@MLBurgess_

Pop-up library poster This is the poster we used - and i created...

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:00:29 +0000

Pop-up library poster

This is the poster we used - and i created - to promote our pop-up library service.

Shortest post ever. But as it’s been about 9 months since my last post, i thought I’d better post something.

Chartership progress - structure & layout

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 10:00:05 +0000

Chartership today, tomorrow chartered (I wish)

I had another meeting with my mentor, the lovely, Lisa Jeskins on Thursday.

Having completed the Personal Professional Development Plan (PPDP) a few months ago. I thought I’d better get on and actually start filling my portfolio with evidence and reflection, having achieved so much already.

Before the meeting, I had organised my portfolio into sections based on my PPDP, and put in some of my evidence. This formed the basis of the subsequent discussion.

However, the problem we both quickly stubbled across was that of structure and layout. There is no clear guidance it would seem. The content is ultimately decided by my activities, so does that mean the structure and layout should follow content, and that it is up to me to curate it in the best possible light?

This is the structure so far:

Contents
CV
Personal Evaluative Statement
Personal and Professional Development Plan
Organisational Structure
Job Description
Mentor / Mentee Agreement
Mentor Log
Glossary of Abbrevations
Appendix A: Personal Performace
Evidence
Appendix B: Library Services Performance/Delivery
Evidence
Appendix C: Countining Professional Development
Evidence
Appendix D: Wider Professional Context
Evidence

This led us to look at various examples of recently published portfolios on the interweb. Alas, this did not help either - no one seemed to have a set formula to which they were sticking to. This did lighten the load. As nobody seemed to be sticking with a distinguishable structure, so we decided the world was our oyster, and as long as it contained relevant, useful, illustrative examples, good and intelligent self reflection, and evidence of growth and understanding, it would do.

Reaching out is everything With student expectations exceeding...

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:05:06 +0000

Reaching out is everything

With student expectations exceeding the services on offer, cuts in university funding, lower recruitment, tighter internal fiscal constraints, competition from outside the sector, the Library has to push what it does and how it does it even more so than ever before.

My current campaign is pushing the Library’s Digitization service. In preparation for next semester, I have produced a new poster promotion aimed at academic staff who use Moodle and Talis Aspire.

The poster is adorn staff notice boards, be sent in an all staff email, and be converted into an A5 leaflet with details of the Digitisation service on the back.

The aim is to increase awareness of the service and increase its use.

My first official chartership meeting

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:00:06 +0000

Chartership: Mentor / Mentee agreement

I had my first “official” chartership meeting with my mentor (@LisaJeskins) last Thursday. It was the day we officially agreed upon the mentorship agreement.

The mentorship agreement outlined what the purpose of the chartership process is, but more specifically what the mentorship element of chartership meant to us. What was the purpose of the mentor/mentee relationship? What did we (and I) hope to achieve? What were the foreseeable difficulties or obstacles? Was there anything in the cupboard that needed airing, putting out to dry?

We both agreed the primary purpose of the mentorship was to guide, to help, to assist my evidence gathering, to provide advice and information relating to chartership and professional development, to be a sounding board. Poetically put, it was to shine a light on any muddy paths - I once remember reading somewhere that chartership is a like journey, and I’d need a torch at some point.

We also agreed how we would communicate with one another, how often we should communicate with each other, and whether or not we had any no-go areas. We didn’t set any off limit areas. But if they ever came up, we would address them there and then at the time they came up.

We both decided that we didn’t require a set date to meet - we thought it wiser to arrange meetings as and when we need to discuss something. We had a desire to use social media - we are already using Twitter to communicate with each other. Dropbox to share documents wasn’t a bad idea either.

On reflection then it was a luminous success. It made me feel enthused, motivated, and even inspired at one point. Without sounding overly gushing, my mentor has some excellent experiences under her belt, and will no doubt provide invaluable advice and guidance - I am aware my mentor might read this, so no pressure there.

CPD23: Things 9 - Evernote

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:04:06 +0100

I have mixed feelings about Evernote. I installed Evernote on my ipad about a year ago, and I have hardly used it - I probably made about about three or four notes, and that was all. I then went onto installing Evernote on my mac, as the two devises can be synchronised. I have still yet to use it on my mac.

