Final Reflection: END OF LINE

Today I will take the time to reflect on my blog for INN333 Information Programs. From the get go, I was really annoyed at having to use a blog for this class and to have over ten entries which needed to be completed. I knew it would be a challenge for my time management and organisational skills, but I didn’t have much hope for it being a “great” learning experience, or a learning experience at all really.

The amount of entries was an annoyance, an inconvenience and any other synonyms which go along with that sentiment. Each Friday I felt as though I was making progress and being caught up on all my assessment, only for Monday to arrive and feel like crap again as there was so much that needed to be done. While normally I enjoy a challenge and try to see it as “personal development”, I really did not get that sense of satisfaction at all.

I will say this, I enjoyed the Play activities. Sure, I’d get started and be frustrated as hell at wasting my time on something so simple which would always take ages to work out or download when I had so much other assessment to focus on. Finally, when each activity was completed I would feel pretty good at learning the new software or trying out something new and it was fun. There were times when I learnt new stuff (like Screen-O-Matic) that I thought how this could be really useful to know when I hopefully get a library job in the future.

However, I would then realise that I had to do a Reflect activity which was not fun. Most of the time it was at least loosely related in some way to the Play activity, however,  in some cases I would feel as though I was repeating myself from the first activity and not making any new comments. Maybe if instead of having them as separate activities but joined together it would make more sense in my head. That way I would be able to provide an overview of my experience with learning new technology and then how I think it would relate to a library context. I’m sure that was the point of the Play and Reflect activities, but having them separate was difficult for me to engage with them.

I also struggled with commenting or contributing to other people’s blogs or on the Facebook page. It wasn’t that I wasn’t reading, I just didn’t want to be a jerk and have my two cents every five minutes on some topic which I don’t really care about. In my Week 2 Reflect activity I stated then that I hate overshare and don’t feel comfortable on such an open or public space. I still hate overshare and I still hate sharing in public forums. Therefore, in that regard it is incredibly easy for me to say that I will never, ever contribute to a blog again unless it is to pass a class. I still cannot comprehend sharing about my personal life. Physically, it makes me ill. Thinking of it brings on a rapid heartbeat and an urge to have a beer and chill out with friends.

Yeah, that’s my reflection. I did enjoy this class and I did learn new things. There will definitely be things I’ve learnt from this that I will take to my professional career and most likely, personal life and make some dodgy things to annoy my family. I can’t wait to finish this proposal (which I am actually excited about doing) and then I get to go camping… sit in the sun and drink copious amounts of beer.

To end this, I will share this… I have been asked to become the Brewmaster at work… This is definitely related to my professional development as it is one step closer to becoming a Beer Librarian! #dreamscancometrue

*I would like to add before you can say it, I’m not an alcoholic, I enjoy beer but in moderation and with maturity and I do not endorse binge drinking or non-moderation drinking… except for end of semester celebrations, totally deserving.

*If you are interested in joining the LIS Social group for QUT students on Facebook please follow the link >

https://www.facebook.com/groups/524734527593306/

We will be organising/already in talks for end of semester shenanigans.

*Can anyone see the Battlestar Galatica reference? Totally devastated that I've finished it, but definitely most rewarding experience TV has ever offered.

Week 12 - Reflect: Online Apps & Productivity Tools in Libraries

In my final blog (yay), I will be discussing how libraries could make use of online applications and productivity tools for front-of-house services and behind-the-scenes work.

Libraries could definitely incorporate online applications and productivity tools within their front-of-house services. I myself have seen Microsoft Outlook calendars used to organise staff for many activities: desk shifts, storytime services, computer classes, money, who’s on holidays or starting late to work late etc. Another great benefit of that is that it can be seen by all staff on their computers as well as in daily, weekly or monthly calendars. Using Microsoft Outlook to organise staff means that instead of running around a library looking for somebody, you could first check Outlook and confirm that they are starting late or at another branch.

However, I do think that many people organise themselves in different ways and as much as it would be easy for everyone to enter details in Microsoft Outlook, it isn’t always going to work for everyone. And just because someone doesn’t enter what they’re doing into Outlook doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t being productive. However, as long as the important activities such as desk shifts and computer classes et are clearly entered with the appropriate staff member listed, it does still contribute to smooth front-of-house operations.

If various online apps could sync in with a general one for all staff it could be of use to a library manager as then it could potentially allow for more staff members to find an app which suits them personally and could encourage to use it more. Human infallibility though, not everyone is interested in recording everything into an app or tool.

I have found Outlook as it syncs with my mobile phone to be of incredible use to me. I have all my assignments listed as a to-do which I can see on my phone and quickly work out if something is overdue. I find it a good motivation to mark a task as ‘done’ and feel the stress slide away. Hopefully I will continue to use this time management and organisational tool in my future employment.

Week 12 - Play: Did you answer my poll on illegal downloads?

Howdy folks,

As you can see to the side of this blog post, I have created a poll asking who illegally downloads tv shows and movies. I ask you kindly to participate in this.

To be honest with you, I would answer with all four questions depending on the person who was asking the question. Please know that I won't call the cops or FBI or the producers of Breaking Bad on you, so feel free to comment as honestly or dishonestly as you feel comfortable.

