Thing 6 - Social Networks - A Profersonal Approach

I try and limit my use of Facebook because I’ve found it’s easy to be sucked into the world of online chat, particularly, when Facebook sends you those little emails alerting you when someone has updated their page. I’ve always been careful about what I say online and wouldn’t be ashamed if my employer did check. I often use the Facebook links on a webpage to 'share' a library related article or website with colleagues, meaning the line between personal and profession is often blurred.

The‘Voices For The Library’ (http://www.facebook.com/voicesforthelibrary) Facebook page is definitely worth a visit. Whatever you think about Facebook; it remains the most well known and popular social networking site and therefore has huge potential as a marketing tool. 

I’ve not used LinkedIn before. It gives the impression of being a very formal professional network where you promote your CV. I don’t think I’m important enough to have a LinkedIn profile and so have decided to look into some of the other professional networks.

The LISNPN network seems both more 'friendly' and informal and is, I feel, better suited to new professionals like me. Furthermore, one of my Barnet Library colleagues has just registered and we’ll be able to keep in touch. The LISNPN discussion pages seem very lively and informative. I’ve created a profile and introduced myself. I’ll definitely be using LISNPN as part of my CPD.

Thing 5 - Reflections on Self-Reflection

I have never used self-reflective writing or self-reflective practice in either my work or study. I touched on the topic when researching my dissertationon library staff training, but never explored it in much depth.

I realised that I needed to do a lot of reading on the topic of self-reflective practice in order to understand both the benefits and pitfalls of the process. I would say I'm self-critical rather than self-reflective and I need to develop the skill of self-reflective writing. I think it is important to define what is meant by the term 'self-reflective writing' and so I refer to Moon's (2007) explanation of 'self-reflective writing' as: "Description, but it is focused, with particular aspects accentuated for reflective comment. Shows some analysis, some selfquestioning".
I will use a simple framework for my self-reflection and have decided that Rolfe's (2001) three questions: 

• What?
• So What?
• What now?

will enable me to grasp the lessons from a situation and proactively apply what I have learnt. Furthermore, I will make use of the feedback loop to make the process of self-reflection more constructive. Artherton (2011) highlights that self-reflection is in danger of becoming 'self-justification' without the constructive feedback from a peer or mentor. 


It was interesting reading the comments on this topic from other CPD23 bloggers. I agree that self-reflection is a private matter and each person has their own preferred method. I have also found writing a self-reflective blog post to be quite 
challenging. However, I won't be abandoning the process because I can envision a future payoff for developing this skill.
I aim to continue with blogging after I complete CPD23. Hopefully, by then I will have developed my writing skills and will be able to write more creatively and insightfully. I would like to contribute to the ideas stream and blogging could be a way of doing this.




Atherton J S (2011) Learning and Teaching; Critical Reflection [On-line: UK] retrieved 22 November 2011 from http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/critical1.htm

J.Moon, Getting the measure of reflection: Considering matters of definition and depth, Journal of
Radiotherapy in Practice 6(4) (2007), 191–200.

Rolfe G, Freshwater D, Jasper M. Critical Reflection in Nursing and the Helping Professions: a User’s Guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan; 2001 

Thing 4 - Tweets and Things

I was a bit of a Twitter sceptic and came to it with a number of misconceptions. Admittedly, I had no
previous experience of it on which to base an opinion. Completing this week's 'thing' now means I am much more clued up.


I have opened my Twitter account, made my first tentative 'tweet' and reflected on the usefulness of this communication tool. I'll be using Twitter for news updates: keeping abreast of what's happening in the library world and for sharing news and ideas.


I'm pleased to have Google reader as part of my Google account. RSS feeds will also be useful for updates. However, I will to be selective in what I subscribe to. With so much possible reading material out there, the prospect of information overload looms large.

Someone will need to convince me about Pushnote. I liked Stephen Fry's cheery demonstration on the website, but how is giving something a star rating useful in a professional context? I daresay it might just be my ignorance. I have not signed up and will hold judgement on this one.

Thing 3 - What's My Brand?

This is proving a very interesting topic for me. I browse through some of the links on the 'recommended reading' section in order to get a flavour of the arguments. I want to find some different definitions of what a 'brand' is and find one which feels right for me.

I find that I agree with the following concepts

• Brand as 'reputation': http://practicallibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/05/manage-your-brand-as-librarian.html
• Merging the personal and professional: http://jasonseiden.com/the-profersonal-manifesto/
• Integrity and intent: http://hhibner.blogspot.com/2011/04/integrity-and-intent.html

I put my name in Google and am not surprised by what I find. I have so far not had an online presence.
I aim to be cautious and consistent here and am grateful to the CPD23 team for providing helpful tips.

Thing 2 - Entering the Library Blogosphere

After yesterday's reading, I have chosen a blog on which to leave comments. 

I am in general agreement with the blogger's point of view and feel I can 'connect', if this is the right word. 

I spend about 15 minutes carefully wording my comment and am rather disappointed when it fails to post. A message appears saying "waiting for comment to be approved". I must admit that I'm clueless about this. I wait, then log off and check the blog again later. Needless to say, the comment I posted is not there.

Oh well...if in doubt refer to a dummies guide. Here is the useful blog which cured my ignorance...

This is what I did.: How to comment on a blog - a beginners guide

Thing 1 - Getting Started

Here is a little bit about me..


I'm a library assistant working in a busy London library. I've worked in public libraries for seven years and can say from experience that they are diverse, interesting and challenging places to work. I always felt drawn to librarianship and feel I have made the right career choice. I am embarking on CPD23 in order to fully utilise social media in my professional practice. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together with LIS professionals from all sectors and share our knowledge and experience.

I am a keen lifelong learner, albeit, one who has gained much of their skills and knowledge on the job. Since graduating in September 2010, my aim is to progress to a management role within public libraries. I aim to use social networking to become more actively involved in library advocacy. This is, I feel, I vitally important issue for all LIS professionals as we face cutbacks in our services and the need to justify our existence/shout about what we do.


This blog is a very personal, reflective online journal which I fear might become a boring series of ramblings. I'll admit that I'm very new to blogging and social media in general. My first foray into online social networking was setting up a Facebook account last year.


My aim is to chart this steep learning curve and to become a tech savvy, 21st Century librarian. The first step was to set up this blog, which I have achieved without too much blundering. I am not sure whether blogger.com is the best tool for me and will look into the alternatives over the next few days.


The process of blog writing is clunky and laboured: a result of my rusty report writing skills and poorly developed self-reflective practice! I intend to learn from my peers and have read through some of the blogs on the 23 Things Delicious page. With hundreds of blogs to choose, I click on the those with the quirky titles first. I am very impressed by how slick and professional, interesting and informative most of these blogs are. Later on I do some more systematic reading.  It is inspiring to see how many highly intelligent, creative and dynamic individuals are contributing to our profession.