Thing 21: ooh, I've caught up!

Job interviews. I've had some excellent ones, I've had some disasterous ones. Anyone who says they're not stressful is lying. Even down to finding the right clothes to wear - if I wear jeans, do I appear too casual? If I wear a suit, will they spot it is old enough to be sitting GCSEs?

I'm very lucky that I keep my CV updated, as it is an excellent way to keep track of what one does at one's job. It has been checked by a qualified HR professional, so I just add little bits and delete others as required. It is unlikely I'll be applying for jobs outside of the library profession any time soon, so it doesn't require 'tweaking' according to the role I'm applying for.

The recommendations I can give is:

- Get your CV checked and make sure the dates add up.

- Ask someone to practise interviewing you.

- The interviewers are likely to be just as stressed as you, except they have to go through it all day and are probably dying for a cup of tea.

- Be prepared for awkward questions. 

- Research the place you're applying to, even if it is just looking up the front door on Google streetmap so you know where you're going, and allow plenty of time to get there.

- Always think of one question in advance to reply with when they ask "Do you have any questions?" because they will!

- If you are being interviewed for a library job, comment how tidy the shelves look...

Thing 20: a sort-of repeat of Thing 10

ROOTS: Like so many in the library world, I sort-of fell into librarianship. I applied for a Saturday shelving job in the main public library when I was 18 as I hated the supermarket where I was employed. I applied for a job in a bookshop because it dealt with art books and I'd just finished an art degree. I went for a job in a university department library as my friend worked on the department's reception and thought I'd like it there. I moved from there to a college to reduce my working hours (long story), and have picked up whatever additional temporary jobs I can, where I can.

I'm an avid reader, and lots of people tell me being a librarian suits me. Or they're surprised, expecting all librarians to look like this lady. Oh well.

ROUTES:
Saturday shelver (Public Library): 2 years.
Bookseller: 18 months.
Library Assistant (Department): 5 years.
Library Invigilator (Department): 1 term.
Library Assistant (College): 4 years and counting...
Library Assistant (College): 1 term.
Cataloguing Assistant (College): 1 month.
Volunteer Cataloguing Assistant (Department): 8 months and counting...

Things 18 and 19: not much to report

I think the Jing thing looks like it might be useful, but not at home. I will come back to this when I am at work.

I listen to assorted podcasts, usually when I'm gardening or cooking. I'm not sure what I'd say to create one, but I can see the potential.

I'm aware how short these two things are, so here's a link to a depressed cat called Henri.

Thing 17: Prezi

I can skip through this one. I was asked by my boss to make a Prezi library map for our students. After a bit of swearing, I made this. We've had some good feedback from the facebook promotion, and we'll be rolling it out to the new undergraduates this year. Eek!

I much prefer it to Powerpoint.

Thing 16: Booky wooks

I have been a library user since birth. I used to go to story sessions when I was very little, we even have some signed Pugwash books after the author did a reading there. The big Silvercross vintage pram I used to be pushed around in broke after my mother loaded it up with library books and a sack of potatoes. When we moved south, one of the first things we did was join the library in Cambridge. My parents had control of our library cards, so they could borrow the maximum number on behalf of all of us, and we had a dedicated shelf just for library books at home. Again, I remember of attending story sessions and just browsing the shelves, and how grown-up I felt when I finally started using the card for my own personal selection.

There is a point to this waffle. These are my special recollections, and similar are shared by family and friends. These are going to be lost if the public library system is dismantled, privatised, under-funded or generally mucked-about-with, and future generations won't even have the chance to create their own memories. I've been out and protested against the cuts. I encourage everyone to use the service, to prove it is a necessity for a civilised society, and that each person in the UK should have access to a well-stocked and relevant library. For free.

Yes, the internet is a wonderful thing. And books, e-books and newspapers can be picked up for pennies there. But if I bought every book I wanted to read, I'd be skint and need a mansion to store them all. And I am not alone.

Thing 15: Conferences.

