I'm beginning to get a little frustrated... I will try to keep calm, but wanted to know if others are really experiencing the problems I'm experiencing with this now. Any suggestions would be helpful!
I started CPD23 in all good faith, trying to do this during work hours to improve my professional knowledge of web 2.0 and library 2.0. Trying to network online with like minded people, and pass on what I learn to my colleagues (many of whom aren't aware of this, even though I've talked about it until I'm hoarse!) and to use what I've learnt in my day to day work.
The problem I'm experiencing is that many of these fantastic tools just don't work on our PCs at work. I cannot log into personal webmail, I can't install additional software or Internet add-ons, and many sites come up with an error message in the HTML in Internet Explorer. The latest issue I'm finding is that I can't even comment on others blogs because my account details won't carry over on the work network and I end up being Annoymous. That's fine, but in many circumstances, I'd rather be a person. Anon is so common, even more so than Trad, I believe. :-)
Consequently I'm reluctant to share much of what I'm learning with work because I'm now doing much of this at home. I'm happy to do these things at home, because I'm so determined to come out with something positive when there's such little staff development available (I also hate failing).
What I'd like to know, is there anyone else who experiences these problems? Are there others who are getting more frustrated because of these great tools which we can't use in our work? Have you get any unblocked or working correctly? How have you gone about this? Can anyone help?
That's my rant over with for now, but I'm certainly intrigued how others networks and Internet access are configuered. I'll try not to get too techy, but do others log into PCs or do you have a virtual machine which you log into? How often is the software updated and do you run the latest? I realise now I've opened a whole new subject and possibly a very large can of worms!!
PS I've managed to write this at work, but I won't be able to see any comments until I get home!!
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Thing 13: Google docs, Dropbox and Wikis
I've got all behind again. I intended to write all sorts of interesting things on here last week, but they just didn't happen, I succumbed to my first cold/virus of the season and spent the last few days lazing at home reading and sewing! With any luck, my planned pearls of wisdom will be written this week instead!
Google docs
I use this as much as I can and purely for selfish reasons! We have so few computers at work where I can access to my personal drive, so I save documents I work on regularly in Google docs, so I can access them on any PC. Unfortunately, this is one of the problems with having a restructure (sorry, it's called transformation here - apparently it's a more positive word).
We have more staff in libraries in the workrooms looking to use a PC and when there's only two or three in each library, it's not easy. Fortunately I can access my email on a couple of extra PCs and I can use Google docs to access the work - simples! We're not allowed to use memory sticks and to be honest, with Google docs why do I need to, I can't lose Google docs and the beauty of it is, I can use my gmail username and password - hooray!!
I will try to share a document with a colleague who does the same job as me, it'll be really helpful for us to share combined files this way. So watch this space, but I can see it's plus points. Until now, it's been as easy to email a document, but now we're doing the same job, I think this will really help particularly if we can both edit it. I'll post an update on this once I get going.
Dropbox
I can't use this one at work, it's blocked... The only reason I'd use this would be for documents at home and I don't tend to share them with other people, I may stick them in Google docs to send to work to print, but that's all.
I'll have a look at home on this one, but it won't be used as part of my day-to-day work for obvious reasons!
Wikis
Mmm, don't get me started on Wikipedia!! Having worked in an academic library I have an aversion to the site simply because so much on it at the time was completely incorrect. It's a long time since I've used it and really don't know if it's any better. I'm happy to be proved otherwise, so feel free to say so!
I have however, used lots of other wikis. As a singer, I often use the ChoralWiki to find music and listen to midi files. I've found this site invaluable over the years. I have even used the TravelWiki on and off. It gives an interesting insight into places to go... (Some of this to be taken with a large pinch of salt!)
The Day in the Life Project is as Jennifer says invaluable for learning about the many different "librarianship" careers. I'd not heard of the Library Routes Project, but because of my general nosiness I love to find out how others have got into libraries. It's a bit like reading lots of Thing 10 on one website!
