Critical Thinking: Getting to the Right Decision
Rebecca Jones, Partner, Dysart & Jones Associates
Deb Wallace, Managing Director, Knowledge & Library Services, Harvard Business School
If you are not prepared to change, don't even bother doing a strategic plan. - Rebecca Jones
So true!
slideshare.net/beckyjojojones
Critical Thinking is really about
-Decision-making & problem-solving
-Open-mindedness
-Productive dialogue
We can't make decisions alone or in a vacuum, the decisions & problems we face are increasingly complex. The decisions we make end up impacting someone else.
Good Critical Thinking
-Raises the right questions
-Focuses on the real problem or decision to be taken
-Gathers & assesses relevant information
-Uses abstract ideas to interpret info effectively
-Develops well-reasoned conclusions & solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards
-Relies on recognizing & assessing assumptions, implications, & consequences
-Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems
Why?
-For our users
-For our organizations
-For ourselves, and our professional credibility
"Set in our ways" won't move us forward
"Naming" the process at first makes it legitimate to:
-Challenge usual practices
-Rethink what has been thought
-Expand the emphasis from short-term fixes to long-term fusion
Common Decision Traps
-Framing
-Status quo
-Anchoring
-Sunk Cost
Critical thinking is not about being critical.
KLS Enduring Goals (Do not change goals every year or two years)
-Deliver the greatest possible value to KLS's customers by integrating our expertise and resources in support of their teaching, learning, and research.
-Build and enrich a knowledge of information ecosystem that delivers what the customer needs when they need it, seamlessly.
-Be the "trusted advisor" for Harvard Business School in knowledge, information and learning practices
Free people up to think in different ways. Think critically about how best to meet our missions, to meet our user needs.
The libraries at Harvard constantly rank the lowest among employee satisfaction among Harvard departments. Need to realize that it is not a top down, but administrators/managers need to listen to all employees.
If you are not happy in your work or your position, will not be able to think critically and contribute to your organization.
Critical Characteristics
-Communication skills; listen
-Self-awareness & self-acceptance
-Curious, interested, & questioning
-Admits lack of valid information & understanding
-Assess & evaluates information & propositions for their value at the issue on hand
What's Critical?
-Awareness
-Discipline your decision making to uncover thinking errors & prevent judgment errors
-Trying it
***Wonderful presentation, lots to think about and process.***
Showing posts with label library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label library. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Strategic Planning & Encouraging Change CIL2010 Session
Strategic Planning & Encouraging Change
Michael Edson, Director of Web & New Media Strategy, Office of the CIO, Smithsonian Institution
Currently developing a prototype for the Smithsonian Commons. A way for users to find what they want to see, plan a trip, find more information about items, take pictures, upload to fb, and share with others as well as make comments for others to read.
Note: There is so much more to this presentation then what I have blogged about. This presentation was great, but provided a lot of information in a short amount of time. The presentation slides can be found at: Slideshare.net/edsonm
Smithosonian Strategic Plan - 5 year
1. Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe
2. Understanding and sustaining a biodiverse planet
3. Valuing World Cultures
4. Understanding the American Experience
Strategic planning should let us do work that matters. This is relevance earned through a job well done.
Where is this work going to take place?
What kind of organization, infrastructure, platforms will be needed to support it?
What is the organizational change model?
Who will be the innovators?
In workplace like so may others, is deeply conflicted about these changes
Thermocline (a metaphor) Stratified water temperature between warm water at the top and cold dense water at the bottom. Thermocline issues define the change environment and explain why strategy is needed ( and shy for us the commons is so important)
Thermocline Issues
Complacency
Urgency (John P. Kotter, A Sense of Urgency)
Museums are for...In exchange for public funds and public trust, museums should do work for society.
Institutions built on the model of enduring wisdom
We need to think big, start small, and move fast.
Catalyze innovation/discovery outside the institution
Every user is a hero in their own epic journey, Kathy Sierra
"Most organizations don't get serious about strategy until they are afraid or in pain." Leo Mulen, CEO Navigation Arts.
Web & New Media Strategy Structure
Three Themes
-Updated the Smithsonian Digital Experience
-Updated the Smithsonian Learning Model
-Balance Autonomy and Control within SI
Eight Goals - four external and four internal
Prototype - Push/pull between understanding what this thing is and understanding how to sell it.
Start a public wiki to have everyone talk about it. Change starts from the bottom up.
Vast, Findable, Shareable, and Free
***Presenter is very excited to see how the Smithsonian Institution is used outside the walls. This is how our thinking needs to be. We need to stop being so protective and overbearing when it comes to library materials. The four ideas that the SI Commons embraces is Vast, Findable, Shareable, and Free. As librarians we really need to get not only information, but our resources to our users.***
Michael Edson, Director of Web & New Media Strategy, Office of the CIO, Smithsonian Institution
Currently developing a prototype for the Smithsonian Commons. A way for users to find what they want to see, plan a trip, find more information about items, take pictures, upload to fb, and share with others as well as make comments for others to read.
Note: There is so much more to this presentation then what I have blogged about. This presentation was great, but provided a lot of information in a short amount of time. The presentation slides can be found at: Slideshare.net/edsonm
Smithosonian Strategic Plan - 5 year
1. Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe
2. Understanding and sustaining a biodiverse planet
3. Valuing World Cultures
4. Understanding the American Experience
Strategic planning should let us do work that matters. This is relevance earned through a job well done.
Where is this work going to take place?
What kind of organization, infrastructure, platforms will be needed to support it?
What is the organizational change model?
Who will be the innovators?
