Wednesday, 27 July 2011
23 things for professional development: Thing 9
Evernote: I have decided not to look into Evernote, on looking at how it works, I just don't feel that it is something I would use in my current position. I spend so much of my job telling students not to get information from the web, to use our own resources. I can see how people who had to maybe provide a current awareness service or something similar would use it though.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Thing 8: Google Calendar
I have to say, I don't really think I am going to be using Google Calendar that much as I have an Outlook one at work that I use. I also have access to an Outlook calendar for the library enquiries desk which sits along side my one where you can enter if you are going to be busy and, therefore, not able to sit on the desk. I do like the idea of the Google calendar giving you a map if you are going to somewhere you have never been before. So may use it if I am ever going to somewhere for the first time. I also like the fact that Google Calendar can be added to my iGoogle page. I think Google Calendar would be good for a workplace that did not have Outlook calendars or similar as you can get multiple users on a calendar but I don't think I will use it that much as I already have something similar.
One thing that Google calendar may be helpful for is home, we used to have a paper calendar at our old flat, which was very useful for when I had to remind my boyfriend that I had to work late or had a meeting or a course to attend and he had to get his own dinner (or ready meal). So, if I can get our calendars to link up, then this would be good.
One thing that Google calendar may be helpful for is home, we used to have a paper calendar at our old flat, which was very useful for when I had to remind my boyfriend that I had to work late or had a meeting or a course to attend and he had to get his own dinner (or ready meal). So, if I can get our calendars to link up, then this would be good.
Friday, 22 July 2011
Thing 7: Face to face networks and professional organizations
Ok, this is the moment I have been waiting for, the chance to present my pitch for involvement in professional organizations.
Let's start at the beginning, I joined the mighty CILIP way back in 2004, when I was a very naive and green graduate trainee and did not have the first idea about working in libraries, I certainly had not amassed the huge amount of knowledge that I have now (ha ha). I trundled along, through my graduate traineeship, through my MA, through a year of working as a relief library assistant whilst I applied for jobs and through 3 months as a School Librarian, all the time holding onto my CILIP membership almost as a Talisman in that I would, one day, get the job that I craved. In February 2008, this came to me in the form of my present job, Arts Liaison Librarian at the University of Winchester. I started my job, eager to learn and with a vague notion that I would, at some point, get more involved with CILIP.
In December 2008, this opportunity came to me as, one of the former librarians from my workplace who just happened to be in touch with the person who had got her job asked if we would like to join our local CILIP committee as she was a member. I feel I should take a brief interlude from my narrative at this point to stress that, although this is how things turned out for me and it was quite nice to trot along to my first committee meeting as one of a pair of 'new girls' you should not feel as if you have to wait until someone you know joins a committee just so that you can go with them and have safety in numbers. If there is a committee that you want to get involved with, then get in touch and find out how you can help and go along. Although I joined this committee as a pair, there have been previous committee's that I have joined as a lone person, I have found it quite exhilerating (I think it is for me, the equivalent of mental bungee jumping) and, more importantly, I have never looked back.
So, fast forward to 2011 and here I am, with 2 1/2 years experience of involvement in a CILIP committee under my belt, having also held the positions of both secretary and treasurer and having organised my very own trip to The Great Hall and the Cathedral Library in Winchester. I cannot emphasise enough how enjoyable it is to be part of a committee, you get to meet lots of people, make new networks which, particularly if you are like me and are new to the area are good to have and your confidence grows enormously. Plus, if there is an event or training session that you would like to do and that you feel would benefit other librarians, then you can just organise it yourself.
I find it very rewarding to be part of my local CILIP committee and very proud to think that we are organising local events for local networks who aren't always available to go to London for an event. There are various plans underfoot at the moment at CILIP and the future of Special Interest Groups and Branches is not stable, I for one would hate to see branches go and, if they are merged with SIG's, I do hope that they manage to maintain some sort of regional identity.
Let's start at the beginning, I joined the mighty CILIP way back in 2004, when I was a very naive and green graduate trainee and did not have the first idea about working in libraries, I certainly had not amassed the huge amount of knowledge that I have now (ha ha). I trundled along, through my graduate traineeship, through my MA, through a year of working as a relief library assistant whilst I applied for jobs and through 3 months as a School Librarian, all the time holding onto my CILIP membership almost as a Talisman in that I would, one day, get the job that I craved. In February 2008, this came to me in the form of my present job, Arts Liaison Librarian at the University of Winchester. I started my job, eager to learn and with a vague notion that I would, at some point, get more involved with CILIP.
