So I missed another post. Well, yesterday I had to be super quick getting ready to work so had no time to post in the morning, then in the evening I had no motivation left to post - so slack me, slap my wrist!!
On Sunday, my friend and fellow librarian wrote a post about brand identification. She wrote about how the marketing of electronic resources in libraries is often left to the library staff. Where she felt the vendors that sell libraries these products had great responsibility to market their products or brands.
I had a staff meeting yesterday and raised this with my staff. I said it was interesting how lots of library visitors ask us about Ancestry.com because they saw the advertisement on television. We don't have access to the commercial Ancestry.com but we do have access to the library version. But it was the point that the television advertising got them asking. Ancestry.com has done this well. And with shows like "Who do you think you are?" being popular, it has also brought to light online resources like Trove.
I remember a few years back, our neighbour Coffs Harbour Library doing a series of television advertisements on home library service. The result was a number of people coming to our libraries asking if we did home library service because the advertisement said libraries do. So even though the advertisement was from a different library service, the viewer only noted library and the service, and assumed all libraries are the same so they must all do it.
So then you would think vendors would have it easy. Create a generic advertising campaign. Mention their resource, mention library and da da - people will seek out their library to use the product.
But then you must ask, what is in it for them? The vendor doesn't really gain more money from this, or do they?? If more users are using the resource then the library service is more likely to continue providing access and purchasing the subscription.
Like my friend said in her post, posters, in house advertising etc only targets the users who already are on board and seeking this out. Let's target those that don't know about all the electronic resources that libraries offer.
I recently ran an advertising campaign on our local radio stations promoting our online resources to those that can't get to the library because of time restraints or opening hours not meeting their needs. It highlighted the ebooks, eAudio books, eMagazines and eMusic collections that our library service provides. It mentioned you only have to come in to join and then you never have to set foot in the library again! Just out of this advertising campaign I had 4 people that mentioned they had heard the advertising on radio join the library because they didn't know we had those resources. I imagine more joined because of this but didn't mention the advertising they heard.
So yes, vendors should spend time advertising - a generic program is really all they need to cover all library services. And libraries should do some advertising that goes beyond the walls to those that don't come through the doors.
Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts
Monday, June 20, 2016
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Blog June Post 11 - Mud Poo and Cows
Today's mantra: Live the life you have imagined.
Thanks to @geocachinglibn for writing a responding blog post to my post concerning libraries and communities.
He writes: There are certainly a range of different communities on a university campus, such as the research community, teaching and learning community, and the internationalisation community, and the library is usually represented in them all.
This got me thinking - do public libraries have a research community, teaching and learning community and internationalisation community? I think they do, and I think they have more - the reading for relaxation community, the education community, the hobby community, the book club community, the student requiring a space community - and I use the word community instead of individual as there are many and often the come together in the library or network through the library. But I suppose we could just call them the public library community!
I will be interested to read/learn more about how @geocachinglibn feels the health library he is now working in builds community. But there are other's that follow my blog that already work in health libraries and they may be able to discuss this as well. The floor is open to you.....
Today was a good day in the library. I had a query for an item that turned out to be not what it was first thought to be. I love it when I have to do a bit of sleuthing to work out just what the customer is wanting - especially when only provided with a snippet of information. I miss using these skills as the role I am currently in calls for more people massaging (management) then the fun "using library skills" stuff!
This morning was also fun. I ran 21km with my running friends. We left at around 5am in the dark and went out along one of the road that passes a few dairy farms. Unfortunately, for us we had some rain last night which caused parts of the road to be slippery with mud and cow poo. It was a case of yelling out "puddle" "pot hole" "mud" "cow" - yes cow!! A cow was outside the paddock and due to the lack of light it was a bit of a shock to look up from concentrating on the ground so as not to fall over and see a huge beast in front of you. I think the cow was more scared of us - as you would be with numerous bobbing head lamps coming towards you looking somewhat like UFO's - and ran off to find the gap in the fence and return to the safety of the paddock.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Blog June Post 9 - Libraries Community Builders
This morning I shared this article on my other jobs FB page. My other job is marking library student assessments for TAFE. So I shared the article with students.
Along with the article, I asked the students this: Discussion about public libraries often leads to phrases like community hub etc. Do you think the same applies in academic, special, and school libraries?
The students must be busy people because as yet there have been no replies. However, I am open for those reading my blog to discuss and perhaps share a comment on FB, twitter or here on the blog comments.
When I used to work in academic libraries, pre-child, the campus was my community. My coworkers were my community. Those that used the library were my community. I put this down to the campus being the main place I was spending my time.
Yes I would do my shopping etc outside of the campus, back in the suburb I lived in. But I never felt the suburb was my community until I had my daughter, went on maternity leave and started spending more time in my suburb. I stared interacting with more than the check out person at the grocery store. I attended the community nurse sessions, baby rhyme time, mother's group and the list goes on. Suddenly, I was interacting, meeting and becoming friends with people who lived in my own suburb!! In my community!!
This brings me back to the original question - do academic, special and school libraries build communities? Or have their own communities?
They all provide spaces for people to gather. They provide different programs for people to attend as groups or individuals. But do they build communities and if so what sort of communities?
I will leave this open for some discussion (I hope)!
Today's mantra: Your body deserves the best
In my case lately, my body has been having the best chocolate!! 8-)
Along with the article, I asked the students this: Discussion about public libraries often leads to phrases like community hub etc. Do you think the same applies in academic, special, and school libraries?
The students must be busy people because as yet there have been no replies. However, I am open for those reading my blog to discuss and perhaps share a comment on FB, twitter or here on the blog comments.
When I used to work in academic libraries, pre-child, the campus was my community. My coworkers were my community. Those that used the library were my community. I put this down to the campus being the main place I was spending my time.
Yes I would do my shopping etc outside of the campus, back in the suburb I lived in. But I never felt the suburb was my community until I had my daughter, went on maternity leave and started spending more time in my suburb. I stared interacting with more than the check out person at the grocery store. I attended the community nurse sessions, baby rhyme time, mother's group and the list goes on. Suddenly, I was interacting, meeting and becoming friends with people who lived in my own suburb!! In my community!!
This brings me back to the original question - do academic, special and school libraries build communities? Or have their own communities?
They all provide spaces for people to gather. They provide different programs for people to attend as groups or individuals. But do they build communities and if so what sort of communities?
I will leave this open for some discussion (I hope)!
Today's mantra: Your body deserves the best
In my case lately, my body has been having the best chocolate!! 8-)
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Blog June Post 6 &7
I was almost at the point of giving up #blogjune this afternoon due to lack of inspiration and motivation and wondering if what I'm writing is actually interesting to anyone. Then I found some of my fellow bloggers had discussed one of my earlier posts about whether library users need to know what we do to find information.
@geocachinglibrarian shared these thoughts. Then @seanfish suggested that librarians offer a "box with windows." So be a place that shows those wanting to know how to find information and be a "black box" that provides information without revealing how it is done. I like the box with windows idea!
Yesterday was a busy day with the odd start of no run. Off I went to Coffs Harbour Library to pick up a magazine I had on reserve that my own library doesn't subscribe to. I was pleasantly surprised last week when Coffs Library weeded their Runners World magazines and offered me the weeded issues free of charge! I then discovered they had also done this for a friend with their Triathlon mags. Aren't library staff thoughtful!
Then to do the rounds of Woolworths.
Home again and it was a rainy dreary day so I sat around not doing much and then went for a walk when a break in the rain appeared. Miss A joined me so of course it poured when we were half way around. Home again and a quiet evening followed.
This morning, up at stupid o'clock (4am) to get picked up at 5am to head to South West Rocks for the Macleay River Marathon. I was joining 5 friends to run the half marathon as a training run for the Gold Coast Marathon. The goal was to go slower than usual and stick with the girls. Lyndee did a great job keeping me to task except where I got carried away atthe end where I made us do a 1km effort to the finish line. We pulled Iin at under 2 hours which was good. I was supposed to go and run another 8km but as soon as they made me sit down to take the timing chip off, my hip flexor said no.
I did enjoy a massage and a late breakfast. Then home and an afternoon walk ofm8k and I'm suitably stuffed.
To finish I have 2 mantras: When life hands you a wave, grab your board and enjoy the ride And There are seven days in a week and someday isn't one of them.
