Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year

Excuse me if this post appears to be a little rushed but I'm taking my window of opportunity seriously. For the past few days the internet has been dropping out by 8.20am so I have only an hour to get all my internet catch up done. Plus I have two little girls bubbling around the lounge room after a sleep over with very little sleep (well maybe it was me who had very little sleep).

So a New Years post probably should have some resolutions in it. I'm not one for resolutions, usually! And I suppose I'm not really one for goal setting either - yeah I know that's bad!! I think I just try to get on and do the job and don't spend too much time glancing at the horizon - well I do when it comes to our profession but when it comes to my personal life I'm lucky to see past the next day, let alone 5 years down the track.

However, I do have some things I would like to achieve this year. I would like to finally see consistency across the 3 branch libraries I manage. You will note in a past post that I discussed this a little so now the foot is coming down.

I'd like have at least one traineeship position introduced to the library service. I'm constantly aware that I am the youngest staff member in my team - at 34 (will be 35 in 30 days - hint hint), with the next youngest being 49. So we need some young people coming up the ranks ready to assist me when those that have been here 15+ years decide to move on. We are undergoing a restructure so I hope this is one of the outcomes. I'm working on a proposal - aiming high with 4 traineeship positions but hoping to at least get one - but am yet to cost it out and show benefits - will not think about this till I return to work.

I would like to write a conference paper or an article but am unsure what to write about. This has been plaguing me for a number of years. The last conference paper I presented was back in 2006. I have done some short articles and informal presentations since but nothing that I have really researched. I had an idea for research but feel it is a little sensitive and am not sure how to approach it so I will sit on it for a while. There are also some great scholarships available through Public Libraries NSW so that is on my radar.

A colleague of mine from Narrabri came up with the idea of staff swaps with metropolitan library staff while we were at the SWITCH conference. Narrabri has a metro sister city so she thought she would approach her management and their management and see if a staff swap could be arranged. The staff member could spend a week at Narrabri while she spent a week at their library. Then comparisons and differences could be experienced and reported on.

Thinking back to my secondment research, I was excited by the idea and said that I could do it with her. Although, now the logistics are a little hard. It is hard to leave my family for a week. If I do it during school term then they can't accompany me and if I do it during holidays then there are the extra travel costs with them accompanying me. Also, my POW does not have a sister city so I would have to make some contact with some libraries I'm interested in and see if they are interested. Then there is the issue of accommodation for the swapping person - do you do what happens in staff exchanges and let them live in your house??!! Anyway, something requiring a little more thought.

To visit home more than once a year would be another goal. Since moving here 3 years ago I have only manage to get one visit home to Qld each year. We love having people staying with us - we now have 2 fold out sofa beds (hint hint) - but I also love getting back home to catch up with family and friends. It is hard to drag myself away from this beautiful place and the ocean but it is also good to get back to the city so that I appreciate where I am even more. I'll be looking out for some professional events in Qld that may be a drawcard for throwing in a visit.

To up the ante on my exercise regime. Hmm this is a hard one. I currently exercise during my lunch break - either a 45min walk or a 30min swim depending on the season. During winter I was doing a make shift boot camp on my own but lost motivation - I don't particularly enjoy running and it got a bit lonely doing the workout components on my own. I would love for the town gym to be open at lunch time so I could go there but alas it is not. So I will be looking at some different ideas I can throw into a lunch break to challenge myself a bit more.

I'm not on a weight loss program or anything like that - I just want to feel better. That is how I initially started 2 years ago. I have always walked, and back in the 90's when I lived in Central Qld I even taught aerobics, but I wasn't challenging myself. And the big wake up call was when I tried on some work uniforms and had to go for a size that even shocked me. So that was when the bootcamps started and the walking and the swimming (I don't swim correctly but it gives me a workout regardless). So since my wake up call I have dropped 7kg, 2 dress sizes (depending on the store you buy from) and am feeling a lot better.

