Thing 19: Catching up

What a long list of "Things"! I can't believe how much we've covered and also how much I've learnt. I used to be on top of all this software and have got way behind in what's available and what it can be used for. I hate to say it, but I'm going to blame it on the sector I work in... I've worked in acdemic libraries for ages and there is a need to be on top of these resources, knowing what's there and what they can be used for and also needing to know about it yesterday. The emphasis in the public sector and I'd imagine in some others as well is completely different and we seem to be happy to be one step behind!

I will try to pick out my top three or so!

My Personal Brand
This now seems to be constantly on my mind whenever I register for something online. It doesn't matter what it is, I'm thinking of my username, etc. Trouble is, I started out not thinking of this at all and some are still quite a mishmash of brands. My plan will be to create something that is me and me only, I love what Joeyanne Libraryanne has done, so maybe in the future it could happen! Most of my friends seeing this would wonder where the elephant is, so I think my brand may have to develop over the years...

Google Calendar
I may have mocked this a bit in my post back in August, saying that I would never use it, I don't have the time and I have to use Outlook calendar at work, etc, etc. I've persevered and now I find it invaluable. I tend to use it instead of a diary at home now! I've got two online calendars on the go, one in Outlook for work and one in Google for work and life! It is proving to be a lifesaver sometimes. Thank you so much CPD23, I completely swallow my words and take back everything I said at the time!

Evernote
I'm not using this as much as it can be used and still find myself thinking I could do a lot more with it, but it's getting used! I tend to use it mainly for personal notes, since I have to use the web version at work (which tends to be quite slow), but I think it's great the fact I can note something at home and check it later on my phone and at work.

Screencasting
Not something I thought I'd be adding to this list. It's not being used currently, but I can see the potential, particularly for training purposes. I really need to look into it more and see where it can be used before I make a case to the powers that be.

I already had a blog and followed people before this, but I do it a lot more (it's taking me away from Facebook, which is possibly a good thing!) I've also had a LinkedIn profile before starting this, but I can't say I do a lot more with it. I've not got involved in any discussions - must try harder!

This blog, I'd like to think it continues, but I'm not sure. It has a specific purpose currently, but the title I chose meant that I should be able to muse and think about libraries, etc into the future.

One thing though, I'm more aware of what's out there. I can suggest something feeling confident I know it works and it's used in libraries elsewhere. I just hope I can remember it all!

So as a postscript, I feel this is image is apt...

 I need to take a lesson from these who never forget!

Thing 14: Citing stuff!

Well I've been a bit quiet since my last burst of creative juices over a week ago! Thanks for all your comments, they all help and have suggested some ideas of what I could do to get access to these resources. I'm still here, but have been reading all the blogs I subscribe too and also updating my other blog (for which I've now signed up for a challenge!), so it's certainly all go!

Like Isla and some other blogs I've read, these tools certainly weren't available to me at University. I'd have been laughing if they were. I was the sort of person who wrote it down on a scrap of paper to lose it about an hour later and then not know where the reference came from! I ended up with an address file box for my Masters, which helped no end. I think it is also helpful which form of referencing you use. At least with Harvard I could just stick the name and date in and worry about the rest at a later stage. When I first started writing long word processed reports, it was almost like using a typewriter and everything had to be planned in advance (no I'm not that old, but...)

I'm at work now and can't check out any of the free software, so I'm off to Evernote to remind me to check those at home!

I've certainly used EndNote. I previously worked for an academic library and we subscribed to that, part of my role was to demonstrate to students how it worked. I also updated the Referencing and Plagiarism section of their website, so there's very little I don't know about Harvard referencing! I think I could tell the developers if they're software is producing the bibliography in the correct format! I'm proud to say that I worked with Jo of the Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries (before she came famous in the UK for her advocacy work - more in a later post methinks!) That's my claim to fame over with!

As for how I would use them. At the moment I don't have a need to use any of these tools in my work, so as Isla suggests it would be as well for me to be aware of what is out there and particularly if it's free. A job doesn't always last for life and knowledge of different software, etc goes down well on a CV!

To quote my title - this is all 'Citing stuff

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!!

Unfortunately by this time I'd run out of food!

This is what you call teamwork.