@geocachinglibrarian shared these thoughts. Then @seanfish suggested that librarians offer a "box with windows." So be a place that shows those wanting to know how to find information and be a "black box" that provides information without revealing how it is done. I like the box with windows idea!
Yesterday was a busy day with the odd start of no run. Off I went to Coffs Harbour Library to pick up a magazine I had on reserve that my own library doesn't subscribe to. I was pleasantly surprised last week when Coffs Library weeded their Runners World magazines and offered me the weeded issues free of charge! I then discovered they had also done this for a friend with their Triathlon mags. Aren't library staff thoughtful!
Then to do the rounds of Woolworths.
Home again and it was a rainy dreary day so I sat around not doing much and then went for a walk when a break in the rain appeared. Miss A joined me so of course it poured when we were half way around. Home again and a quiet evening followed.
This morning, up at stupid o'clock (4am) to get picked up at 5am to head to South West Rocks for the Macleay River Marathon. I was joining 5 friends to run the half marathon as a training run for the Gold Coast Marathon. The goal was to go slower than usual and stick with the girls. Lyndee did a great job keeping me to task except where I got carried away atthe end where I made us do a 1km effort to the finish line. We pulled Iin at under 2 hours which was good. I was supposed to go and run another 8km but as soon as they made me sit down to take the timing chip off, my hip flexor said no.
I did enjoy a massage and a late breakfast. Then home and an afternoon walk ofm8k and I'm suitably stuffed.
To finish I have 2 mantras: When life hands you a wave, grab your board and enjoy the ride And There are seven days in a week and someday isn't one of them.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Blog June Post 3
Sorry this post is a bit late but last night I was lucky enough to attend Sirens of the Seaboard - a special women's only dinner where local health professionals (women) spoke to us about women's health issues - specifically for those over 30.
The mantra for this post is: Life will (at times) knock you down. It's okay to take a breather.
Last night that was one of the messages shared. It is okay to be stressed out, emotional, and at times feel like you need to step off the world and take time to breathe. It is normal. Life is full of ups and downs.
While it may seem like every second person is being diagnosed with depression or anxiety - have these increased any since when our parents were younger. They just didn't talk about it back then or diagnose it as depression etc. Everything was fine.
So while today it seems like time is moving faster and things are changing quickly - is this causing us to be more stressed, depressed and anxious?
Those that fought for women to have equal employment and be able to go out and work full time - is working full time helping us to feel less stressed, depressed and/or anxious?? If you are feeling stressed, depressed and/or anxious - it might be a good time to look at your work situation and see if you can work part time to allow time for you to do more enjoyable pursuits (happiness helps you feel less stressed, depressed and anxious). You might have to make some minor sacrifices but perhaps it's something to consider. I know if my financial situation was different, I'd certainly love to be working part time - just to be more present for my family instead of rushing from one thing to the next.
The evening also talked about menopause, mental health and sexual health but I won't go into these other than to say all the information was very informative, and it was particularly good of the professional who spoke about sexual health to mention erotic fiction and that the local library has a good collection - I did then have to yell out "look for the lips" as in the lip sticker!!
It makes me think of how good it is in small communities for women to come together in forums like this and share serious information in a fun and enjoyable way!
Hopefully it will be a double post day and Ill have another post for you this evening!
The mantra for this post is: Life will (at times) knock you down. It's okay to take a breather.
Last night that was one of the messages shared. It is okay to be stressed out, emotional, and at times feel like you need to step off the world and take time to breathe. It is normal. Life is full of ups and downs.
While it may seem like every second person is being diagnosed with depression or anxiety - have these increased any since when our parents were younger. They just didn't talk about it back then or diagnose it as depression etc. Everything was fine.
So while today it seems like time is moving faster and things are changing quickly - is this causing us to be more stressed, depressed and anxious?
Those that fought for women to have equal employment and be able to go out and work full time - is working full time helping us to feel less stressed, depressed and/or anxious?? If you are feeling stressed, depressed and/or anxious - it might be a good time to look at your work situation and see if you can work part time to allow time for you to do more enjoyable pursuits (happiness helps you feel less stressed, depressed and anxious). You might have to make some minor sacrifices but perhaps it's something to consider. I know if my financial situation was different, I'd certainly love to be working part time - just to be more present for my family instead of rushing from one thing to the next.
The evening also talked about menopause, mental health and sexual health but I won't go into these other than to say all the information was very informative, and it was particularly good of the professional who spoke about sexual health to mention erotic fiction and that the local library has a good collection - I did then have to yell out "look for the lips" as in the lip sticker!!
It makes me think of how good it is in small communities for women to come together in forums like this and share serious information in a fun and enjoyable way!
Hopefully it will be a double post day and Ill have another post for you this evening!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Double Post Tuesday #blogjune #23 and #24
Aren't you lucky that tonight you get a double post?!?!
I was slack last night and didn't get a post out - actually I was working really hard at my second job, and then had to watch some of The Voice, so didn't get time.
Anyway, moving on.
Yesterday's mantra: Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it. Plan more than you can do, then do it. I don't necessarily agree with this mantra, especially if it comes down to quality. However, if it is about pushing yourself - then go for it!!
Today's mantra: You are what you eat so avoid anything fast, easy, cheap or fake. Personally, I believe there are times when you need fast, easy, cheap and fake food - just not all the time!!
Are you enjoying the mantra's or are you tired of them? I like them because sometimes they give me a spring board off which to write something. Tonight they are not providing much inspiration - perhaps it's because I am very tired.
I am wearing two hats at work this week - my own hat and my managers hat while they are on leave. This is making for a very interesting time. I get into comfort zones of thinking everything is under control and then something comes out of left field and will throw me off. But I have my manager standing on my shoulder whispering in my ear - "Just breathe, Sharon!!"
Acting in my managers role is a bit daunting. I'm not that confident because I don't have a "big picture" view of what we are doing as a department - I know what the libraries are doing but not what my colleagues are doing in the other areas of our department. I think this is something I'd like to chat about with my manager when she returns - how can I keep up with what is happening in our department - more team meetings, perhaps??!! Not knowing what's happening can make me feel a little bit silly if someone asks me a question about something I probably should know. You can't have your finger on every pulse - but I will try!!
The sunrise this morning was beautiful - did anyone see it? We were on our run and saw the red sky coming out from behind the clouds over the ocean. Beautiful!! That's when I really like being up early in the cold running. It's those moments!!
I was slack last night and didn't get a post out - actually I was working really hard at my second job, and then had to watch some of The Voice, so didn't get time.
Anyway, moving on.
Yesterday's mantra: Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it. Plan more than you can do, then do it. I don't necessarily agree with this mantra, especially if it comes down to quality. However, if it is about pushing yourself - then go for it!!
Today's mantra: You are what you eat so avoid anything fast, easy, cheap or fake. Personally, I believe there are times when you need fast, easy, cheap and fake food - just not all the time!!
Are you enjoying the mantra's or are you tired of them? I like them because sometimes they give me a spring board off which to write something. Tonight they are not providing much inspiration - perhaps it's because I am very tired.
I am wearing two hats at work this week - my own hat and my managers hat while they are on leave. This is making for a very interesting time. I get into comfort zones of thinking everything is under control and then something comes out of left field and will throw me off. But I have my manager standing on my shoulder whispering in my ear - "Just breathe, Sharon!!"
Acting in my managers role is a bit daunting. I'm not that confident because I don't have a "big picture" view of what we are doing as a department - I know what the libraries are doing but not what my colleagues are doing in the other areas of our department. I think this is something I'd like to chat about with my manager when she returns - how can I keep up with what is happening in our department - more team meetings, perhaps??!! Not knowing what's happening can make me feel a little bit silly if someone asks me a question about something I probably should know. You can't have your finger on every pulse - but I will try!!
The sunrise this morning was beautiful - did anyone see it? We were on our run and saw the red sky coming out from behind the clouds over the ocean. Beautiful!! That's when I really like being up early in the cold running. It's those moments!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
She's going the distance. She's going for speed. #blogjune #18
Changed them around a bit:
"She's going the distance.
She's going for speed.
He's all alone
all alone in his time of need.
because she's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
she's fighting and biting and riding on her horse,
She's going the distance."
My computer has decided to die so I'm using my old laptop and it's playing games so some of the blog features are not working. Anyway, I will push on!
Today's mantra: Distance makes the heart grow stronger.
