Thing 23 (yes!): Making it all work together

I tried to add social media to Flipboard. I failed. I put the app on my tablet but I couldn't find the 4 squares. I also checked online how to do it but I clicked into everything and couldn't find what I was supposed to. So I then tried Hootsuite. Success. It was hard and a pain to set up and all, but I did it. It has access to some Facebook accounts and Twitter. I clicked on the owl and went as if to send a message but I didn't actually send one - it was just for the practice. I don't think I would use these tools in my job because it's a small library and patrons generally phone or email. However, I might use them - or they may be more useful for - event planning outside of work. Plus, we never know where our path may take us and where they may be just what we need!

Thing 22: Mobile Things

The app I'm going to blog about is Hello Brain. It gives you an activity to do every day - I think for 100 days - to improve your brian health. In our journal club in work we had a talk about Hello Brain. I'm on the journal club committee and heard a colleague talking about it and asked her to give a talk. It was very interesting. In doing the hello brain challenge with the app different parts of your brain are put to work. All the categories improve your brain health. Some of the challenges involve doing something physical, some are about doing something social, they may be about getting your memory working (learning something off). I was doing well at it until my phone stopped working and until Rudaí 23 took over. But I can go back to it! I have done many of them. They included share a funny story with a colleague or learn the words of a song off by heart and go and do some exercise etc. I would recommend this to everyone and hopefully we will have healthy brains as we age!

We don't have a beacon in our library. I think it's good to have a screen in a library with the day's events on it like they have (or at least had) in Tallaght Library. I do think reminding people of books due back by phone is a good idea. I text my users who are not on the email system if they have books that are overdue.

I never did learn about Zotero so from that perspective I think 23 Mobile Things would be useful.

Thing 21: Creating Info-Graphics

I have twice made infographics. I used Piktochart. I used them for library stats. However, I didn't send them out as the stats are quite low. I don't believe they actually reflect the work of the library. As with most statistics, there's more than meets the eye. I made the 2nd one only in the last week or so. It's fun to make them! I was going to include it in my Library Ireland Week mail

out but have been cautioned against it. This is it - with the numbers removed. The space at the top is deliberate as I was cropping it off. I would like to do an infographic instead of my traditional Word annual report as I think it might be easier to read at a glance.

I had an infographic from Australia displayed in the library for a while. It described how much health librarians really save money. This is it. http://www.alia.org.au/sites/default/files/images/Worth-Every-Cent-and-More-INFOGRAPHIC.png However it didn't print out in a straightforward manner. I had to shrink it down a lot.

Thing 20: Presentations

This is a presentation which I gave in 2013. I'm fortunate that the HSLG committee have it up on Slildeshare. http://www.slideshare.net/hslgcommittee/community-based-bookclubs-grace-hillis-hslg-conference-2013

In reality, I didn't use these slides on the day. Instead I only used 4 slides and they would not have been suitable for sharing online as they were only to supplement me telling the story.

I am fortunate to have a friend who both worked in HR and is a positive psychologist. She knows all about giving a good presentation. She helped me turn my fairly boring and mediocre presentation into one I am proud of.

Instead of talking at the audience she really got me to engage with them. The presentation was a lightening one (5 minutes) at the HSLG annual conference. It was about a book club for people with intellectual disability that took place in community locations such as cafes. So how my friend got me to start was by asking who in the audience is in a book club. I then described possible difficulties for people with intellectual disability to be in such a club. This, hopefully, helped the audience connect with the topic. I gave examples of how specific individuals (my friend really emphasised the need for me to do this - to personalise it) benefited from participating in the club, and I demonstrated a piece of assistive technology used by some of the members. Please note that I was very conscious of protecting the identities of the book club members and so was careful about what I said.

One librarian who was a student at the time praised the presentation in her student blog. I was so happy when I accidentally came across it online.

I was comfortable with my topic and I had practiced my speech with a good friend and I was pleased with my delivery on the day. Actually, I arrived late to the conference because the "talking pen" prop needed new batteries and the maintenance team in work helped me out. I would advise people to ensure any props are working before the day of the event! And while it wasn't nice to be told my presentation needed to be changed a lot it did pay off in the end.

Thing 19: The Legal Side of Things

My next task is to:

• Write a blog post about the possibilities/issues/concerns which this post has raised for you regarding the content you have personally created in this course. 

It doesn't get any easier, and time is running out! I am conscious about my responsibilities so I think I am ok. I can't answer this so I will try the alternative:

• Write a blog post about a website (other than Pixabay, Flickr or Opsound) which offers Creative Commons or Public Domain content and what it has to offer information professionals. Discuss how easy, or difficult, you found it to use and any issues you encountered in applying the necessary attributions. 

