Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Progress update
Well, Robyn has gone on leave. And here I am. I've started writing parts of the paper without her, as I think time will be our enemy. She gets back on the 20th July. I'm trying not to think too much about August, it's going ok, as long as Robyn does a bit of work while she is away.
SD is going well. Mini Lunges has taken a little longer to organise than I thought, but its happening! I started looking at the Staff Development pages with more of a fine tooth comb last week, my other task.
The ALIA New Grads next event is a social one on June 30. And the website redevelopment is coming along.
You can't ask for more than that!
SD is going well. Mini Lunges has taken a little longer to organise than I thought, but its happening! I started looking at the Staff Development pages with more of a fine tooth comb last week, my other task.
The ALIA New Grads next event is a social one on June 30. And the website redevelopment is coming along.
You can't ask for more than that!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Lunging and Leaping
This week in Staff Development saw me start looking at how we can make the Mini-Lunges Inservice Training sessions work. Earlier this year, the champions who were part of the 21 Lunges program thought that a way to get more staff interested and involved in Web 2.0 was to run Mini Lunges ISTs on key concepts or tools that were the most relevant, or got positive feedback from those who did the original online program. Considered were Blogs, RSS, Social Bookmarking, Professional Networking, Social Video, Polls and Photos, along with something new, Library Thing. Each of the champions put their name against those things they felt they could develop and deliver into a session across library sites.
I’ve been asked to manage the “project” and develop a basic lesson plan structure that all of the sessions should follow, ensuring there is enough explanation and hands-on time and it is simplistic enough not to be overwhelming for staff. I have to ensure that the champions and some other staff are (still) interested in leading these sessions and I am planning to set up a meeting time to start the ball rolling soon. The aim is to have at least three sessions developed and ready to go by the end of the year.
I am really enjoying my time in SD, the work is different, the atmosphere is different and I always feel satisfied that I have done a good day’s work.
On the Conference front, Robyn and I have decided to set aside some time as of this week to start writing our paper. Our desired half a day though has already been “shot down” for this week, because we are so tight with rostering at work. I have to say I am a bit worried about getting this all done by 14th August with everything that is happening around us, but I’m trying not to think these thoughts too much. It’s such a good opportunity for Robyn and I and I want to do it well and be proud of our effort. We’ll have to knuckle down.
I’ve started doing a database/internet search on reverse mentoring and it sounds like it is a relatively new concept, mainly in the corporate world, with younger workers helping the more experienced with their IT skills. We may be breaking new ground by thinking of it in terms of libraries and Web 2.0. Interesting.
All in all, things are going well at work, but the last couple of weeks I’ve realised something isn’t quite right though... I’ll keep you informed.
I’ve been asked to manage the “project” and develop a basic lesson plan structure that all of the sessions should follow, ensuring there is enough explanation and hands-on time and it is simplistic enough not to be overwhelming for staff. I have to ensure that the champions and some other staff are (still) interested in leading these sessions and I am planning to set up a meeting time to start the ball rolling soon. The aim is to have at least three sessions developed and ready to go by the end of the year.
I am really enjoying my time in SD, the work is different, the atmosphere is different and I always feel satisfied that I have done a good day’s work.
On the Conference front, Robyn and I have decided to set aside some time as of this week to start writing our paper. Our desired half a day though has already been “shot down” for this week, because we are so tight with rostering at work. I have to say I am a bit worried about getting this all done by 14th August with everything that is happening around us, but I’m trying not to think these thoughts too much. It’s such a good opportunity for Robyn and I and I want to do it well and be proud of our effort. We’ll have to knuckle down.
I’ve started doing a database/internet search on reverse mentoring and it sounds like it is a relatively new concept, mainly in the corporate world, with younger workers helping the more experienced with their IT skills. We may be breaking new ground by thinking of it in terms of libraries and Web 2.0. Interesting.
