Thing 17 - Reflective Practice

 

Taking part in Rudai has been far more time consuming and daunting than I ever expected but it has also been the most rewarding experience.  It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and that in itself is a lot to reflect on!  I never thought I would ever publish my own blog, let alone create a short video and upload it to YouTube, it is all very exciting!  

Sometimes when I read the new Thing that has to be done I say to myself "I'll never be able to do that" but then I do it and feel great. There are some tools that I won't use regularly but at least I know they exist and now have some experience of them.  I really enjoyed learning more about the uses of Google, figuring out how to use Podcasts, YouTube and even augmented reality.

I have never come across the idea of reflective writing before, learning by doing is what I would have been familiar with.  The process of a written reflection to enable further questioning and investigating to lead to a better understanding makes so much sense.

Thing 16 - Collaboration Tools

Having spent the last 15 years working in a large office environment with a staff of up to 300 people, communication was vital to the working day.  We were all connected by our staff email system and we had an intranet to provide staff with practical, easily accessible information such as telephone extension numbers.

I did not realise how much I had taken that for granted!

Once I moved to the library service I lost my email account and access to the intranet, it was like being cast adrift from the mother ship.  Not only is it difficult to maintain friendships with just a little email it also means that I have no idea what is happening in the organisation as a whole.

The library operates under its own system and it works well for those that are used to it but there is always room for improvement.  Using Google as a collaboration tool would be ideal for us as all the libraries have access to the internet and the interface is similar to Microsoft and easy to use.

Thing 15 - Advocacy for Libraries

Standing up for what I believe in.  

If taking part in this course and promoting the library service is being an advocate then brilliant, its my small contribution to such a worthy cause.  I really enjoyed looking at Bobbi Newman's advocacy projects and would love to try something out like that myself in the future. In the meantime during my normal working day we are always in advocacy mode promoting the library, updating our Facebook and Twitter Feeds, adding more information to our blog so that people know about out latest events.  It reflects the variety on offer in a small community library, from keeping the toddlers happy with storytime to running a musical matinee for our senior members.  A typical day in the life of a librarian.

Thing 14 - Augmented Reality

Like many things on this course I had never heard of augmented reality before. The description of its uses in Thing 14 sounded so exciting and relevant to me working in the pubic library area.  I downloaded the Aurasma app and for the past two days have been trying to figure out how it works.  I think this is something that I will have to come back to after a bit more research. 

Running something with augmented reality would be a first for our branch but I wonder would it be just a fad and also if it would alienate those who don't have access to the technology or like me are a bit confused by the whole thing!

Thing 13 - Professional Organisations

After attending my first conference organised by the Library Association of Ireland earlier this year and being all enthusiastic after listening to all of the speakers I decided to sign up.  First of all I tried to register online but that facility wasn't working so I printed out the form and sent it off by snail mail. Unfortunately I had attempted to pay the membership fee online so instead of taking €60 it took €180 from my visa card.  The only contact I have ever had from the LAI was to arrange a refund of €120, I never received a receipt, a membership card, an email or any acknowledgement that I was a paid up member...very disappointing.  Is this the same for everybody? 

 

Since starting the MLIS I have been allowed to join CILIP in the UK for free!  I was able to register online with no problems, its early days but I will keep you posted.

Thing 12 - Attending Conferences

I joined the library service in November 2014 and have attended two conferences since then.  The first conference I went to was run by the Library Association of Ireland and was held in Trinity College Dublin, I really enjoyed all of the speakers from the Drumcondra library to the Lexicon.  At the tea break I ended up sitting beside Brid McGrath from McGrath Barrett and Associates who was also a speaker at the conference.  She talked to me about all aspects of working in a library and was so encouraging about my career change.  

On 22nd June, 2015 I attended the Western Regional Section of the Library Association of Ireland (WRSLAI) conference on The Information Professional - Embracing New Roles and Technologies with Confidence in Gort, Co Galway. Attending the conference was straightforward as it was approved by my line manager at work, all I had to do was turn up.

This conference was jam packed with speakers and information, all the talks were so enthusiastic and seemed more relevant to me in my role in the library.  

I attended the conference alone but sat beside a lovely librarian from Mayo so it was nice to have a little chat between the speakers.  Everybody made an effort to be friendly and chatty so there was no problem with networking and there was plenty of opportunity to talk to people during the breaks and at lunchtime.

I held onto all the handouts from the conference which I have found very useful but next time I will definitely be taking notes!

Thing 11 - Reflective Practice

I'm really lagging behind here and obviously my time management skills are completely messed up but I do really enjoy this course and intend to finish it! I have plenty of excuses from moving house, losing my broadband and starting the MLIS.  It all happened in September so that month just disappeared.  No more slacking and procrastination!