With Movers and Shakers now being international, why not nominate those Australian librarians and see that they get this just reward.

Nominations for 2013 are now open, but hurry, you only have until the 7th November 2012.

It is interesting reading for the future of the profession in the US and an idea of what may happen here, but what is more interesting is the Emerging Jobs/New Titles  that new graduates are gaining.

Some of the more interesting new titles include:

• Emerging technologies librarian
• Data assets manager
• Digital initiatives librarian
• Digital curator
• Repository librarian
• Market insights analyst
• Impact evaluation specialist

Interestingly, many of our jobs will have these things in our job descriptions, but not in our job titles.

If you have a job title that you think is as intriguing as these, let us know what it is.  And if you don’t and wish you did, what would you like it to be?

Me, I like the idea of Digital Branch Manager…..  

You can share a day, days or your whole librarian week, through blogging, tweeting, pictures, video or however else you are inspired.

To participate, register at the Library Day in the Life wiki and then record your (choose time period) in the life of you as a librarian, for others to discover the joys of how varied work as a librarian is, both here and around the world.

Then watch the same wiki, to learn about what other librarians around the world do in their respective jobs. It is very inspirational!

“The Library Day in the Life Project is a semi-annual event coordinated by Bobbi Newman  of Librarian by Day. Twice a year librarians, library staff and library students from all over the globe share a day (or week) in their life through blog posts, photos, video and Twitter updates.” (Library Day in the Life Project)

So why not tell the world what you’re up to today, or this week, as a librarian in the 21st Century. And let us know too via comment. This sort of information is what librarian’s do best and can be very inspirational.

On Monday 24th January 2011:

“Any one who works in a library can participate. You may share your day (or week) on your blog, Twitter, Flickr and/or YouTube (or any other way you choose. If you have none of these don’t worry, just create a new page in the wiki and post your day there.” (Library Day in the Life Wiki)

To participate, register your details at the Library Day in the Life wiki and on the day, keep details – in whatever form you have chosen – of what you do that day.  You can check out previous rounds to see what people have done, but feel free to come up with your own way of sharing your day.

You need a PB Wiki account to register, but this is free and doesn’t take long.

So come and join me and other librarians from around the world and see what we all do for our chosen profession.

Benjamin Wheal from the South Australian Library & Information Network (SALIN) Committee wrote to tell us about their latest exploit.  He writes….

“We’re a grass-roots, unaffiliated group which creates networking and professional development opportunities for people in the Library sector in South Australia (especially for newer graduates). In 2010 we’re 10 years young. This year the SALIN Committee has chosen to celebrate our profession through production of the 2011 calendar "Zombies in the Library". The calendar covers such topics as the role of the Zombie in reference, the frustrations faced when the Undead hog the photocopier, and for cataloguers, poses the eternal question: 299.675 or 398.21?

The point behind creating the calendar was to develop professional skills by doing something different and creative … and we hope that Library folk will get a good laugh along the way. We consider the final product an achievement, an oddity, and something of interest to the profession.”

Proceeds will cover costs of production and after that will go to local charities. So if you love a little zombie-esque time management, this calendar is a must-have. Might also make a good Christmas gift for your quirky loved ones.

Can a cataloguer comment and remind us what those numbers are for? It’s been a long time since I catalogued with Dewey!

The Library Journal Movers and Shakers Awards recognise excellence in librarians across a wide range of disciplines, not just technology. They are a great way for applauding the wonderful work librarians do to elevate our services and our profession and to improve the services, organisation and standing of libraries in our communities.

The Library Journal Movers and Shakers awards went international a couple of years ago and Australia’s own Paul Hagon joined the auspicious ranks of awardees, by being recognised in 2010.

LJ Movers and Shakers 2011

On to 2011:

“The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying the emerging leaders in the library world. Our tenth annual round of Movers and Shakers will profile 50 or more up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, and making a difference. From librarians to vendors to others who work in the library field, Movers and Shakers 2011 will celebrate the new professionals who are moving our libraries ahead.” (Library Journal)

In its tenth year, it would be great to see a second and maybe even third, fourth and fifth, Australian to be acknowledged with a Mover and Shaker award – but the only way this will happen is if we nominate them.  We all know someone who would be worthy of such an accolade, so take the time to share your appreciation of their work by nominating them. Nominations close 1st November 2010.

On the local scene, nominations are also now open for the 2010 VALA Award.