We aren't talking relationships here folks! We are talking about going the distance in a workout and making our heart work hard to make that muscle grow strong!!
The furtherest I have run is a half marathon 21.1km. I hope to do a full marathon (42.2km) in the near future - just have to find one I can realistically work towards and dedicate the time training to.
I did have the Cadbury Marathon in Tasmania in January 2015 in mind. You get chocolate at the finish line and free entry to the Cadbury factory. But financially I don't know if we could afford to get all of us (hubby, Miss A and I there). Then a few people have suggested the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in 2015 (I did actually enter a comp to win entry to this years marathon but missed out). But I don't really like the Gold Coast all that much. But everyone says that it's the best one because of the support of the locals that line the course and it's a flat course. So who knows!! A full marathon will happen but it's a matter of when - in the meantime I continue to train for the Ipswich Park2Park.
As you read, I did hill repeats on Tuesday and I was planning on doing some intervals or speed work tomorrow at the local soccer/sports field. But running around and around in circles does not really appeal to me and the ladies on the Running Mums Australia FB site advised not to do hills and speed work in one week. Plus the tide is low this week which makes for a great run on the beach and I love running on the beach as the sun rises. So I'm thinking the beach wins but I might bring my stop watch and throw in a few efforts, e.g. 1 min effort, 2 min rest etc.
And today I really had to push through my 5km lunch run. We had done lots of squats at bootcamp this morning so my legs were fatigued and my new shoes are causing a few pains in unusual places (still trying to work out why) and then I chaffed under my arm. So it was a bad run! It happens sometimes. But I still pushed out the 5k.
On a side note, one of the ladies from bootcamp is down in South Australia and mentioned she was in Mount Gambier so I advised her to drop into the library as it is very impressive (I haven't been there but I have seen photos). And she did and she was so happy she did!! So libraries are still on my mind!!
"She's going the distance.
She's going for speed.
He's all alone
all alone in his time of need.
because she's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
she's fighting and biting and riding on her horse,
She's going the distance."
My computer has decided to die so I'm using my old laptop and it's playing games so some of the blog features are not working. Anyway, I will push on!
Today's mantra: Distance makes the heart grow stronger.
We aren't talking relationships here folks! We are talking about going the distance in a workout and making our heart work hard to make that muscle grow strong!!
The furtherest I have run is a half marathon 21.1km. I hope to do a full marathon (42.2km) in the near future - just have to find one I can realistically work towards and dedicate the time training to.
I did have the Cadbury Marathon in Tasmania in January 2015 in mind. You get chocolate at the finish line and free entry to the Cadbury factory. But financially I don't know if we could afford to get all of us (hubby, Miss A and I there). Then a few people have suggested the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in 2015 (I did actually enter a comp to win entry to this years marathon but missed out). But I don't really like the Gold Coast all that much. But everyone says that it's the best one because of the support of the locals that line the course and it's a flat course. So who knows!! A full marathon will happen but it's a matter of when - in the meantime I continue to train for the Ipswich Park2Park.
As you read, I did hill repeats on Tuesday and I was planning on doing some intervals or speed work tomorrow at the local soccer/sports field. But running around and around in circles does not really appeal to me and the ladies on the Running Mums Australia FB site advised not to do hills and speed work in one week. Plus the tide is low this week which makes for a great run on the beach and I love running on the beach as the sun rises. So I'm thinking the beach wins but I might bring my stop watch and throw in a few efforts, e.g. 1 min effort, 2 min rest etc.
And today I really had to push through my 5km lunch run. We had done lots of squats at bootcamp this morning so my legs were fatigued and my new shoes are causing a few pains in unusual places (still trying to work out why) and then I chaffed under my arm. So it was a bad run! It happens sometimes. But I still pushed out the 5k.
On a side note, one of the ladies from bootcamp is down in South Australia and mentioned she was in Mount Gambier so I advised her to drop into the library as it is very impressive (I haven't been there but I have seen photos). And she did and she was so happy she did!! So libraries are still on my mind!!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
It's not the number of reps I do, it's the quality #blogjune #1
I'm back!! Yes it's that time of year again where I commit to writing something on my blog for all of June.
To get me motivated this time, I'm using some daily mantra's I'm stealing from Women's Fitness magazine, the first being: It's not the number of reps I do, it's the quality.
While that quote is related to working out, it can also be related to many other things, basically it's not the quantity it's the quality! We only get one life so let's make sure it's a quality one!!!
It can also relate back to libraries - it's not how many books/items you have in the collection, it's the quality of what you have! It's not the size of the library, it's the quality of what's inside!
Recently, well about 2 weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the Public Libraries NSW Association North East Zone meeting at Nundle, NSW.
Nundle recently had a new library built. Nundle Library is part of Central Northern Regional Library service. Like a few small libraries I've visited in recent years (Guyra comes to mind), it is built within the council administration building. This allows the library to be open even when library staff are not available. You see, Nundle library has a self check out kiosk that can be used when library staff are not working. And if they need any assistance, council customer service staff are trained in the basics to assist. Now isn't this a great idea for those smaller council areas that don't have the financial resources to have long opening hours!
I shared some photos of Nundle library on my facebook page (note only my friends can see them but if you aren't my friend, send me a request).
Nundle is a beautiful town just North of Tamworth, NSW. I love driving out this way because the landscape is beautiful and while the drive is long (approximately 4 hours), it is no way boring. Driving through Dorrigo, Uralla, and Armidale is never boring. I am so thankful that my job allows me to see such places.
While at Nundle library, Central Northern Regional Library staff gave us a brief demonstration of a 3D Printer. They have purchased a small one which they plan on taking around to all of their branches and providing library users with demonstrations and hands on experience with this relatively new technology.
I am still in mixed minds over whether this technology would be embraced in my library's communities, and it was interesting as some of the councillor's that accompany the library staff who attend these meetings also asked whether it really is the library's place to spend huge amounts on technology when it could be spent on more relevant resources.
I suppose this rings true with libraries constantly battling for extra funds, but does technology like 3D printers open the door for some money making opportunities???
The other fun thing that happened at Nundle, was some fellow librarians participated in geocaching. Now fellow #blogjune (well I hope he is this year), Andrew at Geocaching Librarian, has composed a number of posts about geocaching so I was familiar with it. But I had to laugh while I was out running in the early morning cold, I noted that some fellow librarians taking a lot of interest in an old piece of machinery by the river that runs through Nundle. Later I asked if they were trying to work out what the machinery was and they said that they were in fact looking for a geocaching item.
After a hearty breakfast they continued on their hunt for the various geocaching items left around Nundle. This may be something I look into further and make it a family activity.
To get me motivated this time, I'm using some daily mantra's I'm stealing from Women's Fitness magazine, the first being: It's not the number of reps I do, it's the quality.
While that quote is related to working out, it can also be related to many other things, basically it's not the quantity it's the quality! We only get one life so let's make sure it's a quality one!!!
It can also relate back to libraries - it's not how many books/items you have in the collection, it's the quality of what you have! It's not the size of the library, it's the quality of what's inside!
Recently, well about 2 weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the Public Libraries NSW Association North East Zone meeting at Nundle, NSW.
Nundle recently had a new library built. Nundle Library is part of Central Northern Regional Library service. Like a few small libraries I've visited in recent years (Guyra comes to mind), it is built within the council administration building. This allows the library to be open even when library staff are not available. You see, Nundle library has a self check out kiosk that can be used when library staff are not working. And if they need any assistance, council customer service staff are trained in the basics to assist. Now isn't this a great idea for those smaller council areas that don't have the financial resources to have long opening hours!
I shared some photos of Nundle library on my facebook page (note only my friends can see them but if you aren't my friend, send me a request).
Nundle is a beautiful town just North of Tamworth, NSW. I love driving out this way because the landscape is beautiful and while the drive is long (approximately 4 hours), it is no way boring. Driving through Dorrigo, Uralla, and Armidale is never boring. I am so thankful that my job allows me to see such places.
While at Nundle library, Central Northern Regional Library staff gave us a brief demonstration of a 3D Printer. They have purchased a small one which they plan on taking around to all of their branches and providing library users with demonstrations and hands on experience with this relatively new technology.
I am still in mixed minds over whether this technology would be embraced in my library's communities, and it was interesting as some of the councillor's that accompany the library staff who attend these meetings also asked whether it really is the library's place to spend huge amounts on technology when it could be spent on more relevant resources.