All in all, things are going well at work, but the last couple of weeks I’ve realised something isn’t quite right though... I’ll keep you informed.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Citting pretty
Like the play on words? Last week I started working on Staff Development at our central library in the city. It was different, but something I know I will enjoy because of that. My colleague does have quite a workload, so anything I can do to help while she works on her special project, I am willing. When we looked at how much time I have been released from my Information Services position to help her though (8 hrs p/w approx. 20 times), it is sure to go fast.
One of the first tasks I was given to do when I started a month ago, was to organise an induction morning for new library staff. It happened last Thursday and overall, was a success. It included chats from the Library Executive, a presentation from a very willing existing staff member, morning tea, a game (speed dating, which everyone seemed to enjoy) and a tour of one of our libraries for those who were interested. I asked one of the participants if they enjoyed themselves and they did, so that is all I could have asked for. Of course, there are always things you could do better, (less formal at the start, better setup of the game) but that’s for next time and I hope there will be a next time.
Next week, after I tidy up a few things from the Induction and evaluate what I thought of it, it will then be on to looking at mini-lunges ISTs and what can be done. As a follow on from 21 Lunges, which I am taking Robyn through at the moment, the champions and the Staff Development Co-ordinator felt that maybe some short, sharp training sessions led by staff experts on particular Web 2.0 tools, with hands-on time included, would spark more staff interest in Web 2.0.
Talking about the Library Technicians Conference, the brochure of the program has just come out, and it looks like we will be presenting at 2.00pm on Thursday the 17th September under the theme ‘Technique’. But I wish they had spelt my name right and acknowledged Robyn! Now I just have to decide whether I’m going to attend the whole conference or just one day. Still got time. And we must get more of a wriggle on. I don’t want time becoming our enemy. Big discussion point of our Wednesday meeting this week.
I’ve finished looking through all the lunges, and the last ones don’t seem to need any tweaking or additions, which is good. I hope Robyn doesn’t have any more technical difficulties with access though.
One of the first tasks I was given to do when I started a month ago, was to organise an induction morning for new library staff. It happened last Thursday and overall, was a success. It included chats from the Library Executive, a presentation from a very willing existing staff member, morning tea, a game (speed dating, which everyone seemed to enjoy) and a tour of one of our libraries for those who were interested. I asked one of the participants if they enjoyed themselves and they did, so that is all I could have asked for. Of course, there are always things you could do better, (less formal at the start, better setup of the game) but that’s for next time and I hope there will be a next time.
Next week, after I tidy up a few things from the Induction and evaluate what I thought of it, it will then be on to looking at mini-lunges ISTs and what can be done. As a follow on from 21 Lunges, which I am taking Robyn through at the moment, the champions and the Staff Development Co-ordinator felt that maybe some short, sharp training sessions led by staff experts on particular Web 2.0 tools, with hands-on time included, would spark more staff interest in Web 2.0.
Talking about the Library Technicians Conference, the brochure of the program has just come out, and it looks like we will be presenting at 2.00pm on Thursday the 17th September under the theme ‘Technique’. But I wish they had spelt my name right and acknowledged Robyn! Now I just have to decide whether I’m going to attend the whole conference or just one day. Still got time. And we must get more of a wriggle on. I don’t want time becoming our enemy. Big discussion point of our Wednesday meeting this week.
I’ve finished looking through all the lunges, and the last ones don’t seem to need any tweaking or additions, which is good. I hope Robyn doesn’t have any more technical difficulties with access though.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Who knew Easter could be so fun?
Why, do you ask? Because I went over some more of the 21 Lunges posts, to help Robyn in her journey, and I had forgotten how great some of it was. Social video and entertainment was a great post, Yahoo Pipes got me thinking again, as to how to create a mashup, I realised that bubbl.us could help me in my Staff Development work, creating colourful mind maps (why did I not remember it when we were discussing mind maps in our New Professionals Group?) and I tried out Diigo as a social bookmarking alternative to the now defunct Furl.
