1. Facebook account:
I already had an account.
3. Things the library could do with Facebook:
I'm deviating a little bit from the directions here. My suggestions are broad areas, rather than specific things to do.
They relate to two themes:
(1) for faculty librarians, using Facebook to address the other two spheres of our responsibilities, outside of our library-related work: scholarship and service. Because we're required to make contributions in these areas, promoting what we do in our scholarship and service also promotes the Library as our home department.
(2) for all librarians, letting people get to know us as "a whole person"--our interests, our concerns, our activities.
Teachers are encouraged to include, in their classroom sessions, information or anecdotes about themselves, to personalize their teaching and to relate themselves to students on a more genuine level. Librarians should do this, also, to create opportunities for more social connections with our users and with our librarian colleagues (those inside and outside the library).
Facebook's social nature is a perfect way to enhance the social nature of the library, whether as a physical space or a virtual space. If users and colleagues know more about all of us, and have more ways to connect with each one of us, that can lead to more connections and interactions with the library.
• Discuss or promote our scholarship
Library faculty could do this from our personal Facebook account, from some other Facebook forum, or both.
• Discuss or promote our community involvement or other non-library-specific service
Post about groups in the local community that we're involved with, in an informal or a formal service capacity. Use Facebook to let people know about professional service work we're doing that might surprise them, because it's different from our usual library roles that are familiar and widely known.
• Promote libraries, reading, and information literacy by posting about things you've read, enjoyed, or found interesting
Post not just in the usual way we might think of as librarians, but in ways that let people get to know us better and see the whole person. The social aspects are in the forefront of these posts. Then, adding a URL to the library catalog, or an Open WorldCat URL, etc., would indirectly/subversively promote libraries.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Core value: User/Quality Focus [December 2010]
1. Something I intend to do, to increase my user/quality focus:
This is actually something I've been working on for awhile, and intend to continue. The topics I'm writing on, for two scholarly article manuscripts, fit the characteristics of user/quality focus as defined in the library's Strategic Plan. One manuscript is related to instruction, and it describes a "pedagogical exploration" that I undertook in order to finds ways to increase the relevance, for students, of my instruction sessions (especially one-shot sessions). Another manuscript describes my Lumbee bibliography work--from my 1994 book-length bibliography to the current bibliography Web site. It, too, relates to user/quality focus, because the Web site makes the bibliography references more widely available to users. The work I'm doing (with help from several library colleagues and student assistants) to make the Web site database-driven and to add all the items from my 1994 book to the database (and, thus, to the Web site) will also improve the site for the user.
2. Suggestions for things the library can do to enhance this core value:
• Institutionalize the SACS standards that the library is responsible for meeting.
All of the standards we're responsible for meeting affect our users. To be found in compliance with them, we must assess our work in relation to each one (thus, determine what our current level of quality is). If we institutionalize the standards, that means we discuss our efforts in relation to each standard regularly and at many levels (from individual librarians, to committees, to teams, to library faculty meetings, to library-wide meetings). We also use the data from our assessments that relate to each standard, to plan and to make decisions at many levels. If we institutionalize the SACS standards, we will automatically be maintaining and enhancing our user/quality focus. If we institutionalize the standards, we will also find it easier to be sure we're keeping in compliance with them. Anything that's done regularly or habitually is easier to do, as opposed to not really getting geared up for it it until we start planning for the next SACS reaffirmation of accreditation.
• Ask, "What's best for users?"
In our meetings and discussions, we sometimes talk about what's the easier or faster or simpler way to accomplish a task or goal. Or--we talk about what committee, task force, or person that task or goal should be assigned to. Those are necessary discussions, and we can't accomplish things without having them. I'm not arguing that we can't arrive at a way of doing something that's easy, fast, or simple as well as best for users; or that what team/group/person undertakes a task doesn't relate to what's best for users. But, if we want to enhance our user/quality focus, one way to do so might be to keep the question, "What's best for users?" at the forefront. If we answer that question first, and keep our answers to it ahead of other considerations, I believe we'll ensure that we're making the best decision for users.
