Social media terrified me. It still does to a large extent. Hence I steeled myself and forced myself to sign up to cpd23things. I knew I had an obligation to familiarize myself with these technologies. I was also extremely grateful that a colleague decided, along with our Manager, to take me under her wing for me to progress with cpd23things.
My progress has been extremely slow. I won't get the certificate but that's ok. I have set myself a target now to finish by the end of Jan. If I do that, having dabbled with each of the 23 things, that will be more of a personal achievement than the certificate.
So what terrifies me about social media?. Firstly, it's the technical side of it. As I have blogged previously, the words "dinosaur" and "least techie savvy" describe my IT abilities. I get there eventually but find learning new IT skills quite stressful. I feel I have little rapport with IT. What is apparent and intuitive to others will be lost on me.
Additionally, I am uncomfortable with operating in a very, very public domain. I prefer to know with whom I am communicating and being in control at all times.
I also have a real problem with the use of the word "friend". My friends are very special and important to me. I see them and I enjoy being with them. I feel most uncomfortable at using the term to describe an internet contact. Perhaps having the highest possible number of "friends" provides a sense of wellbeing? My sense of wellbeing comes from meeting my friends, or communicating by phone or text (or even letter!!). Ironically, I suspect that the cpd23things participants with whom I met for the social element of the course some months ago, were already friends and work colleagues anyway.
I am aware that my views and outlook would be in the minority. I am also aware that social media is an intrinsic part of the infomation world. However, I am starting to learn that I don't have to reveal my innermost thoughts on a blog for example (as I originally thought), but can make use for professional purposes that even I can be comfortable with.
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Thing 11
Currently, I am not formally involved in mentoring anybody. However that doesn't mean that I am not not a mentor in my day to day professional and private life.
As an Information Librarian, it is my role to provide the resources required for the staff and students of the Faculty of Advanced Technology. These resources include books, journals, e books, e journals, databases, standards, reports conference proceedings etc. It is my role also to ensure that my staff and students know how to get the best from these resources. This is often done on a one-to-one basis whereby I am building on the skills and knowledge of the individual. It is possibly not described as mentoring but I see that this as mentoring - it is offering advice, guidance and a direction. I am rewarded when I know that because of my assistance an individula has improved themselves.
In my private life I consider that I mentor my 3 children. It's supporting, steering and educating them to realize their potential. It's not something that I aim to do consciously, it is instinctive.
As an Information Librarian, it is my role to provide the resources required for the staff and students of the Faculty of Advanced Technology. These resources include books, journals, e books, e journals, databases, standards, reports conference proceedings etc. It is my role also to ensure that my staff and students know how to get the best from these resources. This is often done on a one-to-one basis whereby I am building on the skills and knowledge of the individual. It is possibly not described as mentoring but I see that this as mentoring - it is offering advice, guidance and a direction. I am rewarded when I know that because of my assistance an individula has improved themselves.
In my private life I consider that I mentor my 3 children. It's supporting, steering and educating them to realize their potential. It's not something that I aim to do consciously, it is instinctive.
Thing 10
My career!
I gained a BA (Hons) Humanities from Trent Polytechnic in 1983. I thoroughly enjoyed my course but was aware that other than demonstrate that I was capable of pursuing a degree, it didn't qualify me for a particular career. I suppose I began to think seriously about "what I'm going to do when I finish" in my final year. Teaching, Teaching English as a Foreign Language and Travelling the World were uppermost in my thinking. I then became aware of a Pre-Professional Trainee Programme with Nottinghamshire County Libraries. It was hardly Travelling the World but a career in libraries became more and more appealing. I used to speak with the staff of the Library at the Clifton Campus to find out more and I undertook some unpaid work (shelving) to gain some experience. This was in the days before Heath and Safety prevented this type of activity!
After graduation I applied for the post of Pre-Professional Trainee, was delighted to be interviewd and was delighted to be appointed.
My year's experience was varied - from working in "Central" in the City Centre to the Branch Libraries. My work confirmed to me that for some people, the Library is central to their lives. I still remember some of the regular borrowers and still have some gifts (I don't suppose I would be allowed to accept gifts now!)
Before long it was time to think about Library School, but doubted my ability to secure a place. I was enjoying working as a Library Assistant but didn't think I would be offered a place at Library School and wondered whether I would cope. Applications were made and Leeds Polytechnic offered me a place on the PG Dip Lib and Info Sci course plus a Bursary thrown in! Not only a place - funding as well.
The course ran from January to December and was intensive. I found it pretty hard going but was successful. I keep in touch with some colleagues from the course (no- not by Blog or Twitter but by Christmas and Birthday cards with a note inside!)
