Today's reading - E-safety

Great publications and resources from South West Grid for Learning Trust http://www.swgfl.org.uk/

Like this guide to social networking sites for parents http://www.swgfl.org.uk/Staying-Safe/Content/Resources/Parents_guide_to_social-networking_websites

or advice on creating e-safety policy http://www.swgfl.org.uk/Staying-Safe/Content/News-Articles/Creating-an-e-safety-policy--Where-do-you-start-

Thing 19 & 23

Being waaaaay behind the schedule I took liberty to do cpd things in my own order and I decided to join together things 19 and 23 as they both require reflection on the program.

First a little bit about the tools:
Ones, that I use, but I want to use more:
- blog
- networking
- personal brand
- twitter
- national/regional groups
- chartership
- seminars and conferences
- Jing and podcasts

New to me, but will be used:
- personal brand
- online networks
- Dropbox
- Referencing
- updating and working on skills and CV

Ones, I'm not so sure about:
- Pushnote
- RSS
- Google calendar
- Evernote

What have I learnt from this program?
A lot of useful resources and tips. It showed me that there is plenty great people, ready to share, meet and learn from. It gave me better understanding of librarianship and made me even prouder that I am part of this great profession.
But also I learnt that: I NEED TO be more systematic. I NEED TO put what I learn in practice more. I NEED TO improve my reflective writing

SMART my objectives?
I tend to develop my objectives using urgent-important matrix. On one of the time management trainings I have noticed that things that are important, but not urgent are the ones that I neglect most. So I made this matrix and put in there all my objectives. I have a look in there once in a while and make sure that I haven't forgot about them and still (slowly but surely) move towards achieving them. Now I made them a little bit SMARTer and I hope this will help me to be more focused.

What next?
I have made my PDP for my chartership, in two weeks I'm meeting my mentor to discuss it with her. I guess next step will be putting together my portfolio and slowly going through my goals. Lots of things to read, to implement and to learn from. Exciting!:)

In 6 words: enjoyable journey that doesn't end here...

Thing 18

Jing and podcasts - I cannot say that those tools were new to me, but I'm not an expert and it was really good to get a reminder!


Jing - I have found it really useful, but I don't like the downloading bit. I have used screenr before, which doesn't require installation. My next project will be - "How to search catalogue" screen recording with subtitles and voiceover. In September I made a presentation, so more or less I have all material I need.
I also really like Instant Presenter and DimDim. They are online conferencing tools, that allow to share your screen with participants. Found them very useful, when taking part in JISC seminars online. It was absolutely amazing to be at work with my headphones and take part in the training. That's what I call well spent lunch break:) 


Podcasts - I went to the training about podcasts not so long ago and I had a go at creating one. I have found it quite easy, but unfortunately I haven't got time to actually use them in the library yet. There are some great ideas for podcasts, for example: virtual library tour, researching tips and book reviews (from Behind the bookshelves).
Even if I hadn't made one, I do use them and find them extremely useful for learning languages.

Thing 21

I like my job and I was really surprised, how many of my interests and education fits within my tasks. What I am good at - searching, ideas and helping others, what I like - busy environment and achievable challenges. So library seems ideal for me and I am not thinking about changing careers.

I must admit that my CV has not been updates since I've started my job. Prompted by CPD23 post I had a look at it and added all the thing I have done during those 2 years. I quite like the format of my CV - I still try to keep everything on one page - but I think it needs a tiny little bit of personalisation.

Very useful tips for people from outside UK and thank you very much for those three links on CPD23 post. Excellent piece on resume objectives - I've never had them in my CV and now I'm glad. Also excellent tips from the Wikiman - this is what can make a real difference on the interview. And, embarrassing to admit, I am really bad in writing cover letters, so the database will be much needed inspiration.

CV tip:

I think CV can really help illustrate what are you writing about. If someone says that they are creative but their CV is in the format that you can find on any website, well I wouldn't believe them. I always try to make an effort to make sure that my CV was a little bit different - even details that make you stand out, like filling an application form with different font - on the  last one I made it look like it's handwritten (and then saved as .pdf so it doesn't change on different PC:)). It may not get you a job, but maybe can help to get THE call

Have a look at those: (I love them...)