I know of one website: https://openclipart.org/

Information professionals can use the images for work documents like posters or newsletters. The images are limited. It's not going to have everything you want. No attribution is required. My best friend told me about it. When I was involved in producing a magazine there was an issue with using public domain images (or not using them more like!) and she suggested this site. 

Now to find another site: http://library.pnca.edu/images/creativecommons. I will try  

http://openphoto.net/  There are pretty photos such as of flowers and when you click into the image it tells you how to attribute it. &copy; <a href="http://mike.openphoto.net/gallery/">Michael Jastremski</a> for <a href="http://openphoto.net/gallery/image/view/6385">openphoto.net</a> 

Books: &copy; <a href="http://sarabbit.openphoto.net/gallery/">Sarah Klockars-Clauser</a> for <a href="http://openphoto.net/gallery/image/view/22454">openphoto.net</a>

Thing 18: Communicating Through Photographs

This is a photo of Dun Laoghaire Public Library. It took me an awful long time to find it and especially to upload it. I'm just not used to it. I felt like giving up, and also like going onto Facebook for help. I Googled my questions and eventually it worked. I didn't know where my photo had saved to. Eventually I calmed down and followed the path and noted the numbers and found it and uploaded it. I have no idea how I would use Flikr in my libraries. There is a website with 31 ways but the internet is being slow so I can't view it yet. Ok, now it's working. https://www.webjunction.org/documents/webjunction/31_Flavors_045_Things_to_Do_With_Flickr_in_Libraries.html I guess I could use Flikr to show images to do with Library Ireland Week and also rare books.

Now I've joined and done the Instagram task. We had to find some libraries and make some comments. I was saddened to see a photo of a dead fox (actually 2) on the RCSI page. I couldn't bear to look to see the context. I commented on 2 libraries' pages which I think were both in the US. One was owls made by children in an art class and the other was of card catalogues used as decor in a teenager section. But that's neither here nor there. The important thing is I eventually managed to use Instagram and complete the task.

It took me a long time to do the task because I couldn't find where to search for people on Instagram for ages and also it was asking me for a username and password and I selected to reset my password - however, I'd signed up through Facebook. I don't know how I got there in the end but it eventually worked.

I'm doing this to see the course through to completion. I've seen Instagram on people's Facebook so it's nice to know a little more about it now. I don't know how I could use it in my library though. Well I could post things but I wonder would people engage with them, or what would be the point. In a way these things are nice but kind of a waste of time.

Thing 17: Reflective Practice

I am on Thing 17 and it's getting harder. Standards are rising. We now have to reflect deeper. I now have to write about how I can use reflective practice in my library experience or look back at my previous blog entries and choose one to rewrite. I really don't want to have to look back at old posts and redo one so I will think about reflective practice in my library experience. I remember years ago the nursing students on placement had to do a lot on reflection. I'm sure they still do. Now it's my turn. This is waffle though as I don't know what to say.

Well I did use some reflective practice in work recently. I am involved in HEAR - a health sciences librarians' publication. I did email my colleagues with things I would do differently if editing (or in this case co-editing) again.

I have also recently looked at my service plan and what I haven't done. I have also reflected on how I could have engaged with staff who are not on the email system. I think the answer would have been to request notifications of new staff and to send them information on the library by internal post.

I am trying to organise some things for Library Ireland Week. I will have the chance to reflect on them. I emailed a key member of management and invited them to answer questions like Who is your favourite author? Have you ever written a book/would you like to? My motivation is to provide something interesting for LIW but also I want to engage with that person and have them as a library champion. They may well say something negative or nothing at all. My thinking was I've nothing to lose. I sent my questions to my library volunteer but she didn't reply and I also sent them to a colleague in another library. I did think about it but then in the end I just sent them, for better or worse.

Thing 16: Collaboration Tools

As a solo librarian, I'm all for collaboration! It is great to be reminded that it is an important part of our job / skill set and that we are very good at it!

For the task I added a suggestion to the Google doc. It was a surprise to see it is in Latin. It was fun to read all the comments. I posted that I liked someone's comment. She said she enjoyed using all the tools with the other librarians (or something along those lines). She is sad the course is nearing the end. While I don't feel sad I do like feeling I am part of something much greater than being a solo librarian struggling to survive as one!

I have used Doddle meeting poles before. I may have even created them. This is in my volunteering with the Vegetarian Society of Ireland, and also with We Share Dublin.

