Thing 14: Zotero / Mendeley / citeulike

Mendeley I chose as it seemed to be more platform independent that Zotero. I have used it before and was glad to see the documents I had listed in my account were either there in pdf format, or could be searched for and found on the web.

I had a look at the groups and there seemed to some of passing interest ; I would think that it is a good tool if people with similar interests are out there waiting to be connected with, or you already know them and use the tool to share research interests.

Thing 13: Google Docs, Wikis and Dropbox

Google docs and Dropbox are very useful tools:

Google docs is great for creating spreadsheets and documents even if you don't have the MS Office software and are accessible everywhere on the web.

Dropbox just keeps all items online like Google docs, but is a simpler conceptually and great for working on projects off multiple pcs and locations, avoiding all the problem of version control.

wikis

I found pbworks good to host issues relating to e-resources for a regional special interest group. Indeed these are great tools, but it is only by use that they build up valuable content.

As such wikis can be used for knowledge management, can be searched quite efficiently, and of course have all the advantages of being online, access-controlled, and with a relatively simple user interface for editing.

Thing 12 - putting the social in social media

I have been impressed with number of groups that one can join via linked in - the CSG Information Literacy group being one I joined.

There is a lot out there and more exploring will follow ...

Getting to a social state with online groups is certainly a thought worthy of consideration. At the moment I use regional email lists for quick answers at work, and colleagues are very helpful. I have used national mailing lists also - LIS-medical being a prime and very useful one.

Social media has been just a way to keep up with friends. Expanding its use for career development is a worthwhile aim, but should have sensible objectives, and always entail the sense of working together that is helpful for everyone.

Of course time can be saved by doing things digitally and remotely. Off to hunt for someone or some new group to add to my network...

Advantages of social networks for CPD
Learning from other professionals
Save time by interacting online

Disadvantages
Information overload, distraction

Thing 11 - mentoring

I have had a mentor who has helped me through the chartership process. I can recommend that you look for a mentor and can say without doubt that it can be really helpful on lots of levels. It was refreshing to see that many of the issue affecting libraries are the same, no matter what type of parent institution one it is located in, such as the academic, specialised and public areas.

A good question is how I will continue with a mentor once chartership has finished. I certainly feel it is worthwhile, and will follow up the links provided by 23 things, when it hasn't been a long day at work!!!

Thing 10 - Graduate traineeships, Masters Degrees, Chartership, Accreditation

What I do?
I have worked in a medical library for 2 years in the UK as an Assistant librarian, and am in the process of applying for chartership, having assembled a portfolio for that purpose.

Is it interesting or not? That's an important question. I have heard it said that of any job you will find 10-20% most interesting. Which leads me back to thing 5 on reflection.

In particular I liked Burton's

What?
So what?
Now what

Another tool to clarify what it is one enjoys and what motivates one in one's job is to picture exactly what that is and how you would communicate it to another person.

How I got there?
Having done a variety of jobs I decided to to a Msc in ILS which I did in the Robert Gordon University. From there I did a placement in the National Library of Scotland, and thence to a medical library, based in a hospital, in the NHS.

Thing 9 - Evernote

I like this quite a lot. It allows me to write up notes on things that are diverse and to add files. For example when my Grandmother appeared on the Irish Times during the recent census I bookmarked the page. But with evernote I can store it elsewhere.

I will use Evernote as it's a really convenient way to store ideas and so on. And quite a good idea since such a lot of stuff is out there, which we come across, and to to be able to make a note of it somewhere easily, is a facility that needed.

Continuing with the question regarding the appropriateness of putting information on these applications, has anyone read Delete..?

Thing 8 - Google Calendar

This seems quite good - and I will try to load more events on to it and get used to using it. The features I am told by fans are cool, like being able to hide events of a certain colour. Added the gadget to my igoogle page and have set up text alerts.

Can't see my workplace adopting it - but I can always try!

It will be interesting to see who will be able to share events with it.