However, purposefully, for thing nine, I recently opened it to try it out again. Unfortunately, I still have yet to find a use for it. This is not because there is anything wrong with it, but I use other apps and programs to store notes and websites. So from a marketing perspective, it does not fill a need for me - they have already been filled elsewhere.

I use Delicious to bookmark websites, tag them, and where necessary add notes to them. Although, it is not possible to annotate particular sections of websites. I believe this is where Evernote could fill the gap.

I also use the GoodReader to download pdfs and other bits and bobs, and annotate them.

However, my aim this week is to try and build Evernote into my work - find websites that I might annotate and store. I think only by using it more will I begin to appreciate it.

Customers, clients, patrons, readers, users

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:04:05 +0100

How do you refer to the people that come in and use your services?

Customer

Customer noun. a person who buys goods or a service; a satisfied customer (Cambridge Dictionary Online)

Customer noun. a person of a specified kind whom one has to deal; a tough customer (Oxford Dictionary Online)

Client

Client noun. a person or organisation using the services of a lawyer or other professional person or company

Client noun. a person being dealt with by social or medical services

Client ancient rome. a plebeian under the protection of a patrician

(Oxford Dictionary Online)

Patron

Patron noun. a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organisation, cause or activity

Patron noun. a customer especially a regular one of a store, restaurant or theatre.

Patron ancient rome. a patrician in relation to a client; a former owner of a freed slave

(Google)

Reader

Reader noun. a person who is fond of reading

Reader noun. british. a university lecturer of the highest grade below professor

Reader noun. a person entitled to use a library

(Oxford Dictionary Online)

User

User noun. a person who uses or operates something

User noun. a person who takes illegal drugs; an addict: a heroin user

User noun. a person who exploits others.

User mass noun. law. the continued use or enjoyment of a right.

(Oxford Dictionary Online)

Managing expectations: It’s all about the language we use.

As library and information professionals, we have developed our own professional language, a language linked closely to our profession.

The problem with this is that we have often failed to provide a dictionary to our customers. Although, I do not think this is a conscious action, but rather because we take our language for granted.

I recently went on a visit to the University of Manchester Library. Whist there, I noticed that they called their circulation area lending services. I started to think about all the different types of libraries I have visited over the years, as well as about how I refer to services within MMU Library and her customers. At All Saints Library, MMU, the service point, enquiry desk, or counter, whatever you want to call it, is formally named circulation. But, to a student, circulation might mean something different, or more likely, nothing at all. Therefore, it is difficult to expect what might happen there.

In a similar fashion, I have always preferred calling users of the library customers - it also seems to be the default preferred term. Although, I am aware that not everyone uses the term customers. I have often heard my Library Services Manager at Aytoun Library call library users clients. This could be attributed to the fact that they are predominantly business students, and the word client falls within their their business vocabulary. It’s almost expected that it would be used.

However, for me client is overly formal. And, user is, arguably one sided - use and abuse. Implicitly, somewhere there is a power imbalance. Patron and reader seem dated. But, customer suggests some form of relationship. I would never say, for example, ‘I have a good user relationship.’ As to me, it sound exploitative, as if I am using the relationship for my own ends. I would, however, say ‘I have a good customer relationship.’ It appears more natural and normal.

Therefore, my reasons for choosing customer are quite simple. For one, customer is a relatively neutral term. It does not invoke either strong nor weak emotions. It is also widely understood what customer means, and this is important. If you know the meaning of the word, you can understand it and play the part. You as a service provider can expect particular behaviour from a customer, and a customer can expect to behave in a particular manner.

As part of the profession we’re in, I think it important to reflect on our own professional language.

CPD23: Things 8 - Google calender

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:00:00 +0100

Time management

There is so much going on in my life, both inside of work and out of it. There are so many dates, events, activities that I need to keep track of.

At work, I am working on a number of on going projects, such as the signage working party, the Did You Know? campaign, theses repository development, along side the more routine stuff, such as subject meetings, meetings with academics, InfoSkills and Induction development, VLE development and so on . Then there are such things as Talis Training, which requires scheduling training at mutually convenient times with others. To manage the scheduling aspect, I currently use Doodle, an online schedular. Then outside of work, there is my Chartership to think of, along side all my other ‘extra-credit’ activities, such as the LFG Library and writing publications. Therefore, timing is everything.

