I'm on holiday this week so I'm only going to look at two of the tools (I can hear you asking 'why are you doing this if you are on holiday?' well it's either this or paint the radiator in the kitchen!)
Google Docs - For some reason I thought this was going to be a bit complicated. I thought it was going to look different to Microsoft and that I'd have to find my way around an unfamiliar screen but it was actually very easy and did look like the applications I use at work.
I created their equivalent of a Word document, sent it to a colleague at work and gave them permission to edit it. I think this sort of tool is useful for groups that don't share a computer network at work/home. I work closely with my mentees and we send files by email but I think I might try this in future as some of the files get rather large. It's good because the other person can edit it and so you have a master document.
I'm assuming that my document is now 'in the cloud'. There's a lot of talk about the 'cloud' and despite all the good things about it - such as not needing a USB stick anymore - I fear it's just going to be a new way to make money from broadband customers. I imagine that soon someone will start charging me for my bit of the cloud.
Wikis - I like wikis. I use a wiki at work so that our new first year students can book themselves onto a library workshop. We used to do this using bits of paper at the enquiry desk and we always had students who wanted to be with their friend and who would change their mind about which slot they wanted to attend - let's just say there was a lot of crossing out. Now I don't have to get involved in any of that. The students can look at the days and timeslots available and book themselves (and usually their friend) on to the workshop that suits them best. We get the odd one that manages to delete everything but I can usually retrieve it. I do have to warn them that I can see who has edited what on the wiki so that they don't scrub off another persons name in order to pinch their seat at the workshop. The academic staff also use wikis to monitor attendance at seminars. It means there is no need for paper registers and all - administrator, tutor, seminar leader - can see the master document at the same time.
It's a good tool to use in my role - workshop bookings, sharing documents, working in with groups across various locations - it's flexible and people seem to get to grips with wikis fairly easily so no need for extensive training or instruction guides.
Friday 19 August 2011
Thing 12: Putting the social into social media
There's been a lot of discussion lately about how social media facilitated/encouraged the recent riots in the UK. I think that it's just a new method of bringing people together. In the past people have managed to organise demonstrations/football hooliganism without the use of social media so it's just a new tool and those that don't use or understand it simply jump on the bandwagon and start trashing it. If these people googled cpd23 they'd find out how useful social media can be!
The last few weeks following cpd23 have encourage me to use social media to meet a purpose. Instead of reading blogs on a Friday afternoon at work I now write my blog posts too and reflect on how to use the tools in my job. This has introduced regular reflection into my week. I've linked up with a few others on the course and it's nice to find supportive, like-minded online friends. Not only have I talked about cpd23 and social media on the blog, friends and colleagues are interested in what I'm learning and blogging about and even my Mum has started to read my blog.
I've been using blogs to keep up to date with the world of libraries and education for a couple of years now but it's this course that has made me sort out all the random links and get myself involved rather than sitting on the sidelines. I started tweeting earlier this year and check Facebook regularly but had never really thought about how to use it professionally - until now.
I intend to keep using social media in my work (where I am permitted) and some of the tools we have used so far I will use professionally and personally - like Twitter, Facebook and Evernote.
The last few weeks following cpd23 have encourage me to use social media to meet a purpose. Instead of reading blogs on a Friday afternoon at work I now write my blog posts too and reflect on how to use the tools in my job. This has introduced regular reflection into my week. I've linked up with a few others on the course and it's nice to find supportive, like-minded online friends. Not only have I talked about cpd23 and social media on the blog, friends and colleagues are interested in what I'm learning and blogging about and even my Mum has started to read my blog.
I've been using blogs to keep up to date with the world of libraries and education for a couple of years now but it's this course that has made me sort out all the random links and get myself involved rather than sitting on the sidelines. I started tweeting earlier this year and check Facebook regularly but had never really thought about how to use it professionally - until now.
I intend to keep using social media in my work (where I am permitted) and some of the tools we have used so far I will use professionally and personally - like Twitter, Facebook and Evernote.
