Olivia's page

Meeting with mentor

2010-09-13T11:51:00.006+01:00

I met with my mentor Gil Young on Thursday 9th September at 9am to discuss improvements which need to be made to my Chartership portfolios. We looked over where the portfolio was lacking in certain evidence, namely the Library's policy and how it regards to the Trust's. We have another scheduled meetong for the 26th of September at 10:00.

Six Book Challenge

2010-03-12T20:48:00.009Z

We decided to take part in the Six Book Challenge which is a nation wide initiative to get emergent readers as well as others who read well but have just got out of the habit, to read more. As a result we have broadened our choices of reading material to include Quick Reads and other types of fiction as well as "Health and Well Being" books that will help improve people's lives. These are books about exercise, healthy living, beating stress and eating well.

Progressing nicely

2009-09-02T11:24:00.004+01:00

I have just had a meeting with Gil, and I really feel buoyed up by it. She gave me some excellent advice on how to proceed with my personal reflective statement and was so encouraging about the evidence I had collected that she has really spurred me on. She even thinks I should be ready to submit by April/May next year. Our next meeting will be in December where I will (hopefully) have a rough example of my portfolio. It seems incredible that it's all coming together.

Reflective wrting

2009-09-01T10:05:00.006+01:00

One of the most challenging tasks of the Chartership process is the Relective writing essay. 1000 words on our various job roles, how we have improved in these areas, and why. The urge is to simply write out a list of taks we do, and how we do them, but this exercise needs to be more introsoective. We need to look at the tasks noted down in our PPDP plan, what training and devleopment we think we need in these areas, why, what benefits could come about this additional training and when it should take place. It's tricky and from what I can gather from the other Chartershuip candidates, the one taks everyone dreads the most!

Websites

2009-07-27T14:26:00.006+01:00

One of the goals on my PDPP is to become more actively involved with updating the ERC Library homepage, which requires knowledge in basic html. I sat in with my colleague Stephen while he was making some amendments. Having had some html experience already I bascially understood the gist of what needed to be done. I think it's more a question of just getting some hands-on experience, which I hope to get during our next session.

Wikis, blogs and webpages

2009-06-16T16:06:00.004+01:00

As I am interested in learning more about blogs, wikis and webpages, as well as how to use them, I went onto the daddy of them all, Wikipedia, and added my own small contribution by editing an exsiting page about the French film Sans soleil. Very proud.

note - the original author of this article removed my contribution from the wiki page.

My CV - at last

2009-05-29T12:07:00.005+01:00

Joy, I have finished updating my CV! Thanks to my lovely, and Chartered, friend Andrea for letting me have a looksy at hers so I could have an idea of what format to use. It's funny but I find it really difficult outlining my tasks - they become such a part of you that it's hard to actually desribe them. And remembering what I had done at previous jobs! Luckily I keep copies of old CVS and Job Descriptions!
But I am very glad it is out of the way. Now on to the next task...

Following through on my PPDP

2009-05-26T18:14:00.003+01:00

One of my goals on my Personal Development Plan was to work on ways on promoting our library and it's resources. By discussing this with other members of the library team we decided to try a Waterstone's style display table featuring a collection of our new books. Well, it is a fabulous success! Books and DVDs that had been overlooked and ignored before flew off the table! It has been decided that it will remain a permanent feature of the library. We even thought that future displays could feature themes - burns books, Nursing, exam revision books, etc.

My CV

2009-05-19T09:23:00.004+01:00

I followed the link on Cilip to the CV help page which gives advice on compiling the perfect CV and even has some CV templates, but which to choose? This is great if I were compiling my CV for something as simple as applying for a job. But where is the sample CV for submitting your portfolio? Why don't they have anything on that? This is making me even more apprehensive.

Chartership - first steps

2009-05-18T12:03:00.003+01:00

I just joined Lis-Cilip-Reg, a lsit to go to for help and advice on anything to do with your Chatership portfolio. Might be a useful link to have handy during those dark scary moments when you're either not quite sure what you're doing, or not sure you're doing it right.

My CV is looming over me like the albatross and the ancient mariner. I think I'll feel better once I've actually begun it, it's just taking that first step.

Why Charter - training course

2009-05-15T18:38:00.004+01:00

I have finally sent off my registration form (along with £50!! Ouch!!) yesterday, and today I attended the Why Charter course organized by NoWal which was held at my old library Aytoun. It was an extremely useful course giving us more details about what we should and should not include in our portfolios. I think the urge would be to pile in all the evidence - certificates, leaflets you've created, emails, correspondence, etc, to try to prove everything you do in your job. That would be my first thought. But you really need to be selective and verify that each piece of evidence is necessary and descriptive of your job and your development. Another useful issue that was covered was the 1000 word evaluative statement. The keywords here were reflection NOT description.