I will participate in #readit2012. My reading tastes at the moment are stuck on contemporary romances - eg Nora Roberts. Oh and cowboy romance. So I will try to venture outside of my comfort zone when it comes to reading.

Well I suppose they are the main things I want to focus on. I will add that I would like to participate in more blog challenges, tweet more and actually get to view the webinars that I signed up for to get the archive version of - and use my eportfolio more - and why not add, learn to reflect better!!

What are your goals for 2012?

PS I just want to add that I follow a number of blogs but there is one in particular that I enjoy and actually admire the blogger for their openess and dress sense (much better than mine which is why I don't think I'll be participating in daily image) - http://buntotinglibrarian.wordpress.com

Friday, December 30, 2011

Professional Development in the Future

I did this offline because my internet is down so hope the links work:

I have written briefly about professional development in my past blog posts but this post will not discuss staff reluctance to commit to professional development but will be more about how I think PD will work in the future.

As you have gathered I reside in a regional area. The closest capital cities (we are smack bang
in the middle) are both 500km away – over 5 hours away by car. I mentioned that the State Library offers some wonderful PD opportunities during the year and they assist regional and
rural professionals to attend by offering travel funding assistance. I always use planes to travel to Sydney and these flights cost over $300 return. The State Library will reimburse the cost of an economy rail ticket which is about $170 odd return. So that really helps in reducing costs.

My POW grants the library staff a reasonable conferences and training budget, and as I have mentioned before, other staff are not keen on attending, most of it is spent on me!
There are two public library associations in NSW – Public Libraries NSW and Public Libraries NSW – Metropolitan. Public Libraries NSW used to be Public Libraries NSW Country but in the
hope of forming one association in NSW, (note they have been trying to merge Country and Metro for many many years), they changed their name and offer membership to all NSW public libraries not just metro. The association issue is for another blog post so I won’t delve into it now.

As a result of having two associations there is always a conference each year – used to be one country and one metro – this will remain. So there is SWITCH in Sydney one year and the newly branded IMPACT in whichever country town decided the next – next year it’s in Port Stephens http://www.plnsw.org.au/conference.htm
The registration costs of these conferences are very reasonable (half of a national conference and they go for the same amount of time 2-3 days or longer with satellite events) so permission to attend is not hard to obtain. And they are good quality conferences.

In comparison, and you really can’t compare a state conference with a national one but I will to justify my non-attendance, I have looked at the ALIA Biennial that is being held in Sydney next
year. The rego cost exceeds $900. Add to that accommodation costs which would also be around $900 it is very hard to justify. And while you may be saying that should work be paying for theses conferences – we are a single income family and the income I get in my position is at least $20,000 less a year than I would earn in the same role in a metro area. Yes the choice is mine to be in this job and live in a regional area but I just put that in there for greater understanding.

The other problem I have is that a state conference is being held in the same financial year so that would be two conferences in one year. A big hit to the training budget. Some may say that why don’t you miss out on one and go to the other. Yes I could do that but I actually feel that I get more out of a state conference than the national conferences – possibly because the state conference is totally focused on public libraries. So there lays my decision. Perhaps I will
change my mind on seeing the program for biennial but at this stage, probably not. Besides, I’ve never been to Port Stephens!!

Ok, I didn’t mean to spend so much time on that but it leads into my next line of thought which concerns the future of conferences. I’m sure I’m not the only one who took part in the Library 2.0 worldwide virtual conference. I thoroughly enjoyed participating via webinar/Blackboard technology. I actually see this as conferencing of the future. Library finances aren’t growing and the world is concerned about their global footprint – what better way to offer conferences. You still get audience interaction due to forums, chat and the ability to use voice to ask questions. And you get Twitter activity – this deserves a whole other post, but as a person living in a regional area I value conference/workshop/seminar/forum tweets – so to those that Tweet when they attend a PD activity – please continue to do so!!