3. Link to a useful resource related to User/Quality Focus
For some time now, I've been very interested in Positive Psychology. An offshoot of this field is Positive Organizational Scholarship, which extends Positive Psychology to the workplace. Jane Dutton, at the University of Michigan, has done extensive research and writing in this area. Her writings on positive (or high quality) connections at work certainly offer promise for enhancing our user/quality focus. If we have high quality connections with each other at work, the energy created by those connections will improve our decision-making, our work, and our services for users. It will also energize us in our connections with users as we deliver services to them. In her book, Energize your Workplace, Dutton says,
This is actually something I've been working on for awhile, and intend to continue. The topics I'm writing on, for two scholarly article manuscripts, fit the characteristics of user/quality focus as defined in the library's Strategic Plan. One manuscript is related to instruction, and it describes a "pedagogical exploration" that I undertook in order to finds ways to increase the relevance, for students, of my instruction sessions (especially one-shot sessions). Another manuscript describes my Lumbee bibliography work--from my 1994 book-length bibliography to the current bibliography Web site. It, too, relates to user/quality focus, because the Web site makes the bibliography references more widely available to users. The work I'm doing (with help from several library colleagues and student assistants) to make the Web site database-driven and to add all the items from my 1994 book to the database (and, thus, to the Web site) will also improve the site for the user.
2. Suggestions for things the library can do to enhance this core value:
• Institutionalize the SACS standards that the library is responsible for meeting.
All of the standards we're responsible for meeting affect our users. To be found in compliance with them, we must assess our work in relation to each one (thus, determine what our current level of quality is). If we institutionalize the standards, that means we discuss our efforts in relation to each standard regularly and at many levels (from individual librarians, to committees, to teams, to library faculty meetings, to library-wide meetings). We also use the data from our assessments that relate to each standard, to plan and to make decisions at many levels. If we institutionalize the SACS standards, we will automatically be maintaining and enhancing our user/quality focus. If we institutionalize the standards, we will also find it easier to be sure we're keeping in compliance with them. Anything that's done regularly or habitually is easier to do, as opposed to not really getting geared up for it it until we start planning for the next SACS reaffirmation of accreditation.
• Ask, "What's best for users?"
In our meetings and discussions, we sometimes talk about what's the easier or faster or simpler way to accomplish a task or goal. Or--we talk about what committee, task force, or person that task or goal should be assigned to. Those are necessary discussions, and we can't accomplish things without having them. I'm not arguing that we can't arrive at a way of doing something that's easy, fast, or simple as well as best for users; or that what team/group/person undertakes a task doesn't relate to what's best for users. But, if we want to enhance our user/quality focus, one way to do so might be to keep the question, "What's best for users?" at the forefront. If we answer that question first, and keep our answers to it ahead of other considerations, I believe we'll ensure that we're making the best decision for users.
3. Link to a useful resource related to User/Quality Focus
For some time now, I've been very interested in Positive Psychology. An offshoot of this field is Positive Organizational Scholarship, which extends Positive Psychology to the workplace. Jane Dutton, at the University of Michigan, has done extensive research and writing in this area. Her writings on positive (or high quality) connections at work certainly offer promise for enhancing our user/quality focus. If we have high quality connections with each other at work, the energy created by those connections will improve our decision-making, our work, and our services for users. It will also energize us in our connections with users as we deliver services to them. In her book, Energize your Workplace, Dutton says,
...The energy and vitality of individuals and organizations alike depends on the quality of the connections among people in the organization, and between organizational members and people outside the firm with whom they do business. . . . [high-quality connections are] marked by mutual positive regard, trust, and active engagement on both sides. In a high-quality connection, people feel more engaged, more open, more competent. They feel more alive. High-quality connections can have a profound impact on both individuals and entire organizations.
. . . HIgh-quality connections do not require personal knowledge or extensive interaction. Any point of contact with another person can potentially be a high-quality connection. One conversation, one e-mail exchange, one moment of connecting in a meeting can infuse both participants with a greater sense of vitality, giving them a bounce in their steps and a greater capacity to act. [Kindle locations 109-16]Here's a link to Jane Dutton's page at the Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. See item 2, "The power of positive (high quality) connections."
