@estherarens.bsky.social
Library systems, content, metadata, acquisition, team work, leadership. Choral music. Running.
Reposted
Canada is refusing to issue ISBNs to books primarily generated with AI.
This illustrates both the urgency of the problem of the growing flood of slop books, and also the toothlessness of addressing it on the honor system without there also being consequences for lying
This illustrates both the urgency of the problem of the growing flood of slop books, and also the toothlessness of addressing it on the honor system without there also being consequences for lying
October 7, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Canada is refusing to issue ISBNs to books primarily generated with AI.
This illustrates both the urgency of the problem of the growing flood of slop books, and also the toothlessness of addressing it on the honor system without there also being consequences for lying
This illustrates both the urgency of the problem of the growing flood of slop books, and also the toothlessness of addressing it on the honor system without there also being consequences for lying
Another yesterday, I had an in-person training session on how to manage stress at work which was pretty reassuring. I didn’t go for walk at lunch though.
Viola lesson: always nice.
Dinner for and with OH’s colleagues: also enjoyable.
Plus: short phone calls with either offspring.
Viola lesson: always nice.
Dinner for and with OH’s colleagues: also enjoyable.
Plus: short phone calls with either offspring.
October 7, 2026 at 5:17 AM
Another yesterday, I had an in-person training session on how to manage stress at work which was pretty reassuring. I didn’t go for walk at lunch though.
Viola lesson: always nice.
Dinner for and with OH’s colleagues: also enjoyable.
Plus: short phone calls with either offspring.
Viola lesson: always nice.
Dinner for and with OH’s colleagues: also enjoyable.
Plus: short phone calls with either offspring.
Reposted
the tech industry is about to invent books
October 6, 2026 at 11:09 PM
the tech industry is about to invent books
Yesterday I got two unpleasant/uncomfortable emails sent. Went for a swim. Wrote a short things for a church meeting. Had a healthy dinner. Watched a film. Went to bed and slept almost through. This morning even brief exercises.
October 6, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Yesterday I got two unpleasant/uncomfortable emails sent. Went for a swim. Wrote a short things for a church meeting. Had a healthy dinner. Watched a film. Went to bed and slept almost through. This morning even brief exercises.
Today I sang for a world premiere. It was really tricky. But we got through it.
Spent time with some very lovely people
Spent time with some very lovely people
October 3, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Today I sang for a world premiere. It was really tricky. But we got through it.
Spent time with some very lovely people
Spent time with some very lovely people
Reposted
Sammy has some strong views on fireworks... 🐶🎆
The Gov is consulting on proposed changes to fireworks and pyrotechnics regulations. Have your say before the consultation closes at 11:59pm on 7 October 2026. ⬇️
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk
The Gov is consulting on proposed changes to fireworks and pyrotechnics regulations. Have your say before the consultation closes at 11:59pm on 7 October 2026. ⬇️
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk
October 2, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Sammy has some strong views on fireworks... 🐶🎆
The Gov is consulting on proposed changes to fireworks and pyrotechnics regulations. Have your say before the consultation closes at 11:59pm on 7 October 2026. ⬇️
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk
The Gov is consulting on proposed changes to fireworks and pyrotechnics regulations. Have your say before the consultation closes at 11:59pm on 7 October 2026. ⬇️
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk
Held a tiny two-day old one today. Such wonder.
September 14, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Held a tiny two-day old one today. Such wonder.
Reposted
Tomorrow I'll be at the #mercian26 conference at DMU, Leicester talking about my strategic review project (as it enters its final days). Hoping to run into more than a few old faces while I'm there.
September 8, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Tomorrow I'll be at the #mercian26 conference at DMU, Leicester talking about my strategic review project (as it enters its final days). Hoping to run into more than a few old faces while I'm there.
Home after a looooong day of setting up, rehearsing, concert-performing, giving lifts. It was good.
Still winding down now …
Still winding down now …
September 5, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Home after a looooong day of setting up, rehearsing, concert-performing, giving lifts. It was good.
Still winding down now …
Still winding down now …
Reposted
Support the journalist that did the actual work ⬇️
As honoured as I am to see that The Times has picked up my Chagos article practically *word for word*, including my hard-gotten quotes, I’d prefer some credit — or for everyone to read my original FT piece!
free link to read the evidently enviable article below (cheaper than a Times sub!) 🌴
free link to read the evidently enviable article below (cheaper than a Times sub!) 🌴
August 31, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Early(ish) dog walk in the fabulous Watermead Park #Leicester
August 31, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Early(ish) dog walk in the fabulous Watermead Park #Leicester
Reposted
someone posted on twitter that canadian geese will now be called donald ducks and i haven’t stopped laughing since.
August 28, 2026 at 1:32 PM
someone posted on twitter that canadian geese will now be called donald ducks and i haven’t stopped laughing since.
