Why I become a librarian

Having worked in libraries for 6 years, it's time to reflect on why I started this journey.

1. Wanted to work in education, but not as an academic
2. Enjoyed the sense of doing something worthwhile
3. Liked the variety of the role
4. Enjoy the link to technology
5. Something very British about the job
6. Outlet for obsessive behaviours, such as the ordering of items
7. "fun" of finding things
8. Enjoyment of using libraries when. I was young, plus the traditional love of books.

I am sure if you asked anyone else their reasons would be more sophisticated, but I'm happy with my reasons.

Portfolio building training session

Attended the portfolio building training session for MCILIPyesterday, I was a little sceptical about how worth while it was going to be and thought it might be CILIP trying to justify the £50 admin fee. But having spent 3 hours listening and note taking the course intersting and I seem now to have understood the 4 criteria. However I am unsure of how the event previously lasted all day, as ever my interested faltered after the break.

Content
I felt highly relevant I formation was delievered, providing additional relevant material on what should and shouldn't be including. For example, finding out that only5 pieces of evidence is needed per criterion and that pieces can represent multiple criteria, sets my mind at ease as several of my projects tick more than one box.

Trainers
Both for approachable and knowledgable, which made the session enjoyable and motivational, as half way through the session I was thinking that after MCILIP, I would like to become a mentor but in the short term my goal is to break down the task of completion in to sizeable tasks, with realistic deadlines and follow the twitter conversations #chartership chat and return to the previously engaged with #uklibchat. however if i am being totally honest I found the content of the first presenter more depth and interesting in comparison to the first half a dozen slides of the second presentor.

Overall I consider the most relevant aspect of the course to be the reinitiation of my previously dwindling motivation. Currently feeling inspired and that I could complete my chartership, as the task now seems to be in manageable pieces, unlike 24 hours ago when it felt like a bit of a drain only resources. I feel I have significantly increased my chances of successfully completing my portfolio, which I would like to do before the 11 th feb 2013, my return to work date post maternity leave.

Man who turned his home into a public library

Interesting story on the BBC, about a 60 year old man who turned his house in to a public library. A library with no rules, set up in the memory of his parents. Impressive guy, liking his act of kindsness to his community.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19547365

What should an information literacy package contain

Information literacy being the seeking, retrieval and manipulation of information, in a ethically Infocorrect fashion. Regardless of the medium and format which it is presented. There are several models to explain what an information literacy package should contain- the most widely agreed upon

Content
1. Realising there is a need for information and how much information is needed
2. Research skills, both in traditional formats and online.
3. Critical thinking, the ability to evaluate and assess the information, to ensure accuracy, decency, legitimacy and validity.
4. Communication, of how the information will be presented from the reader to the audience and how the information will be collected.
5. Library skills, which is to encompass everything from finding a book using OPAC, to creating an Athens account, and doing a Boolean search within JSTOR.
6. Media literacy, to encompass computer literacy and visual literacy
7. The organisation and adapting of information. 

it's also important to work with the academics, to ensure timely delivery of the content, to soon into a new course and the information will be irrelevant, to late and it's equally pointless. 

Presentation
Regardless of the format, whether it be standing in front ova PowerPoint presentation, so it resembles a lecture,or something more flash like prezi, it doesn't matter along as the message is getting across to them. engaging  in to technology may  interest students more, or have the opposite effect of distracting from the message. However, in an attempt to be environmentally friendly I wouldn't create massive amounts of printed handouts , unless it was due to DDA. If it is, ensure enlarged font sizes, as well as printing on different coloured paper. 


Involment
To ensure learning has taken place, an activity is a excellent  ethos of testing this.vagain this can be as technologically  focused as you like from a interactive game online, to a series of activities. Or a question and answer session, participation is important, without it the above was pointless. Demonstrating certain points, for instance where the ebooks are but then letting them find something they are interested in, provides a stronger learning outcome. 

Tips for a successful library induction

A successful library induction, can have a major impact not only on the student returning to the library but also their grades and input in to the National student survey.

Timing is key, at the beginning of the new academic year with the first week
 Make it relevant, not only to there course but also there level of education
Get them to move, just listening to someone is very dull, provide a tour of the library
Give them a task
Make them laugh, or at least don't send them to sleep
Promote the service- it's free surely that must help
Group size's
Remember they will forget everything

Digital games in the academic library

Having read the article by john kirriemuir article in clip update September 2012,
which discusses academic game use mainly at US universities. It put a different
 slant on something that was introduced last term at my library. Where we
introduced the lending of 40 or so computer games, suitable for different platforms-
 ps3, Xbox 360 and Psp. Having read the article, one idea it suggested was keeping the games for archive purposes, something that i hadn't considered- the technology will change, at quiet a quick rate, so it might be worth holding to the current techology. Another point that the article raised was one university had purchased consoles, sadly this has not been something that we have been able to due, because of budgetary reasons. Within the article is discusses using gaming for information literacy, something which I could introduce in to our library, as the college teaches design for games at both further and higher education levels.  

Going to look in to the international games day @ your library for next November.