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Core value--November--Inclusiveness
My activity is not one of the ones that was suggested for this Core Value, but I believe it fits well with Inclusiveness.
I recently attended the OASIS annual planning retreat for Board members and staff. I am a Board member with OASIS, our local nonprofit agency which provides shelter, support, and services for those whose lives are touched by domestic violence or sexual assault.
Inclusiveness is integral to the mission of OASIS. People who experience domestic violence or sexual assault--women, children, men, college students--are members of our community. If we support them when they need us--by providing a safe place to stay, or help navigating the legal system, or short-term counseling, or financial assistance--then our community is stronger, safer, and healthier for all of us.
What's my "piece of the pie"?
During our retreat, we did an activity (towards the end) that fostered our sense of inclusiveness as an organization. We were each given a piece of construction paper shaped like a large slice of pizza. Our assignment was to think about what we plan to do to support OASIS in the next 3 to 6 months, write the most important items on our pizza slice, and then discuss them with another person present at the retreat. [The person we talked with could not be the person we had worked with on the previous activity, or the person we talked to during the lunch break.] After discussing what we wrote, some of us modified or added to our list, because the conversation had generated ideas.
Then, we each shared our "piece of the pie" with the whole group. As each slice was shared and discussed, it was taped up on the board at the front of the meeting room.
It was really interesting to see the ways in which ideas were "cross-fertilized," because one person thought of a way to contribute to, or better promote, something another person was doing. I think we all improved our understanding, and value, of the work others were doing--or planning to do. It was fun to watch the "OASIS pizza" grow, piece by piece. We had enough people present, and enough slices, to make two pies! This activity, and the visual evidence that we're all "a piece of the pie," showed us the value of consciously building inclusiveness into our planning activities as an organization. The activity also paralleled the OASIS mission of promoting inclusiveness in our broader community.
I recently attended the OASIS annual planning retreat for Board members and staff. I am a Board member with OASIS, our local nonprofit agency which provides shelter, support, and services for those whose lives are touched by domestic violence or sexual assault.
Inclusiveness is integral to the mission of OASIS. People who experience domestic violence or sexual assault--women, children, men, college students--are members of our community. If we support them when they need us--by providing a safe place to stay, or help navigating the legal system, or short-term counseling, or financial assistance--then our community is stronger, safer, and healthier for all of us.
What's my "piece of the pie"?
During our retreat, we did an activity (towards the end) that fostered our sense of inclusiveness as an organization. We were each given a piece of construction paper shaped like a large slice of pizza. Our assignment was to think about what we plan to do to support OASIS in the next 3 to 6 months, write the most important items on our pizza slice, and then discuss them with another person present at the retreat. [The person we talked with could not be the person we had worked with on the previous activity, or the person we talked to during the lunch break.] After discussing what we wrote, some of us modified or added to our list, because the conversation had generated ideas.
Then, we each shared our "piece of the pie" with the whole group. As each slice was shared and discussed, it was taped up on the board at the front of the meeting room.
It was really interesting to see the ways in which ideas were "cross-fertilized," because one person thought of a way to contribute to, or better promote, something another person was doing. I think we all improved our understanding, and value, of the work others were doing--or planning to do. It was fun to watch the "OASIS pizza" grow, piece by piece. We had enough people present, and enough slices, to make two pies! This activity, and the visual evidence that we're all "a piece of the pie," showed us the value of consciously building inclusiveness into our planning activities as an organization. The activity also paralleled the OASIS mission of promoting inclusiveness in our broader community.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
My Twitter account
- I set up my Twitter account and posted my first Tweet.
- Here are some of the interests and people I'm following:
- Suze Orman Show, because I like her down-to-earth advice, enjoy her humor, and admire her contributions to financial literacy.
- The Dalai Lama's official Twitter page, because his Tweets are inspiring.
- Kindle Today, a news stream about Amazon's Kindle e-book reader
- Malinda Maynor Lowery, to keep up with news about the Lumbee Tribe
- Nouriel Roubini, to keep up with the global financial situation from a perspective that some call realistic and others call "permabear"
- Political Humor--for fun!