Working for my previous employer we discussed a number of ways that we could make our Information Adviser work available to the students. We considered using a wiki to try to publicise what we were doing, although I think we decided it wasn't going to work in the right way and so didn't get much further than that.
I'm not sure how I can use a wiki at work. I've a feeling something like that may possibly be frowned upon. A lot of these things have to have an excellent business case for using...
However, I feel quite positive about these three tools, although I've a feeling Google docs will take place of Dropbox. The two seem to do very similar things, and it'll probably come down to which is the easiest to use and access.
Google docs
I use this as much as I can and purely for selfish reasons! We have so few computers at work where I can access to my personal drive, so I save documents I work on regularly in Google docs, so I can access them on any PC. Unfortunately, this is one of the problems with having a restructure (sorry, it's called transformation here - apparently it's a more positive word).
We have more staff in libraries in the workrooms looking to use a PC and when there's only two or three in each library, it's not easy. Fortunately I can access my email on a couple of extra PCs and I can use Google docs to access the work - simples! We're not allowed to use memory sticks and to be honest, with Google docs why do I need to, I can't lose Google docs and the beauty of it is, I can use my gmail username and password - hooray!!
I will try to share a document with a colleague who does the same job as me, it'll be really helpful for us to share combined files this way. So watch this space, but I can see it's plus points. Until now, it's been as easy to email a document, but now we're doing the same job, I think this will really help particularly if we can both edit it. I'll post an update on this once I get going.
Dropbox
I can't use this one at work, it's blocked... The only reason I'd use this would be for documents at home and I don't tend to share them with other people, I may stick them in Google docs to send to work to print, but that's all.
Oops! Don't think I'll get far with this!
I'll have a look at home on this one, but it won't be used as part of my day-to-day work for obvious reasons!
Wikis
Mmm, don't get me started on Wikipedia!! Having worked in an academic library I have an aversion to the site simply because so much on it at the time was completely incorrect. It's a long time since I've used it and really don't know if it's any better. I'm happy to be proved otherwise, so feel free to say so!
I have however, used lots of other wikis. As a singer, I often use the ChoralWiki to find music and listen to midi files. I've found this site invaluable over the years. I have even used the TravelWiki on and off. It gives an interesting insight into places to go... (Some of this to be taken with a large pinch of salt!)
The Day in the Life Project is as Jennifer says invaluable for learning about the many different "librarianship" careers. I'd not heard of the Library Routes Project, but because of my general nosiness I love to find out how others have got into libraries. It's a bit like reading lots of Thing 10 on one website!
Working for my previous employer we discussed a number of ways that we could make our Information Adviser work available to the students. We considered using a wiki to try to publicise what we were doing, although I think we decided it wasn't going to work in the right way and so didn't get much further than that.
I'm not sure how I can use a wiki at work. I've a feeling something like that may possibly be frowned upon. A lot of these things have to have an excellent business case for using...
However, I feel quite positive about these three tools, although I've a feeling Google docs will take place of Dropbox. The two seem to do very similar things, and it'll probably come down to which is the easiest to use and access.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Thing 12: Am I sociable?
Well looking back over my previous posts I guess I am a sociable person, regardless of how I socialise!
Facebook and LinkedIn are old friends, having joined up with them both some time ago. I'm still getting used to Twitter, I really can't think of short statements to write, so I'm still very much a follower rather than a tweeter. I'm sure eventually I'll get there, but...
CPD23 has certainly helped me contact other people I would never have been able to contact before. I've got contacts and colleagues around the world, which is brilliant because I can learn something about libraries in different countries. It's so nice to have comments too, to give you something to work towards and also to ponder over (I'm a great one for pondering, cogitating and ruminating!)