I suppose this rings true with libraries constantly battling for extra funds, but does technology like 3D printers open the door for some money making opportunities???
The other fun thing that happened at Nundle, was some fellow librarians participated in geocaching. Now fellow #blogjune (well I hope he is this year), Andrew at Geocaching Librarian, has composed a number of posts about geocaching so I was familiar with it. But I had to laugh while I was out running in the early morning cold, I noted that some fellow librarians taking a lot of interest in an old piece of machinery by the river that runs through Nundle. Later I asked if they were trying to work out what the machinery was and they said that they were in fact looking for a geocaching item.
After a hearty breakfast they continued on their hunt for the various geocaching items left around Nundle. This may be something I look into further and make it a family activity.
Friday, December 27, 2013
On the third day of Christmas....
I did amateur bootcamp with a fellow bootcamp attendee in the absence of our "real" bootcamp leader and learnt a bit of yoga in the process; did two loads of washing; took Miss A to the park (you see a trend here); watched some trashy TV; went for an afternoon walk and caught up with a friend; and am now typing this post.
A month ago, I attended the SWITCH Public Libraries NSW Metropolitan conference in Sydney. As usual, it was a very good conference with lots of interesting things shared and ideas gained.
The focus on the conference was community and partnerships. Thank you to Robert Leckie for capturing the tweets from the conference via storify.
There were two main things that I took back from the conference. The first was from Steve Coffman - Library Systems & Services, USA. Steven spoke about reinventing libraries. He mentioned that there are moves towards a bookless library but thought this was a bit pointless because if a person wants a book, they can now access it from home via Amazon and the likes. But he questions, if we move away from physical books, what makes us different?
Steven encourages a focus on printed books, as the leverage for clients. We should focus on books as it is our brand. As libraries try to reinvent we need to be aware of what makes us special, print books, the demand is still high. We need to celebrate what we do and what we are. Stop apologising for what we do. We should focus on discovery. If they can't find the book they need in the library we need to let them know there are other ways they can access it. We need to be good at readers advisory.
However, I am still interested in the journey of some libraries that have made the move to offering things like maker spaces, and as such, will be following Shewgirl's progress with her upcoming conference paper on maker spaces/hacker spaces.
For me, it all comes back to what your community wants/needs. But on the other hand, they may not know they want/need it until it is offered!!
The other thing that I took with me is something most of us are aware of - Achievement and success depends a lot on who you know. But Meredith Wallace from Rockdale City Council also had some great ideas of how libraries can get in the face of their council colleague and why it is important that we do so.
Look at your council plans and find the bits where you can use your skills and expertise can be used beyond your library. Be visible in your organisation beyond the walls of the library. Step outside of the stereotype. Go beyond offering a venue. Celebrate more than what's on the library calendar. Get on tender panels- shows consideration for hard financial issues faced by Council. Be seen within your organisation. Think what you can present to senior managers and Council. Persevere, look for angles.
So what ideas do you have for being visible in your organisation? I posted a bit about Embedded Librarianship back in #blogJune. And must admit that I haven't got any further. I'm open to ideas.
And finally, I have to share this wonderful and inspirational presentation by Paula Pfoeffer from City of Canterbury Libraries about what they have done working with the youth of Lakemba. Make sure you check out this clip.
What did you do on the third day of Christmas?
A month ago, I attended the SWITCH Public Libraries NSW Metropolitan conference in Sydney. As usual, it was a very good conference with lots of interesting things shared and ideas gained.
The focus on the conference was community and partnerships. Thank you to Robert Leckie for capturing the tweets from the conference via storify.
There were two main things that I took back from the conference. The first was from Steve Coffman - Library Systems & Services, USA. Steven spoke about reinventing libraries. He mentioned that there are moves towards a bookless library but thought this was a bit pointless because if a person wants a book, they can now access it from home via Amazon and the likes. But he questions, if we move away from physical books, what makes us different?
Steven encourages a focus on printed books, as the leverage for clients. We should focus on books as it is our brand. As libraries try to reinvent we need to be aware of what makes us special, print books, the demand is still high. We need to celebrate what we do and what we are. Stop apologising for what we do. We should focus on discovery. If they can't find the book they need in the library we need to let them know there are other ways they can access it. We need to be good at readers advisory.
However, I am still interested in the journey of some libraries that have made the move to offering things like maker spaces, and as such, will be following Shewgirl's progress with her upcoming conference paper on maker spaces/hacker spaces.
For me, it all comes back to what your community wants/needs. But on the other hand, they may not know they want/need it until it is offered!!
The other thing that I took with me is something most of us are aware of - Achievement and success depends a lot on who you know. But Meredith Wallace from Rockdale City Council also had some great ideas of how libraries can get in the face of their council colleague and why it is important that we do so.
Look at your council plans and find the bits where you can use your skills and expertise can be used beyond your library. Be visible in your organisation beyond the walls of the library. Step outside of the stereotype. Go beyond offering a venue. Celebrate more than what's on the library calendar. Get on tender panels- shows consideration for hard financial issues faced by Council. Be seen within your organisation. Think what you can present to senior managers and Council. Persevere, look for angles.
So what ideas do you have for being visible in your organisation? I posted a bit about Embedded Librarianship back in #blogJune. And must admit that I haven't got any further. I'm open to ideas.
And finally, I have to share this wonderful and inspirational presentation by Paula Pfoeffer from City of Canterbury Libraries about what they have done working with the youth of Lakemba. Make sure you check out this clip.
What did you do on the third day of Christmas?
Saturday, November 9, 2013
I'm back - well sort of!
It's been a while since my last post and that's because I have been preoccupied with other things.
Some of you that follow me on Facebook and Twitter would know that since my last post I have become somewhat obsessed with running. Yes you read right. Running!
It's been a while since I've had this sort of relationship with exercise. Prior to this obsession, I was doing boot camp (since February 2013), prior to that I was walking very regularly. But in my past life (pre-child), I did actually run a bit. In my past, past life I taught aerobics, ran, rode and swam regularly. So exercise and I have had a bit of an on and off relationship.
Back when I was in my mid-teens, exercise and I did not have a healthy relationship. Obsession overtook and I won't go into it in this blog post (maybe at a later date I'll be comfortable to write about it), but exercise became the be all and end all - and not the healthy thing it should've been. And now I'm older and wiser, it is a bit easier not to let exercise become the focus of life - it's pretty high up but family is still the highest!!
So now exercise is "on" again in my life, I'm a bit excited to have a "hobby" as such that does not revolve around libraries. Although since my obsession also includes reading as much as I can about running and exercise, the library is still a focus to obtain all the information!!
The people I exercise with are outside libraries and my place of work, so it is broadening my social circle and allowing me to focus on things that aren't necessarily to do with libraries. And this is probably why the blogging stopped.
You note from my previous posts, libraries and anything related to libraries is pretty much what this blog is about - ok weather slipped in there sometimes! Therefore, since focusing on exercise I didn't feel I had anything to share about libraries. I wanted to write about running but then I didn't want to bore readers.
Now don't be concerned, as I am still just as passionate about libraries. I think perhaps I'm now a more rounded individual because I have a focus that is not only related to my work. But I must admit that I was getting overwhelmed with living, eating, breathing libraries. So I think exercise has come back at a good time.
On a side note, there is a library conference coming up in a few weeks which I will be attending, and I must admit, that while I'm excited about what I will learn from the presentations and networking, I'm also excited planning my morning runs around Sydney!
I promise to blog about my conference learnings in early December.
Some of you that follow me on Facebook and Twitter would know that since my last post I have become somewhat obsessed with running. Yes you read right. Running!
It's been a while since I've had this sort of relationship with exercise. Prior to this obsession, I was doing boot camp (since February 2013), prior to that I was walking very regularly. But in my past life (pre-child), I did actually run a bit. In my past, past life I taught aerobics, ran, rode and swam regularly. So exercise and I have had a bit of an on and off relationship.
Back when I was in my mid-teens, exercise and I did not have a healthy relationship. Obsession overtook and I won't go into it in this blog post (maybe at a later date I'll be comfortable to write about it), but exercise became the be all and end all - and not the healthy thing it should've been. And now I'm older and wiser, it is a bit easier not to let exercise become the focus of life - it's pretty high up but family is still the highest!!