Reposted
NASIG Webinar: Beyond Collecting VPATs: Integrating Accessibility Testing into the E-Resource Acquisition Process
Join NASIG Continuing Education Committee on September 17 at 2:00 PM E.T for the webinar Beyond Collecting VPATs: Integrating Accessibility Testing into the E-Resource Acquisition…
Join NASIG Continuing Education Committee on September 17 at 2:00 PM E.T for the webinar Beyond Collecting VPATs: Integrating Accessibility Testing into the E-Resource Acquisition…
NASIG Webinar: Beyond Collecting VPATs: Integrating Accessibility Testing into the E-Resource Acquisition Process
Join NASIG Continuing Education Committee on September 17 at 2:00 PM E.T for the webinar Beyond Collecting VPATs: Integrating Accessibility Testing into the E-Resource Acquisition Process. If you have any questions about the registration contact [email protected] Beyond Collecting VPATs: Integrating Accessibility Testing into the E-Resource Acquisition Process When: September 17, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET on Zoom. Register here!
nasig.wordpress.com
August 28, 2026 at 4:43 PM
NASIG Webinar: Beyond Collecting VPATs: Integrating Accessibility Testing into the E-Resource Acquisition Process
Join NASIG Continuing Education Committee on September 17 at 2:00 PM E.T for the webinar Beyond Collecting VPATs: Integrating Accessibility Testing into the E-Resource Acquisition…
Join NASIG Continuing Education Committee on September 17 at 2:00 PM E.T for the webinar Beyond Collecting VPATs: Integrating Accessibility Testing into the E-Resource Acquisition…
Reposted
Leeds people! I'm given at talk at the Thackray Museum on Saturday 5 September, which is somehow rather soon. 10.30am, with the excellent Fiona Davison from the RHS.
I'm talking about Elizabeth Blackwell's 'Curious' herbal.
thackraymuseum.co.uk/event/thackr...
I'm talking about Elizabeth Blackwell's 'Curious' herbal.
thackraymuseum.co.uk/event/thackr...
Thackray Insights: Herbal Heroines - Thackray Museum of Medicine
For centuries, women were the keepers of herbal remedies, passing down knowledge of the healing and harmful properties of plants.
thackraymuseum.co.uk
August 26, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Leeds people! I'm given at talk at the Thackray Museum on Saturday 5 September, which is somehow rather soon. 10.30am, with the excellent Fiona Davison from the RHS.
I'm talking about Elizabeth Blackwell's 'Curious' herbal.
thackraymuseum.co.uk/event/thackr...
I'm talking about Elizabeth Blackwell's 'Curious' herbal.
thackraymuseum.co.uk/event/thackr...
For the first time ever, the #elderlyDog did not greet me coming home
August 25, 2026 at 4:19 PM
For the first time ever, the #elderlyDog did not greet me coming home
Reposted
[Read] AI Skepticism Makes Moral and Practical Sense. We Should Still Move Full Speed Ahead. - this one almost seems designed to be misunderstood. But the core message is to engage actively AND be extremely skeptical at interrogating it /1 katinamagazine.org/content/arti...
AI Skepticism Makes Moral and Practical Sense. We Should Still Move Full Speed Ahead.
When it comes to AI in academic libraries, we’ve organized ourselves into a polarity: skepticism vs. enthusiasm. Our professional future depends on our figuring out not how to resolve that tension, bu...
katinamagazine.org
August 23, 2026 at 2:46 AM
[Read] AI Skepticism Makes Moral and Practical Sense. We Should Still Move Full Speed Ahead. - this one almost seems designed to be misunderstood. But the core message is to engage actively AND be extremely skeptical at interrogating it /1 katinamagazine.org/content/arti...
Reposted
Sorry chatbot lovers but the waning of Boolean operators in most search functions on websites has made my life actively worse. You can't find anything, you can only have things suggested to you.
August 22, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Sorry chatbot lovers but the waning of Boolean operators in most search functions on websites has made my life actively worse. You can't find anything, you can only have things suggested to you.
Reposted
Looking to speak to women about feeling safe on public transport, particularly after dark. Have concerns about buses, trains, stops, stations or the walk home changed how, when or whether you travel? Email [email protected]. Shares appreciated. #journorequest #PublicTransport
August 16, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Looking to speak to women about feeling safe on public transport, particularly after dark. Have concerns about buses, trains, stops, stations or the walk home changed how, when or whether you travel? Email [email protected]. Shares appreciated. #journorequest #PublicTransport
Reposted
There's a Research Librarian job currently being advertised at UoN - not my old job but in the same team. Happy to chat with anyone about my experience there if it would be helpful.
August 15, 2026 at 3:26 PM
There's a Research Librarian job currently being advertised at UoN - not my old job but in the same team. Happy to chat with anyone about my experience there if it would be helpful.
Reposted
In short succession, we lost the English Short Title Catalog, British Book Trade Index, and London Book Trade. It rendered much of my work difficult to impossible. And now they're slowly coming back amd being rebuilt, something I truly wondered if it would be possible in 2026.
Hold the phone -- the London Book Trades database is BACK and I missed it! It was a limited but useful index of tradespeople that was a victim of the "oh no hackers" Bodleian takedown in 2024.
AND because it's back I found another woman publisher!!
lbt.bibsoc.org.uk/index.php?ti...
AND because it's back I found another woman publisher!!
lbt.bibsoc.org.uk/index.php?ti...
History of the Project - London Book Trades
lbt.bibsoc.org.uk
August 14, 2026 at 12:01 PM
In short succession, we lost the English Short Title Catalog, British Book Trade Index, and London Book Trade. It rendered much of my work difficult to impossible. And now they're slowly coming back amd being rebuilt, something I truly wondered if it would be possible in 2026.