I chose to explore Pinterest as my task for Thing 8.
I had briefly used Pinterest before but hadn't set up a profile or selected boards to follow.
I think it could be very useful for getting ideas and seeing what other people do.
I searched for libraries and librarians. Most of what I found so far related to school libraries. I think many of the ideas that are displayed on their boards could be used for public libraries too, they have plenty of ideas for events, signage, posters, and displays, eg. YA bingo, scavenger hunts, guides for choosing books. etc.
It is also a nice opportunity to see the different designs for the physical space, furniture, shelving, colour etc.
I also found some pins that would be useful for getting ideas for use in academic libraries, such as on writing styles and posters on explaining various research terminology, plagiarism, good study habits etc. Many of them are freely available to print, or you could just use their as an idea and adapt the posters to your own library users needs.
I haven't quite got the hang of how to create my own pins but I am enjoying searching and finding for now.
Monday 24 August 2015
Saturday 22 August 2015
Thing 7 Podcasts
I found this Thing very informative, I have not used podcasts much before, I've listened to radio station podcasts a couple of times, that's it.
I had heard of Audacity and Soundcloud but had never used them.
At the moment, I am not really interested in making my own podcasts.
While my job is information related I don't have an 'audience' as such but I can definitely see how they would be useful to embed in your blog or link to your twitter if you were very active on these sites. I decided I would try listening to some podcasts as my task for this week rather than making my own one.
I browsed through the various titles I found one I liked the sound of - Library Marketing Toolkit which was an interview with Ned Potter. I was interested to find out that Ned had founded LISNPN - a network of new professionals working in libraries with members in 60 countries, I made a note of it for further reading as I would be very keen on joining, even though I'm not exactly new!
I found the interview very good, it was packed with ideas for how to market your library, with a focus on marketing your services and what you an do for an individual and their circumstances rather than broadcasting what resources you have to a wider audience. An example was used of someone looking for a job - would they be aware that their local library would possibly have books on how to write you CV, interview tips etc? They might not necessarily think of going to the library for this reason at all.
Ned also spoke of the value of social media for communicating with users and also for getting feedback on what you do or on what people think you are not doing. He mentioned that there is not necessarily a need to market the fact that libraries have books for example as we can assume that people know that, but we should package different services or subjects/themes for different interest groups.
Perhaps like a display table of job search/CV/interview techniques books/ websites etc. and a seminar that could be advertised on flyers as well as social media.
He also emphasised that marketing should always be running in the background, that it should be gradual and that it should aim to inform the public what is happening in the library and what libraries do which in some cases may change what they thought libraries did. eg. If you have market to job seekers regularly over time, if someone finds a friend is looking for a job they would automatically suggest to them to use the library in their search.
What I like about listening to the podcast too was that I wasn't bound to the computer, I could do bits and pieces around the house - I cooked my dinner while I was listening, it's great having a radio show that is so specific to your interests! Provided that you are home alone I guess! It can be hard to get the time to sit down and read so I definitely would use it again, it would also be very good if you were commuting or out for a long walk and you wanted to get some inspiration!
I had heard of Audacity and Soundcloud but had never used them.
At the moment, I am not really interested in making my own podcasts.
While my job is information related I don't have an 'audience' as such but I can definitely see how they would be useful to embed in your blog or link to your twitter if you were very active on these sites. I decided I would try listening to some podcasts as my task for this week rather than making my own one.
I browsed through the various titles I found one I liked the sound of - Library Marketing Toolkit which was an interview with Ned Potter. I was interested to find out that Ned had founded LISNPN - a network of new professionals working in libraries with members in 60 countries, I made a note of it for further reading as I would be very keen on joining, even though I'm not exactly new!
I found the interview very good, it was packed with ideas for how to market your library, with a focus on marketing your services and what you an do for an individual and their circumstances rather than broadcasting what resources you have to a wider audience. An example was used of someone looking for a job - would they be aware that their local library would possibly have books on how to write you CV, interview tips etc? They might not necessarily think of going to the library for this reason at all.
Ned also spoke of the value of social media for communicating with users and also for getting feedback on what you do or on what people think you are not doing. He mentioned that there is not necessarily a need to market the fact that libraries have books for example as we can assume that people know that, but we should package different services or subjects/themes for different interest groups.
Perhaps like a display table of job search/CV/interview techniques books/ websites etc. and a seminar that could be advertised on flyers as well as social media.