So now exercise is "on" again in my life, I'm a bit excited to have a "hobby" as such that does not revolve around libraries. Although since my obsession also includes reading as much as I can about running and exercise, the library is still a focus to obtain all the information!!
The people I exercise with are outside libraries and my place of work, so it is broadening my social circle and allowing me to focus on things that aren't necessarily to do with libraries. And this is probably why the blogging stopped.
You note from my previous posts, libraries and anything related to libraries is pretty much what this blog is about - ok weather slipped in there sometimes! Therefore, since focusing on exercise I didn't feel I had anything to share about libraries. I wanted to write about running but then I didn't want to bore readers.
Now don't be concerned, as I am still just as passionate about libraries. I think perhaps I'm now a more rounded individual because I have a focus that is not only related to my work. But I must admit that I was getting overwhelmed with living, eating, breathing libraries. So I think exercise has come back at a good time.
On a side note, there is a library conference coming up in a few weeks which I will be attending, and I must admit, that while I'm excited about what I will learn from the presentations and networking, I'm also excited planning my morning runs around Sydney!
I promise to blog about my conference learnings in early December.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
#blogjune Post 25 - Revist: How Young is too Young for Technology?
Back in blog post 9 I pondered how young is too young for technology?
@shewgirl who originally prompted my pondering has responded to my post with Is the use of technology dependent on age?
Let's just start by saying that I agree with @shewgirl's (and I wish predictive text would stop changing this to @showgirl) that public libraries are in an excellent position to show how technology can be used to support learning and development.
If you think about it, at one stage in our lifetime, books were referred to as futuristic objects and sometimes feared by what they contained and thoughts they provoked. The same can be said about technology.
I have witnessed how my own child interacts with technology - pick up an iPad and of she goes with little need for instruction on how to use it - it is almost intuitive. It's second nature. The same with computers and hand held game devices - or any hand held mobile device.
Just a child seems to know that they should turn the pages - often after they had tasted them - they know that if they touch the screen something will happen. If they move the mouse, something will happen. If they press the button, something will happen.
Learning, as most of us know, is made up of using all of our senses (or all the one's available to us) - listening, speaking, seeing, and touching. You can add tasting (although not the recommended learning tool for all things) as well. I'm sure there is more, but you get the picture.
By introducing a child to a device such as an iPad, we are providing just another way of learning. And by assisting parents and carers by showing them how the device can be used and what apps/programs to use - then we are meeting one of our many roles as librarians - empowering people with information.
I only wish we had more iPads to offer a program such as iTots on a larger scale, but we can work on that.
@shewgirl who originally prompted my pondering has responded to my post with Is the use of technology dependent on age?
Let's just start by saying that I agree with @shewgirl's (and I wish predictive text would stop changing this to @showgirl) that public libraries are in an excellent position to show how technology can be used to support learning and development.
If you think about it, at one stage in our lifetime, books were referred to as futuristic objects and sometimes feared by what they contained and thoughts they provoked. The same can be said about technology.
I have witnessed how my own child interacts with technology - pick up an iPad and of she goes with little need for instruction on how to use it - it is almost intuitive. It's second nature. The same with computers and hand held game devices - or any hand held mobile device.
Just a child seems to know that they should turn the pages - often after they had tasted them - they know that if they touch the screen something will happen. If they move the mouse, something will happen. If they press the button, something will happen.
Learning, as most of us know, is made up of using all of our senses (or all the one's available to us) - listening, speaking, seeing, and touching. You can add tasting (although not the recommended learning tool for all things) as well. I'm sure there is more, but you get the picture.
By introducing a child to a device such as an iPad, we are providing just another way of learning. And by assisting parents and carers by showing them how the device can be used and what apps/programs to use - then we are meeting one of our many roles as librarians - empowering people with information.
I only wish we had more iPads to offer a program such as iTots on a larger scale, but we can work on that.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
#blogjune Post 23 - Lazy Sunday or Going to Karly Lane's Book Launch
I was going to post some of my funny poetry that won me some baby stuff when I was on maternity leave with Miss A - but alas, I can't find the book that I wrote it all down in.
So now I'm at a loss what to post about.
This afternoon I went to Dymocks book store at Park Beach Plaza in Coffs Harbour for Karly Lane's book launch of her new book, Burnt.
I actually purchased the book when it was first available as an ebook, but this afternoon I purchased a print copy for our library.
I have been a fan of Karly since reading The Cattleman's Runaway Bride about 3 years ago. Karly also writes as Karlene Blakemore-Mowle.
I have had the pleasure of hosting Karly at Bellingen Library twice, well three times if you count the session she did as part of this year's Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival. I like to support local authors, and Karly is really down to Earth and friendly, which helps when organising book talks in the library.
This afternoon was very enjoyable. A couple of other local authors also turned out to congratulate Karly on the launch of new book. Greg Barron and Jenn J McLeod have also been kind enough to talk at my library. Even though I am not an author/writer, Karly, Jenn and Greg make me feel a bit like part of the support team. I highly recommend Karly's, Greg's and Jenn's book(s) to all so go and buy (or borrow) them!!
Greg will be at Dymocks Coffs Harbour next Saturday at 11am to launch his second book, Savage Tide.
It is interesting attending book launches at book shops and then wondering if they are more successful for authors then visiting libraries. I mean, at book shop book launches, people can purchase the book, whereas at the library, most people assume that the library already has a copy or will purchase a copy and wait for that to become available to loan, rather than spend the money.
However, I think libraries offer a more comfortable conversation space then book shops - or maybe I just get distracted by all the other books available in the book shops that I find myself looking more at what is on the shelves, then paying attention to what the author is saying. What do you think?
Regardless, it was somewhat booky weekend for me. I started reading my TBR pile and finished of The Farmer's Wife by Rachael Treasure this morning. However, I have not even started watching anything in the TBW pile. Let's hope there isn't much work from 2nd job this week so I might be able to sneak in some reading and watching!!
So now I'm at a loss what to post about.
This afternoon I went to Dymocks book store at Park Beach Plaza in Coffs Harbour for Karly Lane's book launch of her new book, Burnt.
I actually purchased the book when it was first available as an ebook, but this afternoon I purchased a print copy for our library.
I have been a fan of Karly since reading The Cattleman's Runaway Bride about 3 years ago. Karly also writes as Karlene Blakemore-Mowle.
I have had the pleasure of hosting Karly at Bellingen Library twice, well three times if you count the session she did as part of this year's Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival. I like to support local authors, and Karly is really down to Earth and friendly, which helps when organising book talks in the library.
This afternoon was very enjoyable. A couple of other local authors also turned out to congratulate Karly on the launch of new book. Greg Barron and Jenn J McLeod have also been kind enough to talk at my library. Even though I am not an author/writer, Karly, Jenn and Greg make me feel a bit like part of the support team. I highly recommend Karly's, Greg's and Jenn's book(s) to all so go and buy (or borrow) them!!
Greg will be at Dymocks Coffs Harbour next Saturday at 11am to launch his second book, Savage Tide.
It is interesting attending book launches at book shops and then wondering if they are more successful for authors then visiting libraries. I mean, at book shop book launches, people can purchase the book, whereas at the library, most people assume that the library already has a copy or will purchase a copy and wait for that to become available to loan, rather than spend the money.
However, I think libraries offer a more comfortable conversation space then book shops - or maybe I just get distracted by all the other books available in the book shops that I find myself looking more at what is on the shelves, then paying attention to what the author is saying. What do you think?
Regardless, it was somewhat booky weekend for me. I started reading my TBR pile and finished of The Farmer's Wife by Rachael Treasure this morning. However, I have not even started watching anything in the TBW pile. Let's hope there isn't much work from 2nd job this week so I might be able to sneak in some reading and watching!!
Monday, June 10, 2013
#blogjune Post 11 - My First Library Job
A few of the other #blogjune participants have posted about their first library job:
My first ever library job was as a library monitor in my primary school library. The librarian let me stamp the books that the other students were taking out and put spine labels on the books. I even got to shelve the picture books and fiction books.
My library monitor position continued into high school where I was allowed to cover the books. This was in exchange for getting first pick at the new fiction that came into the library - I thought this was a pretty good deal.
My previous post, Once upon a time, shares more about my journey into libraries for those interested.
Upon leaving high school in 1994, I began my Associate Diploma of Applied Science (Library Technician Studies) at Southbank TAFE Morningside Campus in 1995. It was through the work experience component of this course that I got my first job as a casual library assistant at my local public library.
