@ruthburns.bsky.social
Library person, bibliovore, retro gamer, goth, sporadic crafter
Pinned
💙📚 31 book December challenge. This time I've wrapped the books so it's more of a mystery what's coming next. I started reading on the 1st Dec, and am currently reading book seven, so have a comfortable margin at the moment- it isn't one book per day- so shall start posting them.
Having reached the aftermath of my book challenge I have a few reflections on how it has gone.
Reposted
Obviously this government are wantonly reckless and idiotic and their treatment of universities, and see this as a disciplining of an out of touch elite.
But what all of this unwillingness to intervene means is that a critical industry will collapse and a lot of ordinary people will be unemployed.
But what all of this unwillingness to intervene means is that a critical industry will collapse and a lot of ordinary people will be unemployed.
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
November 25, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Obviously this government are wantonly reckless and idiotic and their treatment of universities, and see this as a disciplining of an out of touch elite.
But what all of this unwillingness to intervene means is that a critical industry will collapse and a lot of ordinary people will be unemployed.
But what all of this unwillingness to intervene means is that a critical industry will collapse and a lot of ordinary people will be unemployed.
Reposted
Are you a PhD student & interested in using museum collections in your teaching or research?
We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections.
Find out more:
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections.
Find out more:
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
November 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Are you a PhD student & interested in using museum collections in your teaching or research?
We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections.
Find out more:
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections.
Find out more:
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
Reposted
An Important Information Film. Please share widely so that more people receive the information.
Tickets: www.mickperrin.com/tours/alasdair-beckett-king-king-of-crumbs
Tickets: www.mickperrin.com/tours/alasdair-beckett-king-king-of-crumbs
November 21, 2025 at 12:18 PM
An Important Information Film. Please share widely so that more people receive the information.
Tickets: www.mickperrin.com/tours/alasdair-beckett-king-king-of-crumbs
Tickets: www.mickperrin.com/tours/alasdair-beckett-king-king-of-crumbs
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And the recording of the #NAGWebinarWeek presentation on #Metadata in #Partnership is now available! nag.org.uk/development/...
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
And the recording of the #NAGWebinarWeek presentation on #Metadata in #Partnership is now available! nag.org.uk/development/...
Reposted
(This is the temperature after 3 minutes, it started at 21 degrees for all of the insulation materials.)
June 15, 2025 at 6:13 PM
(This is the temperature after 3 minutes, it started at 21 degrees for all of the insulation materials.)
Reposted
I make each of my flower necklaces by casting real flowers in silver incl snowdrop & bluebells.
I also hand-sculpt much-loved bird species to make wearable versions incl wrens & blackbirds
20% off my jewellery atm with code TINYOWL20
Cut off day for🌲orders is Tue 25 Nov: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
I also hand-sculpt much-loved bird species to make wearable versions incl wrens & blackbirds
20% off my jewellery atm with code TINYOWL20
Cut off day for🌲orders is Tue 25 Nov: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
November 23, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I make each of my flower necklaces by casting real flowers in silver incl snowdrop & bluebells.
I also hand-sculpt much-loved bird species to make wearable versions incl wrens & blackbirds
20% off my jewellery atm with code TINYOWL20
Cut off day for🌲orders is Tue 25 Nov: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
I also hand-sculpt much-loved bird species to make wearable versions incl wrens & blackbirds
20% off my jewellery atm with code TINYOWL20
Cut off day for🌲orders is Tue 25 Nov: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
Grey skies and motivational graffiti along the Huddersfield Narrow canal.
November 22, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Grey skies and motivational graffiti along the Huddersfield Narrow canal.
Reposted
A cat enjoying the view of stars being born 🌌
November 21, 2025 at 11:45 PM
A cat enjoying the view of stars being born 🌌
Reposted
I've written up the findings from our work with people and organisations who have used AI notetakers in meetings, identified 9 risks and a bunch of mitigation strategies. www.careful.industries/blog/2025-11...
Nine risks caused by AI notetakers — Careful Industries
AI transcription tools are not currently mature or reliable enough to be regarded as an always on, single-source of truth for meeting notes. Nine common risks, and six possible mitigations.
www.careful.industries
November 21, 2025 at 7:09 AM
I've written up the findings from our work with people and organisations who have used AI notetakers in meetings, identified 9 risks and a bunch of mitigation strategies. www.careful.industries/blog/2025-11...
Reposted
thanks! The text of the defense along with the slide deck for the defense can be found here: www.byanyothernerd.com/2024/12/the-...
The PhD Chronicles: The Defense Text
Thoughts on books, audiobooks, comics, running, higher education, teaching, pop culture, open access, & artificial intelligence from Lance Eaton
www.byanyothernerd.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
thanks! The text of the defense along with the slide deck for the defense can be found here: www.byanyothernerd.com/2024/12/the-...
Reposted
Teaching in Semester 2?