Friday 5 August 2011
Save Libraries
Ok this isn't related to cpd23 Things but sign if you want to and ignore if you don't. Here's an e-petition in support of public libraries.
Interested to see more about public libraries and the work going on to support them? Try following @ijclark on Twitter.
Interested to see more about public libraries and the work going on to support them? Try following @ijclark on Twitter.
Tuesday 2 August 2011
Thing 11: Mentoring
I really enjoy mentoring for CILIP. I'm not the type of professional who wants to write in journals or attend lots of committee meetings but I like supporting those on the route to Chartership etc with all the different things they might want to investigate. It keeps me on my toes and makes make me look at professional issues outside of the academic sector. The role itself is fairly easy going as you are there to support the chartership candidate - they have to make the effort to do the work. You are not there to crack the whip but to act as a sounding board, to offer advice, put them in contact with other professionals, help them produce the final document, encourage them to think about all the things they might want to investigate/try out in order to make them aware of the multitude of professional issues/roles involved in librarianship. As well as supporting the candidates with their professional development it's great for my own professional development. I meet other librarians, visit other libraries I might not normally visit and find out about services that run elsewhere. I have to admit that sometimes the keen nature and inquiring minds of my mentees make me feel a little inadequate - you can certainly spot future leaders!
Thing 10: Graduate traineeships, Masters Degrees, Chartership, Accreditation
Why did I choose librarianship? So I had a legitimate reason to be uber-tidy of course!! I'm unable to remember the moment when I decided it was the career for me but I do remember chatting to the careers advisor at school when we had to chose a work experience placement. The advisor nearly fell off her chair when I asked if she could get me in at the local library. Her exact words were "no one has ever asked me that before". Thankfully she took me seriously and here I am today.
Career history so far (edited highlights):
Work experience - two weeks at the local library. I remember doing lots of tasks and asking for more things to do. The memory that sticks in my mind is reading aloud at the children's story time and realising that children's librarianship was not for me due to the high levels of sticky fingers and snotty noses.
University - my first degree was not in librarianship but of course like all good students I did go to the library. Looking back I didn't use a database and I didn't meet a subject librarian but I did do an awful lot of photocopying. In my final year I went to the careers office and picked up a leaflet about careers in information and that sealed the deal. I think it was the attraction of being organised, tidy and working with different groups of people. I applied for a graduate trainee position at an enormous multi-site Uni in central London and got the post in the January before I'd even taken my exams.
Graduate Trainee - multi-site Uni in central London - spent lots of time on the various issue desks but my 'home' was the Periodicals office. Every fortnight the 6 trainees would do some sort of training or visit other libraries to get us ready for the Masters course.
Masters - did this full-time. I enjoyed it but with hindsight I'm not sure how much I have actually used in the workplace. There's a lot to be said for having the qualification but on-the-job experience has given me the best training in my career so far. During this time I discovered I was not cut out for Cat & Class - I passed the modules but developed a deep seated fear of Dewey tables. In my current post I have met a kindred spirit and I no longer feel like a bad librarian for pinching class numbers from others.
First 'real' librarianship post - another multi-site Uni in central London - started as a Library Assistant but quickly took a secondment as a Senior Library Assistant. This time my home was the Journals and Document Delivery office. What did I learn? Well how to scan, how to keep fit by shelving journals, how to ferret out free articles.... I also had to supervise the issue desk in the evening which made me a little nervous. It was here that I met inspirational manager number 1. They trusted their staff to get on with the job. I've always felt this to be a good quality and have tried to do this myself in various roles. Whilst I was here I obtained my Chartership.