Most of the work was on weekends and involved circulation and shelving. I was very shy back then and remember being extremely nervous serving customers so would often negotiate with the other staff so I could spend most of the time shelving.
The casuals in the weekend shift pretty much stayed the same for the year and half that I worked there before moving on to my other jobs. I still stay in touch with some of them who are still working in the same library.
I also picked up another casual position through work experience and found myself with two casual jobs in 1996 - the public library position and a casual technician role at the local TAFE library.
I didn't have a license or car at the time so I remember lots of train trips and the odd time of my dad picking me up or dropping me off if my shift started outside of train timetable times. Waiting times for weekend trains were very long and I spent a lot of time reading or studying.
Both of these positions provided me with a good base to land my first full time position 800km from home at a TAFE in Central Qld. It was this role that brought me out of my shell. And it wasn't really the job that did that, more the fact that I was a long way from home and I didn't know anyone.
I recommend starting fresh in a place where no one knows you as a way of breaking down any shyness you may have and allowing you to learn some great life lessons.
While the job allowed me to develop my skills and build up experience, it was more the fact that I was a long way from home, in a rural area and didn't know anyone that built up the skills I use today in libraries. Being forthcoming in introducing myself; being able to jump out of my comfort zone when needed; and being able to work in a place where there is limited resources. These skills and experiences are what I have fallen back on constantly throughout my career.
What skills and experiences have you learnt over the years that continue to assist you today?
My first ever library job was as a library monitor in my primary school library. The librarian let me stamp the books that the other students were taking out and put spine labels on the books. I even got to shelve the picture books and fiction books.
My library monitor position continued into high school where I was allowed to cover the books. This was in exchange for getting first pick at the new fiction that came into the library - I thought this was a pretty good deal.
My previous post, Once upon a time, shares more about my journey into libraries for those interested.
Upon leaving high school in 1994, I began my Associate Diploma of Applied Science (Library Technician Studies) at Southbank TAFE Morningside Campus in 1995. It was through the work experience component of this course that I got my first job as a casual library assistant at my local public library.
Most of the work was on weekends and involved circulation and shelving. I was very shy back then and remember being extremely nervous serving customers so would often negotiate with the other staff so I could spend most of the time shelving.
The casuals in the weekend shift pretty much stayed the same for the year and half that I worked there before moving on to my other jobs. I still stay in touch with some of them who are still working in the same library.
I also picked up another casual position through work experience and found myself with two casual jobs in 1996 - the public library position and a casual technician role at the local TAFE library.
I didn't have a license or car at the time so I remember lots of train trips and the odd time of my dad picking me up or dropping me off if my shift started outside of train timetable times. Waiting times for weekend trains were very long and I spent a lot of time reading or studying.
Both of these positions provided me with a good base to land my first full time position 800km from home at a TAFE in Central Qld. It was this role that brought me out of my shell. And it wasn't really the job that did that, more the fact that I was a long way from home and I didn't know anyone.
I recommend starting fresh in a place where no one knows you as a way of breaking down any shyness you may have and allowing you to learn some great life lessons.
While the job allowed me to develop my skills and build up experience, it was more the fact that I was a long way from home, in a rural area and didn't know anyone that built up the skills I use today in libraries. Being forthcoming in introducing myself; being able to jump out of my comfort zone when needed; and being able to work in a place where there is limited resources. These skills and experiences are what I have fallen back on constantly throughout my career.
What skills and experiences have you learnt over the years that continue to assist you today?
Thursday, June 6, 2013
#blogjune Post 7 - The Block - Library Style
I have been struck by lightning!! Well ok, I've just had a brilliant idea - which probably means someone has already thought of this.
I wish there was a reality TV show where a group of professional library interior designers come to your library and give it a makeover!!!
And why am I wishing this?? Well, I have some branch libraries that need a revamp and I have a fear of moving things. This may have been a result of growing up in a house that had furniture changes almost daily - no offence, Mum but I think we may have had at least 2-3 different beds in our bedrooms each year. And the room would be re-arranged just as many times, if not more.
I hate moving furniture!!
So what better idea then to have someone come in and do it for me!!
I could do an audition tape crying about the state of my library branches and how I don't know where to start. I have limited funding and staffing resources.
Cue, "The Block" style team but they are made up of library interior designers, or just librarians who have a flair for knowing how to re-arrange furniture to give the library branch a lift!
It can all be filmed to add to the drama - oh no, what to do when moving the shelves and they fall apart?? What about that huge rat that came out from behind the bookcase that hasn't been moved for the last 20 years?? But alas, all is almost lost when they move shelves around, only to find that particular collection won't fit??
Ok, I need to work on my drama, comedy act - but you get the picture!!
Anyone out there who has a flair for looking at a library and knowing how to vamp it up - how 'bout a holiday on the Mid-North Coast of NSW?!?! I may not be able to pay you, but having a "holiday" here is worth it!!
I wish there was a reality TV show where a group of professional library interior designers come to your library and give it a makeover!!!
And why am I wishing this?? Well, I have some branch libraries that need a revamp and I have a fear of moving things. This may have been a result of growing up in a house that had furniture changes almost daily - no offence, Mum but I think we may have had at least 2-3 different beds in our bedrooms each year. And the room would be re-arranged just as many times, if not more.
I hate moving furniture!!
So what better idea then to have someone come in and do it for me!!
I could do an audition tape crying about the state of my library branches and how I don't know where to start. I have limited funding and staffing resources.
Cue, "The Block" style team but they are made up of library interior designers, or just librarians who have a flair for knowing how to re-arrange furniture to give the library branch a lift!
It can all be filmed to add to the drama - oh no, what to do when moving the shelves and they fall apart?? What about that huge rat that came out from behind the bookcase that hasn't been moved for the last 20 years?? But alas, all is almost lost when they move shelves around, only to find that particular collection won't fit??
Ok, I need to work on my drama, comedy act - but you get the picture!!
Anyone out there who has a flair for looking at a library and knowing how to vamp it up - how 'bout a holiday on the Mid-North Coast of NSW?!?! I may not be able to pay you, but having a "holiday" here is worth it!!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
#blogjune Post 2 - ANZ 23 Mobile Things: Thing 4: Maps and Checking In
I have to admit that I really haven't jumped into Thing 4 with great enthusiasm. I'm like that with most things, I'll dip my toe in and if it doesn't interest me or provide me with a useful tool, then I'll move on.
Now with Maps and Checking In, I have played around with Foursquare, but honestly, living where I live there are really not heaps of places to check in as such.
I added our libraries to Foursquare, but really, do people want to know that I checked in to my library every week day? And then I checked in at our local beach and then at Woolworths?? I mean, I honestly don't go to many places so it lost it's appeal. Even when I was in the city - either Brisbane or Sydney - I forgot to check in because it really didn't excite me!
However, I do know that some libraries have successfully used it as a tool for promotion and competition. But looking at my community and how they use phones, and I would make a rough guess at saying perhaps 40% have smart phones/mobile devices, the rest have regular mobile phones or lap tops or nothing. So offering some sort of program where users could check in, probably wouldn't be that popular.
I have used the Google Maps app to look for directions, but find Navigator or the navigation tool on my phone much more useful - like a GPS on my phone. Although, due to a delay in response time while driving through Tamworth, it did get me lost looking for South Tamworth Library!!
Now I still don't know a lot about Geocaching but I have heard our Council IT staff member talking about doing some geocaching around our town. I must have a longer conversation with him, but find I get lost in the jargon he uses.
So as you can see, I'm not really enthused by maps and checking in, but I think I will expect that some things on the 23 Mobile Things program will excite me and others won't. But really it's all about learning about what is out there for mobile devices and having a bit of a play around.
Now off to read other #blogjune participants posts!
Now with Maps and Checking In, I have played around with Foursquare, but honestly, living where I live there are really not heaps of places to check in as such.
I added our libraries to Foursquare, but really, do people want to know that I checked in to my library every week day? And then I checked in at our local beach and then at Woolworths?? I mean, I honestly don't go to many places so it lost it's appeal. Even when I was in the city - either Brisbane or Sydney - I forgot to check in because it really didn't excite me!
However, I do know that some libraries have successfully used it as a tool for promotion and competition. But looking at my community and how they use phones, and I would make a rough guess at saying perhaps 40% have smart phones/mobile devices, the rest have regular mobile phones or lap tops or nothing. So offering some sort of program where users could check in, probably wouldn't be that popular.