I don't know if I would use Google documents in work. It's not a bad idea. I recently sent my library volunteer (I am so lucky to have her) draft documents in the body of emails. I guess I could try Google docs next time. Also, I am on a committee called Information Transformation and we could possibly use it there.

Thing 15: Advocacy for Libraries

Today I have to look at websites that give examples of advocacy.

First up is UK website "Voices for the library". I liked reading "Two days in a librarian's life". The TV companies getting in touch is exciting!

Next up is http://www.librarycampaign.com/tell-it-like-it-is. I found a part saying: Fed up with the ‘libraries are irrelevant’ brigade? (oh yes I am!). And it has a video showing that going to the library is the most popular place to visit in the UK. 

The 3rd one is this one: http://speakupforlibraries.org/ It's a nice bright website. The Speak up for Libraries alliance is encouraging people to make public libraries an election issue. My first thought is who do the librarians think they are? It's not a real issue. But maybe they do have a point. There is a bit on volunteer-run libraries. Now, I've used volunteers in addition to me. It's really not good enough. However, I find it stressful to fight to prove our value, and am highly tempted to go Fine. You win. I'll get an office job and go quietly (and stress-free) into the corner to my computer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgkUZylvsP0&feature=youtu.be This is a video called Libraries Change Lives. I'm being cynical but I think that the things it's talking about can be achieved with a laptop at home and going to Meetups. But a TedTalk came on after which truly showed the value of public libraries, with a boy using it during a time his family were essentially homeless. So perhaps there is some value in public libraries! They have community gardens at their libraries! They get to know their neighbours and that's as important as learning how to grow their veg!

Ooh, this is great http://www.ilovelibraries.org/sites/default/files/Jessica_Holmes_nomination.pdf. A school librarian who was nominated as teacher of the year by her colleagues!!


I think advocacy is incredibly important for libraries. I created a poster which was distributed as a HSLG conference. It was an advocacy poster. I launched it by being in a photo with my boss. The campaign fell flat though. I think the best advocacy is doing your job well and people thinking to refer you to others.

Thing 14: Augmented Reality

This task is new to me, and it's hard. I used Aurasma Studio for the task. However, I misunderstood how to use it and it's only after watching a YouTube video that I get it now. I had put one photo on top of another but no, it doesn't really work like that. You need to photo something that other people will see and will be able to use with their Aurasma app. The app doesn't seem to work on my tablet so I'm going to look into the alternative options for this task.

One link didn't work for me but I've watched this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaczBAfdRns. It's great! A guy used an app to get to the exact location of the book he was looking for. It's called LibrARi. Handy for students!

And phew, all this caused my laptop to crash but blogger saved my post as a draft so I don't have to rewrite it! :-)

Thing 13: Professional Organisations

I'm a member of the Health Sciences Libraries Group of the LAI. I've learned useful things at conferences like to include a table of contents in your library newsletter and to paste abstracts into emails before forwarding people the article. There is a really good ListServ where we can post questions. I've got to know many people through the group. I've got to give a lightening presentation at a conference.

Rudaí 12: Conferences

I went to "From Abstract to Audience" on Friday 2 October 2015 in the National Library of Ireland.

I applied for approval for the time to attend. I paid the €20 myself, as I knew all funding had been allocated for 2015.

I was interested in joining the CPD committee and made this known to the first person I met. She introduced me to committee members. I knew several people from the Health Sciences Libraries Group. I spoke to someone new. She looked young and was a student. I said hi when we were in the line for tea and asked her where she's based. She got talking to another person (that I knew) by standing close to me. They are both interested in biometrics, whatever that is. Oh, and one of the Health people introduced me to her neighbour who it just so happens I'd be corresponding with by email recently - through Rudaí 23 - so it was lovely to meet her in person.

I used the programme to write my notes.

I don't know what I would do differently.

In case the organisers of the conference read this I would like to commend you for how well those with a dietary requirement were catered for. All our dietary requirement meals were clearly labelled on one side of the room whereas all the other sandwiches were on the other side. Fantastic, and drama-free. :-)

Rudaí 11: Time to Reflect

I'm way behind but I'm happy with how I'm managing my time on this course. Last week I finished proofreading a thesis for a friend and up until today we had no internet at home for over a week, so this course went on the back burner. I'm getting there. It was great to chat about it at From abstract to audience on Friday. It's a nice way for librarians to connect.