In workplace like so may others, is deeply conflicted about these changes
Thermocline (a metaphor) Stratified water temperature between warm water at the top and cold dense water at the bottom. Thermocline issues define the change environment and explain why strategy is needed ( and shy for us the commons is so important)
Thermocline Issues
Complacency
Urgency (John P. Kotter, A Sense of Urgency)
Museums are for...In exchange for public funds and public trust, museums should do work for society.
Institutions built on the model of enduring wisdom
We need to think big, start small, and move fast.
Catalyze innovation/discovery outside the institution
Every user is a hero in their own epic journey, Kathy Sierra
"Most organizations don't get serious about strategy until they are afraid or in pain." Leo Mulen, CEO Navigation Arts.
Web & New Media Strategy Structure
Three Themes
-Updated the Smithsonian Digital Experience
-Updated the Smithsonian Learning Model
-Balance Autonomy and Control within SI
Eight Goals - four external and four internal
Prototype - Push/pull between understanding what this thing is and understanding how to sell it.
Start a public wiki to have everyone talk about it. Change starts from the bottom up.
Vast, Findable, Shareable, and Free
***Presenter is very excited to see how the Smithsonian Institution is used outside the walls. This is how our thinking needs to be. We need to stop being so protective and overbearing when it comes to library materials. The four ideas that the SI Commons embraces is Vast, Findable, Shareable, and Free. As librarians we really need to get not only information, but our resources to our users.***
Monday, April 12, 2010
What Administrators Need to Know About Technology CIL2010 Session
What Administrators Need to Know About Technology
Roy Tennant, Senior Program Manager, OCLC Programs & Research
Writes the Blog: Tech Essence Info
-Blog is targeted to library administrators
Techessence.com/topten
1. Technology isn't as hard as you think
2. Technology gets easier all the time
3. Technology gets cheaper all the time
4. Maximize the effectiveness
5. Iterate, don't perfect
--Get something out there early, learn from mistakes, listen to comments and then iterate and put it back out there. (Look at Business 2.0, Netflix Mailers)
6. Be prepared to fail. We think by being perfect we won't fail, but nothing is farther from the truth. Failure is a useful teacher. We can learn from our failures.
7. Be prepared to succeed.
8. Never underestimate the power of a prototype.
9. A major part of any technology implementation is good project management.
10. The single biggest threat to any technology project is political in nature.
--This includes not having enough support within your organization to see it through to the end, or not having enough resources.
What Others Have Said Via Twitter
1. Have an exit strategy. No platform is forever. Ask not only how you'll move onto it, but how you'll move off of it.
2. Vendor solutions still require knowledgeable staff to make them work.
3. IT won't solve any of your problems without proper staffing and management policies which you should allow techies to shape.
4. Administrators need to know that just because a staff member can support certain technologies, doesn't mean they can support all technologies.
5. Allow your staff time and resources to experiment even if nothing comes of it. Innovation comes with risk.
6. Believe a staff member's opinion over a vendor's. Always. ALWAYS.
7. Never depend on technology alone to save your library.
8. The youngest people on staff aren't automatically techno-geeks.
9. Delegate the discovery phase to those who can dedicate more resources to coming up with concise answers to "how" and justify "why."
Comments from the Peanut Gallery
Technology is easy; it is the people that are hard. Having to change people's thinking is harder than incorporating technology.
Avoid the herd mentality. Don't implement just because everyone else has.
Consult the people that work with the users to find out what are the needs of the users.
An administrator with a little bit of technology knowledge is a dangerous thing. Administrators should have more faith in their tech staff.
Need to have ongoing training for library staff. Change in technology is constant, so training for new technologies should also be constant.
Technology can only take you so far. You still need people to make it happen.
***This session was good, and provided some good information. I have more complaints with the room and the fact that I did not have access to wi-fi in the room. The way the room was set up, it was almost impossible to see the screen and the PowerPoint slides. But there were definitely good points brought up for more than just administrators.***
Roy Tennant, Senior Program Manager, OCLC Programs & Research
Writes the Blog: Tech Essence Info
-Blog is targeted to library administrators
Techessence.com/topten
1. Technology isn't as hard as you think
2. Technology gets easier all the time
3. Technology gets cheaper all the time
4. Maximize the effectiveness
5. Iterate, don't perfect
--Get something out there early, learn from mistakes, listen to comments and then iterate and put it back out there. (Look at Business 2.0, Netflix Mailers)
6. Be prepared to fail. We think by being perfect we won't fail, but nothing is farther from the truth. Failure is a useful teacher. We can learn from our failures.
7. Be prepared to succeed.
8. Never underestimate the power of a prototype.
9. A major part of any technology implementation is good project management.
10. The single biggest threat to any technology project is political in nature.
--This includes not having enough support within your organization to see it through to the end, or not having enough resources.
What Others Have Said Via Twitter
1. Have an exit strategy. No platform is forever. Ask not only how you'll move onto it, but how you'll move off of it.
2. Vendor solutions still require knowledgeable staff to make them work.
3. IT won't solve any of your problems without proper staffing and management policies which you should allow techies to shape.
4. Administrators need to know that just because a staff member can support certain technologies, doesn't mean they can support all technologies.
5. Allow your staff time and resources to experiment even if nothing comes of it. Innovation comes with risk.
6. Believe a staff member's opinion over a vendor's. Always. ALWAYS.
7. Never depend on technology alone to save your library.
8. The youngest people on staff aren't automatically techno-geeks.
9. Delegate the discovery phase to those who can dedicate more resources to coming up with concise answers to "how" and justify "why."
