I've been a school librarian for the past seven years. I love the job and the opportunities it provides. I am fortunate in that although I have a lot of support at my school, I am very much left to develop the Library as I see fit. This sometimes leads me into "why did I ever suggest this?" moments but keeping the Library fun and up to date is vital in this environment. This is why I have set off on the 23 Things - I can foresee lots of ways to use these technologies here at school.
I have often thought about starting a blog but was afraid that I wouldn't have enough time or inclination (!) to keep it updated. Hopefully the 23 Things initiative will keep me motivated!
Hi Sue, Great post! I know where you are coming from on the 'what' or 'when' to blog front. I have always felt that blog were a bit self-indulgent, assuming that the world will be interested in your inner most thoughts??? But having posted the grand total of once, I am already a convert. It's as much about the need to set our thoughts out clearly, as it is the hope that anyone will actually read them.
ReplyDeleteI think this can be particularly useful in a school library environment. I moved into school libraries 4 years ago having worked in both the commercial and then public sectors. What stands out most is the isolation. For even in the most inclusive school, you are often a lone figure, a department of one, neither teaching staff nor admin. And whilst, the ability to 'just get on with it as you see fit' is very freeing, sometimes we all need to bounce ideas off a colleague.
Keep posting, I enjoyed your thoughts!
I too find that i have been left to my own devices in that strange no-man's land, in school librarianship, where you fall between academic and support staff. I am luck in my new post that I have someone to bounce ideas off but in my previous post I was left very much to my own devices. I'm hoping that 23 things will allow me to develop my skills more and make better use of new technolgies!
ReplyDeleteI read your first post & found myself thinking - this could have been me writing this! I too started in other libraries (FE college, then public), but have finally found the spot for me in a secondary school! I just love it! I too am pretty much left to get on with it, which I agree can be a bit double-edged at times. It's great to be given the freedom (and trust) to be able to run activities & events that I want - but at the same time it is exhausting keeping up the level of motivation necessary, especially if things are tough in other aspects of life.
ReplyDeleteI decided to have a go at CPD23 as I've long been aware that blogging could be a really useful promotion tool for me and the students. I have colleagues in local schools who have created the most amazing sites, and I'd really like one as well!
Having a look at the other sites registered here, I'm immediately struck by now boring mine is, so the next step is to jazz it up a bit - if I can work out how to do it!
Good luck!
Great start and look forward to being on the journey of CPD23 together. Best wishes, Julia
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