Thoughts and reflections of 2008

I usually find that the first week in January is the time of year when I reflect on the past one or two years and consider my goals and aspirations for the coming year. I always seem to scratch around trying to think of what I have done, but things then come together as I continue to reflect.


2008 (in no particular order)

• Organised a drive knitting jumpers for African AIDS babies (Ok not strictly professionally related but gave me a better focus on how fortunate we are). Drive had over 300 jumpers made;
• Wrapped up being on the organising committee for the 2007 ALIA LT Conference;
• Gave a guest lecture for RMIT on Reference Services in public libraries;
• Convened the successful 4th ALIA New Librarians Symposium;
• Was on the organising committee for Leap into Leadership;
• Gave a presentation for the ALIA New Graduates Group on presenting for the first time;
• Wrote several articles and papers, including 2 abstracts, which were accepted;
• Spoke at several seminars and workshops on partnering with the community and early childhood literacy;
• Changed jobs, focusing more on staff management;
• Continued marking for the School of Information Studies, Charles Sturt University;

2009

My plans for 2009 had always been to focus more on writing and research and so far I have already committed myself to a few things, possibly more than I should have for this time of year!

• Attending Information Online in 2 weeks;
• Taking part in the Australian ePortfolio Project with Margie Anderson (Margie is the doyenne of career development);
• Co-presenting a paper with Gill Hallam for IFLA in Milan this year;
• Writing paper for IFLA (due end of Jan, not going there!);
• Co-authoring 2 articles for publication;
• Finalising my application for a research masters (long overdue);
• Continue marking for CSU;
• Exploring more tech things that are increasingly becoming available and how they can be incorporated into public library services;
• Am now on the organising committee for VALA2010 (it will be interesting seeing how another volunteer organisation works, as well as how we operate with a different PCO);
• Continue to be involved with aliaVIC - planning a series of ongoing workshops relating to career development;
• Continue my exciting role at Yarra Plenty, forging ahead with lots more innovative and exciting programs for my branch in 2009!

This is what I have on the cards so far - I have no doubt that I will take on more professionally, as it seems in my nature to do this - I just need to continue to balance my home life with this.