cpd23 - thing 19

Time for a catch-up!

What a busy time it's been so far!  I can't believe that we're coming into the finishing stretch already, so it's probably good that we're having a 'stop and reflect' time.

I've learnt a lot from this cpd scheme so far - I've been introduced to a lot of different tools.  Some of which I can't see me using (such as pushnote, and google calendars); ones that I already use (like facebook); and ones that I would like to use more in the future (prezi, and maybe some of the screen capture tools).

Twitter - I admit I used this a few times, but have lapsed recently so must see about getting back into that.

I'd like to really try and integrate some of the showcased tools into my working practice: I would like to try and use prezi to create some form of interactive student induction (ambitious, much?!?) and I think some of the other tools would be good for library promotional material.

I have also really enjoyed the topics on advocacy and mentoring etc.: they were very thought provoking, and have made me want to promote libraries (and myself!) a bit more than I have done to date.

One way to show off a good book...

http://community.thisiscentralstation.com/_Mysterious-paper-sculptures/blog/4991767/126249.html

It seems that gorgeous paper sculptures are randomly appearing in Scotland: the link above shows photos of them, and where they were found.

I found this mentioned on another blog, and couldn't help but share!  the detail on these sculptures is just fantastic: someone is obviously spending a LOT of time on these, and yet they want to remain anonymous - I think that is just so cool  :D

I want to ride my bicycle...

http://www.eta.co.uk/2011/09/08/pedal-powered-mobile-library

I love this idea!  You could cover two objectives in one: reach the communities who may not have access to Library services, and get fit at the same time!  What do you think - should we adopt the idea?

cpd23 - thing 18

Jing / screen capture / podcasts (making and following them)

This is one I'll maybe have to investigate a bit more at home, as we're not able to download things onto our work computers.  Having read the information on Jing and Screencast-o-matic, I think they sound really good!  I can definitely see the potential uses of this technology, especially when sharing details with family as well as on a professional basis.  I don't know if I'd go as far as making a voice recording (doesn't everyone hate the sound of their own voice being played back?  I do!) but I like the idea of a narrated feature.

I've come across podcasting before, in the way that most people probably would have done: downloading repeats of radio shows to listen to in a block on the weekends, usually when driving somewhere.  When I was pregnant, my husband also downloaded a set of weekly podcasts from a major babycare company which told me what to expect week-to-week, which was fun and informative  :)  The college that I work for also produces podcasts: staff can record them themselves, or go to the main Multimedia department and record them there, for use in teaching.

Part of me likes the idea of a regular Library podcast: it might be a good way to advertise library services: if we're running any classes, for example, or maybe a set of podcasts of our online services describing things like Credo reference, or Issues Online... the problem is finding one of the team who would be comfortable recording these.  Hmm, something to think about maybe...

cpd23 - thing 17

This has been postponed by the cpd team - I'll come back and edit this later.  I want to keep this post as a placeholder though, or my numbers will be out of sequence - ocd, me?  Never  :D

EditEdit: thing 17 - Prezi and Slideshare

Prezi
Well, first impressions - I like!  It's definitely an improvement on powerpoint in my opinion: I do like how you can work your way through a screen in so many different ways.  There are some quite clever ways to draw attention to the different points you want to make when giving a presentation.

The reality is, I don't know how much use it would be to me really - I'm not often (read virtually never) in a position where I need to stand up in front of a group and give a talk with an on-screen presentation.  I'd definitely use this though if I was!  I'm going to continue having a play about with it, and will see if I can adapt it to anything I need for my work.  Maybe something along the lines of an online tutorial on using the library, with what services we offer?  It could be something for students to work through themselves as part of induction... hmm, I think this could do with some more thought...

Slideshare
I get the point of this: a huge online repository for powerpoints etc.  I can see how this would be of benefit to a lot of users: both in being able to get ideas for things you would like to do, and also for getting your own work out there for others to see.  You may find that your presentation is just what someone else needs for inspiration!

I don't think I'll be using this in my work though - the presentations that I create are in a shared work drive, so they can be copied / changed / adapted by others from my team as necessary.  At this point, I don't feel the need to upload them to become public content.

cpd23 - thing 16

Advocacy, speaking up for the profession and getting published


I'm a huge advocate of Library Services, if only to my friends and family, and workmates.  I've even somehow inspired one of my cousins to want to be a librarian (ok, she is only 12, but I was about her age when I decided to be a librarian!  She'll learn about the evils of classification at a later date...)

If you've been reading my blog, you'll have seen a post I made a while back about how I feel libraries are perceived: http://informationassistantatwork.blogspot.com/2011/06/times-they-are-changin.html  
I'm strongly of the opinion that many people just do not see the need for professional library services, and politicians are devaluing the service as a whole.  I think people need to be more aware of the skills that we hold, and the enrichment that we can bring to society: in schools and academic libraries, by providing a top-class environment for student support and to enable them to gain the best qualifications that they can; and in public libraries, who have an even greater social remit now than they ever have before -  not only in promoting reading (which will always be our main goal), but through providing classes on various topics to the public, providing computing access and help to those who need it, running pre-school story times to encourage children to read (and to encourage their parents to read to them: a huge help in developmental milestones for children), and to provide a social space where people just like to be!