Thing 10: live streaming

My devices weren't compatible with Periscope (owned by Twitter) so I had to do a live stream! Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiX2umRIFJ4 I talked about what I know! It's a Hangout On Air. I missed the Rudaí 23 one so I had to do my own in order to complete the task. I'm quite pleased with myself really, though I'd rather if I didn't look so tired. What can you do!

I don't know if I'd use this in work. In my new contract post I have to do up a survey. When I learn more about what people want I'll get more of a sense of the answer to this question. In my permanent part-time post I doubt I would use it. I'm happy to know about it though.

And finally... I had to watch a sample video. I watched a TedX talk from Tallaght Library. The message was find your passion and you won't have to work, dream big, get into your working pants and then you can decide whether to climb Everest or not - if a dream is too big, break it down in to smaller steps.

Thing 9: Videos

Today was the day! This is the video: https://youtu.be/wJ9SZs0GXCE

I was quite apprehensive about this task, as it seemed so difficult. I've wanted to make videos though. I used Screencast-O-Matic as recommended. You couldn't hear me speak due to some volume issue so on YouTube I used a song in the background and wrote in subtitles. I'm glad to know how to do this. You can achieve a lot when you put your mind to it.

If doing it again I'd make it shorter and have shorter subtitles. Also, I need to edit a subtitle but I don't know how!

Thing 8: Pinterest

I use Pinterest in my library and personally. It's handy when you come across a good website and want to remember it. I liked reading the Global Librarian's Flipboard page. I created my own magazine. It was not in the least bit library-related. Also, I only let myself read one of the articles! I hadn't heard of Flipboard before. The thing is, though, I lost my cover article. It was about an animal sanctuary in Japan, I think.

Thing 7: Podcasts

Today we had to focus on podcasts. We were supposed to listen to one. I listened to the first part of 2. I just wasn't interested. I do listen to podcasts on Today FM though.

Thing 6: other people's blogs

I looked at a few people's blogs. Decided which ones to look at based on the title! There are so many blogs. Big interest in the course. I loved the stories of how people got into librarianship. Someone is working in a public library down the road. I'd love that!

Thing 5: Facebook & Twitter

We had to learn about Facebook and Twitter this time round. I am a big fan of Facebook. As a vegan it keeps me in touch with the vegan and vegetarian communities. We share tips about products and about dining out and other things. I joined the Rudaí 23 page and followed Rudaí 23 on Twitter. The community is so welcoming. I applied for a job today which involves using social media. I mentioned Rudaí 23 in my application. I'm glad to be doing this course and connecting with other librarians.

Thing 4: Google Hangout

For Rudaí 4 I had to try Google Hangout. First I updated my google profile by adding a photo and some interests. Then it was time to use Hangout. I added my boyfriend and we had a video chat. I found it tricky to use because when I would go onto a different website and go back I had to then find the video again. The really funny thing was he was able to add some cartoon images to his face so there was the "professor" look followed by the "large mustache" look. So my homework was done!

Thing 3: My professional brand

For Thing 3 of Rudaí 23 I had to log in to LinkedIn. I admit I took the easy approach and didn't make many changes (I'm fortunate to already have an account which I did update fairly recently). I uploaded a new photo though. I joined the Rudaí 23 group and introduced myself. I looked at the pages of the Rudaí 23 organisers. I really liked the page of one of them who works in a public library. She runs a read aloud book club for adults with intellectual disabilities. I do something similar so I followed her on Twitter and sent her a Tweet. My brand is about health sciences libraries and about people and as a (n activist/active?) vegan I kind of want to include that too. I like to organise events in the library world and in the veggie/vegan world and that is part of my brand.

Thing 2: Why I became a librarian

I like libraries. People always assume I like books. Yeah, books are good but for me it's about people. I like library spaces and people. When I joined a public library at age 14 I was really happy. It was exciting to pick out loads of books to bring home and read. In 5th year in secondary school I signed up to be a library prefect. I had to tell my peers to "Shuush". Apart from that I got to check in and out their books and do a bit of shelving. In college I learned you can apply for a summer job in the Dublin public libraries. I got a job in Dublin City Council and got bitten by the library bug. I just really enjoyed the atmosphere and the fact that different things happen depending on the time of year. Every day most definitely wasn't the same. I really wanted to work in public libraries but haven't done so since. I decided to become a professionally qualified librarian because I felt like returning to study and thought it would be easier to do so now (in 2003) than later. I worked in offices after that but then said Right, it's time to apply for library jobs. I thought I'd work as a library assistant for a few years but the job I got was as a part-time health sciences librarian and the rest is history. Or at least evolving. As librarians we are constantly evolving.