I don't think there is a right or wrong way to enter into Librarianship. Everybody's circumstances are different. I just know that I was extremely fortunate in the opportunites which presented themselves to me, ie the opportunity to work on a voluntary basis, the opportnity to apply for the Pre-Professional Trainee post and the opportnity to apply for a Bursary. I gained a huge amount from my degree but then was able to focus on Librarianship after that when it could be said, I was more mature to cope.
Subsequently, my career in Librarianship has always been in Higher Education and aways within the Science and Technology areas. Quite different from my backround but the challenge has always been rewarding
I appreciate that many colleagues have Masters' degrees. I am not pursuing this currently. My full time work and 3 chidren take up the most part of my time. I consider that at the moment, my efforts need to be focussed on the way IT developments are changing the face of Librarianship (left to my own devices I am a dinosaur) and also keeping abreast of teaching and Information Literacy skills. My PGCE was completed some years ago and so it is essential that I keep these skills relevant.
However, whilst I am fairly relaxed about not having a Masters' qualification or not pursuing one, I am not relaxed about my lack of Chartership. My Manager knows that this is the greatest thorn in my side and she has been entirely supportive to me. It just hasn't happened and I am not happy about this. Throughout my career as a Librarian my skills have develpoed and my roles and responsibilities have changed. In theory, I would be capable of completing my Chartership, but it is almost that I have so much experience on which to draw that I don't know where to start. As my career develops, this only exacerbates the situation.
I gained a BA (Hons) Humanities from Trent Polytechnic in 1983. I thoroughly enjoyed my course but was aware that other than demonstrate that I was capable of pursuing a degree, it didn't qualify me for a particular career. I suppose I began to think seriously about "what I'm going to do when I finish" in my final year. Teaching, Teaching English as a Foreign Language and Travelling the World were uppermost in my thinking. I then became aware of a Pre-Professional Trainee Programme with Nottinghamshire County Libraries. It was hardly Travelling the World but a career in libraries became more and more appealing. I used to speak with the staff of the Library at the Clifton Campus to find out more and I undertook some unpaid work (shelving) to gain some experience. This was in the days before Heath and Safety prevented this type of activity!
After graduation I applied for the post of Pre-Professional Trainee, was delighted to be interviewd and was delighted to be appointed.
My year's experience was varied - from working in "Central" in the City Centre to the Branch Libraries. My work confirmed to me that for some people, the Library is central to their lives. I still remember some of the regular borrowers and still have some gifts (I don't suppose I would be allowed to accept gifts now!)
Before long it was time to think about Library School, but doubted my ability to secure a place. I was enjoying working as a Library Assistant but didn't think I would be offered a place at Library School and wondered whether I would cope. Applications were made and Leeds Polytechnic offered me a place on the PG Dip Lib and Info Sci course plus a Bursary thrown in! Not only a place - funding as well.
The course ran from January to December and was intensive. I found it pretty hard going but was successful. I keep in touch with some colleagues from the course (no- not by Blog or Twitter but by Christmas and Birthday cards with a note inside!)
I don't think there is a right or wrong way to enter into Librarianship. Everybody's circumstances are different. I just know that I was extremely fortunate in the opportunites which presented themselves to me, ie the opportunity to work on a voluntary basis, the opportnity to apply for the Pre-Professional Trainee post and the opportnity to apply for a Bursary. I gained a huge amount from my degree but then was able to focus on Librarianship after that when it could be said, I was more mature to cope.
Subsequently, my career in Librarianship has always been in Higher Education and aways within the Science and Technology areas. Quite different from my backround but the challenge has always been rewarding
I appreciate that many colleagues have Masters' degrees. I am not pursuing this currently. My full time work and 3 chidren take up the most part of my time. I consider that at the moment, my efforts need to be focussed on the way IT developments are changing the face of Librarianship (left to my own devices I am a dinosaur) and also keeping abreast of teaching and Information Literacy skills. My PGCE was completed some years ago and so it is essential that I keep these skills relevant.
However, whilst I am fairly relaxed about not having a Masters' qualification or not pursuing one, I am not relaxed about my lack of Chartership. My Manager knows that this is the greatest thorn in my side and she has been entirely supportive to me. It just hasn't happened and I am not happy about this. Throughout my career as a Librarian my skills have develpoed and my roles and responsibilities have changed. In theory, I would be capable of completing my Chartership, but it is almost that I have so much experience on which to draw that I don't know where to start. As my career develops, this only exacerbates the situation.
