Thing 23: Reflection - What next?

Well then – this is it – the final ‘Thing’.  Reflection time. 
I quite enjoyed the course.  I learned some new things and got to read what other people get up to.  I was surprised of the various locations of people who took the 23 Things on too.
I even had some new books for my birthday after reading a review by one candidate and putting them on my birthday list!

On the subject of PDPs our organisation has this on its staff appraisal and review processes.  So I will be planning what to do next.  At this stage I’m not really sure.  At my last one my colleague made the suggestion of joining CILIP.  As you have to pay to be a member to have letters after your name, I said I would look into it to see if I thought it was worth it.  At this stage I am not looking to change my job or ‘further my career’ as in becoming a librarian, I am happy where I am as Senior Library Assistant. 

Not sure if I will keep this blog on or not, I suppose it depends if I’ve got anything interesting to say!
So for now ta ta..  happy blogging to you all..

Bev

Thing 22: Volunteering to get experience

I have no experience of volunteering for any sort of work.  As an ex-factory girl at the time there were plenty of jobs around so no need to volunteer unpaid services.
As a library assistant I just applied for the job and got it.  I didn't seek out to be a library assistant or any sort of library staff, so volunteering my services didn't apply.
I can see the potential of volunteering however, especially someone who has recently graduated as a librarian and want to gain experience in a library.  After leaving printing college [that's another story] nobody would take on college leavers because of a lack of experience, so I can definitely back up the need for experience.  At the time nobody from the printing college mentioned about volunteering so it never occurred to the students - that's if employers would take on volunteer staff.  All water under the bridge now..

Thing 21: Promoting yourself in job applications and at interview

Part 1 Identifying your strengths.   To be honest I can't think of anything that my hobbies and pastimes have linked with my job.  The only thing I can think of is liking to be tidy and my stuff at home put in some sort of order much like our library shelves.  Although I don't really like shelf-checking and tidying!  On the other hand when it's done I can think - there goes a tidy library and look back at a job well done.  Oh yeah and I love books, so there's another connection, if you can call it that.
I suppose thinking about it I like to create posters and notices for the library.  Part of my pastimes involve being creative, i.e. my greeting card crafting.  I used to like painting and drawing too but never get time now.

Part 2 Applying for a job  Not looking for another job at present! Took me long enough to get  this one.  However there are some good tips on Thing 21 for your CV etc.  I have recently updated mine with important details of my current post.

Part 3 Interviews  See above.  Good to have tips for interviews however because in this really competitive world we live in now we need all the help we can get!  If asked about your hobbies they might make you stand out from the crowd.  The people interviewing you may see you as a good academic etc, but perhaps the other candidates are too, your hobbies say a lot about you as a person.  You may even have your future colleagues having the same interests!  I haven't got any tips for interviews except: ladies, don't wear a low blouse - it don't work.. ;-)

Who am I and what am I doing here? Thing 20: The Library Routes Project

Hi all
this post is for the The Library Routes Project I heard about in the 23 Things project.  Here goes..

After being made redundant from a knitwear factory in my home town, I decided no more factories for me.  The previous couple of years saw me going to night classes at the local college to do a CLAIT course and typing, from which I gained qualifications.  I was ready to leave the factory to seek employment in the admin world.

However I put that on hold when I met my husband and we started saving up for a house etc.
At the end of 2000 I had no choice but to seek admin work as the factory closed it's doors for the last time.
I then decided to join an agency and gained a little experience filling in for people at various offices in the area.
After a few months I landed a part time 6 month job at a local hospital in one of the offices, as office junior [!]  I'm not very 'junior' , not in years anyway, however young I call myself!  That contract ended and I had another spell on the dole.
Another job became available - this time a permanent full time job with the same hospital as Undergraduate Secretary.  This involved supporting medical students on placement at the hospital.  I was there for a few years before I got itchy feet and decided to do something else, that's when the post of Senior Library Assistant became available where I am today.  I have been at this post now for 4 years.

Not sure I want to further this and become a librarian.  If a post came along it would probably mean I have to travel a lot further than I do now to come to work. Not sure I want to do that, even if it is more money!  Also it is a very competitive market out there, not wanting to be too negative and appear not very confident but I probably wouldn't stand a lot of chance.  I'm not a young whipper-snapper either!  Someone like me at my age of ... ahem.... and without a lot of experience in libraries would be beaten by some young graduate I'm sure!
I am happy with what I do and happy to plod along as usual ..  for now anyway.

thanks for reading!

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.