Library Camp 2011

Library Camp was fantastic, and I wish more people had come to it. It was an opportunity to let our hair down a little, kick some ideas around, and get to know other librarians and info professionals in a more relaxed setting than a symposium. I was fortunate to have booked extra time on the end of my trip to Perth for NLS5, which allowed me to attend, even though I hadn't known the date in advance. It took place in several rooms at the State Library of WA.

Library Camp was an "unconference," meaning it was loosely organised - date, venue, food, attendees and rough schedule. The topics and speakers were chosen on the day. To my surprise, I bounded down the stairs of the auditorium (fuelled by coffee!) and took the microphone. My suggestion was to discuss ideas for connecting librarians around the world, and it made the final cut of topics. And so it was that I found myself chairing a session in a full boardroom.

Along with the professional topics, the most popular was work/life balance. Hoi (better known as @librarianhoi) brought buttons, half-finished owls, and other crafty bits, and several of us sewed together over lunch. Other topics included literacy, PLNs (personal learning networks), e-books, blogging, QR codes, building a better web presence, and the GLBTQ community in libraries.

Next year, I'll be involved in "unorganising" Library Camp in Brisbane!

The Learning Professional

One of the reasons I’m so excited about becoming an information professional is the culture of lifelong learning. The librarians I’ve met seem to be enthusiastic and passionate, but cautious to a degree. They blend the academic with the creative, and traditional methods with bold new technologies. They’re always evolving, learning, teaching – which is something I’d like to aspire to.

Learning isn’t just about evidence-based practice, though that’s part of it, according to panellist Fiona Winston-Brown (Redcliffe & Caboolture medical libraries). It’s about experience, experimenting, developing your skills, and taking opportunities when you can. Jen Thomas (QUT) and Nova Watson (QUT, Rock n Roll Hall of Fame intern) encouraged thoughtful practice and out-of-the-box thinking. Jen’s position at SLQ allowed her the latitude to play within a physical and digital space. Displaying books by subject rather than Dewey proved popular with SLQ’s patrons. Jen was also able to push branding, promotional materials, and magazine subscriptions within the bounds of the APAC Design Library Project. I’d love to bring my marketing experience into the library, and design a program or space with patrons in mind.

Nova and Kate Davis (QUT lecturer & social media guru) emphasised that professional development is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s vital to be proactive. I’ve taken that advice to heart this semester, and have been mining (and contributing to) my PLN as I build up my network. Professional development has been a strong focus for me, from conferences to practicums to twitter and an article for InCite (January 2012). Kate says it’s important to contribute to the profession as learning professionals, and suggests reading to gain general knowledge, learn about current events, and predict trends.

I’ll be soaking up all the experiences I can, making connections, and sharing what I learn with other students and contacts. I don’t intend to stop learning once I have my Masters, either – as Nova says, graduation is only the start. I’m looking forward to putting theory into practice in my future career, and discovering new capabilities as a learning professional.

Workshop 5 - August 22 2011

MBTI: Understanding Who I Am

INFP - Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving.

I have done the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) several times over the last fifteen years, and I've always come out INFP. My type is representative of a small percentage of the general population - about 2% - and is sometimes called the Dreamer or Idealist.

It was strange to have an INN632 workshop on MBTI so early in the semester, before we all knew each other, because the test's results are quite personal. Because I had done the test many times before, and because I knew most of the cohort present, it didn't bother me - but I know it bothered others. (And now I have exhibited a typical sign of an INFP - worry over others' feelings.) In a professional setting, MBTI testing may not always be appropriate. Employees who are uncomfortable with sharing personal details may find it confronting, or out of place in a work setting. However, it can be useful as a way of learning a team's collective and individual skills, strengths, and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to manage the team's interactions. Of course, the manager would need to be sensitive to the individual, and take care not to immediately put a person into a box based on their personality type.

Some of the suggested careers for INFPs are ones I considered for myself - social worker, writer, teacher. I feel confident that my personality is suited to becoming a librarian, as well, and a career test I did with Centrelink in 2010 put 'librarian' in my top results.

In the MBTI workshop, we had a demonstration by different types that showed how they would deal with firing someone, and the results were quite amusing because it was obvious which type each person was. Next, we got into groups and were asked to lead a discussion on a topic of our choice, and had a finite number of paperclips each, which we surrendered whenever we contributed to the conversation. I was the one to suggest travel, knowing that most of the people in my group would have something to add. I used most of my paperclips to prompt other, more shy, members of our group into speaking. Even though I am classed as Introverted, I'm not automatically shy in a group of people I know.