“The VALA Award, made biennially, is presented to the Australian library or information centre judged to have made the most innovative use of information technology during the previous two years.” (VALA)

The ‘use’ would have been implemented between July 2008 and June 2010 and the nomination of a library or information centre can be made by any person. Guidelines and nominations are available from the VALA Award page.

Two opportunities, one to recognise the great individuals in Australian Libraries and the other to recognise the great work of our libraries – support your colleagues and our libraries be ensuring they are nominated for these awards.

• Skinnibitch wrote a particularly thought provoking post on mentoring – managing to highlight way too much in such a short space  - the value of a mentor, how to practically and proactively find a mentor and career mapping.
• FromMelbin introduced a fascinating topic under in disguise (and one close to my own heart) of working with students to contribute design ideas for a future new library.  My first thought turns to services and infrastructure however in this case it is focusing on designing out crime.
• snail talks about the price gulf in books in Australia compared to alternatives online both in print and ebooks. I find this topic fascinating as I often lament the decline of the bookstore in my life, and even more so the decline of purchasing books from bookstores rather than searching for a cheaper (& usually a good 50% cheaper) copy online.
• I always love it when people get passionate about things…for a great inspiring dose of passion and some good photography tips take a read of Miss Sophic Mac and learn about her camera collection…and then read her story of why she became a librarian. If her passion hasn’t inspired you to do something…anything then I’m not sure what will.
• Another passionate post – this time from sallysetforth on the importance of accessibility with some staggering statistics on print disabilities and how little this issue is addressed. Read it, stop hyperventilating and then think about how you can start closing this gap in your library.

a Public Librarian reminded us again of the importance of gratitude and for me I am grateful for all those who have committed themselves to the task of #blogeverydayinjune and for the vast amounts of inspiration and ideas you have all added to the blogosphere, LibraryLand and the grand Interwebz universe

Ruminations made our hearts soften with her local hero story of reuniting a blind, deaf, epileptic black pug with his human and totally melt with the accompanying photos. If you are in need of ‘a moment’, I suggest you click on over. But if you are in more of a sleuthing mood Justgirlwithshoes requires some serious detective to find a ‘book with an orange cover’ that changed her life.

Some thought provoking professional lessons popped up too…

Virtually a librarian continues to keep us on the professional straight and narrow with a call for papers for the 13th Australasian Conference of Knowledge Management and Intelligent Decision Support (ACKMIDS).  Having spoken at the previous one – this is a good intimate conference if you would like to start to get your bearings.  Although participants are primarily of the academic nature the presentations are varied between practical and academic – something for everyone! (well as long as you have at least one knowledge management bone in your body).

Bun-Toting Librarian provided us with some deep food for thought on our private lives crossing over with our personal lives – a phenomenon happening more and more.

But if nothing else take away today’s lesson from Connecting librarian who reminded us ‘Cheesecake makes all the difference in staff morale’.

Mmmmmm….cheesecake….

bonitoclub RT @nomesd Does anyone else find that all they’re doing now is reading blogs? #blogeverydayofjune <– yes, but it’s great fun!

Those of us participating in this challenge are not necessarily blogging on professional topics. Of those that aren’t – do you feel constrained in anyway not to speak out on professional topics? I am not saying that you should professionally blog- just wondering if perceptions of risk to career colour that choice. Of those that do post on professional topics- have you ever felt it threatened your career?

Of those taking part in the challenge most work in the information industry. Many of the blogs are personal in nature such as SkinniBitch who is sharing her weight loss journey and FromMelbin who has blogged about grief. There are those who started off with purely professional blogs like Creative Circ who says in her comment on Suelibrarian’s post:

I thought I would #blogeverydayinjune on professional topics, and have found it very exciting to be discussing circulation again. It’s not a hot topic with my peers : – ) However as I read everyone else’s topics I wanted to get more into my own thoughts and discussions.

Being a part of this challenge has made many question their digital identity and reputation management. As a blogger you may decide to have separate identities or not, the decision is yours and it will depend on many factors including your workplace social media policies (if they have one).  Whatever you decide authenticity and having your own voice is important.

However, from all the posts I have read over the last four days I can say the following:

1. The profession is full of many terrific, articulate and thoughtful writers.
2. People who work in libraries are a diverse bunch with many different passions – from  kitchen appliances to retro art/collecting.
3. Blogging for 30 days straight is a real challenge and;
4. Reading 30 blogs a day is time-consuming but fun!