I also like the idea of conference offering live web streaming. I haven’t yet paid to have live web streaming – mainly due to the inconsistency of internet access in my area (I know that this is not a problem restricted to regional/rural areas). But my net is down right now so I’m doing this offline, and when online my speeds are not that great so I haven’t gone down the web streaming path as yet. But it will be something I consider but I feel for me the interaction will be less than through the virtual conference due to the delay in video streaming and the possibility of drop out. But if they offered it at a slightly less price for delayed broadcast – eg supply after the conference, then perhaps I would be more likely to jump on board.

Anyway, I’ve rambled enough today. Here I was thinking I wouldn’t have much to write when blogging but it seems I do. I appreciate those who are taking the time to read it and comment so I don’t feel I’m interacting with an internet black hole!!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Library Refurbishing

I love looking at libraries. When I go on holidays or drives to places I haven't been, I will often drag my poor family around to look at libraries. Then I embarrass them further by taking lots and lots of photos. I'm sure I'm not the only library professional that does this.

I am lucky enough to have seen a large number of libraries since starting my current job 3 years ago. In fact I have seen far more of NSW and its libraries than I have Qld, where I grew up and spent 30 odd years of my life.

The libraries I manage vary a great deal. Where I am based the most is a new library which opened just when I took on the role so I have been spoilt by having a brand new library to work in. It is small but we only serve a small population. The other 2 branch libraries are a little older and have interesting layouts. I am going to try to put some links to photos up here but it may or may not work. My branch library, one other branch library, and the other. There have been some minor changes made to the other branch libraries with some new lounges and mats but otherwise they are pretty much the same.

I have a limited equipment budget that I try to spend each year on things to make the other branch libraries function and look better. But I am sure there are ways I can work with what I have to make them have greater appeal. That said, the community has never complained about the buildings, other than to remark that they could be bigger. Most will say they love their branch libraries and they feel comfortable. However, we are running out of space - there is only so much weeding one person can do (I am the only professionally qualified staff member in my libraries). I hate to say it but even in the new library shelf space is becoming an issue.

So I put it out there for others to share their ideas of how they have worked with what they have? Or how they have approached getting funding for refurbishing etc?

I was going to share more photos but am having internet connection and blogger issues so let me know if you'd like to see some and I can share with you via email.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Reflection

Reflection is something I have struggled with since finishing up my uni degree. When completing my degree it was something that you had to do in order to complete assignments. You would research, read, reflect and write your findings/thoughts. Since then I find it hard to sit and reflect.

I still read a lot of professional journals, blogs, forum posts, twitter posts and attend workshops, seminars and conferences, but I very rarely find the time to sit down after these moments and really reflect. And I very rarely write any reflection down. Often I just jump straight back into what I was doing - usually catching up with work.

I am currently participating in the ALIA ePortfolio trials and have been keeping an ePortfolio. As it is something I have committed to, I have forced myself to reflect after events. I'm not sure how good I am at it - often it's copying out the notes I've made or tweets I've tweeted during the conference (something I've only just started doing) and looking at how what I've learned may be applied to my work/life. I have found it easier to reflect on events than on articles I read. I'm not sure why.

Some of the reason why I'm participating in #blog12daysxmas is because it is a exercise in reflection. Often on my daily walks/swims I will be thinking about things, reflecting on what has happened over the day(s), weeks, months, years and come up with some things that I should note down. But I don't carry a notebook with me when I walk/swim so by the time I return I'm either back in the thick of things at work, or ready for some downtime at home.

What tools and techniques do others use to reflect? Do you have some questions you come up with prior to attending a workshop, forum, seminar, conference, or reading an article that you then try to answer? How do you make time after attending an event or reading an article to reflect on it? Do you always write it down? If so, where do you write it down? Do you have someone you can talk to/email about it so that there is a bit of bouncing off each other happening and a more indepth reflection?

I'm interested in what others do!!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Inspiring Staff

As mentioned previously, I don't mind playing with technology and new tools. I take my profession seriously so make it my responsibility to stay abreast of new technologies and tools. However, I have very rarely had the opportunity to work with or manage staff that have the same view on self professional development.