It was an interesting workshop, and I can see the merits of MBTI in a professional setting. However, I think it may alienate some people, particularly new employees. The results could be used inappropriately by management or manipulative coworkers who read up on the types and misuse the knowledge of a colleague's personality. On the positive side, it could be used to reach someone on their level, not unlike teaching a new skill to a person according to their preferred mode of learning - auditory, visual or tactile. I do not believe there is a clear argument for or against the use of MBTI testing in the workplace - it should be considered on a case-by-case basis. It has helped me understand who I am and why I see the world the way I do, and I will likely continue to test myself every few years out of curiosity.

Workshop 4 - August 8, 2011

Legal & Ethical Issues for the LIS Professional

Workshop 6 - October 17, 2011

The wiki at http://schoollibraries2011.wikispaces.com/ emphasises that access to a well-funded, well-resourced school library is an equity issue. It's a place where concerned teachers, parents and librarians can come and express their opinions on what matters in school libraries. I've heard of several schools in Canada who have lost their teacher-librarians this year, so equity of service and available staff is definitely a contemporary issue. Another hot topic is the comparatively low literacy levels in Australia. Funding has been requested from the government to facilitate research in that area.

Sue Hutley of ALIA pointed to the Issues & Advocacy page on the ALIA site as a resource all librarians and LIS students should be familiar with. As librarians, we need to take a neutral stance, and consider the legal and ethical ramifications of our interactions with patrons and information. Running cybersafety programs in conjunction with Google and Yahoo is one way the library can assist its patrons in understanding privacy issues and the legalities of an online presence. Legal and ethical issues can arise in collections development, privacy concerns, government publications, and the development and implementation of best practices.

Ready access to information is a complex and relevant issue for LIS professionals. Professor Anne Fitzgerald spoke about copyright issues, and emphasised that openness is essential to innovation. It struck me that restricted information can be a barrier to those without access - for instance, journal subscriptions or image galleries - and these barriers can impede collective learning. So, how can we encourage others to make their work more readily available? It's difficult to discern the provenance of images and text online, without adherence to copyright by all parties. I've learned a little of copyright rules and creative commons licensing this semester, but it's something I'll need to keep up to date with.

SLQ Preservation Labs Tour

Part One: Cleaning, Repair and Digitisation

The State Library of Queensland preservation labs are a study in ordered chaos. Everything is catalogued - twice - with an exhibit reference and artefact number. Team members are responsible for particular artefacts and they keep their stations prepped with tools of the task. Rolled-up maps await repairs and flattening, many of them already drycleaned and ready for the more meticulous restoration processes. Japanese paper is in regular use to "infill" tears and holes, where more similar paper cannot be found. The paper is coloured to match as closely as possible to the original document. If pieces survive, they are kept with the document to ease repair work.

Drycleaning paper is just one of the processes the SLQ's donated maps will undergo, and it's hard on your hands so task-switching is a must. Too much drycleaning can also be bad for the artefact, obscuring or erasing pencil marks. Graphite smudges, though, get special treatment. A Staedtler white eraser is grated, then brushed over the surface of smudged paper with a lightly weighted bundle of lead wrapped in cloth, which cleans without rubbing out intentional pencilled notations. Often these notations are the most interesting part of the map or plan - signatures, notes, measurements, dates. An old-fashioned shaving brush is used to gently sweep away the eraser.

How to Get THE Job

It’s time for practicum applications and job hunting, so with that in mind, I thought I’d share some point-form notes from a workshop I attended in Perth. In “How to get THE job” (September 16th, ALIA's NLS5 weekend) Karen, Michelle, and Emma shared their tips on resumes, selection criteria, being prepared, and staying positive.

Resume
Use the CCR model – be Clear, Concise, and Relevant.
Include an overarching statement (some call this a summary or snapshot) that gives the employer an idea of who you are.
The first half of the first page is the most important. Don’t be generic – make it stand out!
Include professional memberships and highlight key skills, tech skills, and achievements.
Adding “contact details available on request” alongside names & job titles of your referees is better than the standard “References available on request” because it shows you have people on hand as referees, but if they call you to ask for their phone numbers, you’ll have the advantage of knowing they’re interested!

Selection Criteria
Provide evidence of how you can meet the criteria with previous experience. Use the STAR method – Situation, Task, Action, Result.
Use the same language as the potential employer. Imagine them going through your selection criteria with a highlighter.
Be reflective.

