My contribution to CPD 23 Things

Phew, I started working on the CPD 23 Things for professional development programme at the beginning of summer 2011, along with hundreds of other librarians. This is a really well set-up, comprehensive programme which I was very excited about and was really enthusiastic to be joining. And for the first few weeks, I did keep up. Then followed a relaxing 3-week holiday (lazing in the Andalucian sunshine with no internet access, which was just wonderful). However, once I was back at work in August, I just never caught up again. Everyone else on the programme was weeks ahead of me (or so it seemed), and no-one was still working on the same 'thing' as me. My focus shifted to the rapidly approaching start of term, to my contribution to our library space redevelopment project, to preparing a library workshop programme for new PhD students, and so it went on. I kept up with some of the CPD 23 Things blogs, especially those written by folks I know and respect and I experimented with the 'things' in a rather piecemeal fashion for a few more weeks. Now, I have to say that I think it's time for me to stop trying to catch up. I definitely intend to try to complete the programme and I'll probably do this by picking up on the 'things' that I'm particularly interested in first of all (I'm definitely going to have a look at Evernote, for example). I've dabbled with lots of the tools already (LinkedIn, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Zotero and Mendeley, Prezi and Jing) and I already use some of the tools as an integral part of my working, professional and personal life (Twitter, Facebook, Diigo, blogs, RSS feeds). I'm planning on updating this blog as and when I've really explored these tools rather than trying to dash through the remaining 'things', just to say I've completed the programme. While I feel somewhat disappointed that I haven't finished the programme and won't receive a sparkly, crisp certificate, I look forward to the next time it runs again, as one of the most motivating factors was exploring the 'things' at the same time as lots of other folks.

Anyway, I really just wanted to say thank-you CPD 23 Things, it's been great, but I'll potter on at my own speed for now :-)

(Note to self: remember, CPD is a pleasure not a chore (sorry slightly longer than 6 words!)

Thing 6: Online networks (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter...)

LinkedIn
Yes, I do have a LinkedIn profile, although I'm not linked to a huge number of people (25 at the time of writing). However, I'm finding the Groups useful and I have joined the CILIP group and the CPD23Things group (naturally), as well as ACRL, CILIP CDG, CILIP CSG Info Lit Group, IFLA, UKeiG and UKSG.

Facebook
Although I've used Facebook for a long time, I use it much less frequently than I used to. I go there mainly to share and look at photographs and to keep up with friends.

Twitter
I realise we've covered Twitter in Thing 4: Current Awareness and I (@jennycampbell), find it a fabulous online network which I use every day to keep in touch with colleagues and find out what folks are up to. It's been the most wonderful way of creating a network of colleagues from all over the UK and beyond. I also created and jointly manage a work Twitter account (@nulibsage) which we use to communicate with staff and students in science and engineering subjects at Newcastle University.