In December 2008, this opportunity came to me as, one of the former librarians from my workplace who just happened to be in touch with the person who had got her job asked if we would like to join our local CILIP committee as she was a member. I feel I should take a brief interlude from my narrative at this point to stress that, although this is how things turned out for me and it was quite nice to trot along to my first committee meeting as one of a pair of 'new girls' you should not feel as if you have to wait until someone you know joins a committee just so that you can go with them and have safety in numbers. If there is a committee that you want to get involved with, then get in touch and find out how you can help and go along. Although I joined this committee as a pair, there have been previous committee's that I have joined as a lone person, I have found it quite exhilerating (I think it is for me, the equivalent of mental bungee jumping) and, more importantly, I have never looked back.
So, fast forward to 2011 and here I am, with 2 1/2 years experience of involvement in a CILIP committee under my belt, having also held the positions of both secretary and treasurer and having organised my very own trip to The Great Hall and the Cathedral Library in Winchester. I cannot emphasise enough how enjoyable it is to be part of a committee, you get to meet lots of people, make new networks which, particularly if you are like me and are new to the area are good to have and your confidence grows enormously. Plus, if there is an event or training session that you would like to do and that you feel would benefit other librarians, then you can just organise it yourself.
I find it very rewarding to be part of my local CILIP committee and very proud to think that we are organising local events for local networks who aren't always available to go to London for an event. There are various plans underfoot at the moment at CILIP and the future of Special Interest Groups and Branches is not stable, I for one would hate to see branches go and, if they are merged with SIG's, I do hope that they manage to maintain some sort of regional identity.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Thing 6: Online networks
Ok, so Things 6 is online networks and we are looking at Linked in, Facebook, LISPN, Librarians as Teachers and CILIP communities. This is probably going to be a bit sporadic and not in order as I am going to have to sandwich it into other work as well as dealing with all of the stressed out students who have just realised that, if they don't return their library books/pay their library fines, they will not get their spangly new degree certificates.
Facebook is easy, I'm already on it, so I use it a lot, although I would say probably more for personal use than professional.
LISPN, this is something I signed up to ages ago but haven't been on for a while, someone on one of the other blogs mentioned how it can get a bit out of hand if you are signed up to too many forums also, as LISPN does not have an RSS feed (unless I have missed it) it is going to be harder to keep up if I have to log in every time rather than checking my Google Reader. Whilst looking at the recent posts, it would appear that it is more relevant to people about to study or currently studying for their Master's or trainees. So, probably something that I would have found more relevant when I myself was a trainee or studying, but I will try and start to keep an eye on it.
CILIP Communities: I have just had a look at this, I'm glad to see the upper echelons of CILIP management are blogging on there (Annie Mauger, Biddy Fisher) as well as the ever jovial Michael Martin, blogging about his marathon exploits as well as various CPD issues. Also, some of the branches have blogs including my very own Hants and Wight as well as Special Interest Groups. The forums page is good, encouraging discussion about hot topics, the networks page also good although it was a little sparse on the topics, this may be a section where information shared at Teachmeets would be helpful, particularly for those people who are unable to attend in person. The media section also looks like it could be some use, as presentations, photo's etc are posted on there. I know from experience when you go to a training event or presentation that it is helpful to be able to refer back to the presentation at a later time and not spend the whole time the person is speaking writing down notes furiously and listening instead. The only criticism I would have of CILIP communities is that it is maybe under represented and could be used more. I'm not sure whether I would use it much as it is another thing to check and I would have to remember to go into it.
Librarians as Teachers: I have just signed up to this, it must be linked to LISPN somehow as my profile from there automatically loaded up. Some of the topics do look quite interesting, there is an interesting post, actually put on there from someone I know about whether running teaching sessions should be part of Librarianship courses. It is a bit disinheatening to see that the last post was put on in November, so possibly this is a tool which isn't used much. Although one thing that is springing up now are teachmeets, so this would be a good way of promoting these. I probably will check in to this now and again, although the fact that it is another network that you have to sign into does put me off rather.
LinkedIn: I have just signed up to this, I guess it is the sort of thing that would be handy if you were job hunting although I would not like to solely rely on it. Also, it means something else to check and I'm just not convinced that employers, certainly at Assistant Librarian level, would be checking it for headhunting. The American slant to it also slightly puts me off, although lots of material on the web is like that. I can see how, if you annotate your job history well enough, you could use it as a reflection tool on past positions if you needed to.
Right now to Thing 7.......