Update your taught course recommendations in Reading Lists Online as soon as possible. Remember always click ‘Submit changes to the Library'
https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/services/teaching-services/reading-lists/preparing-course-materials
Update your taught course recommendations in Reading Lists Online as soon as possible. Remember always click ‘Submit changes to the Library'
https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/services/teaching-services/reading-lists/preparing-course-materials
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Teaching in Semester 2?
Update your taught course recommendations in Reading Lists Online as soon as possible. Remember always click ‘Submit changes to the Library'
https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/services/teaching-services/reading-lists/preparing-course-materials
Update your taught course recommendations in Reading Lists Online as soon as possible. Remember always click ‘Submit changes to the Library'
https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/services/teaching-services/reading-lists/preparing-course-materials
Reposted
When people say that Wuthering Heights doesn't have anything to do with race or that no film has engaged with race, what they mean is that for them Romani people do not count and they also haven't been paying attention. I'm going to share a little material from a recent talk. Content note: racism 1/
November 14, 2025 at 1:31 AM
When people say that Wuthering Heights doesn't have anything to do with race or that no film has engaged with race, what they mean is that for them Romani people do not count and they also haven't been paying attention. I'm going to share a little material from a recent talk. Content note: racism 1/
Reposted
This goes for scholars too. I've had conferences try to get me to agree that they can record and resell my presentation forever and that the materials now belong to them
The Medical Library Association contracts are the worst I've ever rejected 📚(and yes I've told them that, I tried multiple times)
The Medical Library Association contracts are the worst I've ever rejected 📚(and yes I've told them that, I tried multiple times)
When you are a new creator, whether in prose, comics, or other media, it can be very tempting to agree to every convention or other event that you're asked to do. Exposure is great, right? And it's wonderful to be wanted.
November 13, 2025 at 1:17 AM
This goes for scholars too. I've had conferences try to get me to agree that they can record and resell my presentation forever and that the materials now belong to them
The Medical Library Association contracts are the worst I've ever rejected 📚(and yes I've told them that, I tried multiple times)
The Medical Library Association contracts are the worst I've ever rejected 📚(and yes I've told them that, I tried multiple times)
Reposted
This week's ALN Staff Development Weekly Update is now available. Lots to look at including a last opportunity to join the first Frontline Forum of the academic year, this time on use of social media, and a last call for contributions on a green OA event: academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/staff-develo...
November 12, 2025 at 12:42 PM
This week's ALN Staff Development Weekly Update is now available. Lots to look at including a last opportunity to join the first Frontline Forum of the academic year, this time on use of social media, and a last call for contributions on a green OA event: academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/staff-develo...
Reposted
This week's ALN Staff Development Weekly Update is available at academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/staff-develo.... More job opportunities in the region this week, plus details of how to become a mentee on our next mentoring wave, a call for contributions on green OA and some interesting events.
Staff Development - Academic Libraries North
Our Staff Development Offer Infographic summarises all the great staff development stuff we do to support our member institutions.
academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
This week's ALN Staff Development Weekly Update is available at academiclibrariesnorth.ac.uk/staff-develo.... More job opportunities in the region this week, plus details of how to become a mentee on our next mentoring wave, a call for contributions on green OA and some interesting events.
Reposted
My latest article, out now in Katina Magazine: 'How Fanfiction Can Help Us Reimagine Scholarly Publishing'
Basically: what if the next big idea for open access came from @archiveofourown.org instead of Els*vi*r? 👀 There's a thought...
Read here → katinamagazine.org/content/arti...
Basically: what if the next big idea for open access came from @archiveofourown.org instead of Els*vi*r? 👀 There's a thought...
Read here → katinamagazine.org/content/arti...
October 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM
My latest article, out now in Katina Magazine: 'How Fanfiction Can Help Us Reimagine Scholarly Publishing'
Basically: what if the next big idea for open access came from @archiveofourown.org instead of Els*vi*r? 👀 There's a thought...
Read here → katinamagazine.org/content/arti...
Basically: what if the next big idea for open access came from @archiveofourown.org instead of Els*vi*r? 👀 There's a thought...
Read here → katinamagazine.org/content/arti...
Yesterday's brief canal walk after the Standedge tunnel trip. The tunnel gate has a design of metal legs going from centre up to the arch of the tunnel to represent the leggers who used to propel boats through pre-electric engines.
October 26, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Yesterday's brief canal walk after the Standedge tunnel trip. The tunnel gate has a design of metal legs going from centre up to the arch of the tunnel to represent the leggers who used to propel boats through pre-electric engines.
Reposted
All hail Sir Gaslightalot!
"Have you tried simply not being seriously unwell?"
#MECFS #pwME #LongCovid #MedicalGaslighting #Spoonies #MEDeliveryPlan #TheGreatestMEdicalScandal
"Have you tried simply not being seriously unwell?"
#MECFS #pwME #LongCovid #MedicalGaslighting #Spoonies #MEDeliveryPlan #TheGreatestMEdicalScandal
July 21, 2025 at 7:31 AM
All hail Sir Gaslightalot!
"Have you tried simply not being seriously unwell?"