I have used the Google Maps app to look for directions, but find Navigator or the navigation tool on my phone much more useful - like a GPS on my phone. Although, due to a delay in response time while driving through Tamworth, it did get me lost looking for South Tamworth Library!!
Now I still don't know a lot about Geocaching but I have heard our Council IT staff member talking about doing some geocaching around our town. I must have a longer conversation with him, but find I get lost in the jargon he uses.
So as you can see, I'm not really enthused by maps and checking in, but I think I will expect that some things on the 23 Mobile Things program will excite me and others won't. But really it's all about learning about what is out there for mobile devices and having a bit of a play around.
Now off to read other #blogjune participants posts!
Monday, May 6, 2013
ANZ 23 Mobile Things - Thing 1: Twitter
I've been using Twitter for a reasonable amount of time, but I'll admit it took me a while to be convinced that I had a purpose for it.
I find with any new technologies or tools, I might have a play around with it but if I don't think it will have any use for me - then I won't continue to use it.
Twitter was a bit like that for me. I had Facebook to keep in touch with friends and colleagues - what would I need Twitter for?
However, I continued to "lurk" on Twitter and was very much an observer rather than a participator for a very long time.
I discovered Twitter was good to follow events that my fellow professionals were attending. And it was especially good to provide information during natural disasters.
The main thing holding me back from participating was thinking that if I tweeted something, it would be stupid. I didn't know how to shorten what I wanted to say into the required limit. What are these things called hash tags # and how do you know which one to use? What does RT, MT and HT mean?? How do I send a message to someone without sending it to the Twitter universe??
So you can see I had heaps of Twitter "fears" to overcome.
Then one day I went to an event and I thought, I should really do my professional duty and share what is happening/being said at this event. So I started to Tweet. So what if my tweets weren't that good? I was learning. I asked one of my fellow professionals who had been using Twitter for a long time what the hash tag was for the event and off I went.
By the end of the event, I had found more fellow professionals to follow and I had even had some of my tweets re-tweeted (I always feel a warm feeling when that happens).
I'm still not what I would consider a professional twitterer (you see I don't even know the correct term to use - tweeter twitterer twit....), but I'm out there sharing and interacting.
I now regularly participate in online twitter discussions, especially Read, Watch, Play. And I'm starting to get better at using my tablet to tweet (overcoming how to provide links in a tweet, getting used to the smaller keyboard, etc). I have even managed to open a Storify account and capture Tweets from events I attend.
With all that said, my library is looking at starting a Twitter account and I'm not sure I think we should go there.
I've just joined the Australian Library and Information Associations (ALIA) Social Media Group (@aliasocialmed) to find out more about how libraries are successfully using Twitter as an "interaction" and or "marketing" tool.
I look forward to discovering and learning more about Twitter.
I find with any new technologies or tools, I might have a play around with it but if I don't think it will have any use for me - then I won't continue to use it.
Twitter was a bit like that for me. I had Facebook to keep in touch with friends and colleagues - what would I need Twitter for?
However, I continued to "lurk" on Twitter and was very much an observer rather than a participator for a very long time.
I discovered Twitter was good to follow events that my fellow professionals were attending. And it was especially good to provide information during natural disasters.
The main thing holding me back from participating was thinking that if I tweeted something, it would be stupid. I didn't know how to shorten what I wanted to say into the required limit. What are these things called hash tags # and how do you know which one to use? What does RT, MT and HT mean?? How do I send a message to someone without sending it to the Twitter universe??
So you can see I had heaps of Twitter "fears" to overcome.
Then one day I went to an event and I thought, I should really do my professional duty and share what is happening/being said at this event. So I started to Tweet. So what if my tweets weren't that good? I was learning. I asked one of my fellow professionals who had been using Twitter for a long time what the hash tag was for the event and off I went.
By the end of the event, I had found more fellow professionals to follow and I had even had some of my tweets re-tweeted (I always feel a warm feeling when that happens).
I'm still not what I would consider a professional twitterer (you see I don't even know the correct term to use - tweeter twitterer twit....), but I'm out there sharing and interacting.
I now regularly participate in online twitter discussions, especially Read, Watch, Play. And I'm starting to get better at using my tablet to tweet (overcoming how to provide links in a tweet, getting used to the smaller keyboard, etc). I have even managed to open a Storify account and capture Tweets from events I attend.
With all that said, my library is looking at starting a Twitter account and I'm not sure I think we should go there.
I've just joined the Australian Library and Information Associations (ALIA) Social Media Group (@aliasocialmed) to find out more about how libraries are successfully using Twitter as an "interaction" and or "marketing" tool.
I look forward to discovering and learning more about Twitter.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Just Google It - Continued
I had to do a follow up post to my last post because I think it is important to share what has happened since gaining approval to run sessions with the students as Miss A's school.
The school had organised library visits for the year 2/3, 3/4 and 5/6 classes. However, the weather had other ideas and due to the extreme conditions, I said that I could visit the classes at the school rather than have the students walk to the library in the horizontal rain and wind.
At these visits, I had the students divide into their project questions/topics. I provided each group some butchers paper and different covered felt pens (textas). I then asked the students to label the paper with their project topic and write all the words and questions they could think of when it came to their topic. E.g. for those doing shipwrecks they put ship, boat, rocks, storm, where did the boat/ship come from?, what was the boat/ship carrying?, where was the ship/boat going? etc.
I then handed out a kids guide to Dewey Decimal Classification that I had modified to be more Australian.
We went through how the Dewey Decimal Classification worked using a comparision with supermarket shopping and how all the fruit and vegetables are together and all the meat is together and all the bread is together, etc.
I then asked them to look at their words on their butchers paper and go through the Dewey Decimal Classification handout and write down any Dewey Decimal numbers that they thought matched their words.
By this time, I had run out of time with them - I only had half an hour with each class. But the end product was butchers paper full of keywords and possible Dewey Decimal numbers they could go to when visiting the library.
Luckily for me, the teachers arranged for library visits once the weather had cleared.
During the library visit, I gave a quick tour of the library. We then sat down and I asked what parts of a book they could look at to find out if the book would have anything about their topic. The students were really cluey about this and all could answer - the blurb at the back, the contents page and the index.
I had put aside books to do with their topics and made sure they couldn't be loaned to allow all students equal access to the resources. We all know what can happen if you have one student or parent of a student who is quick of the mark and borrows all the books about a particular topic resulting in the other students having access to nothing.
The students were then allowed to look through the books and photocopy (for free) any pages they thought that would help then with their projects - with a limit of 10 pages!
All in all it has been a success. The teachers were really impressed and have already talked to me about making this a regular thing.
The principal even put a small article in the school newsletter talking about the partnership with the school and local library and how wonderful it was for the students to learn about how they can access learning resources from a place within their community outside of school.
Now all I have to do is continue working on the other 6 primary schools and 2 high schools in our region - which I have been hammering away at since I started in this job 5 years ago.
The school had organised library visits for the year 2/3, 3/4 and 5/6 classes. However, the weather had other ideas and due to the extreme conditions, I said that I could visit the classes at the school rather than have the students walk to the library in the horizontal rain and wind.
At these visits, I had the students divide into their project questions/topics. I provided each group some butchers paper and different covered felt pens (textas). I then asked the students to label the paper with their project topic and write all the words and questions they could think of when it came to their topic. E.g. for those doing shipwrecks they put ship, boat, rocks, storm, where did the boat/ship come from?, what was the boat/ship carrying?, where was the ship/boat going? etc.
I then handed out a kids guide to Dewey Decimal Classification that I had modified to be more Australian.
We went through how the Dewey Decimal Classification worked using a comparision with supermarket shopping and how all the fruit and vegetables are together and all the meat is together and all the bread is together, etc.
I then asked them to look at their words on their butchers paper and go through the Dewey Decimal Classification handout and write down any Dewey Decimal numbers that they thought matched their words.
By this time, I had run out of time with them - I only had half an hour with each class. But the end product was butchers paper full of keywords and possible Dewey Decimal numbers they could go to when visiting the library.
Luckily for me, the teachers arranged for library visits once the weather had cleared.
During the library visit, I gave a quick tour of the library. We then sat down and I asked what parts of a book they could look at to find out if the book would have anything about their topic. The students were really cluey about this and all could answer - the blurb at the back, the contents page and the index.