Comments from the Peanut Gallery
Technology is easy; it is the people that are hard. Having to change people's thinking is harder than incorporating technology.
Avoid the herd mentality. Don't implement just because everyone else has.
Consult the people that work with the users to find out what are the needs of the users.
An administrator with a little bit of technology knowledge is a dangerous thing. Administrators should have more faith in their tech staff.
Need to have ongoing training for library staff. Change in technology is constant, so training for new technologies should also be constant.
Technology can only take you so far. You still need people to make it happen.
***This session was good, and provided some good information. I have more complaints with the room and the fact that I did not have access to wi-fi in the room. The way the room was set up, it was almost impossible to see the screen and the PowerPoint slides. But there were definitely good points brought up for more than just administrators.***
Friday, October 9, 2009
MLA Conference - Last Day
I am waiting for the last day of the MLA conference to start. I have to say that I am very pleased with the conference this year. I have went to some great sessions, learned some new things, and have also had some great conversations with other librarians. I have especially enjoyed the meals with other librarians and hearing the great stories.
To my friend out there who is clueless about librarians and their jobs (yes you know who you are), I think that if you attended this conference you would be in for a big shock as to the future of libraries and librarians. Yes we do know about technology, we do teach our users, and we collaborate with each other. Librarianship is so much more than checking out books and shushing people. The jokes are getting old my friend, the sad part is when you say them you really aren't joking. Well this conference has brought to light the great things that librarians are doing. Libraries are the heart of a corporation, the institution, and the community. The world may be changing, new technologies are abounding, yet the library will still be here. Maybe not in the sense that most people think of libraries, but we will still be here, we will still be instructing users, we will still be collaborating with each other, and we will be incorporating new technologies into our services to give our users what they want. This is an exciting time and I am glad to be a librarian.
To my friend out there who is clueless about librarians and their jobs (yes you know who you are), I think that if you attended this conference you would be in for a big shock as to the future of libraries and librarians. Yes we do know about technology, we do teach our users, and we collaborate with each other. Librarianship is so much more than checking out books and shushing people. The jokes are getting old my friend, the sad part is when you say them you really aren't joking. Well this conference has brought to light the great things that librarians are doing. Libraries are the heart of a corporation, the institution, and the community. The world may be changing, new technologies are abounding, yet the library will still be here. Maybe not in the sense that most people think of libraries, but we will still be here, we will still be instructing users, we will still be collaborating with each other, and we will be incorporating new technologies into our services to give our users what they want. This is an exciting time and I am glad to be a librarian.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
MLA Conference Positive Approaches to Organizational Change
Speakers Leo Agnew, M. Jean Darbyshire, and Keith Russell
Session discussing Organizational Development (OD)
Ground Rules
-Confidentiality
-Speak up
-Stay on Point
Parking Garage Concept
-Long-term parking, issues that we would like to deal with in future meetings. Long-term issues
Techniques Used
-Radical Inquiry - 3 stage process
--What happened, What is the impact, Now what do we do about this
Used with employee/employer situations
-Elevator Presentations
--short presentations that can be given in the time you ride an elevator
Principles of Practice
-Values-based
--think of others as we go through these values
Get more accomplished if focusing on the positive
Start with the positive and if that doesn't work, go to plan b
Start off to do everything possible to make sure that your organization is healthy. If there is something that needs to change, note it and make decisions on how to change it if it really needs to be changed.
When there are problems or issues there are three things
-People
-Processes
-Problems
With those there are
-communication
-documentation
-accountability
Ladder of Inference
-Select data from an ocean of data
-Interpret the data
-Draw conclusions
Our conclusions are affected by how we interpret data..the data we select impacts the next steps...currently held conclusions affect the data selected to support the conclusion.
Conclusions are often presented as factual when they are actually inferential.
Personal Responsibility
-See that the organization is successful
-Everyone has the opportunity for input
-Get a mentor
-If you can't get experience at work, look at social clubs and volunteer work
Sidenote: Put on your resume that you are nice. Interpersonal skills
Try to find an organization that meshes with your values.
Higher-level thinking in libraries - brought about by OD
Ask new hires what they think about the organization, you can find out what kind of an organization you really have.
Book: The Power of Appreciative Inquiry
My thoughts: I have never been to a presentation that was made up of mini presentations. It was actually very good and a good way to provide a lot of information in a short amount of time. I was very pleased with this session, however there was a lot of information and a lot of handouts. This is one that I will take back to work and try to digest more slowly.
Session discussing Organizational Development (OD)
Ground Rules
-Confidentiality
-Speak up
-Stay on Point
Parking Garage Concept
-Long-term parking, issues that we would like to deal with in future meetings. Long-term issues
Techniques Used
-Radical Inquiry - 3 stage process
--What happened, What is the impact, Now what do we do about this
Used with employee/employer situations
-Elevator Presentations
--short presentations that can be given in the time you ride an elevator
Principles of Practice
-Values-based
--think of others as we go through these values
Get more accomplished if focusing on the positive
Start with the positive and if that doesn't work, go to plan b
Start off to do everything possible to make sure that your organization is healthy. If there is something that needs to change, note it and make decisions on how to change it if it really needs to be changed.
When there are problems or issues there are three things
-People
-Processes
-Problems
With those there are
-communication
-documentation
-accountability
Ladder of Inference
-Select data from an ocean of data
-Interpret the data
-Draw conclusions
Our conclusions are affected by how we interpret data..the data we select impacts the next steps...currently held conclusions affect the data selected to support the conclusion.
Conclusions are often presented as factual when they are actually inferential.
