CPD23 - Thing 15 - Event participation

In Thing 15 we are encouraged to think about our involvement in seminars, conferences and events in all their glorious technicolour.

A suitable alternative sub-title would be Why Don't You Just Switch Off Your Television Set and Go Out and Do Something Less Boring Instead?'. Some of you may remember that this was a cult BBC children's TV programme from the 1980s. To be reminded of your mis-spent youth, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/titles/whydontyou.shtml

I've done just what it says on the tin and been fortunate to participate in a number of events, either by attending or organising. In particular as:

Attendee

• Aerospace and Defence Libraries Group (ADLG) conference in 2009 
• CILIP's Umbrella 
• IFLA's World Libraries Conference held in Durban, South Africa in 2007

There is a tendency to think that being an attendee at an event is equivalent to having a day off. In fact, conferences and events are hard work in themselves if you are truly to make the most of them - by networking, listening hard, asking the right questions. Having said that you should take a balanced approach about pacing yourself throughout the day (and evening if the event runs over a few days).

As a conference attendee, I've always tried to reflect and share on my learning experiences. However, there is always more that I could do better, such as being more prepared in advance and asking more questions. This and other suggestions are offered by the writer and speaker Scott Berkun in his blog post - 'How to get the most out of conferences'.

Organiser

• Network for Government Library and Information Specialists (NGLIS) conference on "Do Information Professionals have the key to the door?" in April 2011.

I was slightly reluctant to put my name forward to help with organising this, but it is one of the activities I've been most proud of recently. It provided an opportunity to learn new skills, for instance liaising with suppliers. And I learnt that I can be a bit of a control freak.
By actually organising an event, you really feel you are making a much bigger difference.

I am now looking forward to getting involved in planning the 2012 Government libraries conference and making it even more successful than before.

Presenting

At the moment, I would classify myself as a 'presenting virgin'. I've only had a chance to present at one 'biggish' conference, at a work related Export Group for Aerospace and Defence Annual Meeting in October 2010. I jointly presented together with my manager about export control awareness training and activities.

Given the opportunity I'd like to find many more chances to present although I'm sure to be quaking in my boots and am sure to feel under prepared.

I'm inspired by Lisa Cotter and Donna Robertson, two Australian health librarians, on presented a paper on 'Presenting at a conference - you CAN do it!' and by the experiences of those who've presented at librarian New Professionals Conferences.

Now I just need to find the right events...

NGLIS Summer Social 2011

Who says that working as an information professional doesn't take you places?

On 28 July 2011, the Network of Government Library and Information Specialists (NGLIS) held its Summer Social at the London Eye. The event was kindly sponsored by Moreover Technologies and Thomson Reuters Legal UK and Ireland.

I'd never been on the London Eye before - so this was a great opportunity to visit what is now considered an icon of the London skyline in style. (I would say that I've now 'flown' on the Eye but not sure if this technically correct since EDF Energy are now the major corporate sponsors and not British Airways).

It also showed NGLIS at its best - providing a great networking opportunity. I had the chance to talk in a relaxed atmosphere to retired members, colleagues and fellow professionals from other government departments and with suppliers - all of whom I wouldn't normally get the chance to speak to during my day job.

NGLIS is one of the networking associations that you should consider joining as an information professional (see my blog post on CPD23 - Thing 7 - Face to Face Networks and Professional Organisations) . It is independent of CILIP. If you aren't a member of NGLIS you should think about joining. This is what you get without even breaking the bank (currently £10 per year - a bargain!):

• a professional journal - watch out for my article on the Businesslink website convergence project in the Spring/Summer 2011 edition.
• a conference
• networking events and meetings on topical issues

And by the way here are some interesting facts about the London Eye:

• It took 7 years to build and create the Eye
• You can see around 25 miles from the top as far as Windsor Castle on a clear day

• The Eye welcomes around 3.5 million visitors per year. That is equal to 6,680 fully booked Boeing 747 Jumbo jets.
• The Eye can carry 800 people per revolution
• Each capsule weighs 32 tonnes
• The wheel's circumference is 424 metres - which if unravelled would make it taller than the UK's tallest building at One Canada Square at Canary Wharf, London

This and other facts can be found at: http://www.londoneye.com/ExploreTheLondonEye/InterestingFacts/Default.aspx

Here are some more photos of the event:

A great time was had by all! And thanks to Thomson Reuters for the cakes some of which safely survived my tube ride home - they were delicious!

CPD23 - Thing 7 - Face to Face Networks and Professional Organisations

Being an active member of a professional organisation has always been very important for me.

I've been a member of CILIP since my student days and still retain  membership. I am fortunate, however, that currently my employer pays my membership subscription, which is a continuing incentive to remain a member. Would I stay a member if not? Probably and if I didn't I would probably explore joining other groups.

In 2002 I joined CILIP's Career Development Group and became actively involved in the London and South East Divisional committee, firstly as Events Co-ordinator and then in 2009 as Chair.

More recently I have got more involved with the Network for Librarians and Information Professionals (NGLIS) and was the Conference Organiser for a 'highly successful' joint government libraries conference held in April 2011.

Via my active involvement in professional groups, I've had the chance to travel to the IFLA World Libraries Conference in Durban in 2007 (thanks to being awarded a CILIP grant) - something that I wouldn't be able to have done as part of my job.

Being actively involved in professional networks and groups has also increased my self-confidence, given me the opportunity to learn new things such as event planning and financial management, relate to others outside my day job and therefore expand my professional contacts and horizons.

Another invaluable learning point about being on a committee is that you are highly likely to work in association with people with a range of skills, personalities, motivations and differing senses of commitment. Sometimes you need to develop a thick skin to deal with people who might clash with your differing approach and this way you learn more much quicker how to handle people, situations and opinions in a 'political' sense.

In June 2009, I had an article published in the CILIP Update Journal about the benefits of getting practically involved in professional organisations. The article was titled "Don't just sit there, become a Chair" (published in CILIP's Library and Information Update magazine - June 2009 - http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=&refresh=6Yp107As9k1C&EID=ecb9146e-601b-4ae8-afce-1c4e408148b4&skip=) which was all about getting involved in professional committees. There are so many ways to get involved and more often than not you will be welcomed with open arms.

When I applied for my current job, being able to draw on my professional involvement and activities was a definite plus point. And I continue to try to stay involved when I can, subject to other commitments. Continuing to stay involved keeps me balanced in relation to my job - particularly when I am looking for fresh challenges. (And I'm not alone as highlighted by one of many job articles about the benefits of getting involved with professional organisations published on the Jobsite website)

In many ways, I guess I just like joining groups and having a sense of participating - it feels right and above all I get enjoyment out of being involved.

However I do appreciate why so many people are reluctant to get involved such as a result of time pressures, more focus on paid work, lack of interest, or feeling introverted/shy. Another reason why people might seem less inclined to actively participate in face to face networks or professional groups is because they feel they are out dated and don't see any dynamism or relevance to them. A general sense about fragmentation across the information professions might give people a sense that it is not worth their time in getting involved in professional networks.

I'm now at a particular stage in life where I am rethinking how to be involved professional and how to build up new skills. One area that interests me is mentoring other professionals, so do get in touch if you have any queries...