34
Proving the value of peer networks: plugging in to your peers Bethan Ruddock #npc2010 July 2010 Proving the value Proving the value of peer of peer networks: networks: plugging in to plugging in to your peers your peers Bethan Ruddock #npc2010 July 2010 Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomo908us/4289813899/

Proving the value of peer networks

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Proving the Value of Peer Networks Presentation by Bethan Ruddock at the New Professional Conference 2010.

Citation preview

Page 1: Proving the value of peer networks

Proving the value of peer networks: plugging in to your peers

Bethan Ruddock#npc2010July 2010

Proving the value of peer Proving the value of peer networks: plugging in to networks: plugging in to your peersyour peers

Bethan Ruddock #npc2010 July 2010

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomo908us/4289813899/

Page 2: Proving the value of peer networks

What are peer networks, and why should I care?

Page 3: Proving the value of peer networks

‘‘contact groups consisting of fellow contact groups consisting of fellow Library/Information professionals, Library/Information professionals, workers, or others associated with workers, or others associated with the profession. These may include the profession. These may include

groups such as work colleagues; groups such as work colleagues; fellow members of an association; fellow members of an association; members of a social group such as members of a social group such as

a ning or facebook group; a ning or facebook group; conference attendees; twitter conference attendees; twitter

followers; and other groups with followers; and other groups with whom you interact on a whom you interact on a

professional basis.’professional basis.’

What?

Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelunch_box/2798522576/

Page 4: Proving the value of peer networks

‘If you work in isolation you repeat the mistakes that others have made.’

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/emagic/56206100/

Why?

Page 5: Proving the value of peer networks

‘They provide the opportunity for: benchmarking; discovering

solutions to problems; finding out about tools others have used

first; making you realise you are not alone you are not alone

in your struggles; encouraging professional engagement.’

Why?

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomasrotger/3174249161

Page 6: Proving the value of peer networks

Peer Networks Present:

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/buzelman/2281323834/

Page 7: Proving the value of peer networks

‘Find peer networks on Twitter, email lists and face-to-face hugely helpful both for getting new

opportunities and for mutual support/advice.’

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/rembcc/4046044227/

Support:

Page 8: Proving the value of peer networks

‘Necessary for us all to share experience and build new ideas with our colleagues and peers’

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoemaclean/3847512028/in/photostream/

Collaboration:

Page 9: Proving the value of peer networks

‘‘I find peer networks I find peer networks very valuable for very valuable for finding out about finding out about resources and resources and opportunities I opportunities I might otherwise might otherwise have missed.’have missed.’

‘‘I've found Twitter I've found Twitter useful for making links useful for making links with others who I've not with others who I've not actually met, and actually met, and getting advice on issues getting advice on issues (mainly related to (mainly related to digital repositories).’digital repositories).’

‘‘networking can networking can improve services we improve services we offer and helps us offer and helps us bench mark.’bench mark.’

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/caroslines/3428960391

Collective intelligence:

Page 10: Proving the value of peer networks

‘My peer network on twitter helps keep me up to date. Peer network of old colleagues helps me brainstorm ideas, reflect on practice, and are a valuable information source.’

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jspad/2184459670/

Discussion:

Page 11: Proving the value of peer networks

‘Peer networks have a vital role to play in

the work I do, it helps us to set

standards and keep up with current

trends and developments in the

profession.’

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayeve/2312167749/

Current awareness:

Page 12: Proving the value of peer networks

‘‘They are also invaluable for They are also invaluable for observing trendsobserving trends, debates, etc , debates, etc

quickly. How people in your quickly. How people in your peer network peer network engage with certain engage with certain

debates debates or issues or issues can provide can provide a very good a very good

temperature check temperature check on how important a certain on how important a certain

issue is perceived to be issue is perceived to be (linked data for example) and (linked data for example) and

what the what the key questions key questions are.’are.’Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqjunkie/2473850888/

Current awareness:

Page 13: Proving the value of peer networks

‘Knowing your peers means that you are exposed to new ideas / different ideologies, which may well

further new thinking related to your work’

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/boliston/3966640589/

Different points of view:

Page 14: Proving the value of peer networks

‘To be effective anyone in the library/information world needs to be able to network with peers. Not only can this help either directly or indirectly with your career but is stimulating and thought provokingto find out how others tackle particular issues. Your peers are also a valuable informationsource in themselves!’

Image used under a CC licence by http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheeshoo/12976949/

Different points of view:

Page 15: Proving the value of peer networks

‘Invaluable for experience sharing, kiteflying, support - and I've made some lifelong friends’

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/levoodoo/4404202914/

Friendship:

Page 16: Proving the value of peer networks

‘Valuable for numerous reasons, including keeping up with what is happening in other workplaces, getting support when things are tough, finding quick answers by asking a contact who knows.’

Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/1133983889/

Sharing professional experiences:

Page 17: Proving the value of peer networks

‘I believe they are vital, for personal development, for increasing one's knowledge of the profession as a whole, and in becoming involved in worthwhile projects.’

Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/theseanster93/811096903/

Personal growth:

Page 18: Proving the value of peer networks

‘Peer networking has helped a great deal in my role as a library assistant dealing with requests for classical music scores. Experienced staff left soon after I joined and a network called IAMLS

has helped me develop some very good contacts whom I have called for advice. The

network is also useful for tracking down obscure pieces of music.’

Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/horiavarlan/4268315679/

Community of experts:

Page 19: Proving the value of peer networks

‘I actively encourage younger colleagues to join social networking and peer networking groups. There is valuable information and experience to be gained, and we all need to "see beyond the desk" to stay on top of the job and remain enthusiastic and fresh. It is so easy to become insular and short sighted, even within a team context,let alone an institutional one.’

Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/feargal/3899824088/

Advice for new professionals:

Page 20: Proving the value of peer networks

‘As somebody who has been involved in the profession for less than a year I have found peer networks invaluable.

Without peer networks I doubt I would have learnt so much about the profession in such a short space of time...

...I've probably learnt just as much if not more about the profession through networking as I have from my current

job.’Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/2442371176/

New professional view:

Page 21: Proving the value of peer networks

‘‘I believe them to be very I believe them to be very important for career important for career advancement, making sure that advancement, making sure that people know who you are.’people know who you are.’

Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/zen/1291138853/

New professional view:

Page 22: Proving the value of peer networks

‘the network of those working toward chartership is invaluable for sharing ideas, getting a bit of reassurance or encouragement.’

‘I have already been able to

communicate with other chartership

candidates via twitter and the LIS

mailing lists.’

‘It has helped with my chartership.’

Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/milivoj/2166043959/

Chartership:

Page 23: Proving the value of peer networks

Opportunities:

articles

guest blog posts

conference papers

book contributions

joint conference session

invited to speak at two events

post on a journal

run a social media workshop

set up the Library Routes Project

Run a demo session

Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/dno1967/4106791340/

Page 24: Proving the value of peer networks

‘As a new professional, I

felt it was important to

attend the BIALL conference to

meet law librarians outside my library for the

first time.’

Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/screenpunk/3474867233/

Fresh point-of-view:

Page 25: Proving the value of peer networks

‘I use peer networks through social media sites, twitter, LinkedIn, Ning

sites such as MashUps, and sites supporting conferences. This gives me access to a wide group of like

minded librarians who when I meet them f2f I already know what we

have in common.’

Finding a network:

Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/pouser/4382366795/

Page 26: Proving the value of peer networks

‘am part of the Ravelibrarians group on a huge knitting social networking website called Ravelry. I know, sounds insane, but we actually have really interesting work-related discussions on the fora.’

Image used under a CC licence by http://www.flickr.com/photos/elitatt/4341808966/

Finding a network:

Page 27: Proving the value of peer networks

‘I have set up a semi-formal peer network which meets 4 times a year. We seem to get a lot out of it.’

Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobbygreg/168206195/

Finding a network:

Page 28: Proving the value of peer networks

‘‘Most of this networking is done Most of this networking is done in my spare time … I think I in my spare time … I think I

would struggle to continue my would struggle to continue my current level of involvement in current level of involvement in

full-time employment at my full-time employment at my current workplace due to current workplace due to

employer concerns about the employer concerns about the value of peer networks.’value of peer networks.’

Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/chunghow33/2920326416/

Challenges:

Page 29: Proving the value of peer networks

‘Can be very time consuming so need to work out costs/benefits.’

‘had to justify why going to a library-related conference was so

important that I needed time off. Also, have been asked to take time off for

CILIP Committee out of my personal time.’

Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/theaftershock/3283238354/

Challenges:

Page 30: Proving the value of peer networks

‘‘Peer networks are highly Peer networks are highly valuable, but negotiating and valuable, but negotiating and communicating within them communicating within them takes skill. We need to reflect takes skill. We need to reflect on the identity/persona we on the identity/persona we present. On the other hand present. On the other hand authenticity can be really authenticity can be really valuable in forming valuable in forming relationships that don't feel relationships that don't feel loose or weak.’loose or weak.’

Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberslayer/952121271/

Challenges:

Page 31: Proving the value of peer networks

I just dislike the idea of being forced I just dislike the idea of being forced to do it if I want a better job.to do it if I want a better job.

Challenges:

Page 32: Proving the value of peer networks

Image by http://www.wordle.net

Proving value:

Page 33: Proving the value of peer networks

‘I found the International Association of Music Libraries UK Branch invaluable when, as a younger professional,

I felt isolated. I was a subject specialist for Music but also for many other subjects. Music was my main interest –

I had taken a specialist course in music librarianship at Leeds Polytechnic - but it had a negligible profile at my university

library, a situation I was determined to change. Thanks to the energy, interest and support of IAML(UK) I can

say with complete assurance and no personal vanity that I accomplished this change successfully, to the benefit of

the library, the Music Department and the university.’

Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigi62/2626024366/

Positive change:

Page 34: Proving the value of peer networks

@bethanarbethaninfoprof.wordpress.combethan.ruddock@manchester.ac.uk