First 'chartered librarian' post - a hospice - yep, that's right a hospice. Many people raised their eyebrows when I told them my choice of workplace but I found it hugely rewarding both professionally and personally. Professionally it was my first post that required me to be Chartered. As it was a small library I got to have a go at everything which wasn't the case in the large libraries I had previously worked in. I did cat and class, presentations, helped to run the bookshop, assisted with research queries, made posters for conferences, worked with volunteers.... the list is never ending. Personally, it was an enlightening experience which I shall never forget - it changed my attitude to illness and death for the better. I also met inspirational manager number 2. Her enthusiasm was infectious. She made it her mission to do everything she could to build the best library possible with limited funds and manpower. She cared passionately about her job and taught me the notion of 'added value'. She knew how to go that extra mile with an enquiry. It was her drive that made me think I'd like to be a library manager and lead a team and service.
Then - The Drama School - I was the library manager. Well, this was in interesting experience. Nice library staff to work with but the role was challenging. Issues - never ending issues - with IT, space, lack of web presence and people welded to very old fashioned ideas about libraries (one day someone actually said "why don't we put in some wood panelling and some lamps"). I think I'll leave it there. I learnt a lot about managing staff, running a service etc but I'm sure there was an easier way to learn this stuff! I also signed up as a Mentor for CILIP and took on my first mentee.
Now - multi-site Uni in the South East - In the previous role I felt I'd lost contact with the students and I wanted to get back to a role involving running workshops, giving support and academic liaison. I also did not want to work with acting students - been there, done that, most were very nice, some were most certainly not nice. I enjoy my current role. I like the variety of tasks and the relative autonomy. I find it rewarding when I've helped a student solve a search problem and when academic staff ask for my advice or expertise. I'm still mentoring for CILIP.
As for what I'm planning to do next, ideally I'd like to stay where I am, revalidate my Charteship and gain some sort of teaching qualification.
Writing this post has made me realise how far I've travelled in librarianship. For the most part I've enjoyed and made the most of every role. Hopefully there's a lot more still to come.
Career history so far (edited highlights):
Work experience - two weeks at the local library. I remember doing lots of tasks and asking for more things to do. The memory that sticks in my mind is reading aloud at the children's story time and realising that children's librarianship was not for me due to the high levels of sticky fingers and snotty noses.
University - my first degree was not in librarianship but of course like all good students I did go to the library. Looking back I didn't use a database and I didn't meet a subject librarian but I did do an awful lot of photocopying. In my final year I went to the careers office and picked up a leaflet about careers in information and that sealed the deal. I think it was the attraction of being organised, tidy and working with different groups of people. I applied for a graduate trainee position at an enormous multi-site Uni in central London and got the post in the January before I'd even taken my exams.
Graduate Trainee - multi-site Uni in central London - spent lots of time on the various issue desks but my 'home' was the Periodicals office. Every fortnight the 6 trainees would do some sort of training or visit other libraries to get us ready for the Masters course.
Masters - did this full-time. I enjoyed it but with hindsight I'm not sure how much I have actually used in the workplace. There's a lot to be said for having the qualification but on-the-job experience has given me the best training in my career so far. During this time I discovered I was not cut out for Cat & Class - I passed the modules but developed a deep seated fear of Dewey tables. In my current post I have met a kindred spirit and I no longer feel like a bad librarian for pinching class numbers from others.
First 'real' librarianship post - another multi-site Uni in central London - started as a Library Assistant but quickly took a secondment as a Senior Library Assistant. This time my home was the Journals and Document Delivery office. What did I learn? Well how to scan, how to keep fit by shelving journals, how to ferret out free articles.... I also had to supervise the issue desk in the evening which made me a little nervous. It was here that I met inspirational manager number 1. They trusted their staff to get on with the job. I've always felt this to be a good quality and have tried to do this myself in various roles. Whilst I was here I obtained my Chartership.
First 'chartered librarian' post - a hospice - yep, that's right a hospice. Many people raised their eyebrows when I told them my choice of workplace but I found it hugely rewarding both professionally and personally. Professionally it was my first post that required me to be Chartered. As it was a small library I got to have a go at everything which wasn't the case in the large libraries I had previously worked in. I did cat and class, presentations, helped to run the bookshop, assisted with research queries, made posters for conferences, worked with volunteers.... the list is never ending. Personally, it was an enlightening experience which I shall never forget - it changed my attitude to illness and death for the better. I also met inspirational manager number 2. Her enthusiasm was infectious. She made it her mission to do everything she could to build the best library possible with limited funds and manpower. She cared passionately about her job and taught me the notion of 'added value'. She knew how to go that extra mile with an enquiry. It was her drive that made me think I'd like to be a library manager and lead a team and service.
