Last post?

Reflections on whether I have confidently covered the performance criteria for customer service:

1.1  Research the promotion of literacy, literature and reading and its importance for an informed society

I believe I have covered this aspect competently, because I understand how people want to know what is going on, and how literature and reading promotion gives them the tools to become informed.

1.2  Recognise different reading levels and tastes of different customer groups

I believe I have yet to competently cover this aspect, yet I believe I am learning this aspect that will soon be at a competent level.

1.3  Maintain a record of the key types of publications that provide information about literature

I believe I have covered this aspect competently, because I understand that this aspect helps give tools to provide for performance criteria 1.1. 

1.4  Source independent, print and electronic publisher reviews about literature

I believe I am yet to competently cover this aspect, because I am yet to fully develop the desire to hunt and read electronic reviews.

1.5  Use recognised classification systems to physically locate literary works and literary information

I believe I have competently covered this aspect, because I have been able to locate literary works on many occasions, one of which being during work placement.

1.6  Update own knowledge of a broad range of literary works, publishing trends and formats

I believe I am yet to competently cover this aspect, because of my habits of using a limited array of options in regards to a wide range.

1.7 Share information collected on literary works, publishing trends and formats with colleagues
I believe I am yet to competently cover this aspect, because of my continuing distaste for publishing and using blogs.

2.1 Research methods used to organise and access literature collections
I believe I have competently covered this aspect, because I have had to use many research methods to find the information for projects and such for the diploma course.

2.2 Develop own strategies to promote literature and reading, including the use of current or emerging technologies
I believe I have competently covered this aspect, due to my display work at my work placement.

2.3 Interview and provide advice to customers to meet their literature and reading needs
I believe I have covered this aspect competently, as I have provided advice to people in and out of libraries on how they can meet their lit and reading needs.

2.4 Source information to meet customer literature requests
I believe I have covered this aspect competently as I had to do this a couple of times during work placement.

2.5 Identify strategies used by organisations to promote reading and assess suitability for the organisation
I believe I have competently covered this aspect, because the display created during work placement contained strategies the organisation wanted to use.

2.6 Recommend purchase of literary works and literary information based on customer requests and analysis of reviews
I believe I am yet to competently cover this aspect, because I am yet to be placed into a situation where this aspect comes into play.

3.1 Analyse usage data to determine effectiveness of strategies
I believe I am VERY competent this this aspect, because of my current ability to access the internet (phone, only receive 5 gig when I recharge, does not stack).

3.2 Track solicited and unsolicited feedback to the organisation regarding literature collections
I believe I am yet to competently cover this aspect as I am yet to be placed in a situation where this aspect comes into play.

3.3 Recommend changes to strategies in response to evaluation feedback
I believe I am competent in this aspect because I have received evaluation feedback in response to some work, and have changed strategies to improve the quality of the work.

Recommended Strategies

There are a couple of strategies that I would recommend in order to evaluate how successful or useful the reading or literature promotion activities in either a school or public library would be. Some strategies would be more suited towards a certain type of library, such as the school library, while others would be better suited to the public library scenario. 

The first strategy that comes to mind which would be more suited towards a school library is a simple survey towards the targeted audience. This can ensure that the evaluation can be as accurate as possible by ensuring that the information comes by the targeted audience, so the reading or literature promotion activity, or activities, could then be reworked or rebuilt to ensure that they have the most desired effect. 

Another strategy that could have some effectiveness, as well as be a sound implement in either a public or school library, is direct communication with the targeted audience. This would address the one flaw that a survey strategy would have, which is intentional falsifying of information. Direct communication would be on the spot, giving less chances of the targeted audience providing false information.

Views on advisory roles

It seems to me that the role of an advisor is a role of a “Jack-of-all-trades” librarian, where it’s their job to have knowledge of the now, the then, and the soon-to-be, to know where everything is in the library, and to have a hand in as much as possible.

The advisory role also appears to carry a large amount of responsibility due to the concept of having a hand in as much as possible, because while having a hand in everything, you would also need to keep up to date with what you have a hand in. Below are dot points from the moodle based on what an advisory role consists of with brief summaries of opinion:

• Knowledge of reference sources which can be used for research on literature - reference books and databases

This appears to be a more complete skill that a patron would think all librarians possess, except that while a one might have complete knowledge in one database or set of reference books, the advisory role has knowledge in as many sources as possible.

• Knowledge of the collection of the library in detail

Once again, this appears to be a more complete skill of what a librarian would be expected to have.

• Knowledge of best sellers, award winning title, popular authors, etc.

This requirement of an advisory role appears to ensure that the advisory role keeps up with the current flow of events so the library can attract the most foot traffic, and to attract new readers and users.

• Compiling lists and similar handouts  for yourself and readers - pro-actively and on request

This requirement makes sure the advisory role keeps an active interest in subjects that are actively sought after by the library’s users, while actively keeping up with the subjects so the advisory role is always up to date.

• Programming displays and events

This personal seems to be the role of a techie or someone who has a more complete experience in computer operations, but in the mindset of an advisory role being a “Jack-of-all-trades”, this requirement can appear to be logical.

• Involving yourself with library and community promotional activities such as Book Clubs, Author talks, book signings, staff book talks, story times etc.

This requirement ensures that the advisory role maintains active participation in library affairs and events so as to make sure the operations run smoothly and efficiently.

• Compiling information for interested people on where to find reviews, blogs, literary events etc.

This appears to tie together with the first dot point, where it is an enhanced skill of what a typical librarian would possess.

• Having strategies at hand  for dealing with commonly asked customer queries about books and reading

Once again, this appears to be a skill implemented for librarians to universally possess.

October 11 Blog Entry

·         Where do you find literature reviews?

·         A. Groups that focus on literature, such as Literary Magazines Australia. Or Google.

·         What are some well-known literary journals for adults and children?

·         A. Australian Author Magazine

·         Australian Book Review

·         Griffith Review

·         What literature promotion activities are on the Australian and English speaking world calendar every year or regularly at wider intervals of time?

·         A. International Literacy Day

·         What are two well known "book" towns - one in Victoria and one in UK?

·         A. Clunes, Victoria, Australia

·         Sedburgh, England, United Kingdom

·         What are some well-known literature promotion organisations in Australia and other English speaking countries?

·         Australia Council of Arts

·         British Council

·         Goethe Institut

·         What are the better known literary awards or prizes in Australia, US and UK for children's books and for adult fiction or poetry?

·         Children’s Book Council of Australia awards

·         Dame Annabelle Rankin Award

·         Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize

·         Anne Elder Award