchasing E-Books Interesting for acquisitions librarians or anyone involved in procurement, licensing, and that Library life in general

librarianth.home.blogBuying and Managing E-Books for Acquisitions Librarians. Part 1 – Purchasing E-Books.In the ever-evolving landscape of academic library collections, the shift toward digital has often been framed as a straightforward evolution, a simple migration from shelf to screen. Yet, as any Acquisitions Librarian can tell you, the reality of building a digital collection is a complex dance of licensing, logistics, and strategic negotiation. While our patrons see the convenience of a click, we navigate a labyrinth of platforms, permissions, and pricing models behind the scenes.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Controlled Digital Lending isn't a term that should strike fear in the hearts of Librarians, despite legal cases in the US (such as Hachette v Internet Archive) that may make it seem like a risk 5 Ways A Well-Designed Controlled Digital Lending Scheme (CDL) Can Improve Your Academic Library...

librarianth.home.blog5 Ways A Well-Designed Controlled Digital Lending Scheme (CDL) Can Improve Your Academic LibraryIf you’ve spent any time in a university library lately, you’ll know we’re living in a bit of a divided era. On one hand, we’ve got these magnificent, sometimes centuries old, print collections that user communities love and value (and honestly, who can blame them? There’s nothing like the smell of an old book). On the other, we’re battling a digital marketplace that feels increasingly like a wild west of restrictive licenses, rising costs, and content that can vanish at the whim of a platform update.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

It's a nightmare scenario for a Library You likely don't want to leave a huge Read and Publish deal, it's complex & very messy But you won't always get to choose. If you HAVE to do it, here are some tips from someone who has been there (Happy New Year btw)...

librarianth.home.blog5 things for University Librarians to think about when exiting a Read and Public agreementThe landscape of UK higher education has recently shifted, with news that terms have been agreed with five major academic publishers via Jisc negotiations. While some might be tempted to view this as a "done deal," another perspective would describe it as a pragmatic reflection from the sector that further negotiation on terms is simply no longer possible. The harsh reality is that, given the severe financial challenges facing the sector, many of these agreements will remain fundamentally unaffordable for many institutions.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

To our family, friends, workplace proximity associates, enemies, and meh people Merry Christmas ya Filthy Animals, and a Happy New Year Eat too much, drink too much, open tonnes of pressies and here's to a magnificent 2026 🍻🥂 x

Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Adopt - Adapt - Create Open Educational Resources have the potential to solve (or at least ease) a great deal of Library issues I explore some of those here: 5 Reasons OERs Could Unlock Opportunities for UK Academic Libraries #OER #OA #Libraries #Textbooks

librarianth.home.blog5 Reasons OERs Could Unlock Opportunities for UK Academic LibrariesAdopt - Adapt - Create Open Educational Resources (OERs) are freely accessible, openly licensed instructional materials, from full courses and textbooks to videos and images. They can be used, adapted, and shared by anyone. These resources embody the principles of openness and reuse, moving beyond the often restrictive models of traditional publishing. While OER adoption is widespread in parts of North America and other regions, its integration into core teaching practice across the UK higher education landscape is still nascent.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

While "audiobooks ARE reading" is one hill i'd always die on, another crops up at this time of year Die Hard IS a Christmas film, this is a verified science fact ITV news say the British Public think different, however, the British Public are terrible at voting on things #DieHard #ChristmasFilm

Librarianth@librarianth.bsky.social

Revisiting this question once again... Do audiobooks count as reading? Spoiler: YES It must be correct because a Librarian told you its true, but also, read on for even more reasons #books #ebooks #audiobooks #library #libraries #reading

librarianth.home.blogDo Audiobooks Count as Reading? (Spoiler: YES!)I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the Great Audiobook Debate. It sounds like a wrestling match in the book club, and honestly, it sometimes feels like one. You know the scene: you're excited to discuss a new book, and you mention, "Oh, I listened to the audiobook," only to have someone reply, "So, you didn't actually read it?" Cue the eye-roll.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Do we still even need print books? It's a common and understandable question. This Librarian thinks YES, here are just 5 reasons why (I have no doubt there are many more)... #library #libraries #books #ebooks #printbooks #librarian

librarianth.home.blogPrint Books vs E-Books: 5 reasons why print books persist in the digital ageThe digital age has fundamentally transformed the academic library, with the acquisition of e-books and online resources becoming the dominant force in collection development. The sheer volume, ease of remote access, and discoverability of electronic resources have undeniably reshaped scholarly research. To illustrate this seismic shift, consider the purchasing data for one-off resources at the University of York , where electronic resources have consistently commanded 70-80% of the total budget in recent years
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Here we go again with this, but this time via a blog too Say it with me, Audiobooks (and all forms of assistive software) definitely count as reading. It's perfectly fine to describe that activity as "I have read [x]" If you more, read on... librarianth.home.blog/2025/11/10/d... 💙📚 #booksky

librarianth.home.blogDo Audiobooks Count as Reading? (Spoiler: YES!)I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the Great Audiobook Debate. It sounds like a wrestling match in the book club, and honestly, it sometimes feels like one. You know the scene: you’re ex…
Librarianth@librarianth.bsky.social

