Thing Four

I found this 'Thing' very useful as it forced me to participate; however for me 'current awareness' still sits firmly within attending seminars, reading journal articles, the latest title and conferences etc.  I know I'm missing the point, but I need to quicken my pace before I get the 'online current awareness'.
              
So Twitter, RSS and Pushnote:
I still need a lot of time and practice to grasp the 3 tools but I'm signed up and I'm interested.
For now I think the RSS/webfeed is the most useful, perhaps because I already understood the concept though wasn't actually using it.  The Google Reader took a bit of getting use to (the dashboard/ navigation etc) again it’s just about using it.  I may investigate other readers.

Twitter maybe the most enjoyable to use, though for me it still feels a step to far.  However it makes me feel like I'm in the 'online loop'.  Tina Reynolds said "Hello!" ( very generous - thank you!!) and I instantly got 2 followers (how and why?). I will persevere and I intend to learn the etiquette and rules.
  
Pushnote is a little bit 'advanced' for my level of online use; skimming a few reviews/blogs it seems that Pushnote isn't up to much (I really can't comment).

To conclude, my overall concern is still - 'will I have the time and inclination to use these tools'?
Or will I by the end of cpd23 be transformed into an online aware participant?

Thing Three

I'm already behind ............................. posting Thing Three in Thing Four's week

 Thing Three: Consider your personal brand - Don't have one or at least I didn't before I took the matter in hand.  Anyway I read the recommended reading and put aside my usual 'an online presence isn't in my branding'.
My response to this 'thing' is to use the blog to discover and launch my 'online brand/identity.  I will amendment, experiment and define until it (my brand) takes on a life of it's own.  So far I've changed my photograph, added a further two pages : Professional Awareness and Art Library Stuff ( the intention is to post possibly once a week on either of these pages). Expanding  my blog profile is also on the cards......... but still not sure what I want to say!!

 

Thing Two

I have to admit I was slightly overwhelmed by some of the blogs - proficient and adept (I'm sure I'll learn 'a bit' as I go along) - witty and wonderfully written (not sure that will happen for me!) - or just energetically enthusiastic (I know for sure that at some point I will resist my blogging commitment ).  To complete Thing two, I put aside my initial flicking from one random blog to another and documented a short pathway. 
First stop: A librarian learning to blog - title appealed. Second: A Serendipitous anthology - again title appealed; serendipity has always been one of my favourite past times as a library patron and now working in an art library I find that it is a favoured search method used by art students. Third:  Action by Havoc - title got me again; the issue of 'reflective practice' hit a cord and spurred me to post my first ever comment. Fourth: Every burnt book enlightens the world - I know I'm repeating but fabulous title; a soon to be fellow UCL colleague so dropped a comment.  Last stop: Subversive Librarian (something that I would like to be) no posts when I last visited but I'll be back.

First post – Thing one

The cpd23 course was recommended to me by a colleague and having looked at the line up of topics I decided to jump in. ‘Jumping in’ refers to my lack of blogging experience. - I really hope to discover that I have interesting observations to make and the stamina to maintain a continuous stream of words.

I’m currently working in an art library and studying part-time for my MA in Library and Information Studies. I'm a late entrant into the profession; my previous background is in the creative sector. Perhaps this is an area that I can document; the world of the mature soon to be newly qualified.  The different pathways to the profession intrigue me; the majority of my qualified colleagues have fascinating stories to tell of how they arrived at their ultimate career choice.  The raving hardcore DJ that decided one morning enough is enough – library school it is.  Or the wandering intellectual tour guide that decided to put down roots.

Responding to Thing 1's prompt: I’m hoping to become proficient or at least knowledgeable in most of the areas/topics covered - however 4, 6 and 12  will be particularly beneficial for me........ that's about it