At work I have multiple diaries. I have my personal one, a small bright red dairy. The Humanities, Law, and Social Science faculty diary, located in a different office. Then there is the circulation diary downstairs at All Saints. As I am split between All Saints Library and Aytoun Library, there are also the diaries at Aytoun to think of whenever I plan an event. Adding an activity to one, means adding an activity to all of them - a not so easy task.

Google calender

I used google calender a few years ago, and found it lacking. However, the up-dated version looks better, and has additional functionality. In particular, I like that it is possible to share calendars with one another. The added advantage of an online calendar, is that it is online, so it moves with you - all that is required is access to a computer and internet connection.

Feasibility

If it was not for using ical (which is synced with my ipad), I would definitely use Google Calender as an alternative. MMU could also do with using an integrated calender system. Indeed, Microsoft Outlook comes with a shared calender system, but unfortunately the scale of MMU and the variable technical skills, and access to computing facilities makes this an unfortunate impossibility - I have already tried to push it. However, I will still make others aware of this facility for personal planning, and continue to advise that people give Doodle a go wherever they can.

CPD23: Thing 7 - Networks and professional organisations

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:00:05 +0100

It is a while ago since I actually completed thing 7 - I have only just found the time to write about it.

I went to a CDP23 meetup in Manchester on Wednesday 20th July, and met some really interesting people:

There was Lorna (Librarian at Aquinas College, Manchester - @LFairie) who actually invited me to it in the first place. Lorna always has her finger on the professional pulse.
Micheal (@library_micheal), an NHS Library Services Manager near Bolton. He was also studying the MSc Information Management, so we had a chance to compare notes.
Sarah (@manynicethings) was a studying the MA at MMU. We also got to talk about life at Library School. She also had some interesting thoughts on Blogs and other digital mediums.
Anna (@holdyourspin) was also there. I had previously met anna. Sarah @fablemouse had previously introduced me. And she now volunteers, at the LGF Library with me. Anna was also starting Library School, so I was passing along some trade secrets.
Rosie, an archivist, also came along. Her post seemed to be very different, but it was interesting to hear about life as an archivist.

Given that it was a while a go since I went, it is surprising I still remember the finer details. The memory is a great thing.

But, I do like doing things like this, because its great to hear from people from across the professional spectrum. It reminds me how I got here, and where I have left to go.

CPD23: Thing 6 - Networking online

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:00:05 +0100

Networking is not a dirty word.

I have said elsewhere that I find other peoples experiences, comments, and opinions very important to my professional (and personal) development. I have made many more connections with like minded people in many different organisations. Not to mention, there are some very interesting people out there, with some really thoughtful and captivating thoughts.

I suppose you could also say that I have increased my network or ‘social capital,’ as a sociologist might say. In other words, I have more people that I can go to, if I require help with a particular problem or issue. I would not be able to do this without a network.

LISNPN

I joined the LIS new professionals network nearing the end of my degree. A friend of mine, who was also on the Library course, introduce me to it, and I joined. I have met up a couple of times with a number of different librarians through the new professional networks. I have liked putting a virtual face to a physical one.

Librarians as Teachers

I have attended one library teachmeet, which I found to be a valuable experience. I found out about this experience through the online network Librarians as Teachers. I would definitely attend another one.

LinkedIn

I have mixed feelings about LinkedIn. On the one hand, I really like it - an online and interactive CV, essentially. And, I have connected to many fellow Librarians, and viewed their CV’s. On the other hand, it seems to be populated with very businessy type people, and much of the online discussions reflect this. However, I continue to use it, because its positives outweigh the negatives - and the more it is used by librarians and information professionals alike, the better it will become. I think it just need time and increased input.

What’s left

My aim over the coming months is to integrate myself better with, the official, CILIP Communities. Indeed, my aim is to become a CILIP blogger, and get listed on the website.