A repeat thought, Bluesky, & a Librarian told you this so it must be true 🤣 Audiobooks definitely count as reading (as well as listening). If you've played through an audioook, its perfectly fine to describe that as "I have read [x]" All other forms of assistive software count as reading too 💙📚 👍

Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

Revisiting this question once again... Do audiobooks count as reading? Spoiler: YES It must be correct because a Librarian told you its true, but also, read on for even more reasons #books #ebooks #audiobooks #library #libraries #reading

librarianth.home.blogDo Audiobooks Count as Reading? (Spoiler: YES!)I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the Great Audiobook Debate. It sounds like a wrestling match in the book club, and honestly, it sometimes feels like one. You know the scene: you're excited to discuss a new book, and you mention, "Oh, I listened to the audiobook," only to have someone reply, "So, you didn't actually read it?" Cue the eye-roll.

Librarianth reposted

Corinna
@lovelycds.bsky.social

Viewfinder ✨ Worlds within worlds.. (can especially be found at the library) 📚 #art #artist #life #joy #PhotoArt #PNW #mural #streetphotography #AltText #bloomscrolling #UrbanGaze #OnlyBeautifulThings ✨

Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

A bit of light Friday reading 5 inconvenient facts that all librarians (or folks with an interest in Library related skullduggery) should know about e-books

librarianth.home.blog5 Inconvenient Facts All Librarians Should Know About E-BooksDuring the Covid-19 pandemic, the promise of the digital library became clearer than ever. As physical doors closed, e-books offered a vital lifeline, foregrounding the incredible potential of on-demand access to information and culture. Yet this moment of digital promise also cast a harsh light on the dysfunctional infrastructure, predatory business models, and outdated legal frameworks that govern the lending of digital content.
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

New Boro Crest. Really like the 80s circle design A few design Easter eggs: 1 - Lion's tongue is shaped after the Horseshoe Bend 2 - Lion's mane is shaped after Roseberry Topping, Boro's highest mountain 3 - The Lion's feet are shaped after a dog poo the designer stood in on Linthorpe Road #UTB

Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

5 Facts All Librarians Should Know About Interlibrary Loans The UKSG Insights article ‘Interlibrary loans, subscriptions and copyright in the UK academic library sector’ by my White Rose comrade, from University of Sheffield, Andrew Johnson, is an excellent summary of the current ILL situation,…

librarianth.home.blog5 Facts All Librarians Should Know About Interlibrary LoansThe UKSG Insights article ‘Interlibrary loans, subscriptions and copyright in the UK academic library sector’ by my White Rose comrade, from University of Sheffield, Andrew Johnson, is an excellent summary of the current ILL situation, considering legal exceptions and some of the legislative grey areas that exist within the ecosystem. I would encourage everyone to read it, as an educational and insightful explainer of complicated issues.

Librarianth reposted

Helen Day
@lbflyawayhome.bsky.social

An observation test for you - for your inner 8 year-old “The artist has hidden 12 things in this picture. How many can you find?” Treasure magazine, 1964 Official answers coming soon (Even if you don’t reply, could you please ‘like’ or share this one? 🙏)

Librarianth reposted

Best for Britain
@bestforbritain.org

For 56 minutes Sky News and BBC News interrupted everything else and carried a Reform UK feed live, uninterrupted, unchallenged. The stream spluttered, froze, pixelated - dozens of times - still they stuck with it. FOR ONE HOUR. This is an editorial choice. No other party gets this coverage. ~AA

Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

A nice bit of Friday reading Developing our Collections Principles. I'm proud of this piece of work and really happy we did it Read all about it... #books #ebooks #libraries #collectionsprinciples

librarianth.home.blogPragmatic PrinciplesIt's been a tough old year. Ditching out of 7 R&P deals at once naturally brings with it a whole host of stressful situations to navigate. Through all of this, an absolutely excellent piece of work (that I am very proud we achieved) underpinned a huge amount of our strategic thinking and decision making. Prior to any budget cuts, the decision had already been made that we in the Library should work with external colleagues to co-create a…
Librarianth
@librarianth.bsky.social

EBA v DDA – Which is best? I posted on Linkedin a while ago about my overall views on EBA schemes. particularly in relation to DDA (or PDA) alternatives. I waffled on and ran out of words, happily now that I've set this blog up that is no longer an issues. So here is a post on all things EBA and…

librarianth.home.blogEBA v DDA – Which is best?I posted on Linkedin a while ago about my overall views on EBA schemes. particularly in relation to DDA (or PDA) alternatives. I waffled on and ran out of words, happily now that I've set this blog up that is no longer an issues. So here is a post on all things EBA and DDA, happy reading. What is an EBA?

Librarianth reposted

Corinna
@lovelycds.bsky.social

From ‘A call to rebellion’: “Let your motto be resistance! resistance! resistance! No oppressed people have ever secured their liberty without resistance.” #life #liberty #freedom #KnowledgeIsPower #history Here is the full speech by Henry Highland Garnet: blackandeducation.org/stories/2021...

blackandeducation.orgHenry Highland Garnet: His Most Famous Speech — BLACK and EducationBrethren, arise, arise! Strike for your lives and liberties. Now is the day and the hour. Let every slave throughout the land do this, and the days of slavery are numbered. You…