He also emphasised that marketing should always be running in the background, that it should be gradual and that it should aim to inform the public what is happening in the library and what libraries do which in some cases may change what they thought libraries did. eg. If you have market to job seekers regularly over time, if someone finds a friend is looking for a job they would automatically suggest to them to use the library in their search.
What I like about listening to the podcast too was that I wasn't bound to the computer, I could do bits and pieces around the house - I cooked my dinner while I was listening, it's great having a radio show that is so specific to your interests! Provided that you are home alone I guess! It can be hard to get the time to sit down and read so I definitely would use it again, it would also be very good if you were commuting or out for a long walk and you wanted to get some inspiration!
Tuesday 18 August 2015
Thing 6 Reflective Practice
I'm really glad there are a few weeks for reflective practice as up until now I have been concentrating on writing my own blog and haven't spent much time reading other blogs, that isn't good to admit - a librarian who is not reading enough!
I really enjoyed hearing about how people ended up working in libraries. There are so many different paths - I notice that many people didn't intend on working in libraries early on but ended up there after taking various detours. I noted that one person said they were a library prefect in school which made me remember that I had been as well and had forgotten!
I made a few comments on various posts. It is kind of new for me to be commenting on people's posts who I have never met, I know that's what blogging is all about but it feels a bit strange for someone who is new to blogging!
I will make a better effort from now on to read as well as write as it nice to see what other people think of the various platforms and tools, it promotes learning as well as satisfying my curious/nosey streak!
Friday 14 August 2015
Thing 5 Online Networks
I first heard of Facebook in 2006 when a friend recommended it to me, saying that it was brilliant and she was spending hours on it. I thought No way, I wouldn't like that at all. I wasn't a fan of the very popular at the time Bebo with it's 'other half'' and talking about yourself business.
But after a while with more and more people talking about Facebook I developed the fear of missing out and decided to give it a go and I loved it. I find it great for keeping in contact with people you don't see very often, and great if you have family or friends abroad or if you are organising an event. It's great for businesses and organisations in that it is free advertising with a huge reach and people check it so regularly, Most libraries I know of have a Facebook page as another means of communicating.
Twitter on the other hand is different story for me I tried it before and started following a few hundred interesting pages but I ended up getting completely overwhelmed with the constant tweets, you could spend the whole day on it! So while I still have an account I don't log in very often for fear of a few hours of my life disappearing!
I have just requested to join the Rudaí group, it's impressive to think that there are 70 members.
Looking forward to seeing what's going on in the group.
But after a while with more and more people talking about Facebook I developed the fear of missing out and decided to give it a go and I loved it. I find it great for keeping in contact with people you don't see very often, and great if you have family or friends abroad or if you are organising an event. It's great for businesses and organisations in that it is free advertising with a huge reach and people check it so regularly, Most libraries I know of have a Facebook page as another means of communicating.
Twitter on the other hand is different story for me I tried it before and started following a few hundred interesting pages but I ended up getting completely overwhelmed with the constant tweets, you could spend the whole day on it! So while I still have an account I don't log in very often for fear of a few hours of my life disappearing!
I have just requested to join the Rudaí group, it's impressive to think that there are 70 members.
Looking forward to seeing what's going on in the group.
Thursday 6 August 2015
Thing 3 Google
Thing 4 Google
I already had a Google account and use gmail and also Blogger since beginning Rudaí 23, but I was unaware of many of the other applications that Google offers.
I added some information to by Google + profile, I added some friends and interests, it seems similar to Facebook. I also had a look as some of the extra features such as Google Keep and Google Drawings which I was not aware of.
I have hangouts on my phone but had never used it so I gave that a go too and had some chats! As if I didn't spend enough time on the phone!
More of my friends are on Skype than hangouts so I am not sure how often I will use it.
I have plenty more exploring to do before I can say that I am familiar with all of the options but at least now I am aware of what is on offer.
I already had a Google account and use gmail and also Blogger since beginning Rudaí 23, but I was unaware of many of the other applications that Google offers.
I added some information to by Google + profile, I added some friends and interests, it seems similar to Facebook. I also had a look as some of the extra features such as Google Keep and Google Drawings which I was not aware of.
I have hangouts on my phone but had never used it so I gave that a go too and had some chats! As if I didn't spend enough time on the phone!
More of my friends are on Skype than hangouts so I am not sure how often I will use it.
I have plenty more exploring to do before I can say that I am familiar with all of the options but at least now I am aware of what is on offer.
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