After an interesting session of ‘Research and Practice’ however, I realised that I need to become more actively involved with CILIP (of which I am a member, but very guilty of not really doing anything further than that). There were some visiting speakers, all of whom were ‘new professionals’ within the last five years or so, and if anything I felt enthused after their talk (and not at all gloomy at the prospect of trying to find a job in the future).

One of the speakers (who didn’t actually get to give her talk due to time, but participated in the Q&A session afterwards) is a committee member of the North West branch of CILIP; and she encouraged us to get involved. Furthermore, mentioned that they could do with some MMU student members on the committee.

Well, aware that I need to try to ’bumpf’ up my CV and experiences as much as possible, I emailed that very night asking to be considered for Student Rep and am toddling along to the NW CILIP committee meeting tomorrow.

I also enquired about joining the NW Career Development Group committee and heard back this weekend; will be getting involved in that too!

I am aware of the need for library advocacy at the moment more than anything, but I know that I can be shy. Thus, I thought putting myself forward for these committees (in which I can learn new skills and develop those I already have) will be a step (albeit small, in the grand scheme of things) in the right direction!

Discover your leaning style!

Well, I took said test and here are my results!

My own learning styles graph

As you can see, learners do not tend to rely on one particular type of learning; although they may lean more towards one than another. From my results you can see that I tend to be a solitary learner, closely followed by verbal and visual (and aural and logical). I am not surprised by this as from previous experiences of learning (and also professional experience) I have come to recognise personal learning strategies I tend to utilise.

The test only takes around five minutes to complete; so why not find out some of your learning styles!

I have to admit, I did leave CILIP at the beginning of year due to lack of money:- as much as I fully support CILIP and think it is, and can be, a fantastic resource for librarians and for us to show the world at large what library and information management is really about; I just couldn’t afford to stay in in that moment of time. Nevertheless, I am now a member again and have once again joined the ‘health libraries‘ and ‘career development‘ groups. I am particularly pleased about re-joining the career development group again as I felt I benefitted from it so much last time.

I decided to join BIALL as law librarianship is one of my future career options (it would be a brilliant way to put my LL.M to use!) and thought it would be a good idea to keep up on the news and issues in the legal library and information sector by joining such a professional organisation. So far, I am glad I did. I have received the most recent ’Legal Information Management’, plus back issues for this year; access to journals; and access to forums where I can keep up to date within this particular area of librarianship.

I fully believe in joining such professional organisations, not only to be able to show potential employers you are keeping up with new developments and issues: but it is a great way to network; be able to attend conferences/events for a slightly cheaper rate; and to show support for the profession I am starting out in, and don’t want to be steamrolled into obscurity by the misunderstandings of many of what libraries and information workers can and DO do.

It is just one of those things many people do naturally, without even thinking about it.

Frustratingly, I have come across heaps of stuff in the archives which is not dated. At all. And I don’t just mean minor documents such as student newsletters (most of which I have managed to date between 1970-1980); but includes university and college correspondence.

Generally speaking, this is something which would just never happen nowadays. In fact, most correspondence, newsletters, even the most scrap bits of useless paper, usually have a date on them.

Fortunately, the Archivist I work with has been here since the early years of the university, and has a fantastic memory (of people, places, dates; pretty much everything!) and has thus far managed to at least roughly guess whereabouts something should be filed. Luckily.

*****

Information and Knowledge Management

Using the idea of a “knowledge economy” (the notion that what drives activities/the economy IS knowledge), this module explores the strategies and technologies in which information and knowledge can be/are managed; and how information and knowledge themselves can have strategic roles within organisations.

I was firm on the idea of taking this module, and I am glad I did as it seems enjoyable and useful; and as far as I can see, I will be able to draw on my own previous experiences to supplement my learning.

There are five assessments throughout the year (of differing percentage towards the overall mark), the end product being a portfolio of work along with my old enemy: a presentation. We also give a presentation earlier on in the course (November) but this is not assessed. As from previous posts from my traineeship, I already know public speaking/presentations are not one of my strong points: so this is something for me to work on. I think I might look into some of the Student Support ‘Skills Online’ workshops regarding this.

The assessment topics, however, I am very much looking forward to undertaking:

• Evaluating knowledge management sources
• Knowledge tools and artifacts
• Communities of practice
• Information and knowledge management strategy and implementation
• Reflection piece

*****

Management for Information Professionals

The ‘Management’ module is an introduction to, funnily enough, management; and this includes everything from organisations and their contexts, HR, marketing to strategy and leadership. I came away from the lesson feeling interested enough to not be put off at all; but I can imagine it perhaps getting difficult as the weeks go by. But I will see; when interested in something it never seems as hard.

