Darren Flynn (he/him/his)

a man in a striped shirt is talking to another man in front of an lg refrigerator Alt: the bit off Arrested Development where George Michael says "I'm Mr Manager Now" and Michael says "we just say manager".

First day as a manager today. What was the best thing a manager ever did for you?

The question of how to do recruitment in a fair and ethical way in the context of a brutal job market is really really difficult to resolve. The problem is only getting worse in UK academia, and it feels like institutions aren't taking it seriously.

Fair Library Jobs - Trauma Informed Recruitment Originally published 21 November 2023, by Darren Flynn It is a non-controversial observation to acknowledge the recruitment process is often a fraught and stressful experience for many applicants. It ...

The focus is libraries, but I once again recommend @patchedelbows.bsky.social on trauma-informed recruitment "the process of looking and applying for jobs can cause applicants to experience or re-experience trauma"
sites.google.com/view/fairlib...

I have returned 3 books to the library and taken out 6 more.

This is the correct way.

And there are nerds in here playing Dungeons and Dragons.

It may just be the most perfect place on earth.

#libraries

If you are allowing bookings without any access controls, then ensure your platform's settings are locked down so only hosts/co-hosts can screen-share, and be prepared to delete content from the chat if necessary. You could also state some good faith rules at the start of any event.

I asked my partner for a basic mountaineering course in the Lakes for my bday a couple of years ago. 2 days long and it was ace!

Reform-run council says free library scheme for refugees ‘is not value for money’ Party withdraws all Lancashire libraries from City of Sanctuary UK programme that supports new arrivals to UK

Libraries should be for everyone. That's why our Library of Sanctuary scheme is totally free. We do this work on a shoestring so no library ever has to think twice about joining...

Please help us support even more libraries 👉 www.justgiving.com/charity/city...

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Episode 12: Autistic Librarians in Academic Library Workplaces (with Amelia Haire)

New episode alert!
I had the absolute joy of joining Chatting Info Lit and to talk about my dissertation: what I researched, what surprised me, and how it still shapes the way I think about information literacy today.

🎧 Episode link: open.spotify.com/episode/79bD...

I'm Information Literate because...

"I don't believe what I read online" (replaces skepticism with cynicism)
"I cite all my sources" (citation ≠ ethical use)
"I provide evidence for claims" (doesn't make a claim for relevance/quality of evidence)
"I avoid bias" (avoid < acknowledgement)

The image is a white background with gold triangles in three corners, the bottom right corner has the logo for the Information Literacy Award. The logo is all text in gold with the letters iLA in a large font with a thin line below it. Underneath this line it says Information Literacy Award in block capital letters. The black text on the white background says "Winning the Information Literacy Award has been a significant highlight in my professional career. On a personal level, the award has given me visibility within the sector, strengthened my confidence, and provided a powerful reminder of the difference collective work can make." Rebecca Mogg, Library Education Lead, Cardiff University (Winner in 2025).

There’s just a few days to make your nomination for the 2026 Information Literacy Award.

Nomination for the #infolit award close on Monday 16 Feb (17:00 GMT). Don’t forget - individuals & teams can self-nominate or nominate others. Nominate via our website. buff.ly/RC43zzP

Unless said bus driver has done something bad like not being patient with an elder or cutting off a cyclist. Then I will withhold my normal "cheers!" and they will sit and stew in my cold fury for the rest of the day! 🙃

They're programmed as Filler (Darren) sessions

Wait, what??

We are currently searching for one expert by experience: either with lived experience of, or of experience of working with conversion practice survivors. This opportunity can be paid or on a volunteer basis. Due to the potentially distressing nature of the topic, please consider this before applying and reach out with any questions. Role specification: - Co-facilitating two workshops for creative outlets with participants. - Attending at least 4 meetings across an 18 month period. - Within these meetings you will play a part in shaping the research, and materials with our largely LGBTQ+ research team. Location : - Predominantly online - 1/2 workshops will be in person, with travel reimbursed and a venue decided based on participant convenience. - 2nd workshop will be online. This research study aims to centre the voices of conversion practice and change effort survivors, this research is queer, trans-led, survivor-led and trauma-informed.

