Future job musings part two.

Whilst thinking about what area I would like to head into, so that I can get my skills together in that area, I thought I would keep an eye out for relevant job specifications with interesting bits. And pull them together here, in the one place. So, in no particular order, and in the knowledge that this will be added to and modified over time, I present:

• Investigation of emerging technologies relevant to materials' management and customer services.
• Improved awareness and use of a wide variety of technological solutions by library staff and customers.
• A planned and integrated approach to the use and deployment of technology that will enhance library services and facilities in conjunction with corporate strategies.
• Proven expertise and experience in the application of information technology in the library environment, including the ability to develop and implement innovative programs, effective actions within broad policy guidelines and a commitment to quality improvement practices.

My dream job...

I've been thinking that I need to get more organised with regard to my Professional Development. So, the first step I'm undertaking is completing the PD kit from ALIA (available for ALIA members from http://membership.alia.org.au/lib/pdf/education/pd/kit.fulltext.2005.pdf)

The first thing that I decided to do is to look at what is my "dream" job... This is something that I've suggested to other people, but not recently looked at for myself. And it has changed since the birth of three children! So, here goes (and not in any particular order)...

• Flexible hours (both the number and the timing)
• Decent dollars (money is not a major driving force but I'd like to be paid what I'm worth, and enough to be able to justify working :))
• Constantly learning/challenging myself (but self paced)
• Helping people (that's part of my job satisfaction)
• Using 'new' technologies (and having decent technology to work with)
• Working in a team but responsible for my own 'stuff'
• Passing on knowledge/adult education
• Recognition by peers would be nice, but from 'clients' is more important
• Flexible location (ie possibilities of telecommuting) would be nice :)

I'm sure there are more things that should be here and that I'll be adding to this list but that's what springs to mind right now.

Interesting that there isn't anything that screams 'library' as such. But that's still where I feel drawn to be, if possible. And my current weekend reference shifts at Murdoch University library tick quite a number of these boxes - just not all :)

23 Things - first musing!

I'm really looking forward to this program. After four years out of the library world (apart from trying to keep pace a little through personal reading and elists in between changing nappies & bandaging knees) I am really looking forward to having a chance to learn some of the key technologies that are coming forward and being used in our library world.

I've always enjoyed learning new things, but find the amount of 'things' out there at the moment a bit overwhelming. So to have had someone select some good examples of emerging technologies is making it all seem much more do-able.

From the video:

Which habit of lifelong learners is easiest and which is hardest for me?
Hardest would be habit 7 - teaching/mentoring others - partly because although I enjoy sharing information with others, I don't always feel best qualified to do so (it's such a big responsibility) and partly because at this point in time I don't work closely enough for long enough with other people who have less skills in this area than I do :)

Easiest - habit 2 - accept responsibility for my own learning. In my last 5 working years (ignoring the four year hiatus) I started 7 different jobs (lots of contract work in Darwin :)). These were generally in quite different workplaces with different systems, software and different political environments (including local government, state government, university and non-profit). I didn't always get a handover with previous staff but I found it a real challenge to learn as much as I could and to become as productive as possible in as short a time as possible. I suppose I just like learning new things :)

My goals for the 23 Things?
Generally, a greater understanding of some of the new and emerging technologies, how they can be used, and how they may/will impact on our service delivery now and in the future.
Specifically, I am interested in learning more about Twitter, del.icio.us, Flicker and Second Life - these are the things that I hear people talking about but I don't feel like I 'have a handle' on at all.

What I need in my learning toolkit to achieve these goals?
Thankfully, I know that many of these things are available already.

• Good net access (more of an issue at home potentially)
• Digital camera
• Headphones and microphone
• Time - an issue for everyone, but working 10 hours a week I expect to be doing some of this at home so that I can really explore and understand