The problem I'm finding though is the number of blogs I'm following. Finding the time to read them is not always easy (it took over a week to get through all the posts which came in while I was away for two weeks!) I don't just follow cpd23 blogs, I've got a lot of blogs covering sewing, dressmaking, crafts and general library stuff which keep filling up that Google Reader page. I think this is the main disadvantage so far. Does anyone else find this? Can you suggest a way for me to prioritise my feeds??
My other slight negative thing is my lack of access to some sites at work and not being able to use them to their full advantage, simply because I can only use a web version or it's just completely blocked. I also use my gmail account for my blogs and personal emails are a complete no-no unless I can find a spare People's Network (public) PC to log into... This seems to be a constant gripe for me, possibly because I've mainly worked in academic libraries where there is much more access to web 2.0 stuff, etc. Debby Raven in the July 2011 edition of CILIP Update includes some comments from Sarah Hammond who researched blogging in public libraries for her MA...
I think this is a common problem and I'm hoping the publicity and take-up from cpd23 will show how important library 2.0 and web 2.0 are for libraries.
As for a sense of community... This is definitely there. This is evident with links to blogs within blog posts, not to mention comments encouraging bloggers to look at different things and the virtual meet-ups. My dressmaking and sewing bloggers are a definite community, arranging online sew-ins, and occassionally meeting up.
I intend to continue to I hope others do. I think this blog will evenutally end up being my thoughts on what's happening in the library world, etc. Here's to the future community of librarians/information professionals worldwide!
References: Opportunities not to be missed by Debby Raven in CILIP Update, July 2011, pg. 43-45.
Facebook and LinkedIn are old friends, having joined up with them both some time ago. I'm still getting used to Twitter, I really can't think of short statements to write, so I'm still very much a follower rather than a tweeter. I'm sure eventually I'll get there, but...
CPD23 has certainly helped me contact other people I would never have been able to contact before. I've got contacts and colleagues around the world, which is brilliant because I can learn something about libraries in different countries. It's so nice to have comments too, to give you something to work towards and also to ponder over (I'm a great one for pondering, cogitating and ruminating!)
The problem I'm finding though is the number of blogs I'm following. Finding the time to read them is not always easy (it took over a week to get through all the posts which came in while I was away for two weeks!) I don't just follow cpd23 blogs, I've got a lot of blogs covering sewing, dressmaking, crafts and general library stuff which keep filling up that Google Reader page. I think this is the main disadvantage so far. Does anyone else find this? Can you suggest a way for me to prioritise my feeds??
My other slight negative thing is my lack of access to some sites at work and not being able to use them to their full advantage, simply because I can only use a web version or it's just completely blocked. I also use my gmail account for my blogs and personal emails are a complete no-no unless I can find a spare People's Network (public) PC to log into... This seems to be a constant gripe for me, possibly because I've mainly worked in academic libraries where there is much more access to web 2.0 stuff, etc. Debby Raven in the July 2011 edition of CILIP Update includes some comments from Sarah Hammond who researched blogging in public libraries for her MA...
As for a sense of community... This is definitely there. This is evident with links to blogs within blog posts, not to mention comments encouraging bloggers to look at different things and the virtual meet-ups. My dressmaking and sewing bloggers are a definite community, arranging online sew-ins, and occassionally meeting up.
I intend to continue to I hope others do. I think this blog will evenutally end up being my thoughts on what's happening in the library world, etc. Here's to the future community of librarians/information professionals worldwide!
References: Opportunities not to be missed by Debby Raven in CILIP Update, July 2011, pg. 43-45.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Thing 11: Mentoring
Now this is something where I have to admit I have not done well, in that since Chartering, I haven't really had an official mentor.
When I was doing my graduate trainee year, my manager was my mentor holding meetings with me and discussing what I'd like to learn next. I also had a mentor when working for Chartership, following what used to be Route B (a Professional Development Report without following a recognised training scheme), my mentor was invaluable, as to be honest I was completely confused by the whole thing and really didn't know what way I was heading. I possibly owe him considerably more than I gave credit for at the time.