CPD23: Thing 5 - Reflective practice

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:00:05 +0100

It was only when I was employed as a graduate trainee library assistant that I truly came to understand what was meant about reflective practice and professional development.

My fellow colleagues got to do their yearly PDR (professional development review), but as a graduate trainee I was not able to do one - the traineeship lasts only for one year, and the expectation is that you go off to Library School afterwards. There is an explicit focus on professional development throughout the GT scheme, thus there is no need for a PDR. However, I felt at a loss.

I like reviewing my skills, expertise, and development. Therefore, I made a conscious effort to review my own development. And then, half way through the graduate traineeship, I went into my line mangers office and kindly asked if we could talk about my development. I new she would not mind discussing my development - she was and still is a very open person, and values people who develop and expand their abilities. We discussed what I had done so far, and where I might go, and we came up with a list of things I could focus on.

From that point on, I have approached my development in a similar fashion. Identifying my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats at various periods of time.

My blog has also helped me to personally reflect on my own experiences. The blogs of others have assisted me in reflecting on the types of opportunities out there, as well as where I might develop those skills and experiences I don’t yet have - looking outward helps me tremendously.

While I have not been able to keep up with CDP23 for a variety of reasons, I am finding it a valuable experience, which has enabled me explore my development further.

CPD23: Thing 4 - Current awareness, Twitter...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:01:05 +0100

I try my best to keep on top of library related things, but I do sometimes find it difficult, because there is so much to keep on top of. However, I think that I’ve started making some headway. I realised, for instance, only to focus on a few select blogs, tweeters, and websites that focus on my particular areas of interest - for example, focusing on the select few blogs that I know talk about customer service excellence, or marketing library services in HE. My advice is to think about what you want, and then go about getting it - it’s exactly the same advice I would give my politics students.

I have also found that other professionals are good at locating sources of information, and summarising it. In essence, other professionals become my aggregators. It is the same way academics work. There are some great academic writers, Giddens, Turner, Scott, that are brilliant at surmising really long passages and theories. They are the goto people. It is the same for the library world too.

Twitter

I’ve had a twitter account for sometime now. I go through phases of participating. I leave it alone for months, only looking through posts. At other times, I participate contributing to discussions, retweeting, and the like. It often reflects what I am doing in the non-virtual world.

I am now following over 100 people, and for me this is just about manageable - although I am still open to following more people, but I have started to be a little more selective. Actually, #woodsiegirl gives a good account of how I tend to manage my own twitter account - it’s as if she was reading my mind.

RSS feeds

I have tried a number of different RSS feed technologies. There was the built in RSS feed aggregator that comes with Mac OS X (apple’s operating system). It’s built into the Mail app. The problem is I use Microsoft Entourage (email client) to check my mail, so I do not open Mail that often. I, therefore, stopped using it to aggregate my RSS feeds. The other issue was that I am not always at my iMac - it’s at home, and I spend a lot of my time on the move or at work.

I needed something better, so I turned to Pulse News. I can say now that I could not live without it. I am able to pull all my RSS feeds into one app, and bring order to the madness. I have my news feeds, BBC, guardian online etc; I have my graphic design feeds, library related blog feeds, techi feeds, and so on. The app make organising them into categories easy.

It has changed the way I interact with RSS feeds, because it has meant that I can bring them together, and carry them with me where ever I go. I am not stuck to reading them on a my PC or Mac.

Keeping things separate

Flipboard is another app that has changed the way I keep up-to-date with information. However, I tend to use Flipboard to organise my non-library related information. Flipboard turns my feeds into a magazine like layout. I consider it to be a lot more casual. The layout enables me to identify what to read and what to overlook, with relative ease. I have my Facebook, gaming, film, and literature feeds, for instance, linked to Flipboard. I like to keep my library world separate from my none-library world, and the two apps do this nicely.

Workflow management and libraries Reading list workflow I have...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 10:00:06 +0100

Workflow management and libraries

Reading list workflow

I have recently been tasked with completely reworking the way in which reading lists are unloaded on to the new electronic reading list system, Talis Aspire, at MMU. This has been a challenging task, but a rewarding one.

