LEADING with Passion and Purpose

Tuesday August 11, 2009

http://www.stenhouse.com/emags/8236/pageflip.html

Our director's new book is a great read.  You can borrow a copy from the professional library, but you can also preview the whole book online using the link above.

Definitely browse the first chapter.  Page 12 has great tips on balancing work and family!

Keeping the BIG picture in mind

Monday August 10, 2009

Vacation sure puts life into perspective.  My husband and I both had a nice break from work with the New York Mets and in Times Square. 

Tomorrow Max, Olivia and I will send out the final details about our new system demonstrations.  There will be three demonstrations each held over two days.  The demonstrations will be accessible from your desktop via a secure link from the companies proposing their services to us.  Any staff member participating in the demonstration will be required to fill out a confidential scorecard on the company's product that will be kept on file in the procurement office of TDSB.

When looking for a new system please keeping in mind that we are looking for something that will provide service to 600 schools, the graduates of 2023, the new teachers of 2019 [who are currently in grade 8 right now] and a 2.0 world! http://www.thestar.com/article/678717

Managing Expectations

Friday July 31, 2009

“The only way to leave behind the awkward status quo you seem to be stuck with is to systematically explore every possible avenue of change.  Somewhere a certain problem lies a perfect solution”  I usually don’t  read my horoscope, but yesterday’s really rang true.

While I am not looking for a perfect solution for anything at work or home, I do feel that we are in a status quo position with our system, that limits our possibilities and that systematically [Project Management] a solution will be found.  But, between now and then, I have found the awkward part comes from managing expectations and ensuring there is transparent communication.

So let’s begin with the communications part [especially since I sent out the communications survey for Max, Olivia and I yesterday].  Presentation timelines to the Board have changed for the new system recommendations so presentations at Peckham for now are cancelled, but at the same time we should be having presentations here.  As there is more information I will make it available ASAP.  Just know that for now the plan is hands on demos at Tippett.

Expectations are a little harder to manage.  Every level from our Executive SO to all of us are involved as stakeholders in the project.  All of our expectations are quite high due to cost and ownership of the resources and systems we support.  So when Senior Staff request procedural changes, it may affect what we expected to have happen, but after a few hours of fretting I realize what I was told for the second time yesterday is true – “I need to better manage staff expectations”...so that while change happens honesty remains and hopefully clams disappointments.  Easier said than done, but now that I know where I stand and what the project leader expects of me/us – I will communicate information as it is available and confirmed.

I am on vacation next week, so I will start working on the blog again August 10^th. 

APPLESS  RFP Presentation Shortlisting

Thursday July 30, 2009

Our project manager organized the department coordinators yesterday to start the shortlist process for the RFP presentations to be scheduled in August.  I look forward to sharing with you as much information as possible, and your attendance at these presentations.

From the beginning, the APPLESS project has been managed by the TDSB's project management office, using international standards in project management.  This means there is a clear standard of expectations the Trustees and Senior Staff can expect from the project office for planning, financing and communicating about the new system.

The big difference for Library Technical Services during the project will be the integration of other departments into the project such as IT, the Web Team, Telecommunications, Media, Science and Logistics.  Library Technical Services sits as an equal member at the table with representation and weighting in the evaluations of the services as the other departments.

Having a project manager not only insures the process is followed, but that information that needs to be legally confidential can remain so, and that all departments have equal access to the information required to move the project forward. 

Minutes from Library Technical Services Managers Meeting          

Wednesday July 29, 2009

1. There are a few remaining edits to be made to our communications survey that Olivia pointed out.

1. Lisa will make these changes

2. This survey will be sent to all staff in August

1. There are unknown budget costs associated with the unresponsive IPAC server, but these costs will have to be paid as they arise.

1. Olivia and Max agreed that they have the day to day supplies needed for cataloguing and processing school library items.

1. We continue to wait for the loot bags to arrive for the Character Education distribution.  The timeline for this distribution will remain as close as possible to the start of the new year as possible, but may be extended into September a little.
1. Africentric School Library books are currently being item added

2. We continue to wait for "software at a glance" sheets to complete the two OSPAC mailings currently in storage
3. There will be an IEP software distrubtion this Fall

1. The circulation, item management, cataloguing options and stat manuals are completed for Sharon to give final approval to today.

1. We will be printing approximately 700 copies of these manuals in August via TDSB Printing

2. 600 manuals will be distributed to schools, the remaining 100 will be for staff and reference in training classes

1. Max, Olivia and Lisa each have a few days remaining for vacation in August, each day at least one of us will be in the office.