Since then, I've not really had a mentor. Like a number of cpd23 bloggers, I've mainly looked up to people and tried to emmulate what I thought was good and asked them for advice when I felt I needed it. I think this has helped in that I've tended to pick who is most likely to understand my situation. These haven't always been in the same organisation as myself and this I find is useful, since they can often give better advice being apart from what is happening.
In my current post, my line manager holds a one-to-one meeting once a month with me. This is useful for airing any problems we may have and to ask for advice. I've just changed line managers and I don't see my current manager as much as I'd like (sometimes only once everytwo or three weeks), so I often have a great long list of questions. I used to see my previous line manager at least three days a week and could just knock on the door with an "Only me!" comment. I think I found I got a lot from that manager/mentor relationship.
I would like to offer to be a mentor to someone, but no one has asked me (not sure what that says!) I also find that throughout the profession as a whole, librarians tend to be sharing and helpful and if you help them, they will help you in return. It is a friendly profession as a whole and I enjoy that.
When I was doing my graduate trainee year, my manager was my mentor holding meetings with me and discussing what I'd like to learn next. I also had a mentor when working for Chartership, following what used to be Route B (a Professional Development Report without following a recognised training scheme), my mentor was invaluable, as to be honest I was completely confused by the whole thing and really didn't know what way I was heading. I possibly owe him considerably more than I gave credit for at the time.
Since then, I've not really had a mentor. Like a number of cpd23 bloggers, I've mainly looked up to people and tried to emmulate what I thought was good and asked them for advice when I felt I needed it. I think this has helped in that I've tended to pick who is most likely to understand my situation. These haven't always been in the same organisation as myself and this I find is useful, since they can often give better advice being apart from what is happening.
In my current post, my line manager holds a one-to-one meeting once a month with me. This is useful for airing any problems we may have and to ask for advice. I've just changed line managers and I don't see my current manager as much as I'd like (sometimes only once everytwo or three weeks), so I often have a great long list of questions. I used to see my previous line manager at least three days a week and could just knock on the door with an "Only me!" comment. I think I found I got a lot from that manager/mentor relationship.
I would like to offer to be a mentor to someone, but no one has asked me (not sure what that says!) I also find that throughout the profession as a whole, librarians tend to be sharing and helpful and if you help them, they will help you in return. It is a friendly profession as a whole and I enjoy that.
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Thing 10: How I got here...
I'm catching up slowly on the missed weeks, we'll get there, simply because I find this so interesting learning about others jobs, what they think about everything. With 13 things to go, so not even half way through, I'm beginning to think this is the best CPD I've done in my career. Thanks CPD23!
To get to the task in hand... (I know this is going to be a long post from me, but am not sure how I'll shorten it yet!)
Well I originally trained as a maths teacher at Loughborough University. OK, well to those in the UK, you'll know Loughborough as one of the main/best? places to study librarianship in the country (well certainly in the early 90s!) I had plenty of friends studying in the department and I was finding my own course difficult and wondering if I'd chosen the right career. In my final year, the main Pilkington University Library ran a quiz, where students were encouraged to find out answers to questions using the many different resources, early online databases, microfilm, etc. I loved it and got so much from it. Needless to say, I won the quiz and the book token prize. I was hooked by this time and looked about how to train as a librarian.
The teaching probationary year was scrapped, so to all intents of purposes I was a maths teacher. So after graduating, instead of looking for a teaching post, I decided to look for a library job. By this time, many of the graduate trainee posts had gone, so I began to look locally. It took until the November, when I got a library assistant post for Kent County Council. They were very good and gave me a few extra things to do, since they knew I wanted to qualify in libraries. In those days many of the graduate trainee posts were advertised centrally, so I applied for a number of posts. I next became the Graduate Trainee at the University of the West of England in Bristol working on what used to be the Education College site in Redland.