Of course there were some not so great things, and I've tried to come up with some new avenues for Robyn to try, or advised her ignore them altogether, without losing the main essence. of the original program. Great fun! But I wonder sometimes whether my enthusiasm has made Robyn confused in the process or overloaded, because I like to share everything.
We had a meeting today. Robyn was having trouble signing up for Facebook. It was annoying! I think our organisation blocks a lot of sites, or slows them down, so I'm sure there will be challenges ahead. I must get on Facebook and try to friend her now...
Of course there were some not so great things, and I've tried to come up with some new avenues for Robyn to try, or advised her ignore them altogether, without losing the main essence. of the original program. Great fun! But I wonder sometimes whether my enthusiasm has made Robyn confused in the process or overloaded, because I like to share everything.
We had a meeting today. Robyn was having trouble signing up for Facebook. It was annoying! I think our organisation blocks a lot of sites, or slows them down, so I'm sure there will be challenges ahead. I must get on Facebook and try to friend her now...
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Where has the daylight gone!
Well, here I am again. End of daylight savings.
Robyn and I have met and discussed a few things this week, tried to come up with a timeline. We will be having regular one-hour catchups once a week during April, with Robyn aiming to have the program completed by the end of the month. Then in May, we can start working on our ideas for the paper/presentation. We have to submit the final paper by the 14th August, but with Robyn and my busy schedules, and Robyn also going on leave in June, we're being safe. We decided not to have our paper refereed when we were writing the abstract, so that is less pressure.
Today I looked through a few of the Lunges posts again, which was interesting. Social news still does not set my heart on fire, but I know the basic premise, so we should be fine. Furl has recently ceased and become part of Diigo, so I will test this out and point Robyn in its direction, as another social bookmarking example. One of the original participants in the program also pointed out that LibraryThing isn't included, and I agree it should have been, so I'll point that out as something to look at the end of the other social bookmarking content. I also found another wiki example a few weeks ago.
To end, I can now share that I will be working in my Library's Staff Development area one day a week on secondment till October. I am very excited and have already started working on a task.
Robyn and I have met and discussed a few things this week, tried to come up with a timeline. We will be having regular one-hour catchups once a week during April, with Robyn aiming to have the program completed by the end of the month. Then in May, we can start working on our ideas for the paper/presentation. We have to submit the final paper by the 14th August, but with Robyn and my busy schedules, and Robyn also going on leave in June, we're being safe. We decided not to have our paper refereed when we were writing the abstract, so that is less pressure.
Today I looked through a few of the Lunges posts again, which was interesting. Social news still does not set my heart on fire, but I know the basic premise, so we should be fine. Furl has recently ceased and become part of Diigo, so I will test this out and point Robyn in its direction, as another social bookmarking example. One of the original participants in the program also pointed out that LibraryThing isn't included, and I agree it should have been, so I'll point that out as something to look at the end of the other social bookmarking content. I also found another wiki example a few weeks ago.
To end, I can now share that I will be working in my Library's Staff Development area one day a week on secondment till October. I am very excited and have already started working on a task.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Let's pretend it's January!
Slack, slack, slack! I know, I did say I was going to decide what to do with this blog in January. But I just got so caught up with other things... NO MORE EXCUSES!
So, how will I be using a Wheel Librarian this year: to share the progress of writing a paper for the Library Technicians Conference, to share any milestones in my career, and to share my experiences of something else, which I'm not at liberty to say at the moment, but it fits quite nicely with what I was using the blog for before (that's a mouthful!) if it happens.
It is official, my colleague Robyn and I, of soon to be Robyn's reflections fame, were successful with our abstract for the Library Technicians Conference, taking place in Adelaide in September. It wasn't quite what we pitched for, a short talk, rather than a paper, but when we thought about it and what we want to get across to the audience about our experience, it probably better suits this style. In case you have forgotten what we are doing (and who wouldn't, it was last December since I wrote about it here... I know!) I will be helping Robyn wade through the 21 Lunges program, one on one, in a reverse mentoring relationship, in which we hope to see the benefits of these type of relationships generally, and whether they are particularly suited to guiding people through a Web 2.0 process. Our working title is Reverse mentoring: finding a new way of working while discovering Web 2.0.. And I'm sure Robyn will comment if I've missed anything. Actually, I suppose I should get her to subscribe to this blog...