Background

A new electronic reading list system was implemented at the beginning of this year. Its intention was to replace the old system: Talis List, an out-dated and unfriendly system. Along side this, MMU implemented a new reading list strategy. In short, it stated that all units should have a reading list, and that reading list should follow a specific structure. It should recommend three items for purchase, ten items of essential reading, and twenty items of further reading. The strategy, itself, has been a success in some respects, and a failure in others. Nonetheless, the strategy was meant to standardise units across the University, and this it has done.

Challenging

However, many of the old lists in Talis List, were transfered (migrated) over to the new reading list system. However, much of the lists were in a non-standard format, some were broken down by week, subject, or resource type. This meant that Talis Aspire was to be populated with out-dated and incorrectly structured lists. As a result, the lists had to be deleted and replaced with new lists, or edited, bring them inline with the way they should look. The subject librarians, including, myself have been responsible for doing this.

Some problems

The reading lists are pulled from the unit specification system or received from unit leaders on a regular basis, throughout the academic year. The reading lists are then checked and distributed to support staff. One of the major problems is that support staff are not fixed to a particular subject. They float between subject disciplines, and have a mixture of other responsibilities. Therefore, the workload between individuals is different, and it is not always clear who has the time and capability to either create a new reading list or edit an existing one.

Like students, many of the support staff have different ICT skills, some better than others. The more complex lists are needed to be given to those with the ICT skills to do them correctly. This is not always known by the subject librarian.

Subject librarians have other responsibilities. However, because support staff are not always available, subject librarians have been completing the update of their lists themselves - which is hardly ideal.

In the old system, lists would be distributed to support staff, but would disappear, as individuals would leave for the summer. Therefore, lists would go unprocessed and forgotten.

New workflow

A new workflow was necessary, and I was tasked with this creating this. However, I was aware that there is out there some guiding principles to workflow management. I briefly recall the systems thinking week at Library School. I also wanted a system that ‘efficiently’ managed the reading list processes, from start to completion, avoiding many of the problems of the existing system.

I started by discussing how the different subject lists were managed by the different subject librarians. It was apparent there were some similarities and some differences. I then began to breakdown the different processes. I then removed those processes that were unnecessary or overly complicated, breaking it down into its basic elements - always keeping in mind the end result.

It was clear that there need to be an intermediary between the subject librarians and the support staff, someone who could liaise with subject librarians and support staff. It was also clear that a new reading list management system was needed, to keep track of where the reading lists where, what stages they were at, whom held them. I created a new searchable database, using Microsoft Access.

Applying a business strategy

The new workflow is soon to be implemented - starting with a few subject areas, and then expanding it outwards. I am happy with the results, so far. I believe it has been made easier by applying and understanding the principles of workflow management, rather than simply approaching it in an ad hoc kind of way. The reading lists should now flow in the right directions to the right people at the right time. And as a result, the student at the other end should see a completed and standardised reading list, appropriate to their subject.

Short Loan has changed I have been involved with managing,...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:51:49 +0100

Short Loan has changed

I have been involved with managing, weeding, and rebranding short loan at Aytoun Library.

It was identified that short loan was an underused collection, which was confusing to customers, and a common source of conflict. Short loan can produce hefty fines for late return, and the fines system was confusing. Therefore, it was not conducive to good customer service. It also relied heavily on staff-student interactions, and therefore went against the self-sufficiency ethos of the Library. It made no sense to have most of the library’s collection issuable at self service, and a small section of it locked down.

The task involved looking at usage statistics, talking to my short loan team, as well as collaborating with other site librarians about how to go about changing the collection for the better - the collection had to be changed at all sites, and not just at one particular site to maintain consistency. As I have learnt, consistency is everything for good customer service.

The result was a rebranding of short loan to one day loan. A friendlier and understandable system, but still ensured that a heavy demand system was still in place.

To ensure a smooth transition, I designed instructive stickers for the front covers of one day items, explaining the length of loans, fines in place for late return, and so on. Save for fines, I focused on the benefits of the one day loans, instead of the negatives. Green spine labels were also produced.

At Aytoun, I also designed the above poster, with varying yellow text - again focusing on what can be done, instead of what can’t be done. The posters were produced to advertise the change, and point customers in the right direction.