In this introductory lesson, we briefly ran through management theory development (classical, human relations, systems and contingency) before discussing some key management issues.

The main assessment for ‘Management’ I feel is a brilliant idea: designing a ‘Business Plan’. However, I don’t know much about it yet (we get the details in a few weeks on what it entails etc), but from the start I can imagine it to be something which will be incredibly useful to be able to do.

*****

Designing Online Learning

‘Designing Online Learning’ introduces e-learning from a theoretical point of view, and uses ‘blended learning’ (a mixture of different learning environments; e.g. classroom, computer lab, independent study etc) throughout the year. We will be looking at topics such as theories of learning, learning styles, and learner environments and expectations. The majority of time after Christmas will be spent on the course assessment.

The assessment for this module is to design and implement an on-line learning environment. The point of the assessment is to show your e-learning design, and as such the content can be anything you wish for the purpose of the assessment. I assume this is so students need only worry about the design and format; and not the content as well.

I was a tad nervous about this module because even though the course is delivered from a theoretical point of view, I am still a bit unsure as to whether we will need much technological skill for the project. Nevertheless, I am really interested in the course; and I managed to muddle my way through designing and implementing the help-page with HTML last year (on the NHS Evidence – women’s health specialist collection) so I am not too worried.

I have noticed from conversations from the Twittersphere that librarians/libraries and ‘user learning’ are becoming more and more intertwined (more so than in the past). In fact, this was shown to me at the Cairns Library (in Oxford, during my traineeship) where the library had designated ‘classrooms’ which were more often than not, full. As time goes by and technology changes, it is likely that learning through e-learning will increase.

*****

Research and Practice

I can honestly say I wasn’t really sure what to expect from ‘Research and Practice’, but was pleasantly surprised by the content. In this first lesson we discussed the ‘Information Society’, and what we (as groups) thought it entailed. We then had a brief run through of different ‘ages of society’ and pertinent features of each; as well as the different factors which can be involved. Lastly, we discussed the different definitions of an information society (technological, economical, cultural etc), and how they often overlap and interlink.

I was really intrigued by this discussion of an information society, and have already borrowed a few books from the library on the subject. I had already thought of some dissertation ideas, but this is another topic to have a ponder on.

The module also looks at topics such as freedom of information, intellectual property, privacy; as well as professional development (what is professional development, CV prep and interviews, career planning) which I am particularly looking forward to.

*****

Web and Search Applications

‘Web and Search Apps’ looked at the actual techniques and technologies behind the various ‘search and discovery’ applications available; and generally sounded incredibly interesting.

However, due to not enough people and timetable issues the module is now not running this year.

So…

*****

Information Futures

…The four of us who wanted to take ‘Web and Search Apps’ toddled along to ‘Information futures’ instead, which, as it turns out, also looks interesting. The schedule shows a wide selection of topics which we will cover (just in the first term!) and as much I am disappointed about ‘Web and Search Apps’, I am excited about this module.

The module examines “the impact that policy and organisational changes” can have on the library and information world (just look at all the budget cuts and library closures to see this); and the ways the information professional can help and get involved.

The programme shows many visiting speakers which will be fantastic; and the chance to use my own information background, as well as current events, in the lessons.

*****

Search and Retrieval

The last lesson of the day (and week) is ‘Search and Retrieval’, which seems (at the risk of sounding like a broken record) interesting also. There are quite a few areas in this module which would have been touched on in the ‘Web and Search Apps’ module (such as web search engines, search strategies etc) that are covered, so I am quite happy about that.

Other topics we will cover include metadata, classification theory, taxonomies, folksonomies and search strategies. The class discussed using the Internet to find information; and pondered how we ourselves use the Internet and how we use it to find information. In the second half of the lesson we went across to the computer labs and were given a brief search exercise to do, which actually was enlightening as to how I myself search for information.

We have already been given an assessment which is very interesting regarding Google as being sufficient for effective information retrieval. Oddly enough, a few weeks ago I got some books out from Lancaster University Library (where I have staff access) regarding Google and libraries so I plan to have a look through them this weekend.

*

*****

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So, my first week of library school and I am feeling pretty enthused about it all and ready to crack on! No doubt as the work piles up this enthusiasm will dissipate to some extent; but for now, I am ready to take anything library school can throw at me!

The induction day had a lot of introductory information (re. the university, the courses and the modules) but also information about work placements and the dissertation we need to write next year. I’ve had some ideas for the dissertation topic, but it is still early days and I can have a good think over the next few months.

We also had a session on ‘Moodle’ which is MMU’s virtual learning environment where students can access their email and any course information. It seems fairly straight forward to be honest; and I am usually quick to learn my way around such things.

