#blogjune has been great. I've reflected (on old content), written (new content) , reinvigorated (some online channels) and retired (other online channels).
I've just looked at my week ahead (busy), and my remaining list of blog post ideas (minimal), and have decided to finish my 2017 #blogjune journey here.
I'm glad I've done it! It really has helped me to learn, and to set new habits, expectations and work behaviors. As a professional development activity, it's been a success for me. I'm looking forward to reading everyone else's posts for the remaining week of June, and ongoing after that.
See you online soon...!
Friday, June 23, 2017
Thursday, June 22, 2017
From customer to colleague, mentor to friend - How one librarian inspires me
My life as a librarian has been influenced and made immeasurably better by a man who started as a customer, became a colleague, then a mentor, and is now a friend. I owe a significant debt of gratitude to Ron Store for setting the benchmark of what librarians can achieve, when they choose to serve their community and colleagues with heart and dedication.
Ron started as a customer in my library. I was a library assistant in small public library in Ayr, a rural town in North Queensland. Ron would sit and work while his daughter competed at Eisteddfods in the theatre next door. I then became a customer of Ron’s library. As an undergraduate library student studying by distance education, I often drove an hour to Townsville, to use the resources of the James Cook University Library, where Ron was the Deputy Director. He helped me with a research question one day, and when Ron found out I was studying librarianship, he took a keen interest in my study and provided valuable advice.
My first permanent role as a qualified librarian saw me supervising Ron. He had retired from JCU Library, and was enjoying casual work as a reference librarian at Thuringowa Library Services, a public library. The role was reversed within a year, when Ron was appointed manager of the library in a job-share arrangement. For the next seven years Ron was a source of inspiration, guidance, counsel and innovation as I found my feet as a librarian. His leadership style shaped my own. His constant encouragement to reflect, write and share work experiences led me to undertake practitioner research, write for local and professional publications, present at library conferences, and undertake an international travel scholarship. His deep knowledge and respect of local heritage collections, and his desire to have them visible, used and valued, has also shaped my professional practice. It seemed that Ron had thought deeply, studied and possibly written about most library topics, big or small. Digital services, children’s literature, library signage, furniture, scholarly publishing, services to distance students, customer service, governance, library building design and more, were all areas of expertise. Above all, Ron’s focus on the community we serve will resonate with me for the rest of my life.
With Ron retired (again), we keep in touch with regular conversations over lunch. Work and libraries dominate, and as our relationship has evolved from colleague to mentor to friend, Ron continues to inspire me with his insight, wit and generosity.
Ron’s work as a librarian was recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2011, and he is listed on the ALIA Honours Board. His extensive written contribution to the profession is indexed in databases and archived in publications, and if our librarian colleagues continue to do their jobs well, his written words will live forever. Those words won’t be a match for the living example of librarianship and service that Ron has demonstrated to me and many others, and is the reason why I pay tribute to Ron Store in ALIA’s 80th year.
Ron started as a customer in my library. I was a library assistant in small public library in Ayr, a rural town in North Queensland. Ron would sit and work while his daughter competed at Eisteddfods in the theatre next door. I then became a customer of Ron’s library. As an undergraduate library student studying by distance education, I often drove an hour to Townsville, to use the resources of the James Cook University Library, where Ron was the Deputy Director. He helped me with a research question one day, and when Ron found out I was studying librarianship, he took a keen interest in my study and provided valuable advice.
My first permanent role as a qualified librarian saw me supervising Ron. He had retired from JCU Library, and was enjoying casual work as a reference librarian at Thuringowa Library Services, a public library. The role was reversed within a year, when Ron was appointed manager of the library in a job-share arrangement. For the next seven years Ron was a source of inspiration, guidance, counsel and innovation as I found my feet as a librarian. His leadership style shaped my own. His constant encouragement to reflect, write and share work experiences led me to undertake practitioner research, write for local and professional publications, present at library conferences, and undertake an international travel scholarship. His deep knowledge and respect of local heritage collections, and his desire to have them visible, used and valued, has also shaped my professional practice. It seemed that Ron had thought deeply, studied and possibly written about most library topics, big or small. Digital services, children’s literature, library signage, furniture, scholarly publishing, services to distance students, customer service, governance, library building design and more, were all areas of expertise. Above all, Ron’s focus on the community we serve will resonate with me for the rest of my life.