So, though I am still really intimidated by the whole thing, I do feel slightly less apprehensive.

working on my Personal Professional Development Plan

2009-05-08T14:24:00.007+01:00

I had second meeting with Gil on May 6th, which has encouraged me as I now feel like I am at least moving in the right direction. She gave me some very good suggestions on improving my PPDP and I dod feel that much more confident about it now. But it is tougher than I thought it was going to be. It's easy to become complacent in your job - you get into your routines and think you are au fait with your post. But when you look at the fine print (i.e. your job description) in greater detail you notice all the areas in which you could and should receive more training. For instance recruitment, marketing, the organization you work for and your place in it - all these are areas in which I could benefit with more training and development.

My bloggy journey through Chartership

2009-05-06T10:55:00.007+01:00

Well, I have been gone a long time, but I am back, and to keep up with my "personal training" on Blogs and how they can be used not just personally but also professionally, I have decied to take a leaf out of a recently Chartered librarian who incorporated her Blog entries into her Cilip portfolio. For those who don't know, Cilip (The Chartered Institute of Library andInformation Professionals) is the professional body that qualified librarians must join in order to keep up to speed with the ever evolving world of Libraianship and Information technology in all its forms. During the next 12 months I will be ammassing evidence not only of the job I do now but any personal and professional developments I feel I need to undertake in order to achieve both my personal goals as well as my Chartership.

I also had my first meeting with my Mentor Gil on Apirl 10 at 10:00. I feel really pleased to have her guiding me through this as she is very motivating and encouraging which is just what I need!
Stay tuned.

youtube!!!

2008-11-30T21:09:00.007Z

Ha ha, I uploaded a couple of videos on youtube today. Took me AGES! I couldn't figure it out!!! Whatever I did it wouldn't work!! Went to some help pages, though they weren't much use (though one did show how to convert video files and which program to use). Finally I decided to use the basic uploader instead of the batch one, and it did the trick!! Now I'm hooked. So I will be filming a lot more at shows from now on!!! Check out my videos here!!

Blue day

2008-11-29T16:46:00.002Z

Today is a blue day. I'm feeling very sad and lonely. The weather isn't helping, it's really gray and cold. I just feel worthless, ugly, fat, unloved, unwanted. I desperately would love to be in love and have someone love me but I don't think it will ever happen and that scares me so much. All those of you in a relationship, nurture it, cherish it. It is a precious thing.

Repreave

2008-11-04T17:43:00.004Z

I had been thinking how sad it was going to be, now that Elbow had finished their UK tour, and there would be no shows to look forward to. I had been spoiled, I know; there was always one in the horizon, then after that there'd be another one. Six shows in one year. I couldn't complain. But I was sad, and I would miss my boys. And then.....A REPREAVE!!!!!! They announced a few shows on a Spring tour. No Manchester shows, but they are playing the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool on March 7th!!! WOO HOO!!! The Empress Ballroom is a historical building dating from the 1800's, and a gem of Victorian architecture. The band say that it had always been a dream of theirs to perform there, so the vibe should be really great. Blackpool itself has a terrible reputation, but who cares. We plan to make a little week end of it, taking the train and maybe staying the night. Can't wait!! Thanks Elbow!!!

Muse

2008-11-01T20:25:00.003Z

Jesca Hoop is my muse as I begin my nanowrimo adventure. I adore her. Her beautiful voice and her music and her incredible lyrics and the stories they tell. I wish everyone loved her. It makes me sick that someone like Leona Lewis is selling all those records and Jesca is worth 100 Leona Lewises!!! There is no justice. And we were so privileged to have her over on these shores opening up for the mighty Elbow and people just didn't appreciate it. Even when Guy walked on stage and asked people to have respect and listen to this marvelous performer people just babbled on. I listened though and she was fabulous and I can't wait to have the honor of seeing her live once more.

So here is the adorable video to her great song Big Fish . Enjoy.

Lazy cow

2008-11-01T08:22:00.003Z

My flat is a sty, should do shopping, must start my Nanowrimo....but just have no motivation. Can't bring myself to make breakfast. I have loads of empty boxes that need to be broken down and thrown out....ppfffffppphhhhhht. It's nice outside today. Hopefully it will last more than an hour.

No more Elbow shows. For a long time. My friends and I were saying that we may need to start a support group. We have been very spoiled this year. Beginning in April with that magical Blueprint show, we have seen them...six times. It's never enough.

