It’s been a very busy week.
On Friday, for international women’s day I welcomed ISG colleagues and Friends of the Library to celebrate the naming of the Brenda Moon Board Room in Argyle House. It was a naming, but also a re-instatement. There was previously a Brenda Moon Room in the Main Library, but it got lost, and although Brenda still has an info board on display there, I felt it was important that she should also get her room back. She is, after all, the only woman ever yet to hold the title of ‘University Librarian’ at Edinburgh, and having a room of one’s own is important.
Our ISG celebrations for IWD are growing and and thriving. A fabulous team of colleagues were involved this year. We edited wikipedia, created new art inspired by old collections and made badges for everyone to wear.
At the weekend I worked on our workplace equality and diversity programme, writing a case study for Equate Scotland.
On Monday I went with colleagues to see Helen Pankhurst speak. A woman with a famous name. We had invited her as part of our ‘Vote100′ project in ISG, but on Monday the visit was hosted by Students’ RAG week. When I was a student we called it ‘on the rag’ week, but seems like not so much anymore. At University of Edinburgh it used to be called ‘Settlement Week’.
On Tuesday I joined fellow members of the Centenary Commission on Adult Education in Manchester. Melissa Benn and I had another occasion to chuckle and refer to each other as ‘the other Melissa’.
The meeting touched on the future of adult learning in the digital age.
Me: “we should be discussing the emerging business models of the huge global learning platforms”
Them: “when I search google I can find lots of interesting things”.
Me: “the internet giants try to disrupt every sector they set their sights on and they are very interested in training and lifelong learning”
Them: “its just like reading newspapers and going to the library”.
Me: ” “.