In November I was lucky enough to attend the SWITCH conference. One of the presentaters asked how do we inspire our staff to use technology in the way we inspire our users? I'd really like to hear other's ideas on this.

Our library service has recently (over the past 1-2 yrs) started offering new tools/online services to our communities. I let staff know about these new services and I ask that they all become familiar with them as we will be the first contact point for our clients. I offer training and I ask that we "on sell" these new services with every client interaction. Does it happen? Not much at all. I'm still receiving calls about clients having issues with these new services and can I help them. I feel that as a professional staff member you should be able to assist. You should be the one who is "playing" with these new services in your own time to ensure you can provide the community with the service it deserves.

Unfortunately, the same can be said about online databases. It seems no matter the amount of training provided - staff do not always refer to them to answer queries. Often I have witnessed, not only in my current POW, staff checking the catalogue for something and saying no we have no information on that sorry. And not going any further. I feel that the reason my POW doesn't get more requests for finding information is based on the lack of success in the past due to staff not feeling empowered/confident enough to go beyond the walls of the library. Has anyone else encountered this? How have you overcome it? Can it be overcome?

Training is also a bug bear of mine. We are lucky enough to have a very proactive state library who provides some excellent workshops/forums/seminars throughout the year. Do you think I can get staff eager to attend? Yes it often means a very early start to the day to catch the first plane of the day and the last plane of the day back but the networking and learning opportunity is something that makes it so worth while.

I often feel I'm in an up hill battle trying to conquer these issues. And I don't mean to spend all my blogging time whinging as those in my POW are great people but I would love some tools/advice on what others have done to combat these sorts of issues.

Work Life Balance

http://shewgirl.blogspot.com/ got me started thinking about work life balance. While her blog post focused on web 2.0 tools and how they can help organise/disorganise your life - mine is probably more focused on balancing family time with work commitments.

I have constantly struggled with this. I was studying when it was decided (not really that harsh but probably something that had to happen) that we should have a child. I wanted to wait till I had finished but yes in reality there probably would always be some excuse for putting it off. I'm not sure what I was scared of or why I really wanted to wait but as it happened it didn't take long to get pregnant so I continued studying with young child. Perhaps it was a lesson in time management.

I had 12 wonderful months with my little miss but I missed my professional life. Was I wrong in missing it? Was I guilty about wanting to go back to work and not stay at home with a little one? Hell yes but the longer I was away from work the more behind I was feeling. Sure I was staying up to date with things the best I could - reading professional journals, participating in email discussions, blogging, researching, writing conference papers - but I was not interacting with people as a professional. I was interacting with other professionals but I wasn't doing what I love to do - help people find what they are looking for.

So going back to work was a great relief to me - yes it killed me putting my little miss in care and there were days when I just wanted to be at home with her. But the absolute joy of being back in a library as a professional just made me feel human again.

However, I used to be a great attender of networking/professional events. Having a child makes that a little more difficult - you can't always bring them along and you can't always expect your partner to take up the babysitting role.

Email interaction can only satisify so much of the need. I was missing that connection. Now moving to a regional area I miss it even more because the opportunity for networking opportunities is not as abundant as in metropolitan areas.

I have often thought of returning to study - but I miss spending time with my family. Working full time and often coming home and not wanting to do much more than read a book - does not equal quality family time. How do you balance it?

I'm in no way upset with my partner - if the tables were turned I'm not sure how accommodating I would be - I've been lucky enough to spend days away at conferences and catch really early flights and really late flights home with him taking on the family duties. But it is really hard when you want to participate professionally but don't want to impact on family time.

I often resort to times like this - it's late (I'm not a night person) and I'm here blogging when the family is asleep. Otherwise I get up really early and do the same. But there are times when I want to do things that may mean staying back after work or sacrificing weekends where I feel too damned guilty to take it on.

I'd love others to share ways that they have remained professionally active but still maintained the family balance.

