Jo Fitzpatrick

Hi BlueSky friends - what's it like when your kids are all in high school? We're entering the last half of year 6 with our youngest and my school run days are nearly over. We have nice memories but as a family we're ready for it. How does family and working life change when you've got teenagers?

Thankyou! I will check it out.

Apprenticeships in book publishing matter more than ever Publishing needs to ditch old assumptions and embrace the power of apprenticeships, says writer and communications leader Elinor Potts

"Studying for an apprenticeship breaks down siloes and widens the perspective to a broader marketplace of ideas and ways of working."

@elinorpotts.bsky.social writes on the value of apprenticeships in book publishing for @thebookseller.com

✅ Read more here: www.thebookseller.com/comment/appr...

Librarian version: someone gets the biggest book and slams it shut very strongly when your time is up, and then does an UBER SHUSH immediately after. You know the kind of shush I mean, don't pretend you don't.

Please let me name my open browser windows. I have one window per project and a great many tabs in each one. I need to name them pleeeease.

So long, and thanks for all the Researchfish - LSE Impact Rob Johnson reflects on the demise of a platform that united the UK research community in one thing: complaining about it.

👀ICYMI: "We’re losing one of the few sources of comparable cross-funder data just as we’re building up the capability to analyse and interpret it."

@rschrobuk.bsky.social #Metascience #ResearchFunding #ResearchFish

My new book chapter is released today, it's open access books.atla.com/atlapress/ca...

Two women with long hair posing separately in front of bookshelves filled with various books in a library or bookstore setting.

It's National Apprenticeship Week and it's been a great year for apprenticeships in the library and archive sectors. Our apprentices have been telling us about their amazing success over the last year. Read their stories here. #NAW2026 https://ow.ly/JIs450Yc8gQ

Hi, I'm looking for recommendations for training providers for a Level 5 qualification in coaching, or coaching and mentoring. I'm looking for something quite general so I can apply coaching across different areas of my life. Any organisations you've had a good experience with, please let me know.

In Memoriam: Rae Beth (1951-2025) — The Occult Library It is with great sadness that the Occult Library recognizes the passing of best-loved witchcraft author Rae Beth. Our staff sends our deepest condolences to Rae’s friends, family, and colleagues. Rae...

Rest well Rae Beth (I am a bit late learning the news) www.occultlibrary.org/blog/in-memo...

📢 PSA: in person ticket sales for #CopimConference close in less than a week!

This is your chance to join the people and projects shaping the future of equitable, community-driven #OA book publishing 📚

👉 Full programme, additional information & registration link buff.ly/EjHKpeJ

#OpenAccess

Snowdrops on a forest floor with trees and a sunrise in the background

Painting of a woman looking down wearing a dark cloak, her hair is red and becomes flames streaming out behind her

A Brid's cross, a Brid doll, a lamb and some snowdrops laid out flat on a white background

May your suffering be the anvil on which you are forged. May the fire in your belly become uncontained. May you perceive the colour Magenta, that links the previous cycle with the new. #Imbolc

Highlights from Day 2 of #CopimConference programme are over on our LinkedIn page!

Head over there now to find out more!

👉 www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Photo: Jake Hills via Unsplash

Conference We’re launching our first two day conference in 2026 with our call for papers and booking site, both opening 19th Jan 2026 (see below) NLISN Conference, 16th & 17th July 2026.  St Ge…

More information on our website! Please spread the word to anyone you think may be interested.
nlisn.org/conference/

NLISN Conference Our first 2 day conference for neurodivergent library and information workers, held in person in Leeds, UK. 16th/17th July 2026.

We've also opened up for early bookings! Thursday 16th July for just ND people, everyone welcome Friday 17th July. We'll be in central Leeds for the conference. nlisnconf2026.eventbrite.com?aff=BSKY

NLISN conference 2026 call for contributions For the conference 16th / 17th July 2026 in Leeds. Form closes 2nd April 2026 at midnight. If more than one speaker is named, we will only contact the "primary" speaker whose contact details are asked...

Call for contributions for the first NLISN conference is open. We welcome anything related to neurodivergence and library, information, or archive work as short talks, longer talks, workshops or wildcard submissions.
Please submit your ideas via our form by 2nd April 2026.
forms.gle/y5SsGXZ4to2P...

The date for our next event is the 25th Feb, so you've got plenty of time to get it booked😉

'The experiences of neurodivergent professionals in academic libraries'
Join Claire Camp (Kings college) discussing her research⬇️
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-experi...

#Library
#Neurodiversity
#Employment
#HE

Want to know more about the #CopimConference programme?

Details of Day One are over on our LinkedIn page

Check it out now 👀 buff.ly/pe3QHsc

Photo: Jon Schnobri via Unsplash

I am VERY excited to be chairing the Accessibility panel at Copim Conference, where I will ask 2 accessibility experts exactly what they think of our guidance. Prepare for me to get roasted live on stage!

I'm speaking at the Copim Conference graphic 3:15pm 26th Feb 2026

Yes I will be talking about witch stuff and some of my witch mateys will be there, probably with some embarrassing awkward questions said just to show me up.

Libraries of Faith: Theological Libraries for Alternative Spiritualities Join us online for the first in our series hearing stories exploring libraries of faith.

I'm speaking next Monday at this Libraries of Faith webinar, about Libraries for Alternative Spiritualities, sharing extra context about a book chapter I wrote for the ABTAPL/ATLA book 'Theological Libraries in the UK and Ireland' www.eventbrite.com/e/libraries-...

Sponsored places for the Copim Conference 2026 - Copim Copim is offering a minimum of three sponsored places to this year’s conference ‘Exploring the future of community-led open access books’. Find out more in th…

Do you work in a UK HE library? Are you early-career? Would you like a sponsored place to attend the Copim Conference at the end of February?

Find out how to apply for these sponsored places, which are offered in memory of our beloved friend and colleague, Elaine Sykes: buff.ly/sbU2eRP

#OAbooks

Greater Feast of George Fox, died January 13, 1691 at White Hart Court, Gracechurch Street, City of London, England hermetic.com/hermene... #calendar #historic #OTD #OnThisDay

Apprenticeship surveys These surveys invite you to comment on in-development apprenticeship materials submitted by trailblazer groups.

The new version of the level 3 Library, information and Archive Services Assistant apprenticeship standard has been reviewed and is now out for consultation with the public. The closing date is 25th January 2026.

skillsengland.education.gov.uk/surveys/

FAREWELL TO A GREAT LADY DOLORES ASHCROFT- NOWICKI - 11 June 1929 - 8 January 2026

Rest well Dolores Ashcroft Nowicki substack.com/home/post/p-...

To all of you who received a book from me as a Christmas gift, they are due back at the library January 14th.

I've been doing this every year for a while now.

Sunrise through the trees, lots of snow

A greetings card with a waxing crescent moon and the text 'Happy Winter Solstice'

May you perceive the small speck of light that only exists because of the darkness. May your demons slumber like a hibernating Bear, allowing you to rest too. May you see the beauty of all the seasons, including this one. #wintersolstice #yule