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/creative-designer-resume-curriculum-vitae/

http://creativenerds.co.uk/inspiration/20-creative-resume-designs-which-will-amaze-any-potential-employer/

Interview experience:

I am always very nervous about interviews - obviously I want to get job and I was filling like I have to fit into every expectation of interviewer. But, as Maria noticed in her post, sometimes it's better not to get the job. I went once on the interview, there were two interviewers, very confident, a bit arrogant, a bit annoying. After 10 min of interview I already knew that the way company works and what expects form employees is not for me. And I was never so happy to actually not get a job. That situation made me thinking and now I go to interview with an approach - be prepared but be yourself and if the job is for you, you will get it!

Thing 22

I am a big fan of volunteering and have volunteered in different places and for different proposes. Although when it comes to libraries this topic obviously gets a little bit more sensitive. Not paying people for their job is a very dangerous idea that has huge implications. What I don't understand is why working in library doesn't require any special skills or experience and everything else does. I am sure that there is more jobs that could be done by volunteers, so why not go further - I always liked idea of politics 'pro bono' ;)

During my studies I have volunteered to gain experience in various recruitment companies and HR departments and I think only thanks to that experience I was able to get my firs job after studies. Therefore I must say it was most useful and gave me a lot of opportunities to develop my skills. I was "lucky" that I was being quite used -I have heard the stories about how you only photocopy and make coffee during the placement - but it was nothing like it. I was thrown into projects, had contact with customers and did what other members of staff.
Now there is another danger in that - temptation to constantly hire apprenticeships to save on staff costs.

I think you can also say that I 'volunteer' in my organisation - I am happy to take part in any project that will give me more skills and knowledge.

Apart from professional purposes I currently volunteer to develop my interests outside of library, so I work in Oxfam charity shop reworking donations nobody wants to buy into unique things that may sell.

Thing 15

I certainly haven't attended as much conferences I would like to. Online information looks always very interesting, but I've never had a chance to participate. I was lucky though, to take part in a lot of trainings and courses, which offered me the most important thing - opportunity for networking in maybe less formal and intimidating (I'm not great in small talk) atmosphere.

That just reminded me - I kept getting those e-mails inviting me to conference in Brazil, I wonder what would HR say for that...:)

Speaking on conference is my big dream, without SMART objectives, so far. And mainly because i don't know what I could talk about. I'm sure that you have to have much more experience to make it worthwhile for others to listen to you, and you need much more confidence. It is a huge achievement for me to run sessions for staff and it makes me nervous before I start. But to stand in front of lots of people I don't know - well that's terrifying.

Strangely, the biggest experience I have in organising conferences. In my previous job in training, advertising and event agency I was responsible for coordination of big PR conference. It was my first so important task and I was really nervous, especially that I was told that the customer is a bit difficult... Anyway it all went really well and I have discovered that 'small crisis managemet' is what I like most an gives me the biggest satisfaction.

To summarise - attending: yes, but I don't mind, if not prefer, smaller events; speaking: need more confidence and expertise in something; organising: well, that's something that I really could get involved in!

PS. Somehow this post is not in a place it was supposed to be...

Thing 20

I have already written about my librarian rootes. I think my way to becoming a librarian was very simmilar to Laura's - I had no idea that I would ever work in the library and that it will be so close to what I actually studied and wanted to do. Now I would recommend working in library to anybody. 

What is the most amazing thing when I look at the roots/routes project is the variety of roles that people have - I really don't know how on earth did we get this 'boring job' label.

Library in a day, let's see...

It's been my 'late day' today - once a week I start in the afternoon and close library at 8pm. I had to came earlier today to cover one person that couldn't come. Before I started I went to collect free CD that we will add to collection. I started on the issue desk - half serving students, half dealing with new orders and invoices. Then I renewed our subscription to one magazine and dealt with some other financial things (like why our budget was charged with things we didn't order). Later BIG mystery of missing key was solved and I had some time to take down 11/11 display. I came back on the desk till the end of day and started dealing with e-mails and had a go at putting together LRC sessions plan. Liaised with IT to install some new programs we found/bought (JISC My study bar - looks really interesting). Enrolled for interesting e-safety training and added information about new books in the library. Finally and most importantly I finished LRC Skills section on our portal. Oh, and catalogued couple books and checked lots of new additions to put them on the shelf.

I love that not 2 days in the library are the same