Jen Hillyard @mininglibrarian.bsky.social · 1mInstead of asking my DoB the pharmacist asked “and how old are you?” I had absolutely no idea and I can’t work it out without a calculator! They still needed to then write my DoB on the paperwork later so I’m not sure what that was about…. “Umm forty one maybe forty two?” was the best I could do. 000
Reposted by Jen HillyardEthan Gruber @ewg118.bsky.social · 23hCataloging and digital collections bluesky: Anyone migrated special collections into Bibframe yet? I'm interested in looking at the underlying LOD. 048
Reposted by Jen HillyardNational Acquisitions Group (NAG) @uklibrariesnag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026NAG Members only: Coffee and Chat! "Connecting the Dots: Acquisitions and Engagement" What data drives your decisions and where does that come from? Tues 24th Nov, 10am (postponed from July) nag.org.uk/event/chatju...nag.org.ukCoffee and Chat #12: Connecting the dots – acquisitions and engagement – National Acquisitions GroupNAG Webinar Week 2026: 9-13th Nov 011
Jen Hillyard @mininglibrarian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026I am really regretting letting the physio poke my neck vertebrae on Friday in the hope of curing my pins and needles…. I can barely turn my head to one side! “Keep stretching!” she said. “Let me know how it feels over the next few days!” 110
Reposted by Jen HillyardVeep @princesssofvp.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Bluesky, does anyone remember an alphabet book that for ‘i’ had “industrious ants eating indigo ice cream”? It’s got to be at least 45 years old and probably more. Should it ring any bells I would be delighted to find a copy 🐜💙🍦 146
Reposted by Jen HillyardAlex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social · 25/09/2026As I'm sure many others have pointed out, this website is an AI scraper. This news is 6 years old. The company scrapes real news articles and rewrites them with an LLM, then republishes them for clicks. 3597170
Reposted by Jen HillyardPhilip Allfrey @drpda.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Today looking up details to correctly cite a scholar I found she's also made some art. #DHMakes This is Interference Pattern II by Frances Rothwell Hughes. She started each square when she had time to embroider and stopped when interrupted by her newborn www.francesrothwellhughes.com/interference... 110754
Reposted by Jen HillyardAnna Landre @annalandre.com · 22/09/2026My latest for @lbc.co.uk: If politicians want to reduce the PIP and wider benefits bill, they should make basic investments in accessible infrastructure and services ⬇️ 23820
Reposted by Jen HillyardARA SAM @araarchmus.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Our next training session is 'Mixed Collections: Balancing Conservation and Interpretation'. This online training, presented by freelance museum consultants Anita Hollinshead and Jim Grevatte, will be held on Tuesday, 6 October from 10:00 to 12:30. Register now: www.archives.org.uk/training-eve... 124
Reposted by Jen HillyardMarianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 19/12/2025More funny, readable kids books by non-despicable humans. #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #UKKidLit 383
Reposted by Jen HillyardSide @sidegallery.bsky.social · 17/09/2026🎬 Starting tomorrow and running all weekend: “Voices From Here” brings six decades of Amber Films to Durham Folk Festival. 📍 Redhills Durham Miners Hall 📅 18 to 20 Sept 🕐 1 to 4pm daily 🎟️ Free More info: sidegallery.co.uk/whats-on/... 068
Reposted by Jen HillyardDan O'Hara @skeuomorphology.bsky.social · 17/09/2026A more mixed picture in the North. Blackpool have just started to test properly again and I'm not surprised at what they've found. Lots of areas above the average across Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Tyneside, but it's not a uniform rise. 5/7 142
Reposted by Jen HillyardUniversity of Reading Special Collections @uorspeccoll.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Tag yourself- which schoolgirl cover is your #backtoschool mood? With the return to the classroom already in full swing, we’re highlighting some of the rare books from our Children’s Collection! 1103
Reposted by Jen HillyardNational Acquisitions Group (NAG) @uklibrariesnag.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Share your project at NAG Webinar Week! Call for submissions is open, no membership required. Running 9-13th November with flexible time slots to suit you. More info: nag.org.uk/nag-webinar-... 002
