Friday, January 31, 2014

Create Your Own S.O.P. Story!

Over the last two days I've attended the annual Ontario Library Association Super Conference, with this year's theme being "A Universe of Possibilities." A plenary with Creativity Expert David Usher (oh, and also a Juno Award-Winning Musician) challenged us to think more creatively, and other sessions filled my head with information and ideas of how to provide more innovative services at the branch I lead. Since I wasn't speaking this year, I convened a couple of sessions, including one that provided the opportunity to craft my own Statement of Purpose (or S.O.P). 

The session was presented by staff from the Brampton Public Library (Julie Andrews-Jotham, Margaret MacMillan, and Julie Mandal).




The process went a little something like this...



After a couple of revisions, this is what I have for my professional Statement of Purpose:
I'm an enthusiastic people leader. I'm committed to motivating colleagues by sharing knowledge gained through my 14 years of  public library experience. I do this through speaking at seminars and coaching and mentoring. I'm resourceful in assisting customers by connecting them to materials or programs that will meet their needs. I'm energized by helping people identify their passion and meet their potential!

Now you try it!





What's your Statement of Purpose?

Monday, January 6, 2014

My 2014 Reading List

As a librarian, I’m obligated to read certain books in order to keep on top of trends and be able to advise customers. According to my Goodreads account, in 2013 I read 33 books (10267 pages), which would be about 2.75 books per month. That seems low to me as I thought I had read more.





In 2014 I’ll plan to round that up to 3 books a month, for a total of 36 books. I've outlined my reading list below and you can also follow me at https://www.goodreads.com/Kristina_MLS




Plan to Read
1 on Marriage


1 on caring for older parents

Job Related Reading
Book Club 8
February Before I go to sleep, by S. J. Watson
March Flight behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver
April The red tent, by Anita Diamant
May Through black spruce, by Joseph Boyden

Award Winners 3
Scotiabank Giller prize nominee/winner = Through black spruce, by Joseph Boyden
Canada Reads nominee/winner
Keep Toronto Reading selection


Forest of Reading
More info here


Blue Spruce (K-2) 4
I Dare You Not To Yawn, by Helene Boudreau, Serge Bloch


If You Hold A Seed, by Elly MacKay


Oddrey, by Dave Whamond


This Is Not My Hat, by Jon Klassen


Silver Birch (Gr 3-6) 3
Express (Gr 3-4)
Cryptic Canada: Unsolved Mysteries From Coast To Coast, by Natalie Hyde, Matt Hammill


Jason’s Why, by Beth Goobie


When I Get Older: The Story Behind “Wavin’ Flag”, by K’Naan with Sol Guy, Rudy Gutierrez


FICTION (Gr 5-6) 2
Record Breaker, by Robin Stevenson


Ultra, by David Carroll


NON-FICTION (Gr 5-6) 4
Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World by Susan Hughes


Our Rights: How Kids Are Changing the World, by Janet Wilson


The World In Your Lunch Box: The Wacky History and Weird Science of Everyday Foods by Claire Eamer, Sa Boothroyd


Warriors and Wailers: One Hundred Ancient Chinese Jobs You Might Have Relished or Reviled, by Sarah Tsiang, Martha Newbigging

Red Maple (Gr 7-8) 1
Between Heaven and Earth, by Eric Walters


White Pine (YA) 2
FICTION
Live To Tell, by Lisa Harrington


My Book of Life By Angel, by Martine Leavitt


NON-FICTION 1
The Secret of the Blue Trunk, by Lise Dion, Liedewij Hawke


Evergreen (Adult) 4
Indian Horse, by Richard Wagamese


Tell It to the Trees, by Anita Rau Badami


The Winter Palace: a Novel of Catherine the Great, by Eva Stachniak

Triggers, by Robert J. Sawyer


Golden Oak (new Adult readers) 2
Emily Included, by Kathleen McDonnell


My Name is Parvana, by Deborah Ellis