This post was a dream, I was learning about the "professional" side of librarianship and working with students training to teach. I knew exactly what they were going through and could empathise with time-keeping problems, staying up late to catch up on lesson planning, striving to find materials to make lessons interesting.
After the twelve months there, I went on to do the Masters at what was the University of Central England in Birmingham. (I tried Loughborough, but couldn't get the funding.) I initially was only going to do the Diploma, but me being me, it wasn't enough and managed to get the Masters (I'm not sure my tutor thought I would!)
Anyway, that's the early years, since then, I worked for a public library for about 9 months, then went on to be a school librarian for about 18 months (this I consider to be my first professional post). Then I moved to an FE college as a Learning Resources Adviser, delivering skills sessions and also taking on the library management system. (Not to mention teaching A-level maths along the way!) I then took a post as a Systems Librarian for another FE college. I was still delivering skills sessions as well as managing all electronic resources and the LMS. This is my longest post to date (about eight years).
From there I went to work for a small university managing the campus library. This was a school of education library, so again I was dealing with students learning to teach. I loved the post, ti gave me an introduction to management, but the campus was unfortunately closed and I was forced to leave. Which takes me on to my current post, as an Information Services Librarian for Herts County Council. I've come full circle back into public libraries. I actually quite enjoy my role (it's changed recently and I'm still getting my head around it!) I now deal with local studies, all paper and online reference stock and the use of the public PCs (People's Network). I've got events to work at and I'm expected to train staff on the Enquiry Desk. I'm happy!
In the meantime, I've managed to get my Chartership (when it was still the Library Association), I've achieved numerous certificates, such as ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence), Frontline Reader Development, etc. I've also managed to achieve a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies.
I'm pleased with what I've achieved. I'm also pleased that I've managed to keep my "professional" skills quite varied, although I really enjoy delivering training sessions and also playing around with the intricacies of a Library Management System.
As for the future, well... This is a big question... My partner and I have visas to emigrate to New Zealand and we'll be off as soon as we're sold up. I'm hoping I can get a library post in NZ. I'll be happy to take a post in which ever sector, but where it is will depend on where he can get a job, as he's the major applicant and also likely to earn considerably more than me! From what I've learned from friends in NZ (although may be Kiwi colleagues on here may correct me), that libraries are much more the centre of the community in the country and therefore are used much more than in the UK. I can't wait to learn more about libraries in NZ and also I'm intending to find a beginners course in Maori. I'm one of these people who loves to learn something new and love a new challenge. I can't wait!
To get to the task in hand... (I know this is going to be a long post from me, but am not sure how I'll shorten it yet!)
Well I originally trained as a maths teacher at Loughborough University. OK, well to those in the UK, you'll know Loughborough as one of the main/best? places to study librarianship in the country (well certainly in the early 90s!) I had plenty of friends studying in the department and I was finding my own course difficult and wondering if I'd chosen the right career. In my final year, the main Pilkington University Library ran a quiz, where students were encouraged to find out answers to questions using the many different resources, early online databases, microfilm, etc. I loved it and got so much from it. Needless to say, I won the quiz and the book token prize. I was hooked by this time and looked about how to train as a librarian.
Pilkington Libraray, Loughborough University, my introduction to a career in libraries
This post was a dream, I was learning about the "professional" side of librarianship and working with students training to teach. I knew exactly what they were going through and could empathise with time-keeping problems, staying up late to catch up on lesson planning, striving to find materials to make lessons interesting.
After the twelve months there, I went on to do the Masters at what was the University of Central England in Birmingham. (I tried Loughborough, but couldn't get the funding.) I initially was only going to do the Diploma, but me being me, it wasn't enough and managed to get the Masters (I'm not sure my tutor thought I would!)