Reposted by Jen HillyardMass Observation Archive @massobsarchive.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Exciting news (well we think so)! We are looking for new people to regularly contribute to our archive! We accept applications from anyone based in the UK who has an interest in sending us their thoughts and opinions about life in the UK. #Skystorians massobs.org.uk/write-for-th...massobs.org.ukWrite for the archive - Mass Observation ArchiveWriting for Mass Observation You can apply to write for the archive here. Current Observers If you are one of our current Observers you may find our handbook for new Observers helpful. This has all th... 15762
Reposted by Jen HillyardThe Common Room @thecommonroomgn.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Tomorrow, Wednesday 16th September, join us for an informative tour of our historic building with our friendly guides – then pop into the lecture theatre at 1:30pm for a talk about the Blyth and Tyne Railway from local expert Les Turnbull. Part of Heritage Open Daya 2026. 021
Reposted by Jen HillyardOpen Book Collective @openbookcollective.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Academic librarians - how does your institution actually decide whether to fund collective, fee-free open access? What finally ends up moving the internal discussions from yes, or maybe to no? We're running a short, anonymous survey (10–15 mins) to find out. 📚forms.gleWhat made you say yes? OBC open access library support surveyAbout this survey This survey is run by the Open Book Collective - a charity registered in England and Wales (charity no. 1206287). For the purposes of data protection law, the Open Book Collective is... 01016
Reposted by Jen HillyardCatherine Fletcher @catherinefletcher.info · 13/09/2026Spent today in Orvieto, where underneath the famous frescoes I saw the basement where they dump bits that have fallen off the cathedral. Thread: 27414
Reposted by Jen HillyardSo Mayer @suchmayer.northsky.social · 13/09/2026I'm looking for a history of amplification, focus on pre WWII, wide ranging (microphones, tannoys, amps; not just guitar) & with both engineering and social aspects, ie the effects of amplified sound on early c20th global culture & politics... Not just a list of male inventors, not just US. 554
Reposted by Jen Hillyardwake up dead mang @mangmangmang.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Does anybody young want to get high and learn to sing in tune (??) 347
Reposted by Jen HillyardDan O'Hara @skeuomorphology.bsky.social · 10/09/2026In the North there are a lot of areas rising to around 6%, with higher rates on Tyneside, Teesside, and in Lancashire. A lot of areas showing in yellow as 0% - again, I'll remind you how to check these at the end of the thread. 5/7 131
Jen Hillyard @mininglibrarian.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Doing a quick impromptu tour earlier and she asked “have you worked here long?” I answered “2006” and her reply was “oh! I was born in 2006!” I feel old….. 4100
Reposted by Jen HillyardThe Common Room @thecommonroomgn.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Heritage Open Days: join us for a FREE talk at the launch of Les Turnbull's book, "The Return of the Blyth and Tyne”, that explores the 400-year history of line we now call the Northumberland Line. Also, join us for an informative tour of our historic building with our friendly guides (10am-3pm) 031
Reposted by Jen HillyardSt Albans Museums @stalbansmuseums.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Did you know you can request objects from our collection to go on display? Choose from over 65,000 objects: f.mtr.cool/lys7tnoaib #ObjectsOnDemand #StAlbans #StAlbansMuseums 054
Reposted by Jen HillyardCILIP Metadata & Discovery Group @cilipmdg.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Interested in practical implementations of #LinkedData in #Libraries ? Check out posts from the #BIBFRAME Workshop in Europe 2026 at #bfwe2026 www.bfwe.eu/barcelona_2026 #metadata #cataloguingbfwe.euBIBFRAME Workshop in EuropeThe aim of the BIBFRAME Workshop in Europe is to be a forum for sharing knowledge about the practice of, production with, and planning of BIBFRAME implementation. 023
Jen Hillyard @mininglibrarian.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Our online book customer today will be receiving a beautiful gold wrapped parcel thanks to the packaging from CXD! Wonder if they will be surprised…. Reduce, reuse and recycle! @thecommonroomgn.bsky.social 160