Leading up to the induction day I had been thinking of switching to the MSc (Information Management) instead of studying the MA. In my funding interview, the tutor said with my background (NHS Evidence specialist collections) the MSc might better suit my previous experience and future roles. Furthermore, having enrolled online a few weeks ago we gained access to view the modules on offer this year, and it was the MSc modules which caught my eye; in particular, ‘Information and Knowledge Management’ and ‘Web and Search Applications’. After briefly discussing it with a senior tutor last week, I have switched and am now enrolled on the MSc!

So, the modules I will be studying are:

• Designing Online Learning
• Information and Knowledge Management
• Management
• Research and Practice
• Search and Retrieval
• Web and Search Applications

I am particularly excited about the Designing Online Learning as I think this will become such a prominent part of information management; expanding out into ‘library user learning’.

No doubt I will be posting about the lessons soon enough!

I always enjoy seeing or doing new roles in the information sector, as I love the variation it can take. And seeing as this is archives (which on the whole is completely different from librarianship), it has generally given me the chance to see what archivism is about.

I was an undergraduate student at Lancaster University, so reading up about its history and beginnings has been a fantastic experience. Created in 1964, Lancaster is an out-of-town, campus based university; with some world-renowned departments such as the management school and the linguistics department (where I studied as an undergraduate!)

The archives are located in the library; but technically are a part of the Secretariat. There has never been an official Archivist; but the Honorary Archivst who I work under has been involved with the archives for a long time, and is extremely knowledgeable about everything and anything to do with the university. It came about that there was some money for an archives assistant; and lo and behold, I got the job!

So far I have organised the University’s Court (1964 – 2011) and Council (1994 – 2003) Minutes (including correspondence); Degree ceremony booklets (1965 – 2011); Staff handbooks (1967 – 2007); and am currently sorting through a MASS of papers/booklets/pretty much anything for the individual college’s (of which there are nine). I have been writing up a ‘report’ on what I have been working on so the archivist can then add it to the archives catalogue (which I personally do not have access to).

What I love about the position is that the archivist is happy for me to read through things at length and point out anything of interest, and ask questions whether it be about how to do something, or a piece of university history.

Nevertheless, and as I said in a previous post, the position has shown me roughly what archive work can entail; and I am happy with my route into librarianship instead.

Anyway, I finally got around to changing the blog title (seeing as a) I am no longer a library trainee, and b) I am no longer in Oxford). As such, you can see a theme emerging from my new blog title – this will inevitably change when I finish library school!

As for a quick update on what I have been doing for the past year:

• September 2010 – March 2011: I continued working on the NHS Evidence – women’s health specialist collection, and was very sad for it to end. NHS Evidence had already decided (well before I was even offered the position of library assistant within the collection) to amalgamate all 30-odd collections into three separate “evidence-hubs”. With all the government cuts flying around all over the place, it was inevitable that the NHS (and more specifically here, NICE) would join in; however, many fantastic information specialists who I got to know over the 18 months I worked there lost their jobs due to this re-shuffle. Hopefully, everyone has found a new position and is happy.
• I had a period of not working between April 2011 and June 2011, and am not ashamed to say I enjoyed being able to read as much as I could! Although, with the rate that I buy books, my ‘to-read bookshelf’ (it’s too big to be a ‘to-read pile’) is just the same…. I also went on holiday, and complained about the Jobcentre (but that is a WHOLE other topic which I will not even get into!)
• Starting 1st July 2011, I entered the world of archives when I managed to get a part-time position at Lancaster University. I have already started drafting a post relating to my experiences there however, so I will not go on about it here. Suffice to say, it is a whole other world; and as much as I enjoy it, I know I am on the right path with library and information management!

Lastly, coming back to the title of my post… Library school, here I come!

Or; MMU, here I come, as it were.

In a few weeks I commence my MA in Library and Information Management; and to my extreme pleasure, I was awarded the AHRC funding to be able to do so. I am aware of how rare such funding is becoming, and am determined to try my very best this year and do well.

Now, I just need to choose my core option and elective modules!

*Choices, choices…*

We (me and my boyfriend) will be moving to Lancaster (due to his doing a PhD!!) which I can’t wait for as Lancaster is where we both did our undergraduate degrees, and it is a beautiful, historic city.

I have been asked to continue on with the collection, in the position of Library Assistant which I am extraordinarily pleased about (albeit, working from home rather than in Oxford!) so will be sticking with the collection until the end of March 2011, which is when NHS Evidence is amalgamating all the collections and as such, NHS Evidence – women’s health will cease to exist.

So for now, this blog will remain being called “Library Trainee in Oxford” – at least, until I can think of a better name!