Then - The Drama School - I was the library manager. Well, this was in interesting experience. Nice library staff to work with but the role was challenging. Issues - never ending issues - with IT, space, lack of web presence and people welded to very old fashioned ideas about libraries (one day someone actually said "why don't we put in some wood panelling and some lamps"). I think I'll leave it there. I learnt a lot about managing staff, running a service etc but I'm sure there was an easier way to learn this stuff! I also signed up as a Mentor for CILIP and took on my first mentee.
Now - multi-site Uni in the South East - In the previous role I felt I'd lost contact with the students and I wanted to get back to a role involving running workshops, giving support and academic liaison. I also did not want to work with acting students - been there, done that, most were very nice, some were most certainly not nice. I enjoy my current role. I like the variety of tasks and the relative autonomy. I find it rewarding when I've helped a student solve a search problem and when academic staff ask for my advice or expertise. I'm still mentoring for CILIP.
As for what I'm planning to do next, ideally I'd like to stay where I am, revalidate my Charteship and gain some sort of teaching qualification.
Writing this post has made me realise how far I've travelled in librarianship. For the most part I've enjoyed and made the most of every role. Hopefully there's a lot more still to come.
Thing 9: Evernote
Previously I'd looked at Evernote in the App store but hadn't really understood what to use it for. Now I get it and I love it. I've downloaded it on to my laptop, my iPad and amazingly managed to download it on to the work pc without needing the elusive 'Administrator password'.
Thinking it was going to be a bit fiddly, I watched the online video to work out how to use it but it's actually quite simple. I made my first note in it within seconds and then added an audio clip and a photo to the note. It is a list makers dream - I've can have notebooks of lists accompanied by pictures, links and voice recordings! Further exploration found I could drag pictures from other folders and 'clip' webpages. I decided that the first web item I clipped should be my first ever blog post. The last thing I tried out yesterday was integrating it with my Twitter account - when I send a tweet if I add @myEN to the end of it, it automatically saves it as a note in Evernote. I wouldn't do this with all my tweets but I could keep an archive of all my professional tweets and let the other silly ones rot away in my Twitter account.
I'm going to use Evernote as a diary for reflective notes, an archive of all things me and a list maker extraordinaire.
Thinking it was going to be a bit fiddly, I watched the online video to work out how to use it but it's actually quite simple. I made my first note in it within seconds and then added an audio clip and a photo to the note. It is a list makers dream - I've can have notebooks of lists accompanied by pictures, links and voice recordings! Further exploration found I could drag pictures from other folders and 'clip' webpages. I decided that the first web item I clipped should be my first ever blog post. The last thing I tried out yesterday was integrating it with my Twitter account - when I send a tweet if I add @myEN to the end of it, it automatically saves it as a note in Evernote. I wouldn't do this with all my tweets but I could keep an archive of all my professional tweets and let the other silly ones rot away in my Twitter account.
I'm going to use Evernote as a diary for reflective notes, an archive of all things me and a list maker extraordinaire.
Thing 8: Google Calendar
Well I've downloaded Google Calendar, added it to my iGoogle page and inserted the cpd23 dates but I won't use this tool for work. The team at work already use a shared calendar via the email system which we populate with all our outings/meetings/appointments. However I also use a printed diary for work because I don't have a smartphone that will sync with the online calendar. It feels 'safe' to have a paper version - I've jokinly asked for a netbook at work so that I can go more or less paperless - but no word on this yet. it is somewhat disheartening to go to a meeting to find you are the only one who has to print out the papers instead of read them on the netbook. Online calendars are important for team work in the office - we can pitch in when we see others are having a busy day and give accurate 'she's not at her desk, she'll be back at so and so o'clock' reports to telephone callers. It can sometimes feels like online calendars are used to keep tabs on staff (maybe I'm paranoid) but all in all I find it useful.
