Thing 19: Catch up week on integrating 'things'

To reflect back on the 'things'  then.. Well I think I have learned quite a bit about techy type stuff over the past few weeks.  I probably won't find a use for all of them but it was interesting to find out what's 'out there'.  we may have a use for them in the library, we shall see.  It has certainly gave me some things to think about.  I have learned how to blog, something I had no clue about before.  I even know how to put a picture on here now.  I have also set a personal one about greeting cards I make.
I don't think I shall become a Twitter addict.  I signed up for Linkedin and LSPN, whether it's worth it I don't know.  I'm not a librarian or a 'new professional' but I will keep them up for now.  I have posted a couple of things on the LSPN forums too.  Someone's post was interesting on the subject of the virtual world of Second Life.  I decided to sign up for it to give it a test out.  It seems there are a few library people using it for training and discussions.  It is very fascinating and you could be 'in there' for hours!  You have to remember you have a real life as well!  If anyone is out there who uses it, I would be interested to 'meet' them!

Thing 18: Jing / screen capture / podcasts (making and following them)

Not a lot I can write about this one, because all the marvellous things on this we need to explore our place of work has blocked them.  So unless I download them on the pc at home I can't really comment.  On the face of it though they seem a very good tool.
Actually showing a small video clip of how you do things on the computer is very useful as some people can't grasp what you are telling them just with words.  I have seen the small training videos on EBSCO the site that manages journal issues.  They are quite comprehensive and if you don't get it the first time you can replay the clip.
While I can see this sort of thing being useful in training sessions I would have thought it would be just as easy for the  trainer to do 'live' what he teaching the class.  Obviously distance learning is another matter and it would come in very useful.

Thing 16: Advocacy, speaking up for the profession and getting published

Advocacy is a very important thing if you are sort of service desk, shop, museum curator etc etc.  You are  there to promote your wares.  Unless you are just a Saturday girl at the local supermarket who couldn't give a damn about the shop or customers, everyone should have a mind to serve the customer to their best ability.
Every day I help to advocate our library.  Whenever I serve a customer from issuing books to helping them find a journal article I promote our library and what it can do to help them find what they want.  If you are seen to do the best you can even if they walk away empty handed - you can congratulate yourself on a job well done and be seen to do the best you can for them.
Our library is a hospital library, so most of the staff here know we are there and know that we can or try to find them the best information they require.  New staff inductions are where we promote our library as well.  We provide training on how to find the best evidence based practice and literature searching.  Or for busy doctors we can do their literature search for them.
To advocate our library to our other staff and not just clinical staff, we set up a non clinical book selection.  This includes novels, non fiction, food and drink and gardening books.  They are donated books that anyone can bring in.  This has proved quite popular with clinical and non clinical staff alike.
Although there is unrest in the library fraternity I don't think we need to get out our banners and march to Downing Street just yet.  I think the health library in particular is seen as important to get the medical evidence for patient care.  The library is funded by the University Deanery which hold a special budget, so I think we are safe for now, although there has been cut backs elsewhere.
I read with interest on people's ideas for advocacy especially the knitting pattern idea!  Brilliant!  I am compelled to find other interesting ideas myself, particularly to get more of the non clinical staff in.

As for 'getting published' - this is definitely over my head.

Thing 15: Attending, presenting at and organising seminars, conferences and other events

To start on a negative note - I have absolutely no intention of speaking at seminars!  I was never one to speak out in the classroom and comments on my school reports all said "Beverley never puts her hand up to speak in class", "Beverley is a quiet girl..." you get the picture.
My job as Snr Library Assistant does not demand public speaking of me.  If the need comes up then I would have to shake off my fears and get a grip.  It would only be to library users anyway, probably an induction to the library type thing.  I don't do any training.
On the positive side, I have attended 'learn and share library days' with other libraries in the region.  These are good because you get to talk to people and if you see them again at another event you can say Hi and feel a bit more involved.  The 'sharing' bit was good because I felt like I was contributing and not just sitting listening to other people.  Obviously the learning bit was well... learning - different ideas and new things.
As to organising events.  That wouldn't be up to me.  I could help organise, I'm good at PowerPoint!  but I wouldn't be saying 'I think we should do this sort of event'.  I suppose I could suggest an event then it would be up to my boss to say yay or nay, but this has never cropped up as yet.

Thing 14: Zotero / Mendeley / citeulike

N/A to me.  However it may be something my colleague could use to help our customers.  Perhaps I will suggest it as part of the library training calendar..

Thing 13: Google Docs, Wikis and Dropbox

Here we are at unlucky for some Thing 13.
File sharing.  In our library and indeed at the hospital where the library is based  there is a thing called the Workgroup on the 'W' drive on each of the computers.  This allows each department to share their documents and files.  Every department only has access to their own Workgroup.  So.. the ideas here like Google Docs and  Dropbox are in themselves very clever and useful, but we wouldn't be using their services at my workplace.

Of course I can see their usefulness outside of the work place.  If you wish to share your files and documents with another party this would be an excellent way to do it.  Regarding Dropbox - very handy if you don't want to send loads of photos via email and clog up someone's inbox.  Also very handy that the other person doesn't have to have an account with Dropbox in order to view your files.
At home however a wireless connection that allows pcs to 'talk' to each other would be the answer here.  We did buy one at home ages ago, which allowed a wireless internet facility too, but we couldn't get it to work.  Perhaps we'll have another go at some point...

Thing 12 - Putting the social into social media

There's something to be said about social media, it can be for either good things like the 23 Things or bad things such as the recent riots.
Tools like Facebook and Twitter can certainly be very useful and a quick way of getting the message across.  Also with working in the NHS I can see the great potential and extreme usefulness when it comes to sharing important info such as healthcare.  Our library has a Twitter account which we can share information with our patrons via our Intranet page at the hospital - such as informing them of the latest editions of journals.  Assuming not all of our users have Twitter accounts it was decided that we should add a feed to our Intranet page.
I think social media has become an important asset in linking up with others.  With the likes of Facebook we can discover old friends and maybe re-kindle the flame as it were.  On the professional side it can useful to form contacts and also gain knowledge to further one's career.
Social media will never replace actual face to face contact however, but in these times where travel is expensive and a lot of hassle! contact via a computer is very handy and convenient.  Also with the web conferencing quality getting better all the time, we can 'meet' people from almost anywhere!
On a personal basis I have only used Facebook for personal use.  I have never done conference calling and I have only just set up an account with LISPN.  Not sure if it's worth it, because I am not really a 'New Professional'... but I will carry on for now.  As for blogging I don't think I will carry this on in a professional capacity for myself, unless my manager wants me to set up one for our library or something like that.  I am currently thinking about setting one up for my hobby which is greeting card crafting.  I never know who might 'notice' me...