I had put aside books to do with their topics and made sure they couldn't be loaned to allow all students equal access to the resources. We all know what can happen if you have one student or parent of a student who is quick of the mark and borrows all the books about a particular topic resulting in the other students having access to nothing.
The students were then allowed to look through the books and photocopy (for free) any pages they thought that would help then with their projects - with a limit of 10 pages!
All in all it has been a success. The teachers were really impressed and have already talked to me about making this a regular thing.
The principal even put a small article in the school newsletter talking about the partnership with the school and local library and how wonderful it was for the students to learn about how they can access learning resources from a place within their community outside of school.
Now all I have to do is continue working on the other 6 primary schools and 2 high schools in our region - which I have been hammering away at since I started in this job 5 years ago.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Just Google It
Last week, Miss A came home with her first project. Miss A is in year 2 this year but has been put in a year 2/3 class so instead of continuing stage 1 work (Kindy-2), she is now doing stage 2 work (yrs 3-4). I'm in mixed minds about this but I'm not focusing on this in today's blog post.
Back to the project. So this is the project:
During each Term this year you will be given an outline for a project to work on at home. The projects will be linked to that Term's theme in HSIE. While not compulsory, we hope you will take these opportunities to further develop valuable skills in research and presentation.
Our theme in Term 1 is early Australian history: sea exploration, reasons for colonisation, and first settlement.
For this Term's project you should choose one of the following:
Back to the project. So this is the project:
During each Term this year you will be given an outline for a project to work on at home. The projects will be linked to that Term's theme in HSIE. While not compulsory, we hope you will take these opportunities to further develop valuable skills in research and presentation.
Our theme in Term 1 is early Australian history: sea exploration, reasons for colonisation, and first settlement.
For this Term's project you should choose one of the following:
- A biography of a convict. This can be any convict who became well-known, e.g. Francis Greenway, James Ruse, John Cadman. If you know you have a convict as an ancestor, you can do your project on him or her.
- A famous shipwreck, e.g. Batavia, Vergulde Draeck, Zuytdorp or Trial (there are two - one in WA and another at South West Rocks)
- This year is the bicentenary of the crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson in 1813. Explain why it took 35 years to find a way over the mountains west of Sydney, and why it was so important for the colony of NSW.
And it goes on to explain how the project is to be presented.
Imagine my shock when Miss A told me that the teacher (not her teacher) explaining the project told them to use Google. I asked - did they mention books, the school library, the public library?? She said no.
So like any good mother, I visited her teacher and mentioned that I wasn't very happy that the students were told to use Google and I'd happily offer the students a session on how to find information in the public library - which is just down the road from the school.
This week I'm providing "how to find information" sessions for the year 2/3's, 3/4's and 5/6's from my daughter's school.
Now I don't dismiss having students use Google to find information. But I do get disappointed when there is no explanation on how to define what they should be looking for, no discussion of keywords, no discussion of how to evaluate the information found, and no discussion of the other research tools and resources that could be used.
I also find it disappointing that the school librarian is not insisting on offering "how to find information" sessions to the students.
I understand that there can be many reasons why this doesn't happen - lack of funds, lack of support by the teachers, lack of time etc etc. But what if I my daughter was not at this school? Who else would jump in and ask that the students be given the opportunity to be taught these skills? Especially since the project states that it is allowing the students to further develop their research skills - well how about giving them research skills to develop instead of giving a project without the basic support to get them started?
Even if the school had not agreed to allow the students to come to the library, Miss A would still be provided with a lesson in finding information from me - but what about the other students?
And I'm trying very hard not to think about the other schools in our area that are also not providing their students with the basic start in finding information.
What are your thoughts on this?
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Blog12daysxmas Post 10
Today's Destiny Card is Detail.
Yesterday Miss A and I went to the Bellingen Swimming Pool and spent almost 3 hours there. I only really wanted to spend 2 hours but Miss A wanted to spend the whole day so I told her we would go to the Library to get some books to get her out of the pool - surprisingly this worked.
So off to the Library we went and up went my blood pressure. I'm on holidays and I don't want to think about work but of course when you visit work during you holidays you automatically think about work. And all the work you have to do when you return to work. Sigh!
Once home, and I completed my hour long daily walk, I relaxed and started playing around with our library service Zinio eMagazine subscription and then played around with our OneClickDigital downloadable eAudio subscription, and then played around with State Library of NSW Library PressDisplay online newspaper subscription.
And then Miss A and I went to bed and I read 2 of the books we borrowed from the Library. I slept well until 2.30am and then thoughts of work came back into my head. Now don't you hate that?!?
Of course, once I started thinking about work I then had to pull apart every detail and write mental lists and basically work myself up into a state so I couldn't go back to bed for a few hours.
Don't get me wrong, there are some things I'm looking forward to about returning to work for a new year but many others I really am concerned about.
However, I read a blog post or a quote from somewhere and of course I can't find it now. But it was something about fear and how if we fear something then we will convince ourselves to fear it instead of convincing ourselves that we have nothing to fear. It may even have been in my stars for the year or yesterday. Basically it had me thinking that I should not fear what coming back to work has in store for me but embrace it as a challenge and then it won't get the better of me.
I also read an interesting post about blogging: Done is better than perfect (thanks @flexnib). And this made me think about my own blogging experience over the last few weeks. There have been times when I didn't feel I had anything to write but then I started writing and found I did.
I have also stopped worrying about how many people read my blog and what they think about what I have shared. Blogging is a learning experience and sometimes it is just a place to get things out of your head and onto "paper."
For me, blogging allows me to reflect on things whether they be professional or personal.
Yesterday Miss A and I went to the Bellingen Swimming Pool and spent almost 3 hours there. I only really wanted to spend 2 hours but Miss A wanted to spend the whole day so I told her we would go to the Library to get some books to get her out of the pool - surprisingly this worked.
So off to the Library we went and up went my blood pressure. I'm on holidays and I don't want to think about work but of course when you visit work during you holidays you automatically think about work. And all the work you have to do when you return to work. Sigh!
Once home, and I completed my hour long daily walk, I relaxed and started playing around with our library service Zinio eMagazine subscription and then played around with our OneClickDigital downloadable eAudio subscription, and then played around with State Library of NSW Library PressDisplay online newspaper subscription.
And then Miss A and I went to bed and I read 2 of the books we borrowed from the Library. I slept well until 2.30am and then thoughts of work came back into my head. Now don't you hate that?!?
Of course, once I started thinking about work I then had to pull apart every detail and write mental lists and basically work myself up into a state so I couldn't go back to bed for a few hours.
Don't get me wrong, there are some things I'm looking forward to about returning to work for a new year but many others I really am concerned about.
However, I read a blog post or a quote from somewhere and of course I can't find it now. But it was something about fear and how if we fear something then we will convince ourselves to fear it instead of convincing ourselves that we have nothing to fear. It may even have been in my stars for the year or yesterday. Basically it had me thinking that I should not fear what coming back to work has in store for me but embrace it as a challenge and then it won't get the better of me.
I also read an interesting post about blogging: Done is better than perfect (thanks @flexnib). And this made me think about my own blogging experience over the last few weeks. There have been times when I didn't feel I had anything to write but then I started writing and found I did.
I have also stopped worrying about how many people read my blog and what they think about what I have shared. Blogging is a learning experience and sometimes it is just a place to get things out of your head and onto "paper."
For me, blogging allows me to reflect on things whether they be professional or personal.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Blog December Post 24 - Enthusiasm or lack of
Today's Destiny Card is Enthusiasm.
And today I unfortunately don't have the enthusiasm to blog. There are absolutely no ideas coming to me about what to write.
All I can think of is that it is hot and we are going to go to the beach today - that's where my enthusiasm lays - at the beach.
I have always been enthusiastic about reading and libraries. I finished reading Zoe's Muster by Barbara Hannay (great read by the way) and I'm looking at my other pile of books with little enthusiasm to start them.
And today, I can't even think about libraries with enthusiasm - I am on holidays and I need to let go because thinking about libraries leads me to think about work and I don't want to think about work these holidays.
I apologise for the lack of enthusiasm in this post but I suppose it is the holidays and it is Christmas eve and it is hot and I just want to go to the beach!!
Perhaps my enthusiasm for blogging and a great idea will pop into my head later!
Have a great day!
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