Continuing Education

Since completing the 23 Things, learning about Web 2.0, I have scheduled myself for additional self-training activities. One website to keep me moving in this direction is Learning 2.1 that has been created "to support on-going discovery and learning of web 2.0 technologies." Another good website to test what's happening with new web tools is the Web 2.0 Directory.

This year I attended two days at the Internet Librarian Conference in Monterey. On Sunday, October 28th, I joined a morning session entitled "Wikis: Basics, Tools & Strategies." I came away feeling inspired and wanting to set up a trial wiki. I have yet to decide it's purpose. But when I do get focused, I'll report my experience.

That afternoon I sat in on "Tips for Effective Technology Change Agents." It did not take me too long to realize that my goal (to keep myself moving forward) was not really the focus of this session. The people were primarily seeking ways to bring change to their organization, and this was often viewed as fighting the inertia of organizations and resistance in people. However, the presenter (Roy Tennant) did have some tips that I can use in my own growth: 1) remember to visit Steven Bell's Keeping Up page* ; 2) read as often as possible in blogs, magazines and journals, and explore new websites; 3) take courses online or on site; 4) sign up for RSS updates and mailing lists. Mr. Tennant also believes in surfing in a rapid browsing mode. He used an acronym for it: SIFT. Scan (surf and skim), Investigate, Filter, Target. He also has a philosophy that it is better to learn "just in time" rather than "just in case" since things change so rapidly. In other words, it is better to wait until you need some feature or product, and then search for it and learn as you use it for what you need at that time. Learning a lot of online things "just in case" you might need them may be in vain. So, I ask myself, what about all this exploring I have planned for myself? It seems I must find a compromise -- because I do want to discover what's out there, "in case" I might find something useful to make my everyday work more efficient!

Mr. Tennant also suggested Tech Soup as a bargain resource non profit organizations. Visit the site and read: TechSoup Stock connects nonprofits and public libraries with donated and discounted technology products. Choose from over 240 products from companies such as Microsoft, Adobe, and Symantec. He also recommended using free and open source tools and applications whenever possible to make one's budget stretch. He added the following suggestions for creating agile organizations:
1) Use standing committees for communication.
2) Create task forces to accomplish work.
3) Use the best people for the job.
4) Reward innovation.
5) Punish loitering. (?) (I prefer re-tasking rather than punishing.)
6) Take risks.
7) Invest in infrastructure.
8) Invest in your staff. (This is what I mean by re-tasking or re-matching assignments to talents.)

An interesting approach to implementing change is to first find common purpose and goals between the public services department and the technical services unit, and then when they are in tandem, approach administration.

On Monday, October 29th, I attended a number of 45 minute sessions. My favorite, as is usual each year, was "A Super Searcher Shares 30 Search Tips." Some of the rest of the sessions have melded into a blur, but I did take notes on my laptop. (There are increasing numbers of attendees bringing laptops to sessions every year.) So, when I review those I will add to my Internet Librarian commentary in another blog entry.

*NOTE: Stephen Bell has discontinued regular postings to his "keeping up" website; however, you may follow him on Twitter for his occasional updates on new resources at http://www.twitter.com/blendedlib [17SEPT2010]