Personal Responsibility
-See that the organization is successful
-Everyone has the opportunity for input
-Get a mentor
-If you can't get experience at work, look at social clubs and volunteer work
Sidenote: Put on your resume that you are nice. Interpersonal skills
Try to find an organization that meshes with your values.
Higher-level thinking in libraries - brought about by OD
Ask new hires what they think about the organization, you can find out what kind of an organization you really have.
Book: The Power of Appreciative Inquiry
My thoughts: I have never been to a presentation that was made up of mini presentations. It was actually very good and a good way to provide a lot of information in a short amount of time. I was very pleased with this session, however there was a lot of information and a lot of handouts. This is one that I will take back to work and try to digest more slowly.
MLA Conference - Up the Career Ladder
John Furlong and Katrina Stierholz are discussing how to go into library management and some of their experiences.
Presenters are discussing how they fell into librarianship. Sounds like that happens to many of us. I know I did not plan on being a librarian.
General Tips
-Be prepared when searching for a job. Have a lot of different experiences in order to learn and grow. While you are at your current position, look around and see if there are other things that you can do to gain experience.
-Technology is changing the workforce, keep up to date with what is going on in the workforce.
-Reference and collection development are two of the least needed positions to move ahead in the librarian field. (According to a survey). Reference and collection development have always been the corner stone of the library world. This is changing due to changes with technology.
-Partnerships, PR, and Web Development are now the most crucial areas in the librarian field.
-Be proactive by keeping your resume current. Also keep abreast of what opportunities are available.
Lessons learned from experiences
-Think ahead especially with technology. Try to stay ahead of the curve or at least with the curve.
-Think outside the box when it comes to professional development.
-Think of community work/volunteer that can also increase your skills set
-Do something hard, get out of your comfort zone
-If up doesn't work try sideways, because you may be able to go up from there
-Figure out how to motivate yourself and realize when you are at a career plateau
-Get supervisory experience whenever wherever
-Use challenges at work as developmental opportunities
Perfect timing doesn't exist, work life balance is not perfect, If you want to move ahead, sometimes you have to give up some things with your home life. They are all choices that you have to make.
Book: FYI For Your Improvement
Uses the Lominger Model
Includes competencies that most executives and then most managers present
Also talk about career stallers or stoppers
This is a strength based model so capitalize on your strengths, for your weaknesses, you will never get rid of them, but bring up your weaknesses just enough that they don't get in your way.
Career Stoppers
-Overly ambitious
-Lack of ethics and values
-Failure to build a team
-Insensitive to others
Try not to bring emotions into your work. Keep it professional not personal.
It is my experiences that define me.
My thoughts: This session was not what I was expecting, but it was great! It really made me think not just about moving up in my career, but what I need to do where I am at now to improve my experiences. I actually needed this session since things at work have not been the best. I am seeing now that everything that is going on at work, is a learning experience. I can use the negative and turn it around to make it a positive learning experience. Thanks John and Katrina!
Presenters are discussing how they fell into librarianship. Sounds like that happens to many of us. I know I did not plan on being a librarian.
General Tips
-Be prepared when searching for a job. Have a lot of different experiences in order to learn and grow. While you are at your current position, look around and see if there are other things that you can do to gain experience.
-Technology is changing the workforce, keep up to date with what is going on in the workforce.
-Reference and collection development are two of the least needed positions to move ahead in the librarian field. (According to a survey). Reference and collection development have always been the corner stone of the library world. This is changing due to changes with technology.
-Partnerships, PR, and Web Development are now the most crucial areas in the librarian field.
-Be proactive by keeping your resume current. Also keep abreast of what opportunities are available.
Lessons learned from experiences
-Think ahead especially with technology. Try to stay ahead of the curve or at least with the curve.
-Think outside the box when it comes to professional development.
-Think of community work/volunteer that can also increase your skills set
-Do something hard, get out of your comfort zone
-If up doesn't work try sideways, because you may be able to go up from there
-Figure out how to motivate yourself and realize when you are at a career plateau
-Get supervisory experience whenever wherever
-Use challenges at work as developmental opportunities
Perfect timing doesn't exist, work life balance is not perfect, If you want to move ahead, sometimes you have to give up some things with your home life. They are all choices that you have to make.
Book: FYI For Your Improvement
Uses the Lominger Model
Includes competencies that most executives and then most managers present
Also talk about career stallers or stoppers
This is a strength based model so capitalize on your strengths, for your weaknesses, you will never get rid of them, but bring up your weaknesses just enough that they don't get in your way.
Career Stoppers
-Overly ambitious
-Lack of ethics and values
-Failure to build a team
-Insensitive to others
Try not to bring emotions into your work. Keep it professional not personal.
It is my experiences that define me.
My thoughts: This session was not what I was expecting, but it was great! It really made me think not just about moving up in my career, but what I need to do where I am at now to improve my experiences. I actually needed this session since things at work have not been the best. I am seeing now that everything that is going on at work, is a learning experience. I can use the negative and turn it around to make it a positive learning experience. Thanks John and Katrina!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
MLA Conference - The Net-Geners Are Calling. Can You Answer?
Alice B. Ruleman, Access Services Librarian from the James C. Kirkpatrick Library at the University of Central Missouri is discussing net-geners as library users and how mobile technology fits into the library.
2008 Horizon Report
-Mobile broadband name as one of 6 major emerging tehcnologies
-Expected to have a significant impact on education within 3-5 years
-Students expect mobile access
Pew Internet Report
-The smartphone will be the significant source of how users access the internet
Mobile technology is handheld, accesses the internet and also has some other features.