Non-binary and survivor-led researchers from the University of Hertfordshire are looking for an expert by experience to join our participatory action research project looking at the strengths of LGBTQIA+ survivors of conversion practices.

#TransResearch #ResearchSurvey #LGBTQResearch

Episode 11: LILAC Learning Sets (with Laura Woods)

I did a podcast! I'm on the @infolitgroup.bsky.social New Professionals' podcast, Chatting Info Lit, talking about the new Learning Sets programme we're creating for @lilacconf.bsky.social 🙂

soundcloud.com/chatting-inf...

I grew up in Stoke in a terraced house so it was front door only. I think all friends and family in a semi used the side or backdoor though*
Now, I live in an old but semi and use the side or back door almost exclusively.
*Generally with a cursory knock before letting yourself in and shouting.

A photo of a smiling woman in a white top with wavy blonde hair, set against a background of lined paper with the text "Caroline Ball" above the photo and "Keynote speaker at the in person day of the ALN conference 2026, 6th July" in black text on a beige text box at the bottom right of the image.

📢We're delighted to announce Caroline Ball @heroicendeavour.bsky.social as our keynote for the in person day of #ALN2026

Snip from original image showing Brainiac (?) and Lex Luther (?) looking cunty

Why do I feel like they've seen me from across the bar and dog my vibe? 🤭

Peter-Boo!

#mikeleighhorror

A 50 euro note in a jeans pocket and the text: #ASL2026 student/unemployed tickets

Calling all LIS students and unemployed library sector workers! Don't miss out on our discounted €50 tickets for #ASL2026 on 24th March in @ria.ie, Dublin. Join us for networking opportunities, insights into library innovations and best practices and more. Register at aslibraries.ie/asl-conferen...

Happy to share that our second CfP for #CALC26 is open 🥳

This is an open call so we accept proposals from any interested presenters. If you/your library have anything to share relating to critical library practice, we want to hear about it!

⏰Deadline: 6th Feb 2026
sites.google.com/view/calccon...

LILAC LILAC is an annual conference covering all aspects of information literacy and is a firm favourite in the calendar of information professionals. The conference is brimming with new ideas, innovative…

The @infolitgroup.bsky.social & @ucl.ac.uk Department of Information Studies are proud to announce the return of the Information Literacy Award at #LILAC26 The award is open to all practitioners, researchers & academics working in #infolit in the UK. Nominations close 6 Feb (17:00 GMT).

LILAC LILAC is an annual conference covering all aspects of information literacy and is a firm favourite in the calendar of information professionals. The conference is brimming with new ideas, innovative…

Applications are now open for the Rowena Macrae-Gibson Student Award, which provides a sponsored place at #LILAC26 for two students registered on a UK study programme in information/library studies or #infolit. Closing date 6 Feb (17:00 GMT).

Bugatti Jackie Leather Finish Kettle Blue Capacity 1.2 litres,18/10 stainless steel with leather finish,Tritan handle

Kettle that looks like your nan's best handbag, only £690!

www.hartsofstur.com/bugatti-jack...

Folks of Bluesky, thank you for the enthusiastic response this post got on here.

As of now, we have the board members we need to launch. After the Board has their first official meeting, they will decide the size of the Board and return to the applications for additional members if necessary. 📚

A couple of things I am proud of this year 1) this post for Fair Library Jobs on pay
sites.google.com/view/fairlib... 2) adapting this leaflet from QM UCU for the UoN strikes uonucu.org/wp-content/u...

It's deeply *deeply* unlikely we want your donations so retain some class when we politely decline or immediately chuck them. If you and nobody you know wanted them then other patrons probably won't either. And also randomly showing up/sending them/dumping them is a crappy and disrespectful move 🤬

New pathological fear unlocked. I'm never truly safe 🪿

🚨 Last day to submit a session proposal for our first stage CfP 🚨
⏳
#CritLib #LibrarySky #Skybrarians #CALC26