Anyway, that's the early years, since then, I worked for a public library for about 9 months, then went on to be a school librarian for about 18 months (this I consider to be my first professional post). Then I moved to an FE college as a Learning Resources Adviser, delivering skills sessions and also taking on the library management system. (Not to mention teaching A-level maths along the way!) I then took a post as a Systems Librarian for another FE college. I was still delivering skills sessions as well as managing all electronic resources and the LMS. This is my longest post to date (about eight years).
From there I went to work for a small university managing the campus library. This was a school of education library, so again I was dealing with students learning to teach. I loved the post, ti gave me an introduction to management, but the campus was unfortunately closed and I was forced to leave. Which takes me on to my current post, as an Information Services Librarian for Herts County Council. I've come full circle back into public libraries. I actually quite enjoy my role (it's changed recently and I'm still getting my head around it!) I now deal with local studies, all paper and online reference stock and the use of the public PCs (People's Network). I've got events to work at and I'm expected to train staff on the Enquiry Desk. I'm happy!
In the meantime, I've managed to get my Chartership (when it was still the Library Association), I've achieved numerous certificates, such as ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence), Frontline Reader Development, etc. I've also managed to achieve a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies.
I'm pleased with what I've achieved. I'm also pleased that I've managed to keep my "professional" skills quite varied, although I really enjoy delivering training sessions and also playing around with the intricacies of a Library Management System.
As for the future, well... This is a big question... My partner and I have visas to emigrate to New Zealand and we'll be off as soon as we're sold up. I'm hoping I can get a library post in NZ. I'll be happy to take a post in which ever sector, but where it is will depend on where he can get a job, as he's the major applicant and also likely to earn considerably more than me! From what I've learned from friends in NZ (although may be Kiwi colleagues on here may correct me), that libraries are much more the centre of the community in the country and therefore are used much more than in the UK. I can't wait to learn more about libraries in NZ and also I'm intending to find a beginners course in Maori. I'm one of these people who loves to learn something new and love a new challenge. I can't wait!
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Thing 9: Evernote
Where do I start with this? It's brilliant. Although I can't install it on PCs at work, I can easily log into a web version, I can also put it on my mobile. Here's to a new organised Nikki!! [Famous last words!]
It's easy to use, the screen is clear and best of all it has an elephant logo! [I'm a sucker for anything with an elephant on!]
I love the options to add tags allowing you to view saved items under one single "subject" (for want of a better word). So far I've really only saved websites and couple of images, but already, it's been a life saver in my home life. Like Anne-Maree of the WalkingLibrarianNZ, I think it would be brilliant at the Enquiry Desk to help deal with out of the ordinary enquiries or even common ones. We're trialling Delicious at work for this sort of thing, but I think Evernote can take us that much further.
I've only used this for personal things at the moment, but am itching to get into work to check I can log into the site there and see I can use it at work.
As for the elephants, I thought I would add a couple of photos from my holiday, where I spent a lovely afternoon in the company of lots of elephants at the Pattaya Elephant Village, a sort of retirement home for ex-working elephants. I got to feed them, climb on their backs, take them for a bathe, etc... I was in heaven!!
It's easy to use, the screen is clear and best of all it has an elephant logo! [I'm a sucker for anything with an elephant on!]
I love the options to add tags allowing you to view saved items under one single "subject" (for want of a better word). So far I've really only saved websites and couple of images, but already, it's been a life saver in my home life. Like Anne-Maree of the WalkingLibrarianNZ, I think it would be brilliant at the Enquiry Desk to help deal with out of the ordinary enquiries or even common ones. We're trialling Delicious at work for this sort of thing, but I think Evernote can take us that much further.
I've only used this for personal things at the moment, but am itching to get into work to check I can log into the site there and see I can use it at work.
As for the elephants, I thought I would add a couple of photos from my holiday, where I spent a lovely afternoon in the company of lots of elephants at the Pattaya Elephant Village, a sort of retirement home for ex-working elephants. I got to feed them, climb on their backs, take them for a bathe, etc... I was in heaven!!