I've been to assorted conferences. The one I reguarly attend is the lib@cam conference, which is an annual event. I do listen carefully to the lectures and presentations, but it gives me an excellent chance to catch up with ex-colleagues, friends and fellow (and now ex-) Aberystwyth students. The last one I went to led to me being taught how to catalogue periodicals.

The most successful talks are from people who make me think, both about my current job, and what the profession will be like in the future. The least successful are from businesses who try and sell their product, having not realised they'll be talking to a range of professionals, not just the head honchos with the buying power.

I'm unlikely to organise one, or even speak at one, but I'm always happy to go to them, provided someone is on hand with a tea urn. And a biscuit. At present, the only topic I'd be good at presenting would be book covering - I've been doing that for ten years, have demonstrated it to numerous librarians and interested students - if only to show that sticky backed plastic can't bite!

Thing 13: unlucky for some.

Rushing through things again. Missed Thing 13 because I didn't scroll down the page. Sigh.

I've used a Wiki tool in my previous job, called Camtools, as we used as the guimes pigs before it was rolled out. I still use it occasionally. We found it invaluable for creating student guides amongst various staff.

However, this Google drive thing looks like fun, and very useful. I've set up a test page, and emailed it to myself to change it about a bit. Again, will need to spend more time on it. If anyone is reading this, this is the link and I think I've managed to set it up so you can comment.

Thing 14: CiteULike. 'Citing.

I've lost a bit of momentum for the 'Things'. Studying, summer and other things beginning with 'S' have somewhat taken over. I'm only 5 things behind, so am going to rush through a bit.

When I'm studying (and generally pootering about online), I'm never at just one computer. Home, work, the UL, the public library - all are different ages and speeds. I didn't look at the other two options as they are not relevant to my current needs as much as CiteULike could be, as that can be accessed from anywhere. I need to have more of a play with it to see if its going to work for me.

I don't know offhand what the students use to keep track of their references where I work, we mostly deal with undergraduates who have a set reading list. 

Thing 12: The Social [Media] Working Persons' Club

I've tried to keep myself separate. Facebook for friends, Twitter for professional stuff. There has been a bit of a crossover, but I try and stick to that rule.

However, there are some interesting groups on facebook that I'm a member of. National Trust Libraries group is one for discovering the treasures often hidden away in those grand houses. Library Manifesto makes for fascinating, if somewhat depressing, reading on the effect and future effects of government cuts, and there are loads of support groups for libraries that are threatened, like Cambridge's Arbury Court . And to conter-act that, the ever cheerful Orkney Library.

I'm still finding twitter confusing. I've heard rumours that I should follow a hash tag. I know the UK is full of Olympic fever, and that the torch does look a bit like a carrot from Camberwell, but... ! Anyway, I am yet to find a hash tag that isn't something to go with Justin Bieber fever, One Direction, or some so-called comedy phrase. Any suggestions?

Thing 11: Mentoring

I don't have an official mentor, but I sometimes suspect I may have an informal one. I wonder if one can create an imaginary mentor. They'd need to have a big cape, a filofax bursting with contacts, and the ability to pause and rewind time.

Thing 10: how can one qualify their qualifications?

Like so many in the library world, I sort-of fell into librarianship. I applied for a Saturday shelving job in the main public library when I was 18 as I hated the supermarket where I was employed. I applied for a job in a bookshop because it dealt with art books and I'd just finished an art degree. I went for a job in a library as my friend worked on the department's reception and thought I'd like it there, more so than getting verbal abuse from irate customers and being phoned up by a litany of aged men, inviting me to their houses to 'see their etchings'. I moved from there to a college to reduce my working hours (long story), in the meantime having also picked up more experience as an invigilator, temporary library assistant and cataloguing assistant. Twice.

Until I started studying for my Masters', the only qualifications I had were a degree in an unrelated subject. But I'm quite low down in the food chain. I'm sure if I was the library equivalent of a shark, I'd need more pieces of official paper. But, where I am at the moment, it is more practical skills I need.