Before the Interview
Prepare, prepare, prepare!
Research the company/industry
Have examples ready for job situations – they’ll look for how you handle problems in the workplace
Remember, you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you
Have questions or comments ready for them – it shows your interest, respect, and thoughtfulness
Have a “wrap-up” comment or pitch ready for the close of the interview
Presentation: be early/on time, dress well, use non-verbal cues like a smile and a handshake.
I asked whether you should meet the interviewer on their level if they are more casual in their approach or dress, but Michelle said to maintain professionalism.
If you don’t get the job, call and ask for feedback (but be respectful and polite).

Other Tips

• Highlight your transferable skills and consider life experience as skills
• Don’t forget the cover letter, and tailor it closely to the application/company every time – it tells the employer why you’re applying
• Call ahead and ask questions; eg, What software do they use, or why is the position vacant
• It’s okay to say you’re open to training if you don’t have the qualification they’re asking for
• If they ask about your greatest weakness, turn it into a positive and mention an area you’re working on
• Take a pen and paper with you so you can take notes – it’s terrifying to receive a double or triple-barrelled question and be unable to recall the whole question when you’re halfway through replying!
• Don’t underestimate or undersell yourself

Looking Dorky for Science...Library Science!

I got some funny looks today as I went around town. A sticker on a bus stop bench caught my eye - The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and an asterisk-shaped QR code, which I’d never seen before. How clever to make their logo into a stylised QR code! I took out my smartphone and selected my QR code reader. Kneeling down, I lined up the camera with the sticker and waited for the sound that indicated a successful scan. A passerby clearly wondered what on earth I was doing down there. The scan resulted in a website URL, http://www.rhcpqr.com, that announced the release of their new album. There's an article with more here, but the poster shown has way more detail than the sticker.

A little later, at the train station, I saw a very arresting poster for author Richelle Mead’s new release, “Bloodlines.” The bottom left-hand corner featured a (square) QR code, but it was tricky to crouch and train the camera on the code before the JCDecaux frame slid another poster into the slot. (If it were me designing the poster, I would have put the code in a less awkward spot! I felt really dorky waiting for the poster to come back into place when my first scan was unsuccessful, and the last thing a YA reader wants is to feel like a dork.)


As a future librarian, I was excited that
a) a book had a large glossy poster to advertise it, and
b) the publisher was hitting their target market (young adults) by using a QR code that pointed to a YouTube video with an “unlocked” video from the author.

Also, I have never read any Richelle Mead, but I might now!

Want to learn more about QR codes? Try the Common Craft intro.

Look Out Perth!

We were absolutely thrilled to receive a great range of diverse and passionate entries, but there can only be one winner - look out Perth, here comes Julia Garnett!
- ALIA NGAC

I've received official word that my NGAC (New Generation Advisory Committee) metamorphosis entry was chosen as the winner! So, it's off to Perth in September, where I'll be tweeting and blogging and networking with other new grads and librarians. I am so excited!

Thanks to my PLN (personal learning network) on Twitter, my video entry is racking up views on YouTube, and my followers are growing. I've been tweeting since February, and I've been rewarded by connecting with some great people and organisations.

Why Go to NLS5?

On July 11, 2011, I entered to win free registration at the upcoming ALIA conference, NLS5 (New Librarians Symposium). My submission was a video, created with iMovie and uploaded to YouTube. I have never created YouTube content before, and it was suggested that entrants use a tool that was new to them.

The lyrics are meant to chronicle my journey from young girl to English lit undergrad to library student. I thought this was the best way for me to express metamorphosis, which is the conference theme. My entry will also be judged on my reasons for attending NLS5, and what I can contribute to the LIS community.

Thinking Ebooks: the Future of Lending in Libraries

Today I attended a forum at the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) that was all about ebooks. Librarians and student librarians were tweeting throughout the event, and socialising over morning tea and lunch on the slightly chilly terrace.

Presenters included:

Martin Taylor - founding director of the Digital Publishing Forum for digital publishing in NZ, publisher and managing director at Addenda Publishing.
Kate Eltham - CEO of QLD Writers Centre since 2006, founder of if:book Australia.
Sherman Young - Assoc. Professor and Assoc. Dean of Learning & Teaching in Arts at Macquarie, author of The Book is Dead, Long Live the Book.
John Scott - Burdekin Library Services Manager (via recorded video)
Jacinda Woodhead -  associate editor of Overland literary journal, runs blogs Overland and Meanland.
Jennifer Moran - panelist and contributor to Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian.

Ebook lending may be the way forward for libraries, but there are many challenges along the way. Ebook channels are still evolving and the lifecycle of the ebook is not yet stable, so although there is room for error, there is also room for experimentation.

