Thing 22 – Networking (including LinkedIn)

In this week’s blog it is all about Networking. To start off I have never really had the opportunity to network in regards to something like a PLN (Personal Learning Network)

Working at a University that has multi campuses in different states and locations I understand the importance of having the ability to network internally with my fellow library colleagues.

I have been fortunate enough to have had times where I have interacted and spoken via email and phone to my fellow library colleagues whom work interstate. Even though I don’t work with them on a daily basis at my campus I do feel a rapport with them. Another opportunity that was given to me was a 2 day workshop that I attended late last year where I was able to in person interact with a number of ACU library professionals who work in all different roles and positions.  I personally think that these types of opportunities help to increase not only moral but also our professional working relationships. I feel that when given the chance it is much better to meet in person fellow staff as it helps you to enhance the working relationship. I think it’s great that we have so much technology today that we can interact with staff electronically, but personally you can’t beat the one on one interaction.

I can see where a PLN could be beneficial within my job. I understand that we as individuals use various social networking tools for different tasks in both our professional and personal lives and having gone through some of the “23 things” I have seen where some can actually merge the professional and personal social networking tools into one.

At this stage I personally don’t yet have a PLN but after having read further information about a PLN I can see where it could be of personal benefit for my own work and future career growth. From looking at “thing 22” this is something that I would look into further.

PLN’s appear to be a cost effective means for staff to grow professionally. I can see where a personal PLN could be developed and personalised to suit the individual’s needs.

Networking for me could be a way for me to interact and obtain knowledge and information from fellow library professionals. It would be a great tool for me to connect and develop my own personal network. I did like the idea if I were to attend library related learning conferences how taking the time to chat and to follow users via their own twitter feeds of the presenters or other library workers could be benefit to be professionally.

While reading up on PLA’s I took the time to go and look at the State Library of Victoria and there – Personal Learning Network.

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pln

It was interesting to see where an institute such as the state library offers a 7 unit course solely to do with PLA’s.

When it comes to LinkedIn I have previously done some exploring on this tool. I personally have not joined but I have found information about other library professionals from it. I understand that LinkedIn is a large professional network that can allow us access to people’s insights and knowledge. I can see where using such a networking tool could help with one’s professional development. It seems to be heavily used by people with professional occupations.  I found from when I was looking into this tool that over 4 million Australians are members. By registering with LinkedIn it allows the user to maintain a list of contact’s details with whom they have had a professional relationship with. I love the word “Connections” that is often used with LinkedIn. I can see some positives if you were to use LinkedIn.

·         Users can upload a resume

·         They can design their profile to show both work and community engagements

·         It can be a tool to look for potential jobs/careers

·         If you were a jobseeker you could try to use LinkedIn to find out more information about the employers.

From what I read LinkedIn could be a tool to use if you wanted to actively network on a professional level.

I did find Dave Stein’s blog about his thoughts on LinkedIn to be interesting.

http://davesteinsblog.esresearch.com/2012/02/14/some-thoughts-about-linkedin/