I am studying for a Librarian post-graduate degree, left over from when I had career plans. Now I'm completing it more for myself than to fulfil any world domination plans. I've heard on the grape vine that it could be applied to other careers. Obviously, my ideal career of nettle farmer would need different qualifications.

Thing 9: Evernote-ing things

A bit of a break again, but back with thing 9. I've often wondered how I can keep track of all the things I read and see online, and I'm hoping this will be the answer. I've only had a brief look and created a few notes, so I can try and catch up on the other things, but am hoping this will be the answer to my organising needs.

And yes, that is my cat, and yes, I know he has muddy paws. That is his default setting.

Thing 8: Calendars are for organised people

I have a calendar in my kitchen. I bought it for 50p in St Ives market, and it shows coastal scenes of the UK. On it, I scrawl appointments, parties, my work schedule, and when my parents or the in-laws are coming round so we know to tidy up in advance. I share it with my husband, who never writes anything on it, and I doubt even looks at it. Occasionally, the cat will bash it, or it'll fall off the cupboard handle to which it is tied to. Come December 31st, it'll be torn up and placed in the wheelie bin for recycling, and a new one purchased under a strict criteria (is it too girly for a household that is only 33% femine (the cat being the second masculine member), can we look at it all year and not get cross, does it cost less than a bottle of wine). I write in code to prevent awkward questions from visitors, mostly my parents. Holidays are never marked as such in case burglars see it, again to prevent my parents worrying that hoardes of hooded teenagers clutching crowbars are just waiting in the hedge to steal our aged games consoles, scruffy paperback books and the tv that came off the ark.

I can see the point in an online, shareable calendar tool. But I quite like the mystery of knowing people can't tell when I'm genuinely busy or if I'm just avoiding them. It may be useful for my work to have something set up for the students, but at the moment we use facebook and a piece of paper taped to the office door for unusual or brief closures, usually for lunch.

Thing 7: What is the difference between 'networking' and 'chatting'?

I completed Thing 7 a few weeks ago, having attended a CILIP regional event in a nice pub on the river. I had a nice chat with some librarians from the public sphere, an ex-colleague and a fellow library assistant from another college. However, here lies the dilemma - does 'chatting' count as 'networking'? Librarians are funny creatures, and are often at opposing ends of the social sliding scale - either very stereotypical, mousey and quiet, or are completely barking booze-hounds who are the last to be thrown out of the pub come last orders. And end up sitting in the road, gossiping. If you're reading this, you know who you are. I shall not name and shame. Anyway, I digress. Is there some sort of measurement of 'networking' success? I only spoke to a few people, however I did get introduced to the group, and would probably recognise some of them again. In the right context. Does this count as Thing 7 completed?

Away from that single CILIP event, I attend other Cambridge events and talks for both University and College library staff, and the annual lib@cam conference. Again, my networking tends to be more informal, but from the conference this year I have been able to gain some work experience (see 'Thing 5), which is always worth doing. I also created a facebook group for Cambridge Library Assistants (tagline: "cos the librarians' have one", which they did at the time), but only managed to attract a couple of users, one of which was a confused student trying to recommend purchases. It was deleted in the latest fb upgrade. I was also a member of the Cambridge Library Group for a while, which so far, has been the most effective networking group I have participated in. I am not a member of CILIP, as I cannot afford it, even as a student. Obviously, this will have to change if I ever get to the chartership stage.

Having worked in libraries throughout Cambridge over the last 9 years, it is rare that I attend anything where I don't know a single person. This may hold me back, as gossip is just too tempting not to catch up on.

Thing 6: Pushing the brand too far?