With Ron retired (again), we keep in touch with regular conversations over lunch. Work and libraries dominate, and as our relationship has evolved from colleague to mentor to friend, Ron continues to inspire me with his insight, wit and generosity.
Ron’s work as a librarian was recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2011, and he is listed on the ALIA Honours Board. His extensive written contribution to the profession is indexed in databases and archived in publications, and if our librarian colleagues continue to do their jobs well, his written words will live forever. Those words won’t be a match for the living example of librarianship and service that Ron has demonstrated to me and many others, and is the reason why I pay tribute to Ron Store in ALIA’s 80th year.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Leadership & Management podcasts you would recommend …
Still inspired by Ruth's post about Management books you would recommend, I'm on the hunt for podcasts about leadership and management that you would recommend.
I've realised I have more time to listen to podcasts than reading, and thought I could add a few recommended ones to my list. I don't have any to recommend myself yet, just starting down this road.
I did try an episode of HBR IdeaCast, and I'll try a couple more of this one.
I've realised I have more time to listen to podcasts than reading, and thought I could add a few recommended ones to my list. I don't have any to recommend myself yet, just starting down this road.
I did try an episode of HBR IdeaCast, and I'll try a couple more of this one.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Inspired by Ferris Bueller, reflections on #blogjune so far
Day 20! Two thirds through #blogjune 2017.
I started with a vague notion that I should do 'something' to reinvigorate my professional reading, thinking and writing, and #blogjune seemed like a way to go!
Inspired by Ferris Bueller, I thought it was time to 'stop and look around once in a while...' :-)
I started with a vague notion that I should do 'something' to reinvigorate my professional reading, thinking and writing, and #blogjune seemed like a way to go!
Inspired by Ferris Bueller, I thought it was time to 'stop and look around once in a while...' :-)
- I'm proud that I've managed to post everyday. Granted, a lot of posts have been fillers or reposts, but I've stuck with the schedule of posting something daily, in order to reestablish some positive, regular habits.
- It's been rewarding looking back at favourite or significant social media posts and old accounts, reminding me of the value of trying new online tools, and recording thoughts and experiences online somewhere.
- I've really enjoyed using Twitter again, to follow conferences and workshops, and to reconnect with a regular source of current writing and opinions about my professional interests.
- Networking and conversations via Twitter and blog comments has been missed. Once again, I'm committing to establishing new habits of staying in touch with my online colleagues.
- I've enjoyed writing, although there has been only one post of decent content so far, but another is scheduled. It is such a valuable exercise for reflecting on my own skills, knowledge and experience. I've just discovered that ALIA has some good Reflective Learning Resources for members, which I'm keen to use. I have submitted two short pieces of writing for consideration to other platforms.
- I've been inspired to register as a mentor for the ALIA Mentoring Scheme - applications are due this Friday 23rd June!
Thanks to those folks who have visited and commented, or simply favourited a tweet, it means a lot!
Monday, June 19, 2017
Some of the cool things my library does - part 3
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday our Multicultural project officer, Geri Crouch, and volunteers, help refugee and migrant secondary students with their schooling. Check out some of their stories.
https://www.facebook.com/CityLibrariesTownsville/videos/1316244291793450/
https://www.facebook.com/CityLibrariesTownsville/videos/1316244291793450/
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Some of the cool things my library does - part 2
Movie night at Thuringowa library was one of the many highlights for Summer Reading Club members earlier this year. Thanks to MagnetiCon - Townsville Pop Culture Convention cosplayers for contributing wonder and inspiration for the kids (and parents and staff!)
https://www.facebook.com/CityLibrariesTownsville/videos/1236364413114772/
https://www.facebook.com/CityLibrariesTownsville/videos/1236364413114772/
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Some of the cool things my library does - part 1
Nikki shares her experiences delivering early childhood programs in the Townsville Women's Correctional Centre for mothers and their children.
https://www.facebook.com/CityLibrariesTownsville/videos/1186142484803632/
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