Reposted by Jen HillyardNational Acquisitions Group (NAG) @uklibrariesnag.bsky.social · 07/09/2026NAG Members Coffee and Chat: Money Money Money! Come chat about budgets, systems, procurement and any other financial questions with other NAG members in this free, unrecorded session: Thur 24th Sept, 10:30am nag.org.uk/event/chatse...nag.org.ukCoffee and Chat #13: Money, Money, Money! – National Acquisitions GroupSeminar and Forum open for booking now! 011
Reposted by Jen HillyardBrian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 22/07/2026I'll be at brand new Culture House Sunderland talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' on Sat Sept 19th, 1-2pm, in Northern Bookshelf Live Readers Day, @newwritingnorth.bsky.social. Book here: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/nor... 14910
Reposted by Jen HillyardSt Albans Museums @stalbansmuseums.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Why do mermaids fascinate us? Diane Purkiss (Professor of English Literature at Keble College, Oxford) dives into the myth and folklore of the mermaid, from the world of Homer to the present. Talk on 15 Oct, 7pm Tickets: f.mtr.cool/25qp1qfejd 052
Reposted by Jen HillyardReading Museum @readingmuseum.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Haven’t got tickets for the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum? Don’t worry you can visit Reading's full-size copy, faithfully embroidered by 35 women in 1885-86 (plus extra pants!) Or latest blog compares the two tapestries www.readingmuseum.org.uk/blog/comparing-bayeux-and-reading-tapestriesreadingmuseum.org.ukComparing the Bayeux and Reading tapestriesReading’s Bayeux Tapestry is a full-size copy of the original 11th century tapestry. It was created in 1885-1886 by 35 women of the Leek Embroidery Society 'so that England should have a copy of its o... 9282140
Jen Hillyard @mininglibrarian.bsky.social · 04/09/2026New physio exercises that require lying on the floor. Cue one very confused cat…. Can almost hear her saying “but what are you doing down there??” 050
Reposted by Jen HillyardAndrew Walsh @playbrarian.uk · 04/09/2026New Intro to Lego Serious Play workshop (online) just set up! Friday 11th December for anyone who is interested :) legodec2026.eventbrite.co.uklegodec2026.eventbrite.co.ukIntroduction to Lego Serious Play for Adult Training / Support. Dec. 2026A basic Introduction to using Lego Serious Play ideas in Adult Teaching / Support. Includes a pack of Lego to use in the training. 024
Reposted by Jen HillyardDr Beth @drbeth.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Bit of a weird ask - does anyone have copies of CILIP & RLUK conference programmes, with abstracts, from 2025 - 2022? (I already have CILIP 2025 bc that's still on the website) I'm contacting the orgs as well, but thought I'd check here in case any of you are hoarders 😉 016
Reposted by Jen HillyardDan O'Hara @skeuomorphology.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Where there are yellow areas showing 0% as on Tyneside and Teesside it's really worth checking the data. You can see here that Darlington is only missing the last 2 days of data, and was on 14.29% on Saturday. 6/8 121
Reposted by Jen HillyardDan O'Hara @skeuomorphology.bsky.social · 03/09/2026The PCR positivity map is out and positivity is up by just over a percentage point both in England and Scotland. These are the highest levels we've seen since November last year. The lull has been welcome, but it's over. jamestindall.info/skeuomorphol... 1/8 72316
Reposted by Jen HillyardMargaret Low @megjlow.bsky.social · 03/09/2026TurtleStitch Discovery Day @ Warwick 22nd September, 10:00-15:00 (drop in) Explore #TurtleStitch, where coding meets digital embroidery! A drop-in day with links to Computing, Maths, Art & Design, and cross‑curricular projects. Register: www.warwick.ac.uk/turtlestitch #WMGOutreach #TurtleStitch 0104
Reposted by Jen HillyardAndrew Curry @andrewcurry.com · 02/09/2026Ancient parchments, covered in ancient disease DNA! Researchers led by @ucddublin.bsky.social's @gingerhowley.bsky.social recover the genes of a deadly animal pathogen from medieval manuscripts. @science.orgscience.orgAncient sheep virus found hiding in medieval parchmentNewly recovered sheeppox sequences reveal when and how the virus emerged 615559
