It's been such a mental time at work at the moment, with new students arriving every day, I haven't had a spare moment to write anything. I still have 23 inductions left to do, but I mustn't moan as I have done 39! which is pretty good for one person.
On Wednesday I celebrate my last one, by starting my information literacy sessions! bit of an odd celebration- but it's a start.
Friday 30 September 2011
Friday 16 September 2011
Mentor
Luckily I have a great mentor, who also happens to be my best mate. She became my mentor three years ago and I love working with her. Since then a very strong friendship has developed. I think it really helped me in the first 6 months or so to help me find my feet in my role. But she still helps me now.
Where I work all the managers did a 8 day training event and I think at that point something changed in the college, we all started to share information and knowledge to help each other out.
I also have a mentor for my Chartership, which I have just started.
As for informally I have other librarians who can help me out with advice, or for more general managers information- senior management team, HR or MIS. Obviously I have my faviourite people who I know will provide me with honest advice.
If I have a choice I would pick informal mentoring and normally I just ask for someone's opinion or sounding them out on an idea. From the mentors that I have had, they need to be informal about it. you don't need a teacher and you can't learn everything from a job that way. But there needs to be respect. Which is why I think I have benefitted some much from them. As the people I have selected or been selected for me, see that I have specialist knowledge, as do they. So we both approach it with a kind hearted- where you will both will learn something.
I would like now to able to mentor someone, maybe once I have completed my chartership I will formally become a mentor. I suppose as a manager I do it informally now, but it's not something I really think about.
Where I work all the managers did a 8 day training event and I think at that point something changed in the college, we all started to share information and knowledge to help each other out.
I also have a mentor for my Chartership, which I have just started.
As for informally I have other librarians who can help me out with advice, or for more general managers information- senior management team, HR or MIS. Obviously I have my faviourite people who I know will provide me with honest advice.
If I have a choice I would pick informal mentoring and normally I just ask for someone's opinion or sounding them out on an idea. From the mentors that I have had, they need to be informal about it. you don't need a teacher and you can't learn everything from a job that way. But there needs to be respect. Which is why I think I have benefitted some much from them. As the people I have selected or been selected for me, see that I have specialist knowledge, as do they. So we both approach it with a kind hearted- where you will both will learn something.
I would like now to able to mentor someone, maybe once I have completed my chartership I will formally become a mentor. I suppose as a manager I do it informally now, but it's not something I really think about.
Art and design librarian
Having been asked to research in to the role, and changing role of art and design librarians, I found the handbook of art and design librarianship. Which, after only one chapter is a very good read. My research is looking at how academic art libraries will be changing in the future to ensure they stay relevant and how we have changed to get here.
Reading the handbook, I have come across some ideas, such as the non- traditional library jobs, referred to in the book as emerging tasks. When I think of my own role, emerging tasks seem to become more frequent, such as IT help, social networking and of course blogging.
Must read the rest of the book ASAP.
Reading the handbook, I have come across some ideas, such as the non- traditional library jobs, referred to in the book as emerging tasks. When I think of my own role, emerging tasks seem to become more frequent, such as IT help, social networking and of course blogging.
Must read the rest of the book ASAP.
Friday 2 September 2011
Why a library?
This is my 5th year working in libraries. Previously I have worked in Public libraries and now in academic.
Why this career? Teaching was always an idea, but I soon realised it wasn't what I wanted to do, after talking to people in the profession. What I love about libraries is that there is a teaching element, and i feel part of somethin. When I look back to my child hood I remember spending loads of time in libraries and in one form or another they have always been there. I have a massive interest in books (but which librarian doesn't) and life long learning, which libraries can be a part of.
Where am I now- right now I'm in my office boiling hot. Career wise, I have just completed my Post grad in information and library studies, I was adviced by CILIP to stop at Post grad level and do my chartership. Currently I am a library manager and have been for three years.
My plan for the future is to complete my chartership.
Why this career? Teaching was always an idea, but I soon realised it wasn't what I wanted to do, after talking to people in the profession. What I love about libraries is that there is a teaching element, and i feel part of somethin. When I look back to my child hood I remember spending loads of time in libraries and in one form or another they have always been there. I have a massive interest in books (but which librarian doesn't) and life long learning, which libraries can be a part of.
Where am I now- right now I'm in my office boiling hot. Career wise, I have just completed my Post grad in information and library studies, I was adviced by CILIP to stop at Post grad level and do my chartership. Currently I am a library manager and have been for three years.
My plan for the future is to complete my chartership.
Thing 9: evernote
Maybe it's because it's Firday, and the heat is starting to get to me. But I really don't get why Evernote is so good? I feel like I must be missing the point here. I've created an account and looked at it before, but I still don't get the point of it.
I will have another look this weekend, ask a few people what they think and see how I feel in the new week.
I will have another look this weekend, ask a few people what they think and see how I feel in the new week.
Thursday 1 September 2011
Thing 8
Reading over Thing 8, I don't have a google calendar, I did sign up for one but never seem to use it. Where I work does have Groupwise, which does the same thing. Other people can add, with your permission to your diary, information can be colour co-ordinated. I find the to do list really useful, at the moment if an academic asks me to do something additional in the induction, it means that I can add in some more detail in there. Or for another member of staff to deal with.
first induction
Having read the article yesterday about promoting and marketing the Library services, I put it in to slightly shaky practice this morning. with my first induction, I tried to ensure the students understodd the importance of the LRC/ library and more importantly what there is to do in the library. Trying to highlight the benefits was pretty easy- come here, read and something will be remembered which in theory should result in better grades. Also it means the students will feel more conencted with a space and have another person to contact/ speak to.
As for my first session, I feel it went fairly well, I managed to convey all the information I needed to, dedicated time to speak to each member of the group as well as getting them all to take out an item on self service. however I have felt that as the day has progressed, I find doing three a day quite hard going and so do the students. It's tough to get them and myself to have the same energy levels as in the morning.
As for my first session, I feel it went fairly well, I managed to convey all the information I needed to, dedicated time to speak to each member of the group as well as getting them all to take out an item on self service. however I have felt that as the day has progressed, I find doing three a day quite hard going and so do the students. It's tough to get them and myself to have the same energy levels as in the morning.
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