I uploaded this photo cos my bud Vicky added it as a favorite on the Flickr page. It's one I never really noticed much before, but it is cool how the spotlights are raining down on my adorable Guy.

There you go.

Elbow contin'd

2008-10-31T10:37:00.007Z

I have uploaded my Elbow photos, and they actually aren't that crap! (she said in shock). So check out my Flickr page and live the magic.

There you go!!

Elbow

2008-10-31T08:56:00.004Z

Saw my beloved Elbow last night. Met up with the very nice Kim from London who was at the last show, plus my darling Elbowies Chris and Shirley. There were some REAL nutters there though. An aging pair of fanatic concert goers (real metal fans who also seem to like the very Indie Elbow). She was dressed up like Satan's little helper. And there was a crowd of TRULY obnoxious people, pissed to the gills and making a complete nuisance of themselves, talking loudly during Jesca Hoop's set and even during Elbow! Shouting out stupid things and annoying my precious Guy. I asked the girl to shhhh once and I overheard her say "if that girl looks at me again I'm going to kick her ass". They even started shouting things out to rile me like "green card" (reference to my being American?) but I ignored them. But Shirley and Chris were worried and looked out for me. The bitchy girl even tried to shove Kim out of way and take her place at the front (but tiny Kim held firm!!!). The vibe just wasn't the same. It was a great gig but lacked the atmosphere and energy of the last two I saw. Of course the fact that Guy's grandfather had died that morning probably didn't help. But he was still absolutely adorable and the band gave it all they had. I love them to the core. I don't have my photos uploaded yet. I didn't take as many and I have a feeling this will be my worst batch yet.

Day off work so taking it easy today.

There you go.

OH, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Last Day

2008-10-30T09:15:00.003Z

Today is my last dat at work. I'm leaving Salford Royal and going back to the library at Wythenshawe. I don't regret coming here, even though it was for a brief 7 months. I learned a lot, made a great friend in fellow rock chick Bernie. But it's been hard and stressful. It's not easy working for a lunatic boss. We've all had them. It makes you wonder how they got there. Didn't anyone notice they were insane? But then again, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

Anyway, for your viewing enjoyment, and to celebrate Elbow's gig tonight at The Manchester Apollo, here is their brilliant video for Leaders of the Free World one of the highlights of their shows

Ah, shucks

2008-10-29T20:06:00.002Z

I am very overwhelmed by the thoughts and generosity of all my friends and all the lovely cards and presents I received. What would we be without friends?
xx

My two cent's worth

2008-10-29T14:10:00.003Z

I have to pay a license here to watch TV, it's something I have accepted, even though it seems I have to pay the BBC in order to watch programs on other networks. Makes sense? I don't think so. But whatever. And it seems my fees also fund BBC radio and i-player too. Fine, whatever. Oh, and new BBC headquarters and shiny new executive offices. Fine. But it also seems to pay the obscenely high salaries of buffoons such as Russel Brand and Jonanthan Ross, the latter making over £18,000,000 a year. For what? Making lewd and childish phone calls to unsuspecting actors and then broadcasting the stupid stunt on the radio? It was a feat that would have made a pimply-faced teenager blush with shame. Disgraceful. Fortunately others think so too, and the two deviants have been suspended pending further enquiry. Makes me sick. So that's where my licence fee goes.

Another day...

2008-10-29T08:54:00.004Z

Greetings. Another day, another dollar (or pound?) It is this time of year where I sometimes miss my beloved Oregon the most. Halloween is fast approaching. They just don't get it here. It is seen as an "Americanism" (though it did originate from these shores) an annoyance, and just for kids. But it is so much more. I miss going through the different neighbourhoods in Corvallis, and later Portland, and looking at the elaborately carved pumpkins lining people's porches.They get it.

Oh, it's my birthday today too.

There you go.

Flickr

2008-10-28T20:39:00.005Z

When I go to show I take loads of photos, mostly crap!! But occasionally there is the odd gem. Check out my flickr page .

Later.

My current faves

2008-10-28T20:19:00.003Z

Greetings.
This Thursday I will be seeing the wonderful Elbow at the Manchester Apollo. Check out Elbow's myspace page . And while you're at it check out Jesca Hoop their fabulous opening act.

How's that?

Goddess

2008-10-28T18:15:00.006Z

Woo Hoo! What would we do without friends? Thanks to my goddess friend Vicky I now know how to post links, so while I'm at it, here's the link to Vicky's bodacious blog

There you go!!

Hello

2008-10-28T15:07:00.000Z

Hello,
This is my first blog, so I'm just experimenting. You may hear from me again, yo may not. Right now I'm just trying to figure out how to post this damn thing!