Reposted by Jen HillyardDerbyshire Record Office @derbyshiredro.bsky.social · 03/09/2026This photograph shows why all archives are wary of silverfish, which thrive in damp conditions: most of the image has been devoured, leaving only the linked arms of this - presumably - bride and groom. #EYAErased 0259
Reposted by Jen HillyardRobin Bradford @tuphlos.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Hey library staff: Do any of your libraries cap the number of copies of ebooks/eaudiobooks that you buy? 2923
Reposted by Jen HillyardCRASSH @crasshlive.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Join us for 'From Skin to Script', a hands-on workshop in traditional parchment-making – one of the UK's most critically endangered crafts Explore how living craft knowledge affects how we understand medieval manuscripts 29 Sep - 1 Oct 2026 bit.ly/4gcqbRn (limited places) 03520
Reposted by Jen HillyardFrances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Disabled people in England are being blocked from travelling abroad because of care funding refusals. A “postcode lottery” is leaving some without a holiday for years or forced to turn down work overseas. My exclusive with @patrickjbutler.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...theguardian.com‘I want to live’: the disabled people unable to go abroad because of care funding refusalCampaigners say care users face a postcode lottery for support overseas – despite no extra cost to taxpayer 48747
Reposted by Jen HillyardCaroline Ball @heroicendeavour.eurosky.social · 01/09/2026Call for speakers! We are looking for speakers for the @nlisn.bsky.social event 'Intersections: Identity, Neurodivergence & Library/Information Work', in-person at City St George's, London, 21 Oct 2026. Deadline for submissions is 22 Sept, link below. First-time speakers especially welcome! 📚forms.gleIntersections: Identity, Neurodivergence, and Library & Information Work - Call for SpeakersWe are inviting proposals for contributions to an in-person one-day event exploring intersectionality and neurodivergence in library and information work, taking place at City St George's University i... 01114
Reposted by Jen HillyardThe Wiener Holocaust Library @wienerlibrary.bsky.social · 01/09/2026📣 Work with us! We are seeking an experienced Digitisation Officer to join our Collections Team and support our Digital Transformation Project. The role is advertised on a part-time, permanent basis. Find out more and apply: buff.ly/zV98PS8 079
Reposted by Jen HillyardCatalyst Museum @catalystarchives.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Not long now! Heritage Open Days are approaching (19 and 20 Sept - Sat and Sun). This is the first batch of ICI Weston Point Studios negatives that have been chosen for display. Only 360 images of Apprentices and general headshots! Come and see they displays - free entry 10-4 each day. 012
Reposted by Jen HillyardMuseum of Transport Greater Manchester @motgm.uk · 31/08/2026When's the last time you left the car and caught a Bee Network bus instead? September is #CatchTheBus month, give it a go - with £2 fares, you can just watch the world go by. And why not use the bus to come and visit us? We're opening FREE on 12/13 & 19/20 Sept, come and see how buses have improved. 021
Reposted by Jen HillyardDr Beth @drbeth.bsky.social · 31/08/2026A call out to the network - I really like to talk to someone who has worked in prison libraries & has experience of providing LGBTQ+ books in that sector. Is this you? Or do you know someone who I could talk to? 52245
Reposted by Jen HillyardDan O'Hara @skeuomorphology.bsky.social · 27/08/2026The PCR positivity map is out. Unfortunately we're still waiting for the Scottish data, so here's an update for England only, where positivity has nudged up again. I'll add Scots data when we get it. jamestindall.info/skeuomorphol... 1/8 31610
Reposted by Jen HillyardBig Green Books @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 26/08/2026It's #buyastrangerabook day! In celebration of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, @apcrft.bsky.social very kindly sent me £20 to buy someone the book of their choice. So, if there's a particular book you're after, just ask! UK only 12210
Reposted by Jen HillyardBig Green Books @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 26/08/2026More #buyastrangerabook loveliness, still unclaimed! In honour of Dolly's most fantastic imagination library, @helenliz.bsky.social will buy any kids book (one per kid), that you'd like. Check out the offer and get in touch if there's a particular book you're after. UK only. 21213