Linking Librarians BLISS

(Better Linking Is Super Simple)

By Bonnie HeimFor

EAHIL July 3, 2012

Brussels, Belgium

Why you should listen to me... and why I should listen to you!

Why am I leading this session today?

Learn by sharing

My collaborative projects

• MeLoW – Google+ project with Guus Van Den Brekel

• HAPI – Health Awareness Project Information, a comprehensive site for health awareness event information www.healthaware.org

• QH LibGuides – leading a team across the state of Queensland, requiring Champions to work with Librarians to develop quality subject guides

• Linking Librarians BLISS: Better Linking Is Super Simple

Outline

• What is your story?• How to connect and why it’s important!• Who should you connect with?• What’s next?

Can you tell your story in less than 20 seconds?!

• My story... Your story• Four points to include– Your name– Where you work or where you are from– What you do that is unique/common– Something about yourself that is unique or memorable

• Practice• Your story may change

What are connections?

You

Them

MeHer

Him

Everyone please stand up

Which are you?

Cat person

Dog person

Other or none

Which do you prefer?

Summer

Winter

Spring

Autumn

Which are you?

Manager/Director

Senior Librarian

Librarian or other

Which are you?

Social media queen/king

Novice at social media

Don’t use social media

Where do you work?

Medical library

University library

Special library or other

What makes you interesting?

Travel?/Collecting things?

Read a good book lately?

Who has the most interesting hobby?

Making connections

Did you meet anyone new?

What else do you have

in common?

Any overlaps?

How to Network

Tell Ask Listen

Importance of meeting others

• If your library is safe from budget cuts now, that doesn’t guarantee it in the future

• Ask yourself what you have to offer others– What do you do well?– What does your library do well?– What does your library offer?

• Ask what others can offer you– What do they do well?– What does their library do well?– What does their library offer?

• Save time by not reinventing the wheel!

Who do you need to network with?

• Other medical librarians• Other librarians• Your clients• Look outside the library – Business people– Marketing people– Management people– Everyone is potentially a good connection

Connecting versus meeting

• You may learn things you otherwise wouldn’t have learnt

• Discussions tend to be longer which may lead to more ideas

• Your new connection may know others that would be advantageous to you

How many ways can you connect and stay connected?

• E-mail• Professional organisations• Facebook • Twitter• Google +• LinkedIn• Skype• Pinterest• FourSquare

• In person• E-lists

Tips for making the most of this conference

• Eat breakfast/lunch/dinner with people you don’t know• Have a prepared 20 second statement about yourself• Introduce yourself to people you don’t know• Listen to what they say, ask questions, value input• Have a business card or other item with your contact

information ready to hand out• Think of ways that will make your introduction memorable• As soon as possible after meeting someone new, write down

information that will help you remember them• Send a quick e-mail/friend request/invite after the

conference to keep up with your new acquaintance

Be the person others want to meet!

• What are you passionate about?• Ask the questions you want answers to!• Be willing to share information! • Reflect

Communication is crucial

• Follow-up communication is very important• It’s ok if you don’t ‘connect’ with everyone

you meet• ...’people will never forget how you made

them feel’ – Maya Angelou • How well do you know your colleagues? Ask

them to tell you something about themselves over morning tea.

Points to consider when collaborating internationally

• Time zones• Languages, ESL• Method(s) of communication• Cultural differences• Knowledge of common tools• Differences in versions of software

“Be sensitive to cues from others, keep an open mind and adjust as you go!” Alexandra Rule, 2012

Other ways to meet people

• Follow people on twitter *• Subscribe to librarian blogs *• Follow a library conference on twitter• Start your own blog and ask others to follow you• Join a Google + group (MeLoW)• Join a Facebook group (Library related people)• Join a twitter meet-up*• Join a conference committee or organise an un-conference • Attend other conferences*a list will be sent out after the conference

What’s in it for you?

• You may be able to help someone• You may learn something• You will meet interesting people• You may be inspiredWhat’s next?• Be able to tell your story in less than 2 minutes • Find your passion (hint, it doesn’t have to be library related)• Share your expertise• Be inspired and inspire others!• Send me feedback and a list of your favourite bloggers and

twitterers after the conference!

What are connections?

me

Them

?Her

Him

You?

Where to find me

• bsheim@yahoo.com • www.healthaware.org • @lv2photoworld and @healthaware_org on

Twitter• lv2inspire@wordpress.com • (slideshare link)• Bonnie Heim on Google + and LinkedIn and Flickr

and Facebook and Pinterest and FourSquare• Down under... Sometimes!