1. We drafted our ideas for the Fall Newsletter. [blog, new people, new offices, new procedures for stat, barcodes, spines and courier]  If there is room we will also include Sensational Statistics, and copies of articles from the Star relating to TDSB school libraries

1. Olivia will be sending a message to staff soon regarding the rollout of STAT.  The process will go live to all schools in the Fall.  August 24^th will be the official staff rollout along with collection codes.

1. We are ordering desk name plates for everyone with just their first name.  This will help new LICTR staff meet you, as well as help teachers find staff when they are at Tippett.

1. Items remaining from 08/09, there are 26 pallet in the warehouse waiting for cataloguing and item adding

1. Olivia presented to Max the revised Cataloguing Manual.  Once Max has an opportunity to review and accept or suggest changes to this new version, we will work together to create a rollout timeline, training sessions and expectations - to support student success, and our team goals.

    

    

120 Hours

Monday July 27, 2009

5 days until my vacation starts!  John and I are looking forward to seeing the two new baseball stadiums in New York.  We were just there in September to see the old ones close but this will be much more exciting I think.

Tomorrow Max, Olivia and I are having a manager's meeting.  Here is our agenda so far, minutes to follow either later on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Please let us know if you would like anything added to the agenda.

1.       Communications survey

2.       year end budget

3.       distribution update

4.       fall tl manuals completion

5.       august vacations update

6.       lmno September

7.       stat rollout to staff

8.       other business

I am not crazy

Friday July 24, 2009

I am not crazy thinking social networking is really taking off and to be successful in providing service eventually we are going to have to start using facebook, twitter so the "next" thing.

Our director Chris Spence has starting using twitter, as has Obama of course.  So after ignoring Ellen's calls to tweet and having gone to may meetings where updates were sent out on facebook and twitter and choosing to be out of the loop because I did not want an online profile – I created a twitter profile last night to "follow" Chris.

Sometimes trends do fade away but it looks like social networking sites have grown to become an integral way to provide support and share information for the next while, and sharing information and providing support is what we are all about.

With the new system or even before, Library Technical Services needs more of an online presence – not sure, the best way to move forward, but I know together we will figure something out.

Circle of Concern, Circle of Influence

Wednesday July 22, 2009

RFP evaluations will begin next month.  While many of us will have the opportunity to view vendor presentations the question that keeps coming up is "what say" will we have in the final system.

There will be many parties at the table to help choose the new integrated library system.  IT, Science, Media, Professional Library, Technical Services and Program staff.  We will all compromise on a possible new software solution for managing resources at TDSB.

Keeping in mind a possible new software is 100% our concern, we do not have 100% influence in the decision that is made.  While this may not seem "fair", it is the collaborative process and environment that we work in that allows us to support 600 schools, which affects our influence versus concern.

Steven Covey's circle of concern/circle of influence outlines this idea concisely.

Just because we do not have influence, does not mean something should not be our concern, but most importantly we have to keep in mind how much time, energy and effort we are willing to invest in our circle of concern versus influence.

I am here

Tuesday July 21, 2009

I am here, but sometimes questions why.  We have a backlog, there are people who will not speak to me, and there is always some technical issue to deal with.  Even though I was born to live and not to work – I am here because I choose to be.

I believe school libraries do make a difference in children's lives and I believe the work we do to support successful school libraries is important not just for students, but teachers, parents and the community as a whole.

A librarian helped me learn that East Indian people helped build the Canadian National Railway.  That was a defining moment for me as a Canadian.  No textbook ever has presented that information to its readers.  Our school librarians help children discover Canadian literature, but also what makes us Canadian.

If a library can help someone feel like they fit in, if a library can help someone learn something they need to thrive and succeed, if a library can help someone discover something new, then there is no questions libraries matter!

I am here to do the best that I can, and enjoy working with you.  What is your reason for being here?

It is not always easy to find an answer, but creating some meaning from what we do each day for ourselves helps us all collaborate, share and learn from one another.  Do not think of reflection as a make work project or an exercise in paper work, but as something that will create an opportunity for growth or an opportunity for learning.

The "new" Library System

Monday July 20, 2009

It might seem for some that the last few years has been spent "talking" about a "new" system.  However, what does that mean, and more importantly what does that entail for Library Technical Services.

I was even pondering that after someone asked me this weekend what I was working on at work currently.  If you look at the Wikipedia definition of an Integrated Library System http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_library_system you find a broad definition and lists of open and proprietary software.

The process TDSB [and most government agencies] use to purchase new resources is an RFP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFP.  We will be limited to viewing that software that is able to meet the criteria and deadline of our current RFP.  As is the case in every process, there are pros and cons.  I am glad to be "in" the process of considering new options for the system we work to support and use to provide service to school libraries.