Supervisor vs Friends

Early in my career I applied for the same supervisory position 3 times. I never got the position and was once told I wasn't supervisory material. They did not elaborate so I'm still not sure why they thought that. After not getting the job for the 3rd time, I left that department, well I left the library and took part in a 12mth secondment. The secondment gave me time to reflect and look in from the outside. Look in at myself and at the position I left. I came back with new motivation and ended up taking a slightly different direction with my career. I haven't looked back. But it took me a few more years to finally get in a supervisory role - and really here I am.

I have been told numerous times that you can't be friends with the staff you supervise/manage. Well in my POW I manage 3 branch libraries, all located in a small LGA. Total population at the 2006 census saw us in the 13,000 range. I have a small staff of 4 permanent part timers and 6 casuals. Moving from a metropolitan area where I knew people in my suburb and my POW was just that a POW. Yes I had friends at work but I didn't supervise/manage them. They were my work friends. But I also had friends outside of work. Moving here - I didn't know anyone other than my own family and then the people I work with - my staff. It was hard not to become friends with them as they were all I was seeing in the first months of moving here.

So yes, friendships formed and they are great people. But when it comes to doing the hard stuff - like changing "this is how we've always done it" to "this is how it should be done" - being friends makes it hard.

I'll admit that one of my weaknesses is that I like to be liked. So if I have to do things that may make a person not like me - then perhaps I decide it's easier just not to do it. Hmm, as a manager you can't really do that. Especially when it effect the quality of service we are supplying to our customers. So how do you approach it??

I first thought I would go slowly slowly. I wouldn't come in guns a blazing and start off with putting the foot down. I'd get to know everyone and how each branch operated. Then I'd make little changes. I'd talk with the staff and suggest things - see how they reacted and then implement when they were on side. This has worked in some cases - in others it hasn't and I suppose after 3 years the foot may have to start to come down.

Perhaps those people who said I was not supervisory material were right - or perhaps it's down to the people I'm managing. Or perhaps it's just all a learning experience but 2012 will tell because I think the foot may be coming down harder than in the past.

I'd like to hear from others who've had to work with and manage friends and how they tackled it.

Better Late than Never

So here I am for my attempt at I was asked by one of my twitter followers if I was going to attempt this - at first I thought "no I can't do this - what will I blog about and I am going away next week and will have limited internet access." But in the end, I couldn't sleep because some ideas started forming in my head and even though I am tired and it is late - here I am doing my first blog post - which as supposed to be on Christmas - I think - but it isn't.

Better late than never!

I thought the theme of my blog posts for the could be what I struggle with most as a manager of three small branch libraries. Better late than never is pretty much a good way at summing up how I sometimes feel my POW runs. We pretty much play the constant catch up game. We are a library service with not a lot of money. We are located in regional parts of NSW and are made up of small LGA's.

We don't have access to the fastest internet speeds and we have been neglected in the past. So we are playing the catch up game. Lots of things we have implemented over the last 2-3 years are things that most libraries have been providing for years. It was a shock to my system to come into a library that did not have a DVD collection or a decent webpage with access to an online catalogue. We have that now and we also have a facebook page, online computer tutoring, downloadable audio books, and free wifi access in all of our libraries. A lot to be proud of.

But I can't help but think that libraries are still playing the catch up game. We are still being fairly reactive than proactive and I'm not sure how we can turn the tables.

For example, when I play around with web 2.0 tools, I'll often think, how can we apply this in the library?? Then I think of my community and think that perhaps they are not even at that point yet - there are still plenty of people out there that don't know how to use a computer - so do we need to offer these tools/utilise these tools??!!

I am constantly asked if we offer ebooks. Well only about 5 people have come into my branch and told me they have a ereader device and do we have ebooks - does this mean we should be offering downloadable ebooks to those 5 people? Or do we spend those funds on providing more print material for the majority of our users? Or are we going to be too late to jump on the band wagon if we don't offer downloadable ebooks now??

I think the point here is that we have to be looking at our community and what they are doing and what they are using or what they will be using (however one finds that out). And we must be satisifying those needs - not 5 years down the track but now. Better late than never is not really good customer service.