- New York Public Library, to see how they're using Twitter
- Kevin S. Clarke, because he Tweets a lot and has a wide range of interests.
- How can libraries use Twitter? There are innumerable possibilities. It's useful for librarians to follow Twitter, even if not posting Tweets that often, to be aware of the possibilities and to engage both work-related and personal interests. We never know what might spark a creative idea. For me, though, moderation is the key. It's so easy to get fascinated by setting up interests and people to follow, and figuring out how it all works, and before I know it, there goes two hours :)
Friday, October 29, 2010
RSS feeds I subscribed to
• I had already set up the My Yahoo RSS feed reader, because it came with the "upgrade" that my AT&T e-mail service did last year when it "partnered" with Yahoo.
• I subscribed to the RSS feed for 23 Things / Core Values - ASU and set my options to display up to 5 items from the past 7 days, headline only. I like being able to set options for each RSS feed separately.
• I subscribed to the Lifehacker blog's RSS feed. Haven't been reading it as much lately as in the past, and thought the RSS feed appearing right above my e-mail would get me looking at it more often.
• I subscribed to the Center for Public Integrity site's RSS feed, because I appreciate the investigative journalism they do.
• I subscribed to the RSS feed for NPR's Planet Money blog. Since the meltdown of the financial system, I've been following the investigations and proposed/successful reforms related to the key factors in the meltdown. This blog discusses some of those issues, as well as a wide range of other financial issues.
• Another NPR show I enjoy is The Diane Rehm Show. Since I don't get to tune in as often as I'd like, I subscribed to the show's RSS feed.
• Just for fun, I subscribed to the RSS feed for a New York Times blog that I was not familiar with at all: Schott's Vocab: A Miscellany of Modern Words & Phrases, because of my lifelong fascination with words and vocabulary.
I found it easier to subscribe to RSS feeds that offered the My Yahoo option. These added the feed directly to my My Yahoo page. I also was disappointed not to see an RSS option on some Web sites that I would have liked to subscribe to.
• I subscribed to the RSS feed for 23 Things / Core Values - ASU and set my options to display up to 5 items from the past 7 days, headline only. I like being able to set options for each RSS feed separately.
• I subscribed to the Lifehacker blog's RSS feed. Haven't been reading it as much lately as in the past, and thought the RSS feed appearing right above my e-mail would get me looking at it more often.
• I subscribed to the Center for Public Integrity site's RSS feed, because I appreciate the investigative journalism they do.
• I subscribed to the RSS feed for NPR's Planet Money blog. Since the meltdown of the financial system, I've been following the investigations and proposed/successful reforms related to the key factors in the meltdown. This blog discusses some of those issues, as well as a wide range of other financial issues.
• Another NPR show I enjoy is The Diane Rehm Show. Since I don't get to tune in as often as I'd like, I subscribed to the show's RSS feed.
• Just for fun, I subscribed to the RSS feed for a New York Times blog that I was not familiar with at all: Schott's Vocab: A Miscellany of Modern Words & Phrases, because of my lifelong fascination with words and vocabulary.
I found it easier to subscribe to RSS feeds that offered the My Yahoo option. These added the feed directly to my My Yahoo page. I also was disappointed not to see an RSS option on some Web sites that I would have liked to subscribe to.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Blogs that I enjoy
Like others, I enjoy the Beyond the Job blog.
Here are some that I also like:
• Lifehacker, for its software and hardware tips, as well as for fun information and photos about all sorts of neat tricks.
• Your Wise Brain, by Rick Hanson, because of my interests in meditation and brain science, and because I really like Hanson's book, Buddha's Brain.
• Jim Brandenburg's blog, because I love his nature photography.
• News about the Lumbee, produced by my student assistant, Forrest Yerman, and me.
Here are some that I also like:
• Lifehacker, for its software and hardware tips, as well as for fun information and photos about all sorts of neat tricks.
• Your Wise Brain, by Rick Hanson, because of my interests in meditation and brain science, and because I really like Hanson's book, Buddha's Brain.
• Jim Brandenburg's blog, because I love his nature photography.
• News about the Lumbee, produced by my student assistant, Forrest Yerman, and me.
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