Library + Information Show (3)

Third attempt at getting this finished -- and it's now EIGHT days late!

Having already told you about a couple stands that I thought particularly interesting it's worth having a more general look at the exhibition as whole, and those places which I thought noteworthy when viewed on the second day.

First comment is a criticism of those exhibitors whose details in the show guide are "For further details of our products and services, please see us at our stand". To be fair I guess that this could be organisations that have made a late booking and there was no time to get the information into the guide but it doesn't invite you to seek out this stand specifically, does it?

"No, you can't steal Elmer. He can hear everything you're saying and he won't let you steal him." Wonderful to discover someone as mad as I am! I really wanted the rug featuring Elmer the elephant but it was a bit pricey! Theft seemed to be the only answer. The Kit Shop has details of the reading rug and lots of other child-friendly kit for libraries, nurseries and schools. And the child-friendly area in your advice centre?

"Demco Interiors continues to be one of the UK's leading library design and furnishing companies, with another year of successfully completed major projects. The company has this year chosen as its stand theme a 'concept' zone for young adults in a public library setting -- feedback will be very welcome." (Show catalogue) Feedback delivered by this "oldster" was that it worked well -- some of the furniture on show would not have looked out of place in a home! And thank you for the mugs which have replaced the grotty ones in the office!

Emerald Group Publishing had unfortunately run out of "goodies" by day two except pens with fluffy tops but the company was offering free 30-day subscription to three selected journals. I jumped at it as Emerald journals are the most difficult for which to get abstracts -- Dawn and I read them in the British Library or at the DfES library in Westminster and have to hand-write, or in my case copy-type on my laptop. It's often possible to search for the headline and get the abstract "via the back door" but it doesn't always work.

Xrefer (pronounced ex-refer not cross-refer) is "the reference librarian's new best friend" and it is undoubtedly impressive but not cheap. Librarians can try it out free for thirty days -- wait until you've got time so you don't waste your days (procrastinators take note -- which is, believe you me, another "note to self").