Core Values - December - User/Quality Focus

The Core Values of User/Quality Focus is defined in the Strategic Plan as:

• Anticipates, monitors, and meets the needs of users and responds to them in an appropriate manner
• Demonstrates a personal commitment to identify users' apparent and underlying needs
  
• Continually seeks to provide the highest quality service and product to all users
• Responds appropriately and in a timely manner to users' requests
• Builds and maintains a positive rapport with users
• Takes reasonable risks in satisfying user needs
• Anticipates user needs and expectations across functions
• Ensures user needs are consistently satisfied with the highest standards of quality

To assist in focusing on this value:

Write a blog post with

1. an example of something you intend to do soon to increase your user/quality focus
2. a suggestion for something the library can do to meet this core value
3. and, finally, give a link to a resource on the web that you think would be useful in thinking about this core value

Thing 5: Facebook

Changes are you may have heard of this one and you may already have an account, so this will be easier yet.

For this Thing:

1. Sign up for an account, if you don't already have one
2. Click around and see what other libraries are doing on Facebook (including Belk!)
3. Write a post on your blog with 3 suggestions for something we could be doing with Facebook but currently aren't.

Thing 4: Prezi

Today's thing is a substitute for that standby of old, PowerPoint. You can learn more about it at http://prezi.com.

Here's an example of a Prezi, which coincidentally (or maybe not) explains why you should use Prezi.

Why should you move beyond slides? on Prezi

So for this Thing:

1. Go to http://prezi.com
2. Look at some of the prezis.
3. Find one you like, and one you don't
4. Write a post on your blog with a link to both and explain why you liked one and didn't like the other

Thing 3: Twitter

Look, I found another one of those videos!




Your assignments for Thing 3:

1. Sign up for a Twitter account at http://www.twitter.com
2. Write at least one tweet
3. Find at least one person to follow
4. Write a blog post about what libraries could use Twitter for

Core Values - November - Inclusiveness

The Core Value of Inclusiveness is defined in our Strategic plan with the following characteristics:

• Interacts appropriately with all members of the campus and community, without regard to individual characteristics.
• Demonstrates a personal commitment to create a hospitable and welcoming environment.
  
• Fosters respect for all individuals and points of view.
  
• Treats all users and coworkers with respect;
  
• Shows sensitivity;
  
• Displays inclusive behavior;
  
• Uses empathy;
  
• Integrates new library staff members into the organization;
  
• Encourages and utilizes different viewpoints;
  
• Fosters an environment based on fairness and respect.

To help foster this value, we are asking staff to attend 3 out of the following 4 events during the month of November:

• Int'l Education Week


• Intercultural Lunch 'n' Learn Series


• Diversity Lecture Series


• Find Yosef a Holiday

For each event you attend, put up a blog post on any reflections you have about the event and how it addresses inclusiveness.

Thing 2: RSS

RSS, or Really Simply Syndication, or RDF Site Summary, or whatever, is basically one of the best ways to read blogs or any other web-based content that comes out regularly.

And the best way to use RSS is to use an RSS reader (or a Feed Aggregator, or any of a number of other names). Here are a few good ones:

Google Reader
My Yahoo
Pageflakes
Netvibes

To learn about what RSS is and how to use it:




You can also use RSS in LibGuides, in AsULearn, and in tons of other places. Ask me if you need help with this.

Your assignment for Thing 2:

1. Set up an account in an RSS reader
2. Subscribe to 3 feeds (don't have to be work related)
3. Subscribe to the feed for this blog
   
4. Write a blog post on your blog telling us what feeds you chose and why and any other observations you may have about RSS

Thing 1: Blogs

You already know about what blogs are, right? But have you started your own blog yet? Why not?

If you're still unsure of what a blog is, try this simple explanation:



Once you've done that, here are a few blogs to look at to see how blogs can be useful to you:

Beyond the Job
Librarian in Black
LIS News
Planet Cataloging

Thing 1 Activities:

1. Create your own blog
2. For your first post, give an example of a blog that you find useful and say why you like it
3. E-mail Scott the URL of your blog, so he can post it on this blog

You can create your own blog for free at:
http://www.blogger.com
http://wordpress.com

Time to begin 23 Things

23 Things started at the Public Library of Charlotte several years ago and since then has found its way to every corner of the library world. The Staff Training and Development Task Force thought it was time to try 23 Things here.

So every few weeks through to next fall, we will be concentrating on a different 'thing' in our list of 23 Things. For each 'Thing' you will learn about a different technology tool or topic and be invited to learn more about it, use it, and discuss it.

For those completing Thing 1, we will be offering a certificate for a free cup of coffee. For each Thing that you complete, your name will be placed in a drawing for our grand prize. If you complete 10 things, you will have 10 chances to win.

Our grand prize, drawn at the end of the 23 Things, will be an iPad.

Stay tuned for more details on Thing 1 on Friday, October 15.