Net-Geners also called Millennials, have always grown up with technology, they have always been connected.
People would rather give up their computer and tv, than to give up their cell phone.
***I say that makes sense, since you can access tv and computer apps on your cell phone anyway.***
1990 - 11 million mobile phones
2005 - 2.2 billion mobile phones
50% of Americans subscribe to services
90% of Asians subscribe to services
Worldcat is available in a mobile format. Can look up a book, see the library that is closest to you that owns the book, give you the phone number for the library, and also give you the directions to the library.
***It really is amazing how many mobile apps are available - almost anything that you can think of. It shows how people really are wanting mobile services.***
AirPAC - Innovative's mobile online catalog for libraries to use for users.
M-Libraries - wiki on mobile libraries http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=M-Libraries
Reaching your mobile patrons
-Texting reference
-Twitter
-Ebooks for mobile
-Mobile library tours
-Texting courtesy/Holds/Overdue notices
My thoughts - this was a good session that really made me realize how our library is lagging behind. However it is not necessarily because we are not aware, it is more because of money, time, and staffing. Even though we may be lacking in those three areas, we do need to discuss how we could incorporate some mobile apps into our services for our students. Good strategic planning discussion.
2008 Horizon Report
-Mobile broadband name as one of 6 major emerging tehcnologies
-Expected to have a significant impact on education within 3-5 years
-Students expect mobile access
Pew Internet Report
-The smartphone will be the significant source of how users access the internet
Mobile technology is handheld, accesses the internet and also has some other features.
Net-Geners also called Millennials, have always grown up with technology, they have always been connected.
People would rather give up their computer and tv, than to give up their cell phone.
***I say that makes sense, since you can access tv and computer apps on your cell phone anyway.***
1990 - 11 million mobile phones
2005 - 2.2 billion mobile phones
50% of Americans subscribe to services
90% of Asians subscribe to services
Worldcat is available in a mobile format. Can look up a book, see the library that is closest to you that owns the book, give you the phone number for the library, and also give you the directions to the library.
***It really is amazing how many mobile apps are available - almost anything that you can think of. It shows how people really are wanting mobile services.***
AirPAC - Innovative's mobile online catalog for libraries to use for users.
M-Libraries - wiki on mobile libraries http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=M-Libraries
Reaching your mobile patrons
-Texting reference
-Ebooks for mobile
-Mobile library tours
-Texting courtesy/Holds/Overdue notices
My thoughts - this was a good session that really made me realize how our library is lagging behind. However it is not necessarily because we are not aware, it is more because of money, time, and staffing. Even though we may be lacking in those three areas, we do need to discuss how we could incorporate some mobile apps into our services for our students. Good strategic planning discussion.
MLA Conference Keynote - Library Advocacy from the Frontline
I am sitting here at the Missouri Library Association Annual conference. The keynote speaker is the first line up. I am hoping to be able to blog throughout this conference to keep everyone up to date on what is going on here at the MLA conference.
Dr. Camila A. Alire, the president of the American Library Association is the keynote speaker and discussing how advocacy must start with the library staff and faculty.
She defines advocacy as "active support of a cause or course of action." Her presidential initiative is involving library staff in library advocacy. "We all must advocate for the value of our libraries and all of us must also be able to articulate our value as library employees."
Types of Advocacy
-Legislative
--Library Administrators
--Trustees
--Friends
--Grassroots
What's not happening is frontline advocacy coming from librarians and library support staff.
So how can librarians and library staff advocate for their library?
1. Articulate the value of your respective libraries and the value to their communities.
2. Intermediaries - Improve the quality of resources and services in the library environment.
Typically frontline librarians and staff are not charged to do library advocacy. Usually they are just responsible for services and outreach. The main thing that should be being done is to talk about how good your library is.
Level 1 Advocacy - Involve people by the virtue of their title and/or responsibilities
Level 2 Advocacy - Involve other librarians and library staff
Build an Advocacy Team
-Determine the extent of frontline staff involvement
--Provide scripts and/or "cheat sheets"
-Articulate that involvement and add to job responsibilites
Remember that staff must do advocacy at their comfort level by matching the message with the venues (grocery store, ballgame, etc.), work with staff for input, and then allow the staff to meet so that they can assess the outcomes of advocacy.
"Anyone who thinks they are too small to be effective has never been in bed with a mosquito."
My thoughts - this was a good session with a lot of good things to think about. We don't really think of librarians and library staff needing to advocate for the library, but it really is part of our job.
Dr. Camila A. Alire, the president of the American Library Association is the keynote speaker and discussing how advocacy must start with the library staff and faculty.
She defines advocacy as "active support of a cause or course of action." Her presidential initiative is involving library staff in library advocacy. "We all must advocate for the value of our libraries and all of us must also be able to articulate our value as library employees."
Types of Advocacy
-Legislative
--Library Administrators
--Trustees
--Friends
--Grassroots
What's not happening is frontline advocacy coming from librarians and library support staff.
So how can librarians and library staff advocate for their library?
1. Articulate the value of your respective libraries and the value to their communities.
2. Intermediaries - Improve the quality of resources and services in the library environment.
Typically frontline librarians and staff are not charged to do library advocacy. Usually they are just responsible for services and outreach. The main thing that should be being done is to talk about how good your library is.
Level 1 Advocacy - Involve people by the virtue of their title and/or responsibilities
Level 2 Advocacy - Involve other librarians and library staff
Build an Advocacy Team
-Determine the extent of frontline staff involvement
--Provide scripts and/or "cheat sheets"
-Articulate that involvement and add to job responsibilites
Remember that staff must do advocacy at their comfort level by matching the message with the venues (grocery store, ballgame, etc.), work with staff for input, and then allow the staff to meet so that they can assess the outcomes of advocacy.