At first, I was apprehensive about managing the short loan collection. I also thought weeding; it doesn’t necessarily ring bells of excitement. How wrong I was. I have truly enjoyed managing this collection, because it wasn’t just about managing a collection, but thinking about its use, value to students, and staff interactions, as well as collaborating and communicating with a wide assortment of interested parties. It also contributes, I hope, to a greater good: improving the customer experience at the Library - the movement from a quite a hostile collection to a usable and amiable one.

CPD23: Thing 3 - Consider your personal brand

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 08:00:00 +0100

I’d like to think that I have been managing my personal branding for some while now, to varying degrees of success. Nonetheless, I will now take the time to reflect on this.

Googled: my name

My name is Mark Burgess. A not so unsual name, unfortunately. A quick and dirty search of my name on the interweb, and you will find my name everywhere. I am apparently a musician, a children’s book writer, a high profile funds manager - a banker of some description - and an ornithologist. If you were to place MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University) next to my name, I rank high. My subject responsibilities have my name and contact details together. Atleast, I know my student’s could find me, if they needed to.

My online name

Not so long ago, I chose to use @MLBurgess_ as my online brand name. There were a couple of reasons for choosing this name in this particular style. MBurgess seemed to be too short - the M and the B looked too close together. Enter the L - my middle name is Lee. I think it gave my online name a little more distinction. It made it easier to read, and legibility is everything online, so I have been told - it helped to separate out the M and the B. The @ symbol is used in my Twitter name, so it made sense to use this on all my web publications. Finally, and unusually, the underscore: I put this in to separate my brand name from any subsequent text. See

@MLBurgess attended the New Professional Conference.
@MLBurgess_ atttending the New Professionals Conference.

I endeavor to keep this consistent throughout my online presence, so that I can be recognised on and offline, with relative ease.

My visual identity

In people essence are qualities that they possess. These are beauty, honesty, kindness, modesty, tact and other characteristics that are also known as virtues. Virtues are known as the ‘essence’ of humanity. Ritchie

I would hope that my avatar (photograph) - which I use on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN, this blog - captures my professional essence, as well as helping people recognise me in person.

However, I have not yet developed a consistent theme throughout the different online social mediums. My blog theme is different to my Twitter page. My Twitter page, while designed by me, is chaotic and non-desrcript. My tumblr blog theme reminds me of mail or post, but I do like it. It was the best of the bunch when I was choosing a theme. But, I can certainly work on this in the future. I welcome any suggestions or good examples.

LGF: Work is its own reward

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:00:05 +0100

Recognition for my work at the LGF Library in the Foundations annual journal - hurray & much harrumphing.

LGF Homepage

CDP23: Thing 2 - Other Bloggers

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:39:56 +0100

I’m having to play catchup here.

I have neglected CDP23 things, after the first one. I have just had too much on. However, no longer is this a reasonable excuse. Expect to see many posts over the next few days.

I have been looking over various other blogs. I was impress by the number of bloggers out there dedicated to Library and Information work - there are many to look through. A number of them that really impressed me and caught by attention:

The health informaticist is a really good blog. I particularly like the information scientist slant of the blog - it makes it different from Library blogs in general. It also provides some useful links to other online resources, as well as relfecting on them.
@LFairie’s is another great blog. While I am slightly biased because I know Lorna, I think she is an exceptional Library blogger, a great read.
Exploring the Library World without a Map. I like this one. Firstly, I think this is a good one because without a map, you often find things you were not expecting - the unexpected is always fun. However, there are also some insightful information, tip and hits, call it whatever, here.
As a previous graduate trainee, I can empathise and agree with alot of what is said in this blog - The Neon Librarian. I also think some of the photographs emphasise the points the blogger is trying to make.

CDP23: Thing 1 - Blogs and blogging

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 14:31:14 +0100

Here goes. My first CDP23 post. If you’re unaware as to what CDP23 stands for and want to find out more , move your pointer (or finger) and click here.

I first really heard about CDP34 Things course during Helen Murphy’s @lemurph presentation at the New Professionals Conference in Manchester. She spoke highly of the programme, and I was keen to find out more.

