The next step

It looks like we will be starting Learning 2.1 soon so I thought I'd get back to blogging.

Wondering what's next..... It is good to see the Wiki and RSS feeds being used at work so successfully.

Time for a change?

Now that we have settled in to the lovely new library, I am leaving. From 2 Jan 2008 I start in a new position, outside the library and in Melbourne. I am looking forward to the new role and the move, but am a little bit nervous about what will be expected of me. It is scary moving outside the familiarity of the library and away from being part of a library team. Anyway it'll be interesting.... I am also thinking of studying again next year - may live to regret it.

So Melbourne will be fun, I love exploring new cities and there will be lots of bands to see, shops to explore and weekend trips.

It's time

The time has finally come, the books have been moved and are safe and sound in their new location, so it's our turn. We are almost packed and ready to go, just a few more things to do tomorrow and we can all head home for the weekend and turn up on Monday in our new library. Fingers crossed the IT will all be up and running and we can get back to some semblance of normality. I am looking forward to sleeping through the night without waking up and jotting down 'things to do' at all hours! Very exciting.....

Not looking forward to getting a bus instead of driving. Looking forward to being near shops, supermarkets, the gym and good coffee!

Library move

We are moving to our new library in two weeks. Very exciting, but a lot of work. We have been furiously weeding, creating floor plans and finalising the order of the collection in the new space. This includes moving Law Reports from shelf to shelf so that they are in a logical order and are spaced to allow for growth. No need for the gym this week!

We will have more shelf space but no training facilities which is what we really needed. The library is lovely and modern though so mustn't grumble!

wiki's for research

I am planning on co-writing an article on the wiki we have created at work and how we are using it to deliver research to clients. Maybe this will be published and I'll be able to tick that off my New Years Resolution list for 2007?

I have also tried to use Pageflakes to share info, RSS feeds, bookmarks etc with other staff in my team, but it takes too long to open and change.

Putting the theory into practice

Now comes the time to see which of these 23 things we have learnt about translate into our everyday library jobs and tasks.... We already have a wiki, a good way of collating research data but not sure whether clients get the collabrative aspect yet. Time will tell. I can se a use for a blog - for communication among LIS staff and maybe then with clients.

You Tube for training clients in remote locations??

Thing # 23 reflections

Wow, I have finished, now what will I do with all that spare time?

My favourite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey were LibraryThing, the online image generaters and finding podcasts.....

The program has given me the confidence to experiment with Library 2.0 'things' and also made me consider the situations and applications at work which might lend themselves to these technologies. I think a lot of our services and products could benefit from the inclusion of a wiki, blog or RSS feeds. My lifelong learning goals are now firmly rooted in learning and trying out new things, rather than reading about and dismissing them.

I think the format for this program is good, as it provides a framework and timeline to follow but was flexible enough that you could catch up, miss bits etc. I would have liked a bit more interaction and encouragement among ourselves. This may have enabled others to feel more confortable asking for help or sharing their experience.

Thanks for the journey and the encouraging comments!!