Martin Taylor had a tough job today - speaking from the publishing side. If you're unfamiliar with the cloud over publishing lately, Harper Collins USA has been very unpopular with libraries and librarians since they changed their terms of service to allow only 26 checkouts per ebook before requiring the library to repurchase the title. They say that is the average number of checkouts a paperback can withstand before it needs replacing. Some librarians have responded with an intention to boycott, and others are fighting to increase the arbitrary number of loans.

Taylor expects that ebooks will eventually follow a model not unlike the movie industry, where cost to the user decreases post-release, and the publisher makes more money in the long run than in the opening days of a release. He says public libraries will face new challenges for patrons' time, and that the greatest threat to libraries' digital success will be a bad customer service experience. He adds that terms are needed to manage channel conflict (ie; publishers-authors-libraries-schools), and that libraries will face new competition.

A partnership between publishers and libraries is Taylor's hope for the future. Within this partnership, they would talk directly to authors and publishers, challenge traditions by "opening the door" to a hybrid paid/free model, and help the public understanding of the need to experiment and change. As to the libraries themselves, they should consider and trial several access models, creating options that work at each point in a book's economic lifestyle.

Kate Eltham discussed ebook lending, both in libraries and peer to peer. New consumer models include commercial peer to peer services, which she likens to 18th century private libraries, where chosen members could borrow books. The Lendle (Kindle) and Lend Me (Barnes & Noble) "matchmaking service" style services available to US ebook readers is a step in the right direction, but it's limited by geography and a single-loan model, neither of which helps Australian libraries.

Eltham notes that the library sector is shackled with policies at the moment, but believes that libraries will deal directly with self-published authors in the near future. She thinks the internet can tackle issues of geography, access, and convenience, and that we should think about the book as a service, not as a product.

Building a Research-led Profession

Workshop 3
May 9, 2011

Ann Gillespie spoke to us about evidence-based practice. In practical terms, this means:

• Converting information into answerable questions
• Finding the best available evidence to answer those questions
• Critically appraising the evidence for validity and usefulness
• Applying the results of that critical appraisal to your professional practice
• Evaluating whether it makes a difference to performance

Evidence-based librarianship has been around since about 1997, and evolved from medical librarians working in evidence-based medicine. Ann made a case for evidence-based practice, but she also pointed to its challenges. There is a lack of time practice it, a lack of confidence, a lack of research and critical appraisal skills, and a gap between the research questions that are asked and what is actually delivered.

I can see the lack of time being one of the biggest conflicts in a workplace. If your employer does not support EBP, it would be difficult to gain permission to spend time researching. Ideally, you could show a projected savings of time and/or money if a project or report is delivered using the principles of evidence-based practice. Unfortunately these resources are often put ahead of skills and expertise.

The class discussed the meanings of two words: Professional and Research. Our pair came close to the Australian Council of Professions definition, which included an adherence to standards, a public acceptance of their special skills and knowledge, and a high level of education and training. What we missed was a professional's willingness to use this knowledge and these skills to benefit others.

It was more challenging to pin down a definition of research. It's both a noun and a verb, so it can create something tangible, and it also requires action. It's also a way of finding out information, confirming facts, or gathering a basis for comparison. The definitions from Leedy and Ormorod (2005) made research into a logical progression. The detailed breakdown really helped me to see "behind the scenes" of research - the things you do without thinking about them.

Research involves more than looking up information; you must reflect on it or critically review it. Once you're actively researching, evidence-based practice can happen. Similarly to reflecting on experiences and learning, the application of knowledge is just as important as the gathering of knowledge.

I agree with the potential benefits of following EBL we discussed - higher standards, lower risk of failure, adding knowledge to the field, informing other practitioners, and providing solutions to problems. I hope to find a place of employment where EBL is encouraged, and in the meantime I will try to consider the wider outcomes of my own research.

Wikimedia Workshop

I was chosen as one of two QUT students from IT43 to attend a Wikimedia workshop at the State Library of Queensland on Monday, May 16th. Craig Franklin, QLD representative, and John Vandenberg, Wikimedia president for Australia, taught the session at The Edge.

We began with an overview of 10 Simple Rules and the 5 Pillars of editing, then learned how the Wiki family of sites is interconnected. There's a single sign-on, so once you've registered, you can add content across all the wikis.

During the training session we edited some scanned text. The Wiki software uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to read and interpret scanned documents, but it's not perfect. Faded or antiquated fonts are more difficult to process, and human eyes are needed to proofread, with a second volunteer to verify the initial proofread. In these types of content pages, the "original" copy is retained alongside the plain text, for reference and as added value. A historical document or early print edition of a book, for instance, is notable for its format and not just its content.