My reasons for taking part:

I have a unhealthy interest in many different online tools already. Dropbox has completely revolutionised by life, as has EverNote, Doodle, and Stickyboard. However, I am aware that there is a wealth of online technologies and tools I still have yet to come across and use. My hope is that CDP23 things will expose me further or rather allow me to immerse myself further into the world of online tools.
Continuing professional development is a must. It is key to my own development as a person and a professional. Without such development, I would no doubt begin to fester and tread water. This I do not wish to do. I cannot move forward without developing new awarenesses, key skills, and competencies. CDP23 should help in this process.
CPD23 might, no will, allow me to highlight knowledge and skills gaps, informing me how I might best go about filling them through a process of self reflection. In a sector that is undergoing massive financial restrictions, it is likely there will be less opportunities to attend courses and events. I cannot wait for courses to come to me, therefore I must go to them. It is free, after-all.
I am beginning down the road to chartership, so CDP23 seems ideal in helping in this process. I will after-all be doing a lot of self-reflection. CDP23 Things will help motivate me, but also allow me to keep another record of what I have been doing.
I have only recently started to focus on my own online presence. Therefore, CDP23 will allow me to reflect on how I market myself, and the tools I use to do it. Writing about my experiences will help solidify what I know and understand, as well as promote what I do and can do.
Finally, there is a big library community out there - CDP23 will give me a chance to connect to others.

There you have it. Six reasons for joining in. Let me know what you think.

Designing PowerPoints to shine

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:59:18 +0100

I have often wondered why some PowerPoint presentations can look really dull when Microsoft’s PowerPoint provides some hefty tools to create some of the best presentation slides around, even if you are not a designer. It’s not just what you say, but also how you show it. But when I think back, I can remember few PowerPoint slides in particular.

I recently attended a Library TeachMeet held at the University of Liverpool, which focused on teaching styles. The idea was to give a five minute presentation on some aspect of teaching (I will write a post about this when I have the time). The session was designed so that we would all learn from each other, and, indeed, I did. I decided to choose the design of PowerPoint slides as my topic.

My learning style is visual. I would much prefer looking at screenshots of things, than long drawn-out lists. That is just how I best memorise information. PowerPoint has the potential to aid the memory - help to log information and help retrieve it when needed. Yet, it would seem we put more emphasis on the act of speaking to get our message heard. This is certainly true in the Library. This of course works well for individuals whom are audiological learners, but not so much for students whose learning style is visual.

PowerPoint is a visual tool, and therefore it is important to take some time to get it right. After a little background reading, it is surprising what judgements will be made about the overall presentation based on the visual appeal of the slides. The remaining post will set out some of the hints and tips I laid before my fellow Librarians at TeachMeet.

Grabbing attention

Without question, the first slide will set the tone and feel of any presentation slide. It will be the first slide seen by the audience, as you take the time to introduce who you are and where you are from. It should attempt to draw the audience in, and make them believe that what you are going to say is believable - every presentation is about selling an idea, theory, or concept.

Keep things simple

The best slide will get the key point as quick as possible, without overcomplicated text and graphics. Why use ten bullet points when one simple phrase will do.

Font & typography

Typography is a significant art form, and can really communicate mood and feeling. As Librarians, are concern is about getting a credible message across, and therefore getting the right font is vital. The comic and playful font might not go down so well when presenting to a bunch of fourty year old researchers.

Position is key

Some slides like the above are fine. But if every slide was to look very linear, they would become tiresome and lets face it boring. We’ve all seen slides that have been crammed with information. Maybe try something like this:

In practicality:

A good graphic can say a thousand words

To help the audience log the information you are either showing them or telling them about, add a simple graphic. People remember images, pictures, diagrams, and even faces much more easily than words alone.

Stay away from templates

Templates can look really ugly, and the few good ones there are will have been seen time and time again. Some templates even make being creative more difficult, because they restrict the colour scheme, the amount of white space, the font you can use, and so on.

Instead it is possible to use a quality image. But remember, it is important that you keep readability in mind. If you prefer, it might be just as easy to alternate the background colour, for example from white to pink.

Keeping it corporate

Many libraries and organisations will have been given a corporate and branded template, so some of this might not be as useful. However, It is still possible to be creative, and not every presentation will require the use of the corporate style.

