Thing 13: Google Docs, Wikis and Dropbox

Having already looked at Google Docs and Wikis during my last 23 things programme, and used Google Docs for a previous presentation, I thought I'd use this opportunity to have a look at Dropbox.

I found Dropbox easy to install and use. I've worked out how to share a folder with others if I need to in the future.

I then worked out how to share a document with someone who doesn't have a Dropbox account. Here's a copy of the public link to the blank document entitled 'Dropbox', just to prove I did it! http://dl.dropbox.com/u/38877786/Dropbox.docx

Thing 12: Social Media

As well as sharing ideas, social media helps you learn from others. It's also a way of finding out about what's happening in the profession: I found out about the CILIP New Professionals Information Day because I saw it posted on a friend's Facebook page.

The disadvantages are that social media can feel impersonal and, for that reason, I'm not sure if it 'fosters a sense of community'. It's not the same as talking to someone in person. Claire is right to suggest that social media cannot replace face to face networking. It's different. It is possible to reach more people and discuss topics with more people through social media than would be possible through traditional face to face networking. CPD23 has given me access to a wide network of other library professionals which I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

It's also important to watch what you post online. The other disadvantage of social media is that, if you're not careful, something that has been posted online could affect your career. I was not really using social media to help my career before starting CPD23 - this blog had been abandoned - but I am now back writing on it and back on LinkedIn.

Thing 10: Graduate Traineeships, Masters Degrees, Chartership, Accreditation

I am currently a Library Assistant in a FE college library. My first library experience was volunteering in a museum library, which I did because it sounded interesting! I liked reading and books and wanted to know what it would be like working with them. I enjoyed assisting with the project to reorganise the library and helping visitors with their questions. After graduating I decided I wanted to find out more, so I volunteered in two public libraries, did a graduate traineeship in Oxford, and then got my current post. I will start my library masters degree next month.

Things 8 & 9: Google Calendar and Evernote

Much of what is covered in this week's things can be done in Microsoft Outlook - there's a calendar there and a taskbar which does similar things to Evernote. I've saved Google Calendar to my iGoogle page and saved the Evvernote Web Clipper to my browser, so we'll see if it comes in handy. I imagine Evernote will be quite useful when I start library school.

Things 6 and 7: Online networking, face-to-face networking and professional organisations

I joined LISNPN a few months ago and I've found the downloadable resources section particularly helpful. I'm thinking about joining CILIP when I start my library qualification, which will also give me more access to CILIP Communities. I read about the Library Society of the World with interest and I am planning to read Devora Zack's Networking For People Who Hate Networking book because I think it would be helpful.

I'm on Facebook, but I think I will prefer to use LinkedIn for professional networking and this week's Thing will help me rewrite my page according to the best practice.

Thing 5: Reflective Practice

I feel like I've only just got going, but here is my reflection on CPD23 so far:

I have returned to my blog and to Twitter. I have read some other blogs and expanded my collection on Google Reader. I have googled my name to see how I am reflected on the internet.
I've enjoyed reading other people's blogs and I am still getting to grips with Twitter. I am going to read in greater depth and try more things out to extend my knowledge and continue learning.

Thing 4: Current Awareness - Twitter, RSS and Pushnote

I have found RSS feeds very useful for a little while - it's very helpful and saves a lot of time to be able to view the blogs you are following on one page. I use Google Reader and I have extended my collection having completed this Thing.

I have also returned to Twitter and followed a few more people. Hopefully I will now be able to get used to using Twitter and then I will look into using Pushnote.