Monday 20 June 2011

cpd23 - the challenge has begun!

Today is the day so many of us have been waiting for - the start of the cpd23 challenge!

I know I told you a little bit about myself in my very first blog post, but I'd just like to take that a bit further in light of getting started with 'Thing 1' - why I'm taking part in this course and what I hope to get out of it.

To recap, I work for a law firm in the City, in what we refer to as the Information Centre - which is also commonly known in its more traditional sense - the Library. However, although we're often referred to as the Library, we have quite a wide-ranging role, traditional library duties being merely a small part of that role. We handle a wide range of legal research enquiries, along with a great deal of business development work; that is, compiling reports and obtaining other intelligence on companies/individuals worldwide in order to assist fee-earners with pitches for new business.

I have worked in law firm libraries for about 5 and a half years now; my background prior to this was chiefly in the insurance industry. I obtained my MSc from City University in 2010 after studying part time over two years. I decided to take part in the cpd 23 project because I am now working towards my CILIP Chartership qualification, and I felt that this would be a really good way of trying out things that I would normally not even consider - a blog itself being one of those things! I am hoping that the programme will give me more opportunities to get involved in areas that I wouldn't otherwise, as well maybe even make some new contacts! Not only that, but the fact that reflection on professional development forms an important part of the Chartership process means that this blog gives me another forum in which to do so. I am hoping it will help me to get as much as I can out of all of the 'Things' in the programme, as well as anything else that I do outside of the programme.

I have already written a post about a couple of training sessions I attended recently on recruitment/interviewing skills, so I am hoping to write about such things in conjunction with my posts on the cpd 23 challenge.

In the meantime, I look forward to checking out some fellow participants' blogs!

4 comments:

  1. Hello there - I enjoyed reading your blog entries. Good work! I too am participating in this self-directed training initiative. I am listed at Transliteracy Librarian http://transliteracylibrarian.wordpress.com/

    I am in Canada.

    I have chosen to make a ZoHo notebook and post to that each week with a link to my blog. I am excited to be a part of this self-directed learning initiative.

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  2. The link to the dissertation article was indeed reassuring.
    All your experience and drive in the law library sector is a little intimidating for a newcomer like me, I must admit. But it definitely seems that I've found a blog worth following for some valuable advice and pointers!

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  3. Hi there - i've enjoyed your blog - great posting. Chose it as i have a law degree, and although currenlty working in public libraries i think i'd like to combine my 2 qualifications some day! Like you i'm also working towards chartership, so maybe we can compare notes throughout this process. Lisa

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  4. Hi,

    I really liked your previous post on recruitment so I'll be following your thoughts on CPD23 with interest particularly as it sounds like we work in a fairly similar environment.

    Tina

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