Cycling for Libraries Day 1 - The Right Equipment Makes All the Difference
Jinfo Blog

By Robin Neidorf

Abstract

FreePint's director of research, Robin Neidorf, is taking part in the Cycling for Libraries "unconference", this year travelling from Norway to Denmark on two wheels. She reports on the first day - and how the conference helps to share ideas and innovations about information work across cultures and countries.

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This year's Cycling for Libraries conference began yesterday, this year participants are travelling from Oslo in Norway to Aarhus in Denmark. FreePint chose to be a media partner (and active participant) at the event as it represents the best of what we know about information work: creativity, forward momentum (literally), and challenging assumptions about information professionals while raising their profile in a unique way.

On 1st September at 8:30am Oslo time the tour commenced: 100 information professionals and fellow-travellers set off from the harbour in the pouring rain to collaborate and think about the future of information work in a new way. Eleven hours later, the same 100, now soaked to the skin as well as a bit tired and muddy, finally pulled into our accommodations for the evening.

It was a long day, but surprisingly enjoyable despite the inclement weather. Throughout the trip we'll be stopping at academic, public and special libraries and discussing a variety of issues.

On the first day we stopped at three public libraries along the way, where we had very warm welcomes (and hot drinks), as well as interesting presentations on how libraries in Norway are responding to a relatively new law mandating that they become centres for debate.

Although today's content was not immediately applicable to most of FreePint's focus on corporate information strategy, I was struck by two observations:

• Sometimes insight comes only after deep discomfort
• The right equipment makes all the difference in the result.

Here I am, in a rain-proof jacket, easily visible even in the gloomiest atmosphere. I was not crazy about this jacket for superficial reasons when I first purchased it. The colour was a bit much for me. But by the end of the day it had earned my gratitude.

It kept me dry, despite the conditions. Which meant that I could focus on important things - learning names, keeping up with the pace of travel, listening carefully to unfamiliar accents and thinking about the future of information centres - rather than a cold, wet torso.

Select the right equipment based on fundamental needs - is it weatherproof? - rather than superficial opinions. 

I'll be continuing to post about new ideas, skills, and cultural exchanges as our trip continues 

Next up: thinking hard about innovation... why do we bother?

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