Unfortunately by this time I'd run out of food!
This is what you call teamwork.
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Thing 8: Google calendar
Well a bit of a break so I could go on holiday, but now I've got four things to catch up on! Help, I'd best get on.
Google Calendar... Well I already have the 23 Things Google calendar set up, which I've used since coming back to check up on things which I may have missed or to see the theme for each week, but that's it. It seems easy to use and is quite clear and I like the way that all calendars can be viewed together clearly (a bit of a plus compared to viewing lots of calendars in Outlook.)
I have Outlook at work which I have to use for my email and so I use the Outlook calendar for work. I also take a diary around with wherever I go, since there's not always a PC free or available. It does mean that I'm duplicating effort, but I've learned to work like that. We've only just moved to Outlook from Lotus Notes and many staff are still getting to grips with how Outlook deals with email, so even the Outlook calendar is still not really used by many staff. I am glad to have got rid of Lotus Notes calendar, that really was not the nicest of calendars to use!
At home I just can't use a PC to check up what's happening all the time, so I'll stick to a paper calendar and diary I think. I also use Thunderbird to check my mail at home as I have a couple of email accounts which I can check together. Using the Google calendar means it's just another thing to log in and check or update. I have an Android mobile, but the Internet, etc, are only set up for when there's a wi-fi network available. OK, I know I can set it otherwise, but I can't afford that on my lowly librarian salary! Another reason for sticking to a paper diary at home is so that everyone can see what's happening and we can have a combined diary/calendar.
It's interesting to see how libraries are using the library calendar. Unfortunately, I can't see it as something which our authority is likely to take up easily or with open arms. I can see the library service being interested, but things like this would most likely have to go to a higher level or involve different departments, which is when things get interesting... There is also a small matter of staff time and making sure we have a member of staff to set all this up. Currently we have details on our website under each library which states when events are happening, these are only allowed to be inputted on the site by certain members of staff.
I'll keep this one on the back burner methinks for a while, as I can see where it's useful and how it can be used to advantage for libraries. As for home, I'll stick to paper...
Google Calendar... Well I already have the 23 Things Google calendar set up, which I've used since coming back to check up on things which I may have missed or to see the theme for each week, but that's it. It seems easy to use and is quite clear and I like the way that all calendars can be viewed together clearly (a bit of a plus compared to viewing lots of calendars in Outlook.)
I have Outlook at work which I have to use for my email and so I use the Outlook calendar for work. I also take a diary around with wherever I go, since there's not always a PC free or available. It does mean that I'm duplicating effort, but I've learned to work like that. We've only just moved to Outlook from Lotus Notes and many staff are still getting to grips with how Outlook deals with email, so even the Outlook calendar is still not really used by many staff. I am glad to have got rid of Lotus Notes calendar, that really was not the nicest of calendars to use!
At home I just can't use a PC to check up what's happening all the time, so I'll stick to a paper calendar and diary I think. I also use Thunderbird to check my mail at home as I have a couple of email accounts which I can check together. Using the Google calendar means it's just another thing to log in and check or update. I have an Android mobile, but the Internet, etc, are only set up for when there's a wi-fi network available. OK, I know I can set it otherwise, but I can't afford that on my lowly librarian salary! Another reason for sticking to a paper diary at home is so that everyone can see what's happening and we can have a combined diary/calendar.
It's interesting to see how libraries are using the library calendar. Unfortunately, I can't see it as something which our authority is likely to take up easily or with open arms. I can see the library service being interested, but things like this would most likely have to go to a higher level or involve different departments, which is when things get interesting... There is also a small matter of staff time and making sure we have a member of staff to set all this up. Currently we have details on our website under each library which states when events are happening, these are only allowed to be inputted on the site by certain members of staff.
I'll keep this one on the back burner methinks for a while, as I can see where it's useful and how it can be used to advantage for libraries. As for home, I'll stick to paper...
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