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.