Craig and John assured us that Wikipedia's collective knowledge is growing and has become more reliable than when it was first started up. Some high-profile pages, for example Katy Perry's entry, are locked so that only certain accounts can make changes - this has cut down on malicious edits. The upload and naming policies aren't exactly strict (in fact, you're encouraged to BE BOLD!) and it seems more people are becoming part of this amazing worldwide knowledge network.

What astounded me was the woman in the workshop who had no background knowledge or Wikipedia at all. It's certainly not new, so I assumed anyone who'd spent any time online would have come across it and known its basic principles. But when we were editing pages of the scanned book, she noticed an earlier edit and asked, "Who is that?" and I just shrugged and said, "Some guy." She was astounded that he wasn't a professor, or a writer, or a vetted expert in the field. She just didn't understand, until that moment, that Wikipedia was literally the encyclopaedia that anyone can edit. I'm glad she came to the workshop and hope she is able to use her new skills in her work!

It was neat to edit the scanned book and learn more about OCR. I wish the workshop had been more advanced because I might end up teaching a session on wiki editing myself, along with Katya, the other participant from QUT.

What is the LIS Profession?

Workshop 2
April 11, 2011

Everyone has been asking me what kind of library I want to work in, but as new student I am ill equipped to answer this question. I was looking forward to hearing from real librarians.

Paula Callan - E-research Access Coordinator
Paula's special needs toy library interested me because in high school, I worked as a peer tutor for a special needs boy. I love the idea of seeing a need in the community and working out how to meet it.

Alex Main - Records Manager for the QLD Nurses' Union
Sofie Falkenbach - Web Content Manager at QLD Museum Library, and now QUT
Alex's role was unexpected; I've never thought about records management outside a business context, but now it seems obvious that information needs to be managed and catalogued and preserved. Sofie manages a lot of information in her role as well, and told us that metadata is very valuable.

Rachel Wray - Electronic Health Services Librarian
Fiona Winston-Brown - Library Manager of Caboolture & Redcliffe Hospitals
Rachel and Fiona's jobs seem like very important support roles. Rachel liaises between the state library and health libraries, and frequently uses reference interview techniques to learn what her clients need. Fiona is a solo librarian for two hospitals. I don't think I would enjoy working alone, but it suits Fiona. She is careful to note that she is an information specialist, not a medical specialist.

The panel was very diverse, but they agreed that you need people skills in the LIS profession. Because people may not understand what skills we have as librarians, we can help them by demonstrating what skills and ideas we have.

Kate Davis has told me I don't need to decide what 'type' of librarian I want to be yet, but until tonight I had no idea there were so many options! I noticed that three out of five panellists have "e" related roles. With the rise of all things digital, I expect there will be even more roles available by the time I graduate.

The speakers advised us to try different sectors, and take whatever work placements we can. At the moment, I think I'd be happy in a public, state, or academic library. Law and medical libraries don't appeal to me; I think I would prefer the variety of local people and students walking through the doors.

This workshop gave me a much better idea of the specifics of a library job, but it left me thinking about the wider world of information professionals.

Being a Reflective Practitioner

Workshop 1
28 March, 2011

Lynn McAllister introduced us to QUT's ePortfolio system and the language used, including experiences, artefacts, portfolio views, and releases. I like the idea of recording experiences, and having a framework for learning, like the ALIA core skills.

I found the platform itself plain, with little room for creativity, so I decided immediately that I would build my ePortfolio with an alternate application. I'm very familiar with Blogger, but I would like to learn WordPress. Another option suggested by a classmate was Pebble Pad. In the end I went with Blogger and built a secondary professional blog with WordPress. Ideally I'd like just one professional home, but the requirements for INN632 and my vision for my blog don't match, unfortunately.

The idea of being a reflective practitioner is new to me. I've never been in a position to plan my own professional development or consider how I've progressed in my career. In my personal life I am naturally reflective, or at least thoughtful, but it's unsettling to think I will publicly analyse my journey as a professional.

I do take my work seriously, and I have always been a conscientious employee. Yet I'm happy in the background, quietly achieving. Peta Hopkins' talk is certainly food for thought. I'm not currently on LinkedIn or Twitter, so I will likely dip my toes in and see how that goes. Although I'm comfortable blogging about my travels under my first name, it's clear I'll have to add my surname to any library-related posts. If I were an employer, I wouldn't want to hire a new grad that had no discernable online presence.

My previous degree in English Literature has not prepared me for the amount of reflection ahead of me. I can see that it will be beneficial to gauge my learning, though, and as a way to set achievable goals for myself. Hopefully I'll use reflections as a way to keep track of my professional development activities in the future, and see what I've accomplished and how I've changed.