"Anyone who thinks they are too small to be effective has never been in bed with a mosquito."
My thoughts - this was a good session with a lot of good things to think about. We don't really think of librarians and library staff needing to advocate for the library, but it really is part of our job.
Friday, August 7, 2009
It's That Time of Year Again
This week has definitely shown the signs of school starting. Faculty are back and even some students are back. I am in the midst of trying to get caught up on my work before we get into the full swing of things. This year there are going to be a few changes that I hope will help students with getting information and with accessing the library.
The first change is that we have moved a few things around in the library. I have to admit I love rearranging things and this goes for at work, not just at home. We now have a "workroom" where the students can access their prints, make photocopies, punch holes, staple papers, etc. You will no longer have to go back and forth from room to room to get all of this done. I have also created some short tutorials on accessing and searching our databases. I am hoping to have these posted to our website probably at the beginning of September. Which brings me to another change, our website is being redesigned with what I think will help with a good user experience. And last but not least, we have a new evening person working. Kathy McGovern is our new Part Time Patron Services Assistant. For those of you who know Sharron, she resigned due to health issues. Kathy has taken her place and is doing wonderful. Kathy will be working Monday-Thursday 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This fall semester is going to be busy but good. I am looking forward to everyone being back and getting back into the swing of things.
The first change is that we have moved a few things around in the library. I have to admit I love rearranging things and this goes for at work, not just at home. We now have a "workroom" where the students can access their prints, make photocopies, punch holes, staple papers, etc. You will no longer have to go back and forth from room to room to get all of this done. I have also created some short tutorials on accessing and searching our databases. I am hoping to have these posted to our website probably at the beginning of September. Which brings me to another change, our website is being redesigned with what I think will help with a good user experience. And last but not least, we have a new evening person working. Kathy McGovern is our new Part Time Patron Services Assistant. For those of you who know Sharron, she resigned due to health issues. Kathy has taken her place and is doing wonderful. Kathy will be working Monday-Thursday 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This fall semester is going to be busy but good. I am looking forward to everyone being back and getting back into the swing of things.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Using Web 2.0 Tools for Library Instruction
I am currently working on a presentation dealing with the use of web 2.0 tools, how to incorporate them, and how to market them to students. I would love to hear from other librarians and instructors to hear what they are doing in their coursework to implement such things as blogs, tweets, Facebook, podcasts, etc.
My personal experience that I have found is that students use such things for personal use, but when it comes to education, they try to stick with more traditional settings. This is completely opposite of what the literature is saying. So what is going on? I am on a quest to find out if it is just our area that is having this issue or not. Are students just not ready to use social networking tools in their education? Any thoughts that you have out there would be great.
My personal experience that I have found is that students use such things for personal use, but when it comes to education, they try to stick with more traditional settings. This is completely opposite of what the literature is saying. So what is going on? I am on a quest to find out if it is just our area that is having this issue or not. Are students just not ready to use social networking tools in their education? Any thoughts that you have out there would be great.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Mobius Conference - VuFind at Truman Next-generation Open-source Blues
This session is about using an open-source next-generation catalog. Presenter is Stephen Wynn, Head of Technical Services and Systems at Pickler Memorial Library, Truman State University.
Last-generation catalogs are unfriendly, have limited feature and are no longer cool.
Next-generation catalogs have visual organization of results, faceted searching, results from catalog and more, social software, tag clouds. Examples include Encore and Aquabrowser. Presenter is showing an example of Encore and it looks really cool. So much nicer than the regular (old-fashioned) library catalog.
Right Generation Interfaces
-are told that libraries are losing users to Google and Amazon, but are we really in competition with them?
-Cool is nice, but most of the time libraries are not cool.
-Libraries should be interested in useful features such as faceted searching, breadcrumbs and social features
Options for Open Source catalogs:
Blacklight, Fac-bac-opac, LibraryFind, Scriblio, VuFind
VuFind - pulls info out of the last generation catalog such as if a book is available, descriptions and holdings, with next-generation users can then tag or rate the item. This also has a "cite this" option for different style guides. Students love this feature!
Features of VuFind include faceted searching, social software, real-time data from catalog, customizable index, breadcrumbs, statistical information available through SOLR Admin Module, locally created fields may be addded to the index in any way you please, relevancy ranking is completley customizable, and links to book cover images, reviews and other vendor content.
VuFind Social Software - users can set-up an account, add tags, rate items, etc. Does not currently have visual organization (tag clouds)
Fuctions for placing holds and obtaining "My Library" information are not yet written.
This library ran into problems with the installation instructions, they had to write their own.
There is a large learning curve for this product, not just this product but all the others that have to be used to support this (i.e. MySQL, Linux, Apache, etc.)
Result: did not end up implementing because of problems such as placing holds, viewing checked-out items and fines, built-in security measures, and optimizing SOLR.
While it did not work for this library, other libraries out there are using this and other's like it.
Last-generation catalogs are unfriendly, have limited feature and are no longer cool.
Next-generation catalogs have visual organization of results, faceted searching, results from catalog and more, social software, tag clouds. Examples include Encore and Aquabrowser. Presenter is showing an example of Encore and it looks really cool. So much nicer than the regular (old-fashioned) library catalog.
Right Generation Interfaces
-are told that libraries are losing users to Google and Amazon, but are we really in competition with them?
-Cool is nice, but most of the time libraries are not cool.