Thing 9
I must admit that I am now going to discuss evernote but I have't looked at it. It's not for the want of trying, however - it simply wouldn't load up for me from the link. Pasting the url into the browser didn't help, either. So, I checked out what colleagues in whom I have a good deal of trust have posted plus I investigated it on Youtube.
The purpose of it reminds me of a little book I had in the top drawer of my desk when I first started out as a young professional. It was a little notebook which I had entitled "Hints and Tips". It was really more than that though - I made a note of everything of note. It got quite full.
So, could evernote replace my little notebook? Yes, if that was all I had, a little book, it probably would . It would be serachable and I could organise my notes in a more structured way and access them more easily.
However, the advent of email saw the demise of my little book. I could retain anything of worth in an email. This is what I do. I still have my little book but it doesn't see any activity these days, whereas my email obvioulsy does.
In some respects, evernote assumes that it's providing the tool for organisation for which we have been waiting. I don't think that is the case. I think we have all organised ourselves in different ways up until now.
I can see from the comments I have read that it is viewed positively, but it's not a tool that I've been waiting for.
The purpose of it reminds me of a little book I had in the top drawer of my desk when I first started out as a young professional. It was a little notebook which I had entitled "Hints and Tips". It was really more than that though - I made a note of everything of note. It got quite full.
So, could evernote replace my little notebook? Yes, if that was all I had, a little book, it probably would . It would be serachable and I could organise my notes in a more structured way and access them more easily.
However, the advent of email saw the demise of my little book. I could retain anything of worth in an email. This is what I do. I still have my little book but it doesn't see any activity these days, whereas my email obvioulsy does.
In some respects, evernote assumes that it's providing the tool for organisation for which we have been waiting. I don't think that is the case. I think we have all organised ourselves in different ways up until now.
I can see from the comments I have read that it is viewed positively, but it's not a tool that I've been waiting for.
Thing 8
Have just set uo my Google Calendar. It was very easy to do. However, I can't see that I will be using it in "real life" Perhaps it's an age thing but I can't see myself in the situation where friends would need to know whether I'm available or if not, what I'm doing. When friends want to know about my whereabouts, I am more likely to get a phone call or a text. I can see it being used by people with lots of social activities and lots of contacts. On Outlook there is a perfectly good Calendar which would give my work commitments. However, I tend to use my own hard copy of a diary for my apppointments, meetings and commitments. I know that this is archaic but I have had my fingers burnt with my electronic calendar. In the past, I have had my computer at home disabled for whatever reason (often children have unplugged something or not logged off properly), ie I have had no access to a computer and therefore an electronic calendar. Chaos! In order to have total confidence that I can know my schedule, I use my hard copy diary which travels to and from work with me each day.
I do appreciate that this is not particularly helpful for colleagues who may need to know my whereabouts. Therefore - New Year's Resolution is to start to make use of my Outlook Calendar, but nothing will ever wean me from my hard copy diary - I'll run the two together.
Therefore, Google Calendar is easy to use, but I have no need for it, being well catered for with my work Outlook Calendar and my hard copy diary.
I do appreciate that this is not particularly helpful for colleagues who may need to know my whereabouts. Therefore - New Year's Resolution is to start to make use of my Outlook Calendar, but nothing will ever wean me from my hard copy diary - I'll run the two together.
Therefore, Google Calendar is easy to use, but I have no need for it, being well catered for with my work Outlook Calendar and my hard copy diary.
Thing 7
Probably, University of Glamorgan is like many institutions currently in that the training budget is being reduced and all applications for training are very carefully considered. Therefore, the esssence of it is - think "free".
I do belong to the organising committee for the USTLG group and we have arranged meetings of huge value and in inspirational venues, including ther Bodlean Libary and Clare College, Cambridge. Though each meeting has a theme, for example Data Management, Information Literacy, the opportunity for face to face networking as also invaluable. Though the meetings are free and lunch often provided by a sponsor, accomodation and travel still needs to be provided and so I usually hold my breath whilst my application is being considered by my manager.
JISC has been offering free updating sessions for Web of Science around the UK and I have been able to attend a local venue and meet with colleagues from other institutions to consider the developments of WoS and share experiences. Of course, "free" being the operative word.
Several of the databses within my subject area provide regular training/updating opporrtunities, though rarely do they venture to Wales. Travelling to London (which is often the location) is prohibitive and so I have taken advantage of Webinars. I would always prefer to face to face hands on training and dicsussion, but that can't always be the case in the current climate.
However, belonging to the JIBS IHS Focus Group does mean that I do travel to London (twice yearly) to meet with colleagues from IHS and other academic institutions. Travel expenses and an excellent "working lunch" are provided by IHS and so the only outlay for Glamorgan for me to poarticipate in these valuable events is my time.