Facebook is easy, I'm already on it, so I use it a lot, although I would say probably more for personal use than professional.
LISPN, this is something I signed up to ages ago but haven't been on for a while, someone on one of the other blogs mentioned how it can get a bit out of hand if you are signed up to too many forums also, as LISPN does not have an RSS feed (unless I have missed it) it is going to be harder to keep up if I have to log in every time rather than checking my Google Reader. Whilst looking at the recent posts, it would appear that it is more relevant to people about to study or currently studying for their Master's or trainees. So, probably something that I would have found more relevant when I myself was a trainee or studying, but I will try and start to keep an eye on it.
CILIP Communities: I have just had a look at this, I'm glad to see the upper echelons of CILIP management are blogging on there (Annie Mauger, Biddy Fisher) as well as the ever jovial Michael Martin, blogging about his marathon exploits as well as various CPD issues. Also, some of the branches have blogs including my very own Hants and Wight as well as Special Interest Groups. The forums page is good, encouraging discussion about hot topics, the networks page also good although it was a little sparse on the topics, this may be a section where information shared at Teachmeets would be helpful, particularly for those people who are unable to attend in person. The media section also looks like it could be some use, as presentations, photo's etc are posted on there. I know from experience when you go to a training event or presentation that it is helpful to be able to refer back to the presentation at a later time and not spend the whole time the person is speaking writing down notes furiously and listening instead. The only criticism I would have of CILIP communities is that it is maybe under represented and could be used more. I'm not sure whether I would use it much as it is another thing to check and I would have to remember to go into it.
Librarians as Teachers: I have just signed up to this, it must be linked to LISPN somehow as my profile from there automatically loaded up. Some of the topics do look quite interesting, there is an interesting post, actually put on there from someone I know about whether running teaching sessions should be part of Librarianship courses. It is a bit disinheatening to see that the last post was put on in November, so possibly this is a tool which isn't used much. Although one thing that is springing up now are teachmeets, so this would be a good way of promoting these. I probably will check in to this now and again, although the fact that it is another network that you have to sign into does put me off rather.
LinkedIn: I have just signed up to this, I guess it is the sort of thing that would be handy if you were job hunting although I would not like to solely rely on it. Also, it means something else to check and I'm just not convinced that employers, certainly at Assistant Librarian level, would be checking it for headhunting. The American slant to it also slightly puts me off, although lots of material on the web is like that. I can see how, if you annotate your job history well enough, you could use it as a reflection tool on past positions if you needed to.
Right now to Thing 7.......
Friday, 1 July 2011
Thing 3
Ok, so thing 3 is all about your online brand, I guess, if I'm honest, this is something I have never thought of before, I kind of just signed up to Facebook, Twitter etc without actually thinking about 'my brand' as such. My name on Facebook is Charmian Oldman, as I use it for half personal and half work related reasons whereas, my name on Twitter is Librarian _1, I can't really remember my original reason for picking this, it may have been due to the fact that Twitter is slightly less secure than Facebook, as anyone can follow you and I didn't want them to know my name. I have heard all sorts of horror stories about Facebook, people leaving their telephone numbers on there etc.
Photo: I don't have a photo of myself on Twitter or on Facebook, like a lot of people I hate having my photo taken but maybe this is something I need to remedy, on Facebook I usually have a photo from the most recent holiday I went on (although I have just realised that my current photo is from the NYC 10 collection and not the San Francisco 11). I possibly need to take a photo to put on there as I have recently had about 10 yards of hair chopped off and look slightly different now.
Personal V Professional: The main area where Personal and Professional clash I would say is Facebook, Twitter: I don't really use that much, just to keep up with professional stuff rather than tweeting, this newly created blog could be used for professional stuff, although I have read blogs where people have put more personal posts on. I think this is a good idea, as it makes the author seem more human and that they do have a life outside of the library world. Facebook is where the Professional and Personal meet in the middle. I have friends on there, but also libraries who have Facebook pages, as they came in useful when I was organising a Facebook page for where I currently work. Also, some of my friends are ex and current colleagues when I was working in libraries, so we tend to share Library stuff about (although this probably looks very geeky to my non-librarian friends). I also, just to confuse the issue, have a childhood friend, who I then lost touch with for about 25 years, only to find when we did reconnect, that she was also a librarian and had done her Library MA at the same place as I did. I do hear people talk a lot about the 'echo chamber' and how to get out of it, maybe one way would be to merge the personal and professional a bit more in online networks ? (This is very deep for a friday afternoon).
