Author Archives: Frank Norman

About Frank Norman

I am a retired librarian. I spent 40 years working in biomedical research libraries.

Synthetic ethics

Posted on August 18, 2009 by Frank Norman

Talking of new topics emerging , synthetic biology seems to be popping up all over the place these days. OK, it’s not exactly new any more but I keep seeing announcements from quasi-official bodies indicating an interest in looking at … Continue reading →

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Youth and experience

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Frank Norman

One of the good things about growing older is that you get to bully patronise mentor those who are younger and/or less experienced. One of my staff, who I mentored through the process of becoming a chartered member of CILIP, … Continue reading →

Posted in Libraries and librarians, Mentoring | Comments Off on Youth and experience

Old originals

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Frank Norman

I’ve commented before that librarians are great sharers and networkers. For those of working in small libraries the chance to get out and meet fellow practitioners is always valuable. I meet up with other MRC Librarians twice a year, most … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Libraries and librarians | 3 Comments

Policy and evidence – they’re all at it

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Frank Norman

I’m always intrigued by the way that new topics emerge, and suddenly everyone is talking about something that previously no-one was talking about. That’s the sign that we need a new library classmark or indexing term or a new journal … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Science in the city (again)

Posted on July 23, 2009 by Frank Norman

I wrote previously about a visit to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. I recently visited again, this time to sing Tippett’s Child of Our Time and the (very fantastic) Berlioz Te Deum, in the rather attractive Sage concert hall. This is just next to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Research (information) for life (sciences)

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Frank Norman

The name Research4Life sounds to me like a funding agency programme, with a twist of textspeak thrown in to make it cool. In fact it is simply a rebranding exercise for HINARI, AGORA and OARE. On balance I think I … Continue reading →

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Music inspires

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Frank Norman

I took part in a concert yesterday, singing (with 140 other choir members) Faure’s Requiem and Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony in the Barbican Hall in London. I have mixed feelings about the Sea Symphony – it has some great moments … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

I’m a conference twit

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Frank Norman

I’ve been intertwittently tweeting for a little while. I haven’t yet got into a regular habit but it has increased since I got a phone with a good internet connection two months ago. I know there is some hatred of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Science in the city

Posted on June 21, 2009 by Frank Norman

Following on from my Parks theme yesterday, I had a lovely stroll in the park today. I think it just about qualifies as a park, but it’s a long thin one, based around a small stream. Jesmond Dene is just … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

The beauty of parks

Posted on June 20, 2009 by Frank Norman

There is a lovely essay on Parks in the Guardian today. I say Parks rather than parks as the author takes a very strict line on what is or isn’t a Park, proposing five criteria that must e met in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments