"A librarian is what Google wants to be when it grows up"
I love it!!!
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Tuesday 7 February 2012
Still here!
Still plodding on through Term 2...still hooked on social media (reading it more than contributing to it)...still waiting to hear if I've Chartered!!!
Take care, everyone!
Take care, everyone!
Monday 17 October 2011
Thing 23 Reflection - what next?
'6 word story'...23 great Things, LOTS of networking!
Reaching the final Thing is a great achievement, but also a sad moment. For the past few months there has been a challenge set every Monday morning...and sometimes a huge rush to get at least three things blogged before falling too far behind! I'll miss checking for the next Thing!
I recently submitted my Chartership application so have been in the habit of using a PPDP for the last two years. I intend to keep up the good practice. Glancing at it just now I see that participating in CPD23 has helped me to achieve a lot of my proposed actions. It has also made me aware of 'things' I need to brush up on/learn...which in turn will add new challenges to my PPDP!
I do hope something like CPD23 comes around again and I would like to thank all the people who contributed to make this one so successful.
I'll miss you!
Reaching the final Thing is a great achievement, but also a sad moment. For the past few months there has been a challenge set every Monday morning...and sometimes a huge rush to get at least three things blogged before falling too far behind! I'll miss checking for the next Thing!
I recently submitted my Chartership application so have been in the habit of using a PPDP for the last two years. I intend to keep up the good practice. Glancing at it just now I see that participating in CPD23 has helped me to achieve a lot of my proposed actions. It has also made me aware of 'things' I need to brush up on/learn...which in turn will add new challenges to my PPDP!
I do hope something like CPD23 comes around again and I would like to thank all the people who contributed to make this one so successful.
I'll miss you!
Thing 22 Volunteering to get experience
I've looked at this Thing from the opposite view!
My career in libraries started a long time ago (!) when jobs were much easier to get. Even when I sought to make changes there was always paid employment to apply for. I must admit I've stayed with my present employer for 21 years...though I have had various library roles in that time. I think I've done this because as I got older the thought of going through interviews became more daunting.
The last three years have been very difficult for employers and job security can no longer be guaranteed. I've started to look at flexible retirement and even voluntary redundancy. If this was to happen I may be looking to do some voluntary work in a local library!
I see this as a way of sharing my experience with new starters.
While I am still working I would be more than happy to have someone work with me in a voluntary capacity as a way for them to get on the career ladder.
My career in libraries started a long time ago (!) when jobs were much easier to get. Even when I sought to make changes there was always paid employment to apply for. I must admit I've stayed with my present employer for 21 years...though I have had various library roles in that time. I think I've done this because as I got older the thought of going through interviews became more daunting.
The last three years have been very difficult for employers and job security can no longer be guaranteed. I've started to look at flexible retirement and even voluntary redundancy. If this was to happen I may be looking to do some voluntary work in a local library!
I see this as a way of sharing my experience with new starters.
While I am still working I would be more than happy to have someone work with me in a voluntary capacity as a way for them to get on the career ladder.
Thing 21 Promoting yourself
The idea of 'identifying your strengths; capitalising on your interests' seemed new to me when I first read the introduction to Thing 21. As I read further, and began to make some notes, the link between the two became clear! The things we enjoy doing are the things we have the skills to be able to do well. By looking at what we do well in our personal lives we can transfer the skills to our working lives, ensuring we enjoy our time at work as well.
Fifth on my list of 'likes' is running a home! At first this may surprise you; the fact that it's there at all, not it's ranking! What soon becomes apparent, however, is that the skills I need to achieve that successfully are the main skills I use at work! Organising, keeping it fresh and up-to-date, balancing a budget, ensuring a safe environment...these are key points in my job description!
So I went to the top of my list to further test the theory!
I love visiting new places, home and abroad. I'm a member of the National Trust and try to support their work as much as possible. I also try to support events in my local area. In order to do any of these activities I need to do planning and research. Internet skills are vital to ensure best deals on travel and hotels. Reading up on places, maps, recommendations etc are all available via Google. Checking for events, dates, times etc can be achieved by joining emailing lists. Bookmarking favourite sites ensures further searches are quick and easy.
Hang on...isn't this what I help students with every day? Researching for information, evaluating what they find, saving links to enable them to be cited and referenced properly etc etc. So, once again, the skills I need to ensure I enjoy my leisure time are also used every day at work to enhance the student experience.
Even going to the theatre, gardening and reading require organisational skills just to fit them into a busy life! So, again, time management is a useful skill I can pass on at work...to students, and to staff I line manage.
Hey...I'm getting the hang of this!
I hadn't thought of the 'tools' I use every day as strengths...but of course they are. How else would I achieve what I do?
Fifth on my list of 'likes' is running a home! At first this may surprise you; the fact that it's there at all, not it's ranking! What soon becomes apparent, however, is that the skills I need to achieve that successfully are the main skills I use at work! Organising, keeping it fresh and up-to-date, balancing a budget, ensuring a safe environment...these are key points in my job description!
So I went to the top of my list to further test the theory!
I love visiting new places, home and abroad. I'm a member of the National Trust and try to support their work as much as possible. I also try to support events in my local area. In order to do any of these activities I need to do planning and research. Internet skills are vital to ensure best deals on travel and hotels. Reading up on places, maps, recommendations etc are all available via Google. Checking for events, dates, times etc can be achieved by joining emailing lists. Bookmarking favourite sites ensures further searches are quick and easy.
Hang on...isn't this what I help students with every day? Researching for information, evaluating what they find, saving links to enable them to be cited and referenced properly etc etc. So, once again, the skills I need to ensure I enjoy my leisure time are also used every day at work to enhance the student experience.
Even going to the theatre, gardening and reading require organisational skills just to fit them into a busy life! So, again, time management is a useful skill I can pass on at work...to students, and to staff I line manage.
Hey...I'm getting the hang of this!
I hadn't thought of the 'tools' I use every day as strengths...but of course they are. How else would I achieve what I do?
Monday 10 October 2011
Personal branding
I do feel I'm more well-known 'out there' now...and I'm happy to be so!
New horizons!
Thing 19 Integrating 'things'
The 'thing' I use the most from CPD23 is Twitter. I already had an account before the course started but I never really 'got' the point of it. Facebook I used for socialising outside of work but Twitter wasn't as popular with the same crowd.
Then I started CPD23 and suddenly saw Twitter as a work tool. By using the hashtag I was able to follow #ub11 and that was my lightbulb moment! I then started to follow many of the librarians who had contributed to Umbrella 11 and instantly I felt I was part of a 'circle.' As the weeks went by the circle grew and as well as work chat there was a lot of fun chat as well. I found myself becoming interested in knitting, looking at beautiful pics and the arrival of new kittens!
This mix of library chat and fun really makes me feel as if I belong. Last week when I was stuck with 'Thing 20' I put out an appeal for help...it was offered within the hour. The librarian in question also emailed me twice the following day and stayed with me until the problem was fixed. I feel privileged to belong to such a friendly, helpful bunch of people.
Last Thursday I followed #uklibchat for almost two hours on the subject of CPD23! I really enjoyed that as my post 'a little extra...' outlines.
Each day I log into HootSuite, keep it on my taskbar and check it regularly to keep up-to-date. At one time I would have considered this as something I shouldn't be doing at work but now I see it as an essential part of the job!
I should be using LinkedIn more, though I do pick up on discussions from there via Google Reader. This is something else I discovered by doing #cpd23.
Creating this blog is also a proud achievement!
Google calendar is something I would really like to use...but as a team tool. As I now have a Learning Technologist and a Curriculum Liaison Officer to keep tabs on I think sharing a calendar would be a very useful thing. Even using it for the whole of the ILS cross college team would be even better! (As our communication, or lack of it, needs working on!)
I've noticed my posts getting longer so I feel I'm now reflecting on things a lot more than I used to. I submitted my Chartership portfolio in July and my biggest concern is that I haven't reflected enough in it. I'm not used to writing down my reflections though I'm sure that in practice I've reflected on my performance for years. Whenever I've planned something I've always tried to get feedback, and have have looked at what I would/wouldn't do again if I repeated the exercise. I still found it hard to put my thoughts into words. I feel sure this course has got me thinking/reflecting in a more constructive way and I'm more confident to share my reflections.
Reflecting on the course so far has made me realise how much I have learned already, and how this will help me in my day-to-day work. I don't think I'm quite the novice who started off back in June!
Then I started CPD23 and suddenly saw Twitter as a work tool. By using the hashtag I was able to follow #ub11 and that was my lightbulb moment! I then started to follow many of the librarians who had contributed to Umbrella 11 and instantly I felt I was part of a 'circle.' As the weeks went by the circle grew and as well as work chat there was a lot of fun chat as well. I found myself becoming interested in knitting, looking at beautiful pics and the arrival of new kittens!
This mix of library chat and fun really makes me feel as if I belong. Last week when I was stuck with 'Thing 20' I put out an appeal for help...it was offered within the hour. The librarian in question also emailed me twice the following day and stayed with me until the problem was fixed. I feel privileged to belong to such a friendly, helpful bunch of people.
Last Thursday I followed #uklibchat for almost two hours on the subject of CPD23! I really enjoyed that as my post 'a little extra...' outlines.
And on Saturday I followed #libcampuk11, wishing I was there! I was meant to be doing some serious housework, but couldn't resist frequent breaks to check Twitter!
Each day I log into HootSuite, keep it on my taskbar and check it regularly to keep up-to-date. At one time I would have considered this as something I shouldn't be doing at work but now I see it as an essential part of the job!
I should be using LinkedIn more, though I do pick up on discussions from there via Google Reader. This is something else I discovered by doing #cpd23.
Creating this blog is also a proud achievement!
Google calendar is something I would really like to use...but as a team tool. As I now have a Learning Technologist and a Curriculum Liaison Officer to keep tabs on I think sharing a calendar would be a very useful thing. Even using it for the whole of the ILS cross college team would be even better! (As our communication, or lack of it, needs working on!)
I've noticed my posts getting longer so I feel I'm now reflecting on things a lot more than I used to. I submitted my Chartership portfolio in July and my biggest concern is that I haven't reflected enough in it. I'm not used to writing down my reflections though I'm sure that in practice I've reflected on my performance for years. Whenever I've planned something I've always tried to get feedback, and have have looked at what I would/wouldn't do again if I repeated the exercise. I still found it hard to put my thoughts into words. I feel sure this course has got me thinking/reflecting in a more constructive way and I'm more confident to share my reflections.
Reflecting on the course so far has made me realise how much I have learned already, and how this will help me in my day-to-day work. I don't think I'm quite the novice who started off back in June!
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