So now the hard work begins, we have to give ourselves a timetable of when to get things done by, so it can be written and ready by August (when it is due). Robyn and I will sit down this week to do this, and as an incentive, I will report back. I have to say I'm excited, but nervous, maybe a little fearful, but I think that's natural. (I hope so!) All our peers will be watching and commenting, but the library and information industry is very supportive. I promised Robyn I would try to follow along on the 21 Lunges blog, checking to see if the links still worked and were still relevant (Web 2.0 never stands still), as well as trying to find other things of interest to the topics if I could, so I must do that.
As of this Monday, I will also be working full-time till October, filling in for two staff doing special projects, Robyn being one of them, so that will be interesting on many levels. I may also be working on something special myself soon, but I don't want to mention anymore until I know the outcome.
The ALIA New Graduates Group in Victoria is going well. We just had a a tour of the Parliamentary Library. I put in two expressions of interest, to take on other roles in this group. I was successful in both my "applications". It looks like I will be taking responsibility for our webpage as Website Co-ordinator, but I had to turn down the role of National Secretary, as I found out about my new extended hours the same day, so I didn't want to overcommit and exhaust myself too much.
So life is good, and I promise to blog regularly again. Watch this space!
So, how will I be using a Wheel Librarian this year: to share the progress of writing a paper for the Library Technicians Conference, to share any milestones in my career, and to share my experiences of something else, which I'm not at liberty to say at the moment, but it fits quite nicely with what I was using the blog for before (that's a mouthful!) if it happens.
It is official, my colleague Robyn and I, of soon to be Robyn's reflections fame, were successful with our abstract for the Library Technicians Conference, taking place in Adelaide in September. It wasn't quite what we pitched for, a short talk, rather than a paper, but when we thought about it and what we want to get across to the audience about our experience, it probably better suits this style. In case you have forgotten what we are doing (and who wouldn't, it was last December since I wrote about it here... I know!) I will be helping Robyn wade through the 21 Lunges program, one on one, in a reverse mentoring relationship, in which we hope to see the benefits of these type of relationships generally, and whether they are particularly suited to guiding people through a Web 2.0 process. Our working title is Reverse mentoring: finding a new way of working while discovering Web 2.0.. And I'm sure Robyn will comment if I've missed anything. Actually, I suppose I should get her to subscribe to this blog...
So now the hard work begins, we have to give ourselves a timetable of when to get things done by, so it can be written and ready by August (when it is due). Robyn and I will sit down this week to do this, and as an incentive, I will report back. I have to say I'm excited, but nervous, maybe a little fearful, but I think that's natural. (I hope so!) All our peers will be watching and commenting, but the library and information industry is very supportive. I promised Robyn I would try to follow along on the 21 Lunges blog, checking to see if the links still worked and were still relevant (Web 2.0 never stands still), as well as trying to find other things of interest to the topics if I could, so I must do that.
As of this Monday, I will also be working full-time till October, filling in for two staff doing special projects, Robyn being one of them, so that will be interesting on many levels. I may also be working on something special myself soon, but I don't want to mention anymore until I know the outcome.
The ALIA New Graduates Group in Victoria is going well. We just had a a tour of the Parliamentary Library. I put in two expressions of interest, to take on other roles in this group. I was successful in both my "applications". It looks like I will be taking responsibility for our webpage as Website Co-ordinator, but I had to turn down the role of National Secretary, as I found out about my new extended hours the same day, so I didn't want to overcommit and exhaust myself too much.
So life is good, and I promise to blog regularly again. Watch this space!
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