The year in review for Audacious Fizz

This is the final post on this blog.

As 2013 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on my blogging journey. I originally outlined three measures of success:

1. 12 topics explored — not 12 specific topics, but I’ve explored a wide range of topics.
2. at least 50 blog posts by the end of the year — most definitely achieved.
3. a larger professional network of folks across GLAM and education sectors — most definitely achieved.

I’ve learned a lot along the way. I’ve learned what it means to explore & express my opinions publicly. I’ve learned about the behind-the-scenes technicalities of blogging. I’ve learned how I engage the discipline of writing. I’ve learned more about what the library profession means to me, and to others.

Future dreaming VIII #futurelibraries

How can New Zealand Librarians collectively participate in the future of the profession on a global scale?

We may be a small country, all the way at the southern edge of the Pacific Ocean, just slightly north of Antarctica, but we have fantastic opportunities to be part of the global professional librarian network. Connectedness via the internet to allows us to create broader international professional networks.

In reality, individually & small groups of New Zealand Librarians are already participating on a global level in the profession – from the significant New Zealand presence in #hyperlibMOOC, connections to the global 23 Mobile Things program networks, presenting at & attending international conferences, participating in IFLA events.

We are already taking our place on the international stage on an individual level, and perhaps that is enough, for now. It’s possible that we don’t need to be doing this at a collective level right now, because the collective view may be that we don’t need to *all* be connected globally, yet. I so think that the tipping point is fast approaching though, as more globally-looking and hyper-connected graduates join the professional librarian ranks.

Future dreaming Part VII #libraryfutures

How can we collectively contribute to the future of the profession?

I recently attended a talk given by Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith where she shared her experiences of being a researcher. She spoke of the importance of creating spaces for emerging practitioners to learn how to be part of the research community of their discipline and the wider national & international research communities. She shared anecdotes about providing both physical and mental space for PhD & postdoctoral students to be able to safely learn and practice how to be confident public speakers, committee members, lecturers to become active participants in the professional community. She spoke about service back to the profession and about the importance of giving people the space and support to learn how to contribute to the profession.

When I turn this lens to librarianship, I see a number of ways (big, small and every level in-between) in which we can give service back to the profession, which both strengthens the profession and supports its future.

Future dreaming Part VI #libraryfutures

How can I encourage others to actively contribute towards the future of the profession?

For me, being a qualified professional means that I don’t stop contributing to the ‘tribe’ now that I have joined it. I want to grow the tribe to ensure its future. I want the tribe to change & adapt to the future. I can’t, & won’t, be able to do that alone.

As I touched on in my video assignment for #hyperlibMOOC, tribes with members who actively recruit others to the ‘tribe’ (such as followers of Amanda Palmer’s tribe or the #nerdfighters tribe led by John & Hank Green – links are over on my #hyperlibMOOC blog) are engaged, passionate and enthusiastic. That’s what I want for the profession.

Step away from your desk. Turn around and look at your work colleagues.

Future dreaming Part V #libraryfutures

How am I contributing to the future of the profession?

I’ve finished reading Derek Handley’s heart to start. Amongst other things, he talks about carving out dedicated time to focus on your plans-for-action in distinct chunks of time – 10, 100, 1000 days. While it is sometimes hard to justify allocating work time for action planning, as well as allowing ourselves legitimate time & space for future dreaming, ideas, planning, by not making this time & space a priority, we are not giving ourselves permission to succeed.