After a brief break (end of term, allotment rush period), Thing 6 is taxing my brain a bit. I read an  article this week about how we share too much information online. And LinkedIn seems to encompass that for me. I'm not sure how wise it is to post my curriculum vitae online, maybe if I was a professional businesswomen, seeking to network and push my brand, I'd consider it. Or if I was a manager, or ruler of the world. But I'm just me, a lowly library assistant with a varied employment history - from measuring broad bean flowers to working in a supermarket cafe to confirmed and habitual bibliophile. Perhaps I'll change my mind in the future.

I'm already on facebook, and keep that to strictly friends. The outside world is not ready for the onslaught of photos of my cat sleeping.

Thing 5: reflecting makes me think of Narcissus

So, hot on the heels of Thing 4 is Thing 5. Reflective practice. I think my current volunteering stint may be suitable for this.

I am currently being a volunteer at a satellite copyright deposit library, helping to catalogue runs of journals that were placed in storage when several libraries merged. I attend one day a week for approximately 90mins.

I am given a journal title, and I wander off into the labyrinth to find all the back issues. Some are boxed, some are loose. After they are sorted, I am being taught how to create and update paper shelf lists, which is a very accurate list of a journal title (and variants), bibliographic number, place of publication, year and exactly which volumes, issues and parts are held. They are arranged by classmark, which is the ever-confusing in-house mix of Library of Congress, Dewey, and size. After the lists are created, an excel document is checked and updated to ensure the information is correct. I am then learning how to catalogue, using the Voyager Cataloguing module. Each record is updated, or created from scratch, and as much information as possible is added to the record. Once this is completed, the journals are re-boxed, and new boxes created to hold the loose issues. They are then reshelved.

I am enjoying working in a new place, and learning new skills. Although it is a slow process, I know that my contribution, small as it is, may help a researcher or student in the future to find the article they are looking for. This may even save the university money, if they had been requesting inter-library loans without realising they already had the title needed.

Although it is not relevant to my current library assistant position, I think it will give me additional skills that I may be able to apply to other jobs, and prove that I am very keen to extend my knowledge and experience, on top of studying for my librarian masters degree,

Things! 23 of them!

Thing 1: testing, testing 1 2 3... 

Hello, this is my first attempt at a real blog. I've just started on the Cam 23 2.0 thing. I regularly use facebook, mostly to discuss my allotment and cat, and am not on twitter. I hope that this course will give me more of an insight into the professional uses of social media, and not just use it to send funny pictures of animals to my friends.

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Thing 2: stalky stalky!

I'm a bit out of sequence, doing thing 2 after thing 3. But ever the maverick. A bit of snooping about brought up other people who are much better at this than me - I'm used to facebook, with its limited design and word count. And the lack of comments is weird, again, I'm used to the interactions from my assorted friends, even if a lot of it is sarcastic, insulting or completely irrelevant.

I've left a comment for someone who also has an allotment.

Can't find anyone else in Cambridge yet. The stalking must continue!

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Thing 3: re:brand

 Well, here's Thing 3. I have an exceptionally common name, so stuck my workplace (a Cambridge college) on the end. A few hits, mostly from the college website, listing my position and when I started. Tried seeing if there are any images, nope. Removed my workplace name, tried my city. Lots of hits for the Duchess of Cambridge, even though she's 'Kate' not 'Katie', but I do appear under my work details again. Tried my maiden name, turns out I'm an Australian Big Brother contestant, an architect and am on the ladies squash team in Huntingdon. Haven't I been busy!

So my personal brand is all my own, and is hidden by celebrities. You'd need to know I'm out there and how to look for me. I quite like this idea. 

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 Thing 4: feeding the tweet machine

Thing 4 has happened and I am now on twitter (@bookslinger). I am yet to write anything even vaguely relevant to librarianship or cpd23, but I have gained a whole six followers, of which two are also doing these 'things'. I am more aware that anyone could potentially read what I've said, more so than on facebook, so am being pretty quiet and just looking about. I'm mostly following comedians.

I've also joined storify (http://storify.com/bookslinger/i-like-allotments-cats-and-libraries), but my contribution is patchy at best. This may also be a thing to use in the future, just not at the moment. On to thing 5!