Do you feel as though it is necessary to download shows illegally as otherwise you might never see it? How do you think Australian TV could present an alternative... personally, if they actually played the damn season in order and at the same time every week would be a good start. I think this is a reflection of our decline in literacy and numeracy, as apparently Australian TV producers cannot count or tell time.

What are your opinions on illegal downloads?

Week 10 - Play: Outline a plan for using gamification in a school library

As I am not the most creative person, nor spontaneous; this is a challenge for me.

I know that reading programs are popular and worthwhile. I would probably work along this somehow and maybe try and make a week of activities. This could involve class visits to the libraries and getting some information on what’s offered. Sounds boring, but it can’t be all fun and games!

Speaking of fun and games, you could make it more interesting by having a free dress day as your favourite fictional or historical character and maybe a massive treasure hunt all over the school with everyone being involved.

Book Week would probably be a good week to have it in as there are lots of activities already in place. On the other hand, maybe a week without anything special just to make school a bit more interesting.

Prizes could be book vouchers, iTunes vouchers, actual iPods or ebook readers.

To be honest, I can’t really be bothered going much further than this as it would all depend on the school and age group as to the specifics.

Also, I have other, bigger assignments to work on, and unfortunately, I can’t spend all day designing a game for a school library (I would for two people though, great teacher librarians who deserve all the earthly praise in the world!).

Week 10 - Reflect: Gamification within Libraries

This week we were asked to explore the role of gaming within libraries or information organisations and whether there was a place for it. Obviously there already is, as Katya Henry (2012) points out various libraries using gamification in her YouTube presentation including State Library of Queensland, British Library, Ann Arbor District Library and New York Public Library. When I watcher YouTube presentation, what she described as gamification made me think immediately of the reading programs that libraries do over the summer/Christmas break. I wasn’t too sure whether it counted as gamification, but Harris in his article points out that ‘libraries have already been using gamification in their summer reading programs’ (2012, p.9).

In a practical side of gamification, Bohyun Kim (2012) suggests five thoughts on how libraries could use gamification to their advantage:

1. Provide level-up experience for library users
2. Award some status and powers associated with library use that can be admired
3. Show the progress bar in library catalogue
4. Colour-code the status of check out items
5. Library currency to accumulate and spend

Also, Kim advises libraries thinking of implementing gamification to avoid these three pitfalls: poor design, over-gamify and a game that is organisation centred rather than user centred. Likewise, both Harris & Kirk believe that the ‘real value of games are the episodes of authentic play that unite groups and build communities’ as opposed to the actual game (2012, p.9).

So I gather from those sentiments that libraries have to make gamification less about the library and more about the user and community. In Henry’s presentation, the majority of the libraries presented gamification as a way to encourage children or teens to take advantage of their time within the organisation (although the British Library’s option of being a historical character sounds pretty cool, especially if you could dress up).

By making the time spent within libraries more enjoyable for children, there’s an option for a new wave of people who as they grow up remember the fond times spent in their local library, and will most likely be active supporters of the libraries and encourage their children to go. I guess it’s our duty as librarians or information professionals to continue to create these enjoyable experiences and if gamification is used wisely, there’s no reason why it can’t help us do so.

Reference List

Harris, C. & Kirk, T. (2011). It’s all fun and games in the library. Knowledge Quest. 40 (1). Pp.8-9. Retrieved from http://aasl.metapress.com/content/k146r1351475723m/

Henry, K. (2012, September 26). INN333 Gamification [video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A8RU_IWsxI

Kim, B. (2012). Harnessing the power of game dynamics 1: why, how to, and how not to gamify the library experience. College & Research Libraries News. 73 (8). Pp. 465-469. Retrieved from http://crlnews.highwire.org/content/73/8/465.full

Week 8 - Play: Audio, Video and Presentation Tools

This week for my Play activity I was asked to make a movie.

Using Screen-O-Matic I created a short demonstration on how to download an ebook from Bolinda Digital offered through Brisbane City Council Libraries.

Week 8 - Reflect: Audio, Video and Presentation Tools

This week I will be reflecting on the role of podcasting, online video, screencasting or slidecasting in libraries or information organisations.

I think the role of these tools will be very beneficial in libraries and information organisations for many reasons both internally and externally. I’m sure there is a range of possibilities for libraries to create and enhance their services and reach a wider range of people through using audio visual tools.

Using audio-visual tools like podcasting, online video, screencasting or slidecasting within a library or information organisation can help with employees training and professional development. By creating interesting and visual displays on how to use a new service or product, staff can develop their own training to meet their specific needs as well as extending their professional development.

Using these tools can also be of great benefit when providing services to their clients. Creating videos demonstrating how to use their services (the library catalogue, ebook downloads) would help make their services more accessible. This would also be attractive to the YouTube generation, who would probably prefer to watch a video than call and ask.

I obviously see the possibility of audio-visual tools as a way to enhance the existing services of the library. As to creating services in their own right there is potential. Libraries could select employees to make their own video reviews of books or music. It could very well be another way to reach their customers.

I did a mini video using Screen-O-Matic on how to download an ebook from Bolinda Digital offered through Brisbane City Council Libraries for my week 8 play activity. While at first I was rather pissed off at the effort it would take as I feel incredibly behind this week, it did prove to be a fun experience. Definitely something I would recommend or encourage people using. It might even be a way to help my mum learn things instead of sitting on the phone getting cranky – I’ll just record a video and send it to her *problem solved*