-Libraries should be interested in useful features such as faceted searching, breadcrumbs and social features
Options for Open Source catalogs:
Blacklight, Fac-bac-opac, LibraryFind, Scriblio, VuFind
VuFind - pulls info out of the last generation catalog such as if a book is available, descriptions and holdings, with next-generation users can then tag or rate the item. This also has a "cite this" option for different style guides. Students love this feature!
Features of VuFind include faceted searching, social software, real-time data from catalog, customizable index, breadcrumbs, statistical information available through SOLR Admin Module, locally created fields may be addded to the index in any way you please, relevancy ranking is completley customizable, and links to book cover images, reviews and other vendor content.
VuFind Social Software - users can set-up an account, add tags, rate items, etc. Does not currently have visual organization (tag clouds)
Fuctions for placing holds and obtaining "My Library" information are not yet written.
This library ran into problems with the installation instructions, they had to write their own.
There is a large learning curve for this product, not just this product but all the others that have to be used to support this (i.e. MySQL, Linux, Apache, etc.)
Result: did not end up implementing because of problems such as placing holds, viewing checked-out items and fines, built-in security measures, and optimizing SOLR.
While it did not work for this library, other libraries out there are using this and other's like it.
Mobius Conference - LibGuides
Second session getting ready to start. This one is about LibGuides presented by: first Rebecca Power anbd Chris LaBeau from UMKC, second Jaleh Fazelian and Melissa Vetter both from Washing University in St. Louis and Rick Dyson from Missouri Western State University . Several presenters from Wash U today.
LibGuide - predesigned website librarians can update easily can include RSS feeds, embedded chats, Delicious tag clouds, embedded video, student feedback, polls, etc.
Chris LeBeau - uses LibGuides first as classroom instruction and then for reference help. Students know what content they want, but not necessarily a specific item. Uses tabs on her libguide for organization purposes. Presenter is giving good information, but really specific to what she is doing - business resources. Study - average student only asks .1 question in class, teachers only ask 3 questions. On a one to one basis students will ask far more questions. On her libguide gives an area a way for students to ask questions after the class.
***Good idea to use for my bibliographic instruction classes.***
This presenter created a Q&A page with questions asked after the class.
Rebecca Power - Embedding the library, can embed a LibGuides widget into Blackboard.
***This is something that I would love to do to give students more information about the library and librarian. Students could have this at home when they are doing research. I am still thinking that I would like to go to their classes so they can see the "face" of the library. But what a great way to connect to the students where they are.***
Jaleh Fazelian and Melissa Vetter - Assessing LibGuides. Are students and faculty really using them? They compared their web based guides to their LibGuides. The overall usage of LibGuides increased exponentially in a year's time. Why? Link to guides better situated on newly redesigned home page, promotion of LibGuides, push to advertise in all areas, links in email signatures. Besides looking at stats, interviewed faculty and grad and undergrad students to see how they liked/used the guides.
Best quote from Jaleh Fazelian "It's not about what we [librarians] want, it is about what they [students] want." Amen sister.
Rick Dyson - started LibGuides in 2007, uses it for subject guides and course guides. What else can they be used for? Currently they have over 40 public guides. Non-traditional guides include special collections, library documents, faculty services, and guidelines for library exhibits.
***side not to my Bolivar colleagues, would be good to have one for the Author Series. ***
Private guides include policy and procedures for staff. Staff can not only access but have write access.
***So my question is with the way he is describing it, how is it different from a wiki? I'm thinking money.***
Rick has a libguide for his presentation found at http://libguides.missouriwestern.edu/mobiuspre
***I really think that this presentation would be better if they could have divded out the information instead of trying to put all this info into one presentation. Five different presenters from three different schools, all talking about something different. The only similarity is that they are talking about LibGuides.***
LibGuide - predesigned website librarians can update easily can include RSS feeds, embedded chats, Delicious tag clouds, embedded video, student feedback, polls, etc.
Chris LeBeau - uses LibGuides first as classroom instruction and then for reference help. Students know what content they want, but not necessarily a specific item. Uses tabs on her libguide for organization purposes. Presenter is giving good information, but really specific to what she is doing - business resources. Study - average student only asks .1 question in class, teachers only ask 3 questions. On a one to one basis students will ask far more questions. On her libguide gives an area a way for students to ask questions after the class.
***Good idea to use for my bibliographic instruction classes.***
This presenter created a Q&A page with questions asked after the class.
Rebecca Power - Embedding the library, can embed a LibGuides widget into Blackboard.
***This is something that I would love to do to give students more information about the library and librarian. Students could have this at home when they are doing research. I am still thinking that I would like to go to their classes so they can see the "face" of the library. But what a great way to connect to the students where they are.***
Jaleh Fazelian and Melissa Vetter - Assessing LibGuides. Are students and faculty really using them? They compared their web based guides to their LibGuides. The overall usage of LibGuides increased exponentially in a year's time. Why? Link to guides better situated on newly redesigned home page, promotion of LibGuides, push to advertise in all areas, links in email signatures. Besides looking at stats, interviewed faculty and grad and undergrad students to see how they liked/used the guides.
Best quote from Jaleh Fazelian "It's not about what we [librarians] want, it is about what they [students] want." Amen sister.
Rick Dyson - started LibGuides in 2007, uses it for subject guides and course guides. What else can they be used for? Currently they have over 40 public guides. Non-traditional guides include special collections, library documents, faculty services, and guidelines for library exhibits.
***side not to my Bolivar colleagues, would be good to have one for the Author Series. ***
Private guides include policy and procedures for staff. Staff can not only access but have write access.