I think that I would like to get involved in advocacy on a wider scale - I've just never really known where to start.  However, thanks to cpd23, I've now got some places to look at: I'm very interested in Voices for the Library, and will definitely be looking further into this.  Maybe it's time to make my voice heard: small though it may be, when it joins so many others, others will have to take note!  Long live the LIBRARY!

cpd23 - thing 15

Attending, presenting at and organising seminars, conferences and other events

I'm going to have to hold my hands up to this one, and admit that I've been to relatively few professional events.  It's been mostly due to time: in other workplaces, I was never really given the opportunity to go, and where I work now it's more time constraints.  I have been to a few smaller events run by CILIP over the years, but only ever as an attendee, never as a speaker.

I have enjoyed the events I have been to: they seemed to be well organised, with good speakers.  (they also had good coffee and biscuits at break time, which also helps).  I'd recommend others to make sure that the people they have asked to speak are well prepared: one talk I did attend did have a speaker who couldn't quite get along with the powerpoint they were meant to be using.  I would like to attend other events - I do find them very interesting.

In terms of presenting at events: this is not something I have ever been asked to do (I don't think I work at a high enough level to warrant public speaking!).  In addition to this, though many people may disagree with me, I'm actually very shy (and yet I work in a public facing profession?!?).  I do tend to cover this by talking a lot, but I don't know if I could ever feel comfortable talking to large groups of people.  I also can't see myself organising any events: but let's never say never!

cpd23 - thing 14

Zotero / Mendeley / Citeulike

Referencing!  Oh, how I remember the heady days of my university coursework, where you had to make sure that absolutely everything you cited in your work (even if it was only a couple of words) was correctly referenced - or you were convinced that you would be accused of plagiarism and would automatically fail your entire degree.  Such fun!  I bet one of these sites would have helped enormously...

14A - Zotero:
I'm going to give this one a miss, as firefox is not really my internet browser of choice.

14B - Mendeley
It would seem that I can't access this site from my work computer - it's being filtered as being 'illegal or questionable'.  Meep!  Better give this a miss - I may try and access it from home, and will repost if I do.

14C - Citeulike
This I managed to access  J I'm not 100% sure of whether I like this or not: I can see some really good points, such as being able to search 'public' documents so you can see if anyone is looking for the same type of material as yourself.  I can see how this could be very useful when writing essays etc., as it could point you in the direction of some very useful information related to your own topic, which you might not have come across otherwise.  Again, it also has the professional / personal mix aspect going on as well, what with the blog being attached to your user account so you can cite references for the articles you've looked at.  I could see that some students might get on really well with this service.  However, I can't say I really liked the way everything was set out: it's nothing that I can really put a finger on, but it just doesn't 'sit' right with me, so I don't know if I'll ever go back and use it to any depth.  I'm glad I've had a look at it though, and will certainly bear it in mind for future use or to recommend to others.

cpd23 - thing 13

Google Docs, Wikis, and Dropbox

The only one of these applications that I have used prior to this post has been Wikis - I do like looking for information on Wikipedia, though I have never edited or added to any of the topics there.  I also use a work wiki site, which was set up for Library staff, where we posted on a variety of different topics from cataloguing questions, to organising our christmas night out! (must actually get posting on there again: where did my password go?...)  I do find them a very useful tool for sharing information between people, and I really like the idea that many people from all areas can contribute information to them - though I am also very aware that this means that any information found can be very subject to personal bias on the viewpoint of whoever is editing.

I've had a look at Google Docs and Dropbox, and can definitely see the advantages of keeping information there - especially if you want to share information with someone who is not in your workplace structure.  For work purposes, though, I don't think I will be setting up any accounts just now as I have access to a shared department drive where we can store documents for wider access: we are all able to store and edit documents there as and when necessary.  On a personal note, it is something that I might consider in the future for sharing materials with friends and family if we're working on any projects - I do like the look of Google Docs in particular.

cpd23 - thing 12

Social Media

Social media is such a huge thing now - both for working life, and for personal use.  I would say that most people would use these tools for pure 'social' purposes: arranging to meet people out and about, 'face-to-face' screen time, online chats etc.  For me, I've only ever really used these media for personal use: facebook, and chatrooms etc.  I never really wanted to use them for my work life.

And now?  I can definitely see where the benefits would be of merging these media into my professional life.  Take this blog, for example.  Through cpd23, I'm able to contact many other people on the same scheme: some of whom may be in the same kind of job that I am, and some in completely different areas, but all brought together by the desire to learn and widen their perceptions.  It's very useful to see what others are doing: it's definitely made me feel like I'm part of a wider community.  I think that I will increase my use of media to further my professional persona - linkedin appeals to me, but I feel I would need to have a good look at what information I would want to put there before I put anything up.

However, I can't see myself as ever completely merging my personal use of social media with my professional use.  I prefer having a distinction between them both: I'd rather be able to keep my 'personal' life to my close friends and family, without overloading them with working details - on the flip side, I don't think my work colleagues need details or photos of my personal life (though if you ask them, may I already share more than enough when I'm chatting to [or at!] them!)

Normal service to resume shortly...

I'm back!  Sorry it has been more than a few weeks since I last posted: after the holidays, work kinda got in the way (darn it!) and have been to busy to post at all.  I've been reading though, so have noticed that I have 7 cpd23 things to catch up on.  I'm at a quieter site today, so I'm going to devote some time to a massive catch-up while I get the chance.  So prepare yourself for some major posting...