My Visual Brand: Twitter: I just have a stock, purple background, mainly because I feel that the way Twitter is set out, it can look a bit busy if you have too much detail in the background. My blog has a Green/Blue garden feel to it, I suppose subconciously (again, a big word for a friday afternoon), I picked it because it made me feel very chilled out and relaxed and that is how I would like to appear to people (I can hear laughter from my work colleagues as they read this). I think, even if you don't mean to, the backdrop for a blog can reveal a lot about a person's personality, even if they are picking a stock one from a selection of templates.
Ok, so now to Google myself, the whole of the first page is about me. The first five are a mixture of Twitter, Facebook and the book forum that we run at work. Then there are a couple of old electoral roll entries, some of the pages from the library website (which should have been changed ages ago), something which has me down as Medieval British Literature teacher in Winchester, which turned out to be an information literacy tool I joined ages ago and a reply to someone else's blog. I guess this is where having an unusual name comes in really handy, you get more exact results on a Google search. If I put in Librarian also, then again I get the first few hits, I guess this must mean that I am managing my online brand effectively. Although, I was very surprised to see that I am not the only Charmian doing CPD23. If I take my surname and the word librarian out, then I do not appear for at least the first five pages, so not sure whether this is a good or bad thing as people would have to know my full name and the fact that I was a librarian (although, if we are talking about professional networks, then they should know that anyway) and I realise that, if I had not been a librarian, then it would have been my name destiny to have either been a lecturer, designed jewellery, Jack London's second wife or played Liesel in The Sound of Music.
I will try and keep up with Thing 4 but am away next week, so we shall have to see.
Photo: I don't have a photo of myself on Twitter or on Facebook, like a lot of people I hate having my photo taken but maybe this is something I need to remedy, on Facebook I usually have a photo from the most recent holiday I went on (although I have just realised that my current photo is from the NYC 10 collection and not the San Francisco 11). I possibly need to take a photo to put on there as I have recently had about 10 yards of hair chopped off and look slightly different now.
Personal V Professional: The main area where Personal and Professional clash I would say is Facebook, Twitter: I don't really use that much, just to keep up with professional stuff rather than tweeting, this newly created blog could be used for professional stuff, although I have read blogs where people have put more personal posts on. I think this is a good idea, as it makes the author seem more human and that they do have a life outside of the library world. Facebook is where the Professional and Personal meet in the middle. I have friends on there, but also libraries who have Facebook pages, as they came in useful when I was organising a Facebook page for where I currently work. Also, some of my friends are ex and current colleagues when I was working in libraries, so we tend to share Library stuff about (although this probably looks very geeky to my non-librarian friends). I also, just to confuse the issue, have a childhood friend, who I then lost touch with for about 25 years, only to find when we did reconnect, that she was also a librarian and had done her Library MA at the same place as I did. I do hear people talk a lot about the 'echo chamber' and how to get out of it, maybe one way would be to merge the personal and professional a bit more in online networks ? (This is very deep for a friday afternoon).
My Visual Brand: Twitter: I just have a stock, purple background, mainly because I feel that the way Twitter is set out, it can look a bit busy if you have too much detail in the background. My blog has a Green/Blue garden feel to it, I suppose subconciously (again, a big word for a friday afternoon), I picked it because it made me feel very chilled out and relaxed and that is how I would like to appear to people (I can hear laughter from my work colleagues as they read this). I think, even if you don't mean to, the backdrop for a blog can reveal a lot about a person's personality, even if they are picking a stock one from a selection of templates.
Ok, so now to Google myself, the whole of the first page is about me. The first five are a mixture of Twitter, Facebook and the book forum that we run at work. Then there are a couple of old electoral roll entries, some of the pages from the library website (which should have been changed ages ago), something which has me down as Medieval British Literature teacher in Winchester, which turned out to be an information literacy tool I joined ages ago and a reply to someone else's blog. I guess this is where having an unusual name comes in really handy, you get more exact results on a Google search. If I put in Librarian also, then again I get the first few hits, I guess this must mean that I am managing my online brand effectively. Although, I was very surprised to see that I am not the only Charmian doing CPD23. If I take my surname and the word librarian out, then I do not appear for at least the first five pages, so not sure whether this is a good or bad thing as people would have to know my full name and the fact that I was a librarian (although, if we are talking about professional networks, then they should know that anyway) and I realise that, if I had not been a librarian, then it would have been my name destiny to have either been a lecturer, designed jewellery, Jack London's second wife or played Liesel in The Sound of Music.
I will try and keep up with Thing 4 but am away next week, so we shall have to see.
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