Yesterday was a full CPD day for me. This was my plan:
9am to 1pm to work on chartership using the CILIP "library" in London.
1pm to 2pm: Walk from CILIP to BL and grab lunch on the way and make sure to get a reader pass made so I had to bring the necessary proof.
2pm-4pm: BL workshop "Knowing your market" in the Business and IP Centre.
Working on the chartership is harder than I initially thought, I am not going to deny that. I think the fact that the current workload in the Library is at its maximum as we do not have any admins (sigh!) has given me lots of opportunities no doubt. But one thing is to do a lot of work which is not part of your job, its another thing to actually take notes, think, reflect, learn and write down your reflection! When are you ever going to find the time when your 9-5 job is fully packed? This is what has left me rather behind in my 'reflection' process. So the purpose of going to the CILIP library to actually study was a good idea! I did get to sort out my papers, actually read some of my notes and locate notes which I feared I had lost forever. I also got a chance to see how another membership body's library could look like - yes it did make our library look like the superior, but that is a different matter anyway. I learnt that I need to learn to dedicate time for my CPD if I ever wish to finish it, it is far too easy to come with the excuse of never having time to write.....I've done enough of that. So just like all the other reminders in my Outlook diary at work, I am going to create a reminder of reflecting at least once a week!
I was keen on visiting the British Libary. Although I have been there before while doing my degree (2004 I think it was....) - it was a very brief visit and all I seem to remember is the public bench looking like an open book. To get to the point, the workshop I chose as Knowing Your Market at the Business & IP Centre. It was a workshop on the resources the British Library could offer (which was completely mind blowing!). They mentioned some of the sources which I am already aware of e.g. Mintel, Key Note, LexisNexis and so on. But I got hold of a list of the many other databases the centre subscribes to, for example FAME and Verdict, I am sure this will come in handy at some stage. I also grabbed some industry guides they publish, for example on different industries, I am sure these can be used when we update our links collection later this year: http://www.bl.uk/collections/business/bisheets.html
The centre has access to databases which I have used, heard of and never ever heard of: http://www.bl.uk/collections/cd-busin.html
To use the newly aquired skills, we would need to have a reader pass which I sorted out with my CILIP card quite quickly (it lasts 3 years!) and got a chance to play with the new tools introduced to me.
It has given me another thing to put on my list of "alternative options" when I cant seem to locate the information I need for an enquiry and I know many members as well as non-members who ask for more information than we can provide (particulary free information) who I can direct to the BL B&IP Centre. So this has helped me in knowing more resources for specific problems.
I am not to do a review of the BL or anything, but I guess I left the place feeling impressed and glad I got the chance to go there. Come to think of it, if it wasnt for this chartership I am doing, I would have staying in my own little world.....but now, I am looking for opportunities to continuesly explore the LIS world..................... I think my manager has realised that too! :)
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