End in style and consistency

The most important message is moderation between getting your message across and doing it in style - use consistent fonts, colour schemes, but keep it creative.

E-book campaign: advocating e-books in a visually pleasing way

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:04:00 +0100

The Problem

MMU has over 60,000 e-books. They cover everything from sociology, to politics, to marketing, to contemporary art, covering topics such as gender, branding, sports, postmodernism, and research methods. They can be accessed via MMUs e-books page or the Library’s catalogue.

The trouble is that they are not used or valued in the same way as print stock. This is a problem, considering that the University is pushing e-books in a big way. The university reading list strategy is to have most essential readings available in an electronic format. Importantly, the consolidation of all Library sites into two will result in less space for print material, and therefore greater need and reliance on e-books as a teaching resource. Not to mention all the other advantages that e-books bring (off campus access, searchability, availability etc)

The Solution

The big e-book push. As part of my attempt to increase knowledge of e-books as a supplement to print material, I came up with a e-book campaign focusing around this poster (below) with the campaign slogan “last book on the shelf.”

It is based on the Last House on the Left poster design - although, it is all my work, with the exception of the MMU logo (which is of course property of Manchester Metropolitan University). I designed it using Photoshop and some creative juices.

The idea behind it was to get it noticed - much of the University produced publications can be dull and similar, to say the least. I wanted something that would get noticed by our cinema savvy and marketing mad business students. It is certainly a far cry from the usual corporate stuff.

For a futher breakdown of the poster click here.

I also produced a variant of the poster, to be placed next to our open access Library catalogues (above). It contains step-by-step instructions on how to access our e-book collection from the Library’s catalogue.

Last but not least, a bookmark (above) to be placed in the students reservations.

Results

So far, it would seem that the campaign is having some positive results. I have been monitoring a number of popular print books that we also have available electronically. The results would seem to suggest that e-book usage has increased in these particular titles. I have also witness many of our students taking note of the posters. A few days ago, I noticed that a student was enthusiastically following the instructions on the catalogue PC poster guides.

From here

The next phase is to start to get the academics to engage more with e-books, or rather help them understand e-books as a valued pedagogically resource. Difficult times lie ahead.

Why libraries

Thu, 26 May 2011 20:05:00 +0100

After I had finished my first masters, I was left with the lifelong question of what to do next. The question of doing a PhD was still on my mind, but the thought of a another three years of intensive study on top of the four previous years was daunting to say the least. Not to mention, I was lacking in ‘real world’ experience. During my masters it began to start feeling like I was stuck in some sort of bubble, a nice, but unreal one. Thus, out into the world I was to go.

With uncertainty, I began to look at some of the types of things I could do with a first class honours degree in Sociology and a postgraduate qualification sociological research to distinction. I attended various trade and work fairs. HR seemed popular. Something with the word project management was another. The obvious choice was social research or policy work. I applied for various posts, including a graduate trainee scheme in research and marketing for a media type group whose name slips my mind. I even got the interview, but decided marketing was not for me. I’m not into the hard sell.

Then, I came across the graduate trainee scheme. I don’t remember really how I happened to find it. All I remember is that I was in The University of Manchester’s hellish job shop looking at information management type professions, and there was various references to a library graduate trainee scheme. It peeked my interest. The next thing I remember I was filling in the form, incidentally in the Library.

I was successful. After one of the nicest and easier interviews I’d ever had, a few days later and a large envelope had belted through my front door offering me the position as a graduate trainee library assistant at Didsbury library, MMU. After some apprehension about the pay and the location, I signed on the dotted line. A month later, I was to start and the journey was to begin.

I had never had a dying obsession with becoming a librarian. It had never even crossed my mind. Before starting down this route, I had had in my mind the classic archetype of what a librarian was. That was a woman with dark hair in a bun, of course, glasses, standing quietly and contentedly behind an counter (with books in one hand and a stamp in the other). Admittedly, it was a sexy librarian image, not the frosty octogenarian. But, having worked in libraries for a number of years now, librarians come in all shapes and sizes. And, I now include myself as one of those shapes and sizes too.