Thing 2

Today I finally registered for the cpd23 programme  - if you read my last post you'll know I started this process a little late, and I have some catching up to do. I started to investigate other blogs, though I've not yet visited as many as I'd like. I even posted a comment, which is a first for me, and I'm sure I will continue to actively partcipate like this as I get around to visiting more blogs. I do generally read blogs (it is just the commenting bit that is relatively new), and I frequently find them interesting and useful. I think investigating blogs as part of the cpd23 process has encouraged me to read the blogs of librarians working in other sectors. This is particularly useful as I'm undertaking voluntary work in sectors I've not previously worked in (health/academic libraries), so reading about the experiences of library staff working in these sectors will help me to develop my understanding further. Also, just the experience of creating a blog has been interesting, as it is something I've never done before. Overall, I'm really glad that I've learnt more about blogs, as I'm sure this knowledge will be useful in the future. Thing 2 has definitely encouraged me to participate more, and this is something I hope to do more of over the coming weeks.

Thing 1

I'm possibly a few days late starting this whole thing. I did worry that it was too late, but in the end I felt I should stop deliberating and give it a go - after all, better late than never! I'm a new blogger - so if this starts off boring and rambling, bear with me and hopefully I'll improve as I go along!

So, a bit about me and why I decided to (finally) join in:

I completed a MA Librarianship course at the University of Sheffield in September 2010. I've been applying for professional librarian jobs ever since, but I've not yet been successful. In the meantime, I'm working as part-time Library Assistant in a public library; I have worked there for 3 years 8 months, and I do really love my job! I also have a part-time admin job in another department within the same Local Authority. I also fit in voluntary work around my jobs; I volunteer in various libraries, including an academic and hospital library. These roles are giving me the opportunity to communicate with and learn from experienced librarians, and are enabling me to gain the professional experience that so many posts require.

Though I am becoming more and more involved with libraries based in my local area, I do feel like I need to engage with online communities more; I tend to read and observe things, rather than actively participate. I hope that taking part in cpd23 will provide me with the opportunity to change this. Also, I feel like there is definitely room to develop my knowledge/skills in the areas of social media and technology etc. With this in mind, the things I am most looking forward to are:

Thing 4 (week 3) - Current awareness
Thing 6 (week 5) - Online Networks

And as I'm still job hunting, I think Thing 22 (week 15 - Promoting yourself in job applications...) will also be really useful.

In general, the whole cpd23 programme will prompt reflection, and this is something I am looking forward to. Reflective writing was part of the MA course that I did; I found it to be a valuable experience then, and it is something I hope to continue with throughout my career.