The Woolly Library Assistant

Thing 13 -  Reflective Practice Online Networker This was one of the badges I wasn’t really looking forward to doing, but I thought I will give it a try.  I have surprised myself and quite enjoyed it. Through completing Thing 10 I have been able to Network with other Librarians through Tweetchats with #uklibchat and I also took part the #Rudai23chat.  I enjoyed being part of both and meeting other Librarians from similar Libraries and also meeting other participants on the Rudai23 course. I have joined various Library Associations through Facebook and organised my homepage to make it easier to negotiate. I prefer to use Twitter but I can see the benefit of being able write longer posts on Facebook. For Thing 11 I joined Linkedin, I need to take more time and to enter more information and familiarize myself with the site. As with all these social media platforms take time to get familiar with and you tend to use what you feel comfortable using. This was the Thing I struggled

 Thing 12 was looking at various collaborative tools. At work I am a member of the Social Media Committee, we are looking at Social Media and what information we should be posting.   We work face to face in arranged meetings, which for me has been positive getting to know other staff members.  I usually have to travel to Belfast for the meetings but it may be an option, in the future to consider using Skype.  I was able to use Doodle but unfortunately due to I.T. restrictions I am unable to access the other tools mentioned.  I have used Doodle before to do a Doodle Poll to get a suitable date for everyone for training and meetings. The other tool we have found useful is Padlet, which we use as an inspiration board to post ideas for tweets.

Thing 11 was looking at your Profession Brand, thinking of myself as a brand doesn’t come naturally to me, although it is a good way to promote yourself and develop your career. When thinking about your brand it makes you look at yourself and think of your unique selling points.  Before the holidays I struggled with the idea of branding and I had only written 3 lines for  Thing 11,  basically commenting I had set up a Linkedin account and would look at creating a Bio at some stage. Then I began to think about how other Professions have been branded over time and in people’s mind-set a Doctor, Teacher, Lawyer etc. have built their brand and people aspire to have a career in these professions. I don’t hear many young people saying they want to be a Librarian. We have to encourage Librarians to brand themselves this, in turn its brands the profession and it will hopefully inspire young people to think about a career in a Library.  Many people have the impression that Librarians issue a