Adopt a Book
THE Special Collections Archive at Exeter Library is pretty amazing. There are rare books going back to 1480, hundreds of Victorian children’s books, beautifully vibrant, hand-coloured books; books that, in essence, make up the local area’s literary heritage. The books in the Special Collections Archive belong to the local community and, as Senior Supervisor: Resources at Exeter Library, I have wanted to engender in the community the same sense of ownership in the collections that the community has in respect to the rest of the library. That’s really what fi rst attracted me to Carnegie Library Lab. It was a pro- gramme that would enable me to set up ‘Adopt a Book’, whilst at the same time off ering me the opportunity to progress and grow professionally through the programme of online learning, mentor- ing and networking. The project provid- ed the means for learning and develop- ing professionally and personally too.
Investing in special collections Adopt a Book is a British Library-in- spired scheme that allows members of the public to invest in the future of the Special Collections Archive through funding restoration works on specifi c books held by the library. Books have been chosen that refl ect the diversity of the Special Collections Archive of rare and valuable books, and to appeal to a wide range of customers.
Books in need of restoration are iden-
tifi ed, based on demand and condition. These books are then advertised via the Adopt a Book webpage. Each book is assessed by a Restoration Bookbinder and given a donation target that would enable work to be carried out conserving it and ensuring its protection for the future. Donations are then accepted in the form of ‘Adoptions’. These can be for as much or as little as the donor cares to give and goes towards the donation target for their selected book. Once a tar- get has been reached the work is carried out in full and the book is conserved for the future. Every penny of the money
December-January 2017/18 Photo © Guy Newman KOR Communications
donated goes towards the selected book and the outcome is that the book can then be exhibited, toured and made accessible to library users and the local area. In return for their generosity, donors receive a Certifi cate of Adoption, acknowl- edgment on the Adopt a Book webpage and in the annual Adopt a Book exhibition and regular Conservation Newsletters updating them on the progress of the project. Since its launch in December 2016, Adopt a Book has raised almost £3,000, with donations ranging from £25 to over £800. Seven out the fi rst ten priority books have been adopted in full and the fi rst two books have already been con- served by the Restoration Bookbinder.
Opportunities
The launch of Adopt a Book led to a num- ber of exciting opportunities for me. I host- ed an event at the library, inviting a number of high-profi le potential stakeholders and partners such as local councillors, giving them the opportunity to see the books in their “before” state and to fi nd out more about the project. Through my marketing and press release, I had the opportunity to do a live inter- view on BBC Radio Devon, as well as record two television interviews for BBC Spotlight and ITV Westcountry News. The launch of the project also generated interest in both local and national newspapers and magazines, including a photograph in The Times. Being part of the Carnegie Library Lab programme has given me the opportu- nity to develop new skills in diff erent areas. I have particularly appreciated the opportunity, through the online learning modules, to dedicate time to professional development in areas such as leadership styles, managing change in the workplace and developing innovation. I have gained tangible skills that I am already putting to good use.
Joanne Kirkpatrick, Senior Supervisor: Resources, Libraries Unlimited.
Mentor at the BL
As a Carnegie Partner I was also assigned an external mentor – Jamie Andrews, Head of Culture & Learning at the British Library. Jamie has been so helpful and supportive throughout the programme. He has been able to put me in touch with a number of valuable contacts and advise me on practical aspects of the project includ- ing how to engage the wider library team and how to ensure that donors continue to feel involved and valued. In addition, he has been enthusiastic about the online learning and the opportunities this pro- vided for professional development and gave me useful advice on how to balance this learning with my day-to-day role.
Next steps
My time as a Partner came to an end in October 2017, but Adopt a Book can continue running for as long as there are books to conserve and generous people willing to donate, and that’s what now excites me most about my involvement in Carnegie Library Lab: the legacy it will leave. A legacy both for myself in terms of the skills and ongoing professional development I’ve gained and for the library and the wonderful treasures in the Special Collections Archive now protected for many future generations of book lovers. More on Adopt a book at
http://bit.ly/2h4uWiI
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 39
Carnegie Trust Peachey
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