CPD23 - Thing #11 - Mentoring

Thing #11 discusses the importance of mentoring in developing professionally. I've never had a formal mentor, but I greatly appreciate some managers that have helped guide my "career."

One manager was a great friend to all, and who gave me freedom to make mistakes and to develop my reference chops without hovering over my shoulder. He also assigned work tasks that built on my strengths and interests. This manager also provided the opportunity for me to write an article for a professional journal of which he was the editor. Finally, he showed appreciation for me as a person and as a library staffer. He became a non-judgmental friend to whom I could go when I needed to talk.

Another manager also recognized my strengths and interests and encouraged me to plan programs and displays for our library branch. The encouragement allowed me to continue to develop my skills and experience.

I am grateful to both of these managers who took a personal interest in me and who guided me in my professional development.

CPD 23 - Thing #10 - Professional Library Degrees and Certification

This week's "thing" deals with routes to professional librarianship. Usually in the US that means a Masters degree in Library and Information Science. Degree programs accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) are specified by most hiring institutions. A few years ago I began a degree program while working as a library clerk.

At the time, there was a hiring freeze at our library. Vacant positions were not being filled, and few, if any, employees were being promoted. The coursework didn't seem to apply to my clerk's job, and I grew tired of the expense that was largely unsupported by scholarships. I must add that I had already earned a Masters and a Ph.D. in my first profession, Music.

At the same time, I have begun a public librarian certificate program sponsored by the Nebraska Library Commission. In fact, completing CPD 23 will earn me 15 credits toward the certificate.

I am also happy to say that library budgets were somewhat restored and lots of employees have been promoted, me included.

In the meantime, in 2009 I founded a semi-professional adult concert band, Omaha Symphonic Winds, and spend many hours weekly managing its business and studying scores in preparation of rehearsals and concerts. So, I decided to retain my part-time status with the library to allow me more time for OSW. With professional promotion off the table, due to lack of full time status, I see no need to complete the expensive library degree program.

I look forward, though, to completing the NLC public library certificate.

CPD23 - Thing #9 - Evernote

Shortly after I purchased my iPad I browsed through the AppStore for productivity apps to add to the functionality of my new tablet. I had heard about Evernote, but had never investigated it. For several years I had transferred files between my various computers, or insured that I had universal access, first through Google Docs, and then through DropBox. It was really cool to have a desktop app that would automatically sync files among my various devices and workstations.

I took a look at Evernote and liked how I could set up "notebooks" for various clippings, files, and media. I liked the way Evernote displayed the files, especially web clippings and photos. So, I added Evernote to my iPad, iPhone and multiple desktops. Now, I use it more than DropBox, except for Microsoft Office files that are not compatible with the free Evernote app.

I like the web clipping feature of Evernote and frequently clip articles and web graphics to my various notebooks. It's quick and convenient, and I like it better than Instapaper. I'm still pretty new to Evernote, but it looks like a winner to me.

CPD23 Thing #8 - Google Calendar

I've been using Google Calendar for three years because I need access to my events while working on as many as five different computers. At the library I work in a Windows environment, but at home I have a Mac. So, my calendar has to be platform neutral. In addition, I want to be able to share my events with my wife at her workplace. Google Calendar allows me to easily manage these requirements.

I have imported/subscribed to several public calendars, such as US and Christian Holidays, and, of course, the schedule of my favorite college football team. I have imported/subscribed to my wife's work calendar, and iCal on my Mac. I also download or share my Google Calendar with my iPhone and iPad.

Of course, since Google Calendar is web-based, I can access it from any of the computers I use at work via the web browser.

One thing not covered in Thing 8's tutorial is setting up alarms. I find important events are much easier to remember if I get a timely reminder. The alarm is flexible to allow for the reminder to occur at a user-selected interval prior to the event. It could be 30 minutes for something that happens at work, to 24 hours for birthdays and anniversaries to that I have time to purchase a gift.

I know that some businesses with small staffs have utilized Google Calendar to schedule employees' work. I tried doing it for a branch library, but our needs were pretty complicated, and I couldn't get it to display in an easy to understand manner.

However, it's really nice to have a universally available, free, and easy to use calendar to keep my schedule.

CPD23 - Thing #7 - F2F or Professional Networks

I have my feet in two professions. My degrees and most of my career have been spent in the Music Education field. I have been a public school and college educator for over 25 years, and started working in the library field about 3 1/2 years ago.

So, my professional memberships are in the Music Education field and include: Music Educators National Conference, Nebraska Music Educators Association, Nebraska State Bandmasters ASsociation, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, College Band Directors National Association, American School Band Directors Association, and most recently the Association of Concert Bands.

I receive publications from all of these organizations, most with articles to promote professional development. They cover many topics, including: anaylses of composer's works, methods of teaching instruments, methods of conducting effective rehearsals, planning interesting concerts, making wise equipment purchases, traveling with your ensemble, and so on.

Most of these organizations host yearly professional conferences. I regularly attend those in Nebraska, and occasionaly travel to other cities as well. Usually, I am inspired by a great performance by a featured ensemble or by an especially instructive clinic session. I enjoy seeing colleagues, many of whom I have known for a number of years.

It is my priviledge to have been elected to serve the profession as Research and College/University Affairs Chair for the Nebraska Music Educators Association, and as President of the Nebraska chapter of Phi Beta Mu.

So, I am well versed in the role of Professional Organizations, and their benefit in professional development. And while I am interested in developing my knowledge and service excellence in my current position in the public library, I am not pursuing memberships in professional organizations at this time.

CPD 23 Thing #6 - Online Networks

Thing #6 presented networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook, as well as professional resources CILIP and LISNPNP. I was already familiar with LinkedIn and Facebook, having a presence on both. CPD23's blog linked to some wonderful individuals on LinkedIn whose resumes and profiles were very well developed. As I continue to work on my branding I will return to these profiles as models for how to develop my page. Seeing that LISNPN and CILIP seem to be UK associations, I'll forego getting involved with them right now.

Cpd 23 #5 - Reflective Practice

I find true reflective practice to be challenging. Like many others, I am on the go, and have many activites crammed into my life. So, finding, or taking, the time to reflect is difficult.

From the UK version of CPD 23 I learned a simple three- step approach to reflection. 1) What?, 2) So What., 3) Now What? Let's review and reflect on our participation so far.

1) What? we've restarted our dormant blog, viewed colleagues' blogs, considered our public brand, and lookead at some social networking tools.

2) So What? Blogging is a way of onlline sharing our discoveries in this professional development exercise. since we're seperated by distance and are forced to communicate online the blog serves as a good tool for accoomplishing that purpose. Actually, just writing itself is a form of reflection. Hence the diary or journal.

Branding is a concept that I became familiar with a few years ago, although I didn't actively organize my online personna to consolidate it. Since rreading that toopic I have made a few adjustments, notably on my LinkedIn profile, which is dedicated to my music personna. I have more difficulty consolidating my facebook and twitter personnas as they serve for my two careers, librarianship and conducting, and my family and friends as well.

3) Now What? AsI continue to work through the 23 Things I'll keep blogging, perhaps it will become a habit. I'll also read colleagues blog to keep up with their experiences and discover ways that I might continue to grow. I'll keep monitoring my brand on my online social and professional networks and in print media for my conducting.

Whew! That's a lot of reflecting for me. On to the next activity, and on to Thing #6.