#MECFS #pwME #LongCovid #MedicalGaslighting #Spoonies #MEDeliveryPlan #TheGreatestMEdicalScandal
"Have you tried simply not being seriously unwell?"
#MECFS #pwME #LongCovid #MedicalGaslighting #Spoonies #MEDeliveryPlan #TheGreatestMEdicalScandal
I was up stupidly early for me this morning and it was an absolutely beautiful day to go spend two hours underground. 1/8
October 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I was up stupidly early for me this morning and it was an absolutely beautiful day to go spend two hours underground. 1/8
Reposted
Interesting post on the CILIP website: 'AI Wars - The Libraries Fight Back' www.cilip.org.uk/news/712840/...
Timed for Green Libraries Week, which is examining the environmental impact of AI www.cilip.org.uk/page/GreenLi...
#AI4LAM #GreenLibrariesWeek
Timed for Green Libraries Week, which is examining the environmental impact of AI www.cilip.org.uk/page/GreenLi...
#AI4LAM #GreenLibrariesWeek
AI Wars - The Libraries Fight Back
Open Fifth explains how library management systems are fending off the AI bot attacks… for now.
www.cilip.org.uk
October 22, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Interesting post on the CILIP website: 'AI Wars - The Libraries Fight Back' www.cilip.org.uk/news/712840/...
Timed for Green Libraries Week, which is examining the environmental impact of AI www.cilip.org.uk/page/GreenLi...
#AI4LAM #GreenLibrariesWeek
Timed for Green Libraries Week, which is examining the environmental impact of AI www.cilip.org.uk/page/GreenLi...
#AI4LAM #GreenLibrariesWeek
Reposted
In Mexico, blackouts caused by data centers destroyed people's refrigerators and oxygen equipment in hospitals, and water shortages meant toilets couldn't flush in schools.
AI is another version of colonial extraction.
AI is another version of colonial extraction.
“By 2035, data centers globally are projected to use about as much electricity as India…according to the International Energy Agency. A single data center can also use more than 500,000 gallons of water a day, nearly as much as an Olympic-size swimming pool.”
🎁:
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/t...
🎁:
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/t...
From Mexico to Ireland, Fury Mounts Over a Global A.I. Frenzy
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:49 PM
In Mexico, blackouts caused by data centers destroyed people's refrigerators and oxygen equipment in hospitals, and water shortages meant toilets couldn't flush in schools.
AI is another version of colonial extraction.
AI is another version of colonial extraction.
Reposted
![1
Nurse:
It’s become a real problem in this area
2
Nurse:
We’ve seen the whole community lost to addiction
3
Show a building sign posted:
Westminster ‘X’ Addiction Clinic
With various Westminster people or looking at their phones outside it
Nurse:
Ministers, Spads, Researchers…
4
Nurse:
Most mornings we’ll get a call about someone acting strangely
[Nurse on phone taking a call]
Ok - we’ll be right over
5
Nurse:
We just have a gentle chat
[Nurses approach a minister –Robert Jenrick? - standing in the Palace of Westminster
Minister:
I understand your concerns…
6
Nurse:
Are you OK love?
Minister:
Yes I’m just hearing legitimate concerns from real voters
7
Nurse:
That’s a robot, a Nazi and a poorly-disguised Russian
[Show that the people he is talking to are precisely these characters]
Nurse 2:
Give us your phone, love
8
Nurse:
At the clinic we put them in a Grass-Touching Pod, with a real voter to talk to
[We see them back at the clinic, holding the minister's head and pushing him into a glass isolation booth with a grass floor. And it is a baffled looking woman, on a chair, ready to talk to him.]
9
Minister:
YOU MUST BE WORRIED ABOUT THE COMING CIVIL WAR
[woman looks baffled]
10
woman:
I just want a bus service
Minister:
LOOK AT MY FLAG
[produces a St George's flag]
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreicahofq6s4xow7vowj7dx6odw6ejdwr4kwcmzta7qwi4hg2nvywji@jpeg)
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This is a welly good dog.
October 19, 2025 at 7:21 AM
This is a welly good dog.
Reposted
oooh. Bookmarking this! "How to turn off AI tools in Apple, Google, Microsoft, and more." Step-by-step instructions from Consumer Reports.
How to Turn Off AI Tools Like Gemini, Apple Intelligence, Copilot, and More via @ConsumerReports
AI features are crowding into Google search, Gmail, iPhones, Windows laptops, and other products. If you're suffering from AI overload, these settings can help.
www.consumerreports.org
October 15, 2025 at 8:53 PM
oooh. Bookmarking this! "How to turn off AI tools in Apple, Google, Microsoft, and more." Step-by-step instructions from Consumer Reports.
Reposted
I was pleased to see this news story shared by my institution to promote the work we have been doing to expand our access to digital archival collections: www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/n...
New collections: widening the range of our digital archives
Significant developments include the completion of a number of online portfolios, notably the high-quality reference material of the Oxford Research Encyclopaedia series and the wide-ranging Global Is...
www.manchester.ac.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I was pleased to see this news story shared by my institution to promote the work we have been doing to expand our access to digital archival collections: www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/n...