Monday 1 August 2011
Thing 7: Face-to-face networks and professional organisations
I belong to CILIP and am a member of the Health Libraries Group and University, College and Research Group. I've been a member of CILIP since 2000 when I started as a graduate trainee. I'm one of the few left in my organisation that is actually a member - the further I've moved from London the less signed up/paid up members I've met which is a shame. I've been reflecting on why I am still a member of CILIP after 11 years. I know there is the argument that it's a lot of money each year but I like finding Update on the doormat, I always read the jobs email (just to be nosey really), I read the publications from the two groups I belong to, I read the CILIP blog, I flick through the Facet catalogue, I like having CILIP on my CV, I've done my Chartership, I'm a mentor and I'm revalidating. I get quite a lot out of my membership in terms of professional development and the satisfaction of feeling there is a large support network that I can draw on when needed and for those two reasons I'm happy to renew my membership - after all, you only get out what you put in. I'm not into writing journal articles about library research but I do enjoy mentoring for CILIP so being a member makes me part of the wider library community in a way that I am comfortable with.
Since the Browne Report I've been looking at doing a qualification in learning and teaching in HE. Hopefully this will strengthen my CV, improve my skills and gain recognition in the institution for the work carried out by the librarians. With that qualification I'd like to become a member of the HEA. Bit of a long term goal this one but edging towards it via the appraisal scheme.
Since the Browne Report I've been looking at doing a qualification in learning and teaching in HE. Hopefully this will strengthen my CV, improve my skills and gain recognition in the institution for the work carried out by the librarians. With that qualification I'd like to become a member of the HEA. Bit of a long term goal this one but edging towards it via the appraisal scheme.
Thing 6: Online networks
I know other people who are on LinkedIn and in the past I've poked around in their profiles to see what sort of info they shared. I had steered clear of it myself because it didn't seem relevant to me as I'm not looking for a new job or for any freelance stuff. Since trying it out for Thing 6 I've decided that it's a good way to keep my CV up to date - this is something I'm very bad at. With the current state of the economy and job market I need to make sure my CV is updated and presentable at short notice. I can't see myself using LinkedIn to keep in contact with colleagues but if I was searching for a new job it would be invaluable to find out about the company and people that work there. I have joined a couple of LinkedIn groups but have just amended my profile to stop all the emails alerting me to new discussions as they were filling up my inbox.
The comment 'Facebook is the backyard BBQ; LinkedIn is the office' stuck a chord with me. I intend to keep Facebook as my locked-down, non-professional network. I'm all for maintaining a work/life balance and have no intention of being in the office (virtually or physically) when I don't need to be. I love my job but there is life outside of libraries.
I'm already a member of CILIP Communities and have kept my short profile up to date. I joined a while ago because I'm a mentor for the Chartership etc scheme. Chartership candidates looking for a mentor can find out a bit about my professional background which helps them pick the right mentor for them.
I'm pleased I've joined all these networks but now need to keep a tight reign on the info that comes out of them or I fear I'll have generated my own information overload.
The comment 'Facebook is the backyard BBQ; LinkedIn is the office' stuck a chord with me. I intend to keep Facebook as my locked-down, non-professional network. I'm all for maintaining a work/life balance and have no intention of being in the office (virtually or physically) when I don't need to be. I love my job but there is life outside of libraries.
I'm already a member of CILIP Communities and have kept my short profile up to date. I joined a while ago because I'm a mentor for the Chartership etc scheme. Chartership candidates looking for a mentor can find out a bit about my professional background which helps them pick the right mentor for them.
I'm pleased I've joined all these networks but now need to keep a tight reign on the info that comes out of them or I fear I'll have generated my own information overload.
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