I do belong to the organising committee for the USTLG group and we have arranged meetings of huge value and in inspirational venues, including ther Bodlean Libary and Clare College, Cambridge. Though each meeting has a theme, for example Data Management, Information Literacy, the opportunity for face to face networking as also invaluable. Though the meetings are free and lunch often provided by a sponsor, accomodation and travel still needs to be provided and so I usually hold my breath whilst my application is being considered by my manager.
JISC has been offering free updating sessions for Web of Science around the UK and I have been able to attend a local venue and meet with colleagues from other institutions to consider the developments of WoS and share experiences. Of course, "free" being the operative word.
Several of the databses within my subject area provide regular training/updating opporrtunities, though rarely do they venture to Wales. Travelling to London (which is often the location) is prohibitive and so I have taken advantage of Webinars. I would always prefer to face to face hands on training and dicsussion, but that can't always be the case in the current climate.
However, belonging to the JIBS IHS Focus Group does mean that I do travel to London (twice yearly) to meet with colleagues from IHS and other academic institutions. Travel expenses and an excellent "working lunch" are provided by IHS and so the only outlay for Glamorgan for me to poarticipate in these valuable events is my time.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Thing 6
Facebook. Yes. I did set up an account some time ago. I felt the need to engage. However, I've made very little use of it. I suppose it's something to do with with sharing with the outside world. I know that Facebook is so important to so many people and it's the means for communication. My own daughter knows what's going on through Facebook (she couldn't operate without it). I know what's going on through phone calls and emails.
I haven't tried LinkedIN as yet, but I know that in professional circles it's the technology of choice and so maybe I should.....................
OK - update I am well and truly linkedIN! I have now set up my account. I haven't populated all of the fields but have included my education and current details. I can see how this is a valuable tool for for marketing oneself. However, I think that maybe my use would be for me to be more contactable by people who may know of me but have no contact details. I attend the USTLG twice-yearly meetings and find them really useful. Networking is a big part of these events and so for anybody with whom I chatted over lunch who may wish to contact me, now they can and I can make contact with them also.
I haven't tried LinkedIN as yet, but I know that in professional circles it's the technology of choice and so maybe I should.....................
OK - update I am well and truly linkedIN! I have now set up my account. I haven't populated all of the fields but have included my education and current details. I can see how this is a valuable tool for for marketing oneself. However, I think that maybe my use would be for me to be more contactable by people who may know of me but have no contact details. I attend the USTLG twice-yearly meetings and find them really useful. Networking is a big part of these events and so for anybody with whom I chatted over lunch who may wish to contact me, now they can and I can make contact with them also.
Thing 5
Gosh. I really do have my ups and downs with my attitude to IT. Having finished Thing 4 fairly upbeat (with the best of intentions), I can't say that I have progressed with my blog, twitter or RSS feeds. Why? I ask myself. Well, I have identified that it's because I am so uncomfortable with theses technologies; if there is anything slightly different from the last time I was involved I totally panic. I don't know how to put it right or even get back to where I was. I can waste so much time trying to do what I need to and that really frustrates and alarms me. I don't find most aspects of IT intuitive. I can only follow steps and procedures. The minute something is presented to me in a different way, I can't progress. All in all I equate many new technologies with stress.
I see escalating IT developments in my work all around me. Having really only got the basics of Power Point I now see that that is totally passe and really I should be using Prezi. If I had a one to one trainer and could devote as much time as it required, I would probably get to grips with Prezi. However, I haven't. I can only dabble and when I make no progress I get frustated and alarmed and of course, want nothing to do with it (mindful of the fact that I am being left further and further behind). It is almost that the other things I do in my work and dare I say do well, eg liaison with my users on a personal level, is of no consequence because it's not IT based.
However, perhaps all is not doom and gloom. Perhaps the fact that I am recognizing how rapidly the library world is changing and that I must engage is quite an achievement (even from this time last year). So, perhaps I shouldn't be too hard on myself. After all, what am I doing now? I'm blogging!!
I see escalating IT developments in my work all around me. Having really only got the basics of Power Point I now see that that is totally passe and really I should be using Prezi. If I had a one to one trainer and could devote as much time as it required, I would probably get to grips with Prezi. However, I haven't. I can only dabble and when I make no progress I get frustated and alarmed and of course, want nothing to do with it (mindful of the fact that I am being left further and further behind). It is almost that the other things I do in my work and dare I say do well, eg liaison with my users on a personal level, is of no consequence because it's not IT based.
However, perhaps all is not doom and gloom. Perhaps the fact that I am recognizing how rapidly the library world is changing and that I must engage is quite an achievement (even from this time last year). So, perhaps I shouldn't be too hard on myself. After all, what am I doing now? I'm blogging!!