***So my question is with the way he is describing it, how is it different from a wiki? I'm thinking money.***
Rick has a libguide for his presentation found at http://libguides.missouriwestern.edu/mobiuspre
***I really think that this presentation would be better if they could have divded out the information instead of trying to put all this info into one presentation. Five different presenters from three different schools, all talking about something different. The only similarity is that they are talking about LibGuides.***
Mobius Conference - Embedded Librarian
I am sitting at the first session entitle the Embedded Librarian - hoping to learn new and great things. The speaker is Brian Vetruba, Catalog librarian from Washington University in St. Louis. Right now technical difficulties with the presentation.
Presentation started - via webcast
Started in 2006 holding "office hours" - Official office hours at Main Library underutilized office located off-campus. Departmental lectures and social events became "office hours"
Becoming Embedded
-Regular office hours in convenient setting
-Problem was finding space and computer could use
-2 to 2.5 hours a week in the Dept.
Advertise and Be Visible
-Email, newsletter, signs
-Don't stay put in your office
-Strategically walk the halls
-Strike up conversations with faculty and students
Informal conversations can be productive
Results--Personal touch back into librarianship
***My thoughts is that this is a great idea when you are at a large university, you really need to have that interaction with the faculty and students to find their needs. I was hoping for more information on how to do this virtually which he has not discussed.***
Benefits
-Convenience
-being seen will prompt questions
-good pr for library
-market other services
-collegiality with faculty
Drawbacks/Challenges
-commitment of time
-no print resources available
-space at dept.'s whim
***I'm still thinking that there is a better way to do outreach to other dept.'s and students. In our world of the social web, it would be better to hold virtual office hours. I understand wanting to be "seen" but why not "go" where the students are...Facebook, MySpace, chat, etc. Just saying.***
Suggestions
-have relationship established with dept. beforehand
-walk the halls, meet people
***Presenter is good, but the presentation was not really what I expected. In other words there was good information, but really nothing pertained to what I would be doing in my job.***
Presentation started - via webcast
Started in 2006 holding "office hours" - Official office hours at Main Library underutilized office located off-campus. Departmental lectures and social events became "office hours"
Becoming Embedded
-Regular office hours in convenient setting
-Problem was finding space and computer could use
-2 to 2.5 hours a week in the Dept.
Advertise and Be Visible
-Email, newsletter, signs
-Don't stay put in your office
-Strategically walk the halls
-Strike up conversations with faculty and students
Informal conversations can be productive
Results--Personal touch back into librarianship
***My thoughts is that this is a great idea when you are at a large university, you really need to have that interaction with the faculty and students to find their needs. I was hoping for more information on how to do this virtually which he has not discussed.***
Benefits
-Convenience
-being seen will prompt questions
-good pr for library
-market other services
-collegiality with faculty
Drawbacks/Challenges
-commitment of time
-no print resources available
-space at dept.'s whim
***I'm still thinking that there is a better way to do outreach to other dept.'s and students. In our world of the social web, it would be better to hold virtual office hours. I understand wanting to be "seen" but why not "go" where the students are...Facebook, MySpace, chat, etc. Just saying.***
Suggestions
-have relationship established with dept. beforehand
-walk the halls, meet people
***Presenter is good, but the presentation was not really what I expected. In other words there was good information, but really nothing pertained to what I would be doing in my job.***
Monday, March 16, 2009
Staying up to date
Well, I said that I was going to do better at keeping everyone up to date, but I haven't. Everyone should check out my blog at: http://hollithelibrarygirl.blogspot.com/. This blog is updated at least once a week and it allows you to see what I am currently doing in regards to new technologies in the library field. It may be a good idea to keep posted because I am hoping that you will see some of these technologies used here in the near future.
Next week is Spring Break and I am ready for the break. I will be on vacation next week and the library will have shortened hours. They will be posted on the door of the library today, but I will go ahead and post them here first.
Monday the 23rd - Closed
Tuesday the 24th through Thursday the 26th - 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday the 27th 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
I hope that you all can make it through this week and have a great Spring Break!
Next week is Spring Break and I am ready for the break. I will be on vacation next week and the library will have shortened hours. They will be posted on the door of the library today, but I will go ahead and post them here first.
Monday the 23rd - Closed
Tuesday the 24th through Thursday the 26th - 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday the 27th 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
I hope that you all can make it through this week and have a great Spring Break!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I can't believe it has been a year!
I can't believe that it has been a year since my last blog entry. A lot has happened in that year with birth of my daughter, and the changes in the curriculum here at the Springfield campus. I am hoping to continue my blog and keep everyone up to date about what is going on in the library.
I am currently working on a class that is titled "Learning 2.0: The 13 Things." Basically I am learning about web 2.0 technologies and how to incorporate them into the library. My first assignment is to create a blog. Well guess what? I already have a blog that I just haven't used in a long time. So here I am posting to my blog once more.
What I would like to learn from you the student, or faculty is what types of technologies do you think the library should incorporate? Perhaps podcasts, RSS feeds, wikis, etc. Maybe there is something that I haven't thought of. I welcome all suggestions and feedback.
I am currently working on a class that is titled "Learning 2.0: The 13 Things." Basically I am learning about web 2.0 technologies and how to incorporate them into the library. My first assignment is to create a blog. Well guess what? I already have a blog that I just haven't used in a long time. So here I am posting to my blog once more.
What I would like to learn from you the student, or faculty is what types of technologies do you think the library should incorporate? Perhaps podcasts, RSS feeds, wikis, etc. Maybe there is something that I haven't thought of. I welcome all suggestions and feedback.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)