Friday, 23 September 2011
Thing 4
Just joined Twitter. I am trying to get my head around it all. Will Stephen Fry really be following me and knowing about my cheese sandwhich for lunch!
Update!
Having not been very active on cpd 23 of late, I'm starting again. (Basically, my very heavy Autumn Term teaching load is tapering off a little and I can start to think of things other than information literacy workshops with Engineerting students!)
I have identified some folk to follow and guess what? I'm going to select anything that I find usful for my blog and add it. I've decided that I'm not going to blog at length with tomes staright from the heart but for the most part, I shall recycle anything of value and make that available to my follower (s?!)
I have looked at RSS feeds and can see the use. A little confused though that I thought they were delivered straight to my inbox, but it appears that I have to access via a folder in Outlook or through Google Reader. Will I remember to do this? Time will tell.
I have looked at Pushnote but could not see much of a use for me. Having looked at some colleagues postings it seems that I'm not the only one. I am the least techie savvy person and so if it's not good enough for my more able colleagues, then it certainly isn't something I'm going to embrace.
Not bad though. Converted to blogs, twitter and RSS but sadly not to Pushnote.
Update!
Having not been very active on cpd 23 of late, I'm starting again. (Basically, my very heavy Autumn Term teaching load is tapering off a little and I can start to think of things other than information literacy workshops with Engineerting students!)
I have identified some folk to follow and guess what? I'm going to select anything that I find usful for my blog and add it. I've decided that I'm not going to blog at length with tomes staright from the heart but for the most part, I shall recycle anything of value and make that available to my follower (s?!)
I have looked at RSS feeds and can see the use. A little confused though that I thought they were delivered straight to my inbox, but it appears that I have to access via a folder in Outlook or through Google Reader. Will I remember to do this? Time will tell.
I have looked at Pushnote but could not see much of a use for me. Having looked at some colleagues postings it seems that I'm not the only one. I am the least techie savvy person and so if it's not good enough for my more able colleagues, then it certainly isn't something I'm going to embrace.
Not bad though. Converted to blogs, twitter and RSS but sadly not to Pushnote.
Thing 3
Personal brand. Gosh. Do I have one? I've never really thought that I did.
However, I must have. I have a certain style I would say. Not so much a brand but a style. Old fashioned, luddite? Maybe - but that's me. That's the way I get things done. If I am to promote myself professionally, (which is the purpose of my engaging with CPD23) I think it will soon become apparent that though I may be making use of the technologies, it is as a means to end, but it's not all consuming .Having said that, even I can recognize that I am going to have to work on reinventing myself as a librarian actively engaging and enjoying promoting myself as a librarian of the 21st Century.
Promoting myself as a brand outside of work..............................I won't even go there!!
However, I must have. I have a certain style I would say. Not so much a brand but a style. Old fashioned, luddite? Maybe - but that's me. That's the way I get things done. If I am to promote myself professionally, (which is the purpose of my engaging with CPD23) I think it will soon become apparent that though I may be making use of the technologies, it is as a means to end, but it's not all consuming .Having said that, even I can recognize that I am going to have to work on reinventing myself as a librarian actively engaging and enjoying promoting myself as a librarian of the 21st Century.
Promoting myself as a brand outside of work..............................I won't even go there!!
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Thing 2
Not bad eh?! Week 2 Thing was due on 20th June. It's now 11th August and I'm on Week 2 Thing! I did say I was a late starter!
I have been trying to get to grips with the whole thing - "blogger", "wordpress" all new concepts for me. Having found my way into CPD 23 Things (with massive help I'll freely admit), I have been looking at the blogs of other folk. Having said that, a little unerved at the enormity of it, I have restricted my reading to just my colleagues. What diferent styles, but all worth reading. I am getting a flavour of how a blog can be used? It's making me think. In the real world how would I use it. Perhaps I'll be brave, step out of my comfort zone and check out some starngers!
I have been trying to get to grips with the whole thing - "blogger", "wordpress" all new concepts for me. Having found my way into CPD 23 Things (with massive help I'll freely admit), I have been looking at the blogs of other folk. Having said that, a little unerved at the enormity of it, I have restricted my reading to just my colleagues. What diferent styles, but all worth reading. I am getting a flavour of how a blog can be used? It's making me think. In the real world how would I use it. Perhaps I'll be brave, step out of my comfort zone and check out some starngers!
Friday, 15 July 2011
Late Starter!
Hi All - as the title says - I'm a late starter but looking forward to joining the CPD23 project - hoping to learn loads!
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