I look forward to seeing which companies to respond, and look forward to observing their presentations to TDSB.  After our evaluations are complete, they will be considered with other department evaluations and presented to our Board of Trustees with a recommendation.

Only once a purchase agreement has been made can we begin to truly plan and organize for our "new" system and its features.  So for now, we can look forward to considering our options!

Interesting Times

Tuesday July 14, 2009

We are in the middle of some interesting times in Technical Services.  Some of us are waiting for summer holidays to start, while others are almost done their summer break.  Our current system is plugging along while we wait to see which companies will respond to our Request for Proposal for a new integrated system.  New teacher-librarian lists are being created, new manuals are being developed and staff are moving offices to ensure we are ready for September.  While some people wait for retirement to start, we have had the opportunity to host two high school students this week who wanted to experience library work.  Different stages and phases all humming along on a cool summer day.

The cataloguing is being done, and there is lots more waiting to be started.  I hate waiting for the next "thing" but realize that there is nothing else that can be done right now, and I definitely do not want to wish today away.

Canada Day

Tuesday June 30, 2009

Happy Canada tomorrow.  We have to wait one more year to have an official long weekend in July.

Vacation time is so important professionally and personally.  Even one day off can rejuvenate you mentally and physically. 

Enjoy the 1^st day of July with your family, friends or on your own resting and doing what you enjoy.  It might sound sappy, but we are so lucky to live somewhere where we can all be so different but live in peace together.

I do not balk

Monday June 29, 2009

Neither does our new director:  http://www.thestar.com/article/658125

Do you?

Having had the privilege of working with Dr. Spence in Hamilton and hearing all the wonderful reading and literacy initiatives he spearheaded I am looking forward to the change and opportunity that lies ahead for all of us.

Balking I think is a strategy in baseball, but a deterrent for progress, change and service in the workplace.  As I always say, nothing is written in stone, and if we can I am more than willing to try out an idea as there is always something more to be learned!

I am full of energy today as I head off to help close my first school library in Toronto! 

Performance Management Competencies

Friday June 26, 2009

I had my performance evaluated this week.  The Schedule II evaluation process does not really look at the role or job that you have, but how you are performing in general management competencies such as leadership, accountability, support and general management.  A rating of acceptable means that within your role you are demonstrating a level of knowledge and practice that meets all job expectations and requirements. 

I believe that in ½ of my job, I am acceptable and in the other half, I still need a little development, which means I demonstrate a level of knowledge, and practice that meets some of the job expectations and requirements.

So, between now and my next evaluation I am going to focus on personally growing in these three areas. 

Relationship Building – which means creating opportunities of inclusion for all staff, encouraging personal and varied growth and building rapport with people within all levels, inside and outside the department.

Equity – arranging for equity training for all the staff in the department and establishing communicating expectations for all staff.

Integrity – ensuring my actions and words are consistent with all staff and not allowing for the creation of special interest groups with the department.

In an attempt to be as transparent as possible, I thought it was important to share this with you.

End of Year Thoughts

Thursday June 24, 2009

Ever since I started working in schools in 2001 I feel like I have two starts to the year, one in January for the calendar new year, and one in September for the beginning of the school year.

I always like to set my personal goals for the next year at the end of the last.  So as I think to what I need to be personally and professionally prepared for next year, this youtube video really hit the mark http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk4t0E0ZkZk

Preparing for 5 years from now, might seem unreasonable but as we prepare for the release of our RFP, launching our new system, and supporting new and closing schools, the next five years are going to be very involved for Technical Services both at Tippett and at schools.

I do not expect everyone to buy into the idea of planning for the new year, or for 5 years from now.  However, I hope as you prepare for your professional learning meeting you are thinking about what it is you want to achieve in your role of supporting student learning at TDSB next year, or further.

Another great article about planning for the next decade is available here for those of you interested in MoneySense http://www.canadianbusiness.com/my_money/investing/article.jsp?content=20090601_20011_20011

Summer Projects

Monday June 22, 2009

To be honest I am a little overwhelmed right now, but it will pass once things slow down with the Ministry in the next week.

The main point of this post is to present you all with the summer projects. 

Library Technical Services Team Projects:

1. Books are here - 2009 Ministry bulk - 6 books for 475 schools to be item added and shipped - I would like these in schools for Sept 2.

2. Books are here - Mental wellness titles 3 per school to be item added and shipped - not yet approved for distribution - no due date yet

3. Books are 1/2 here - Character Ed 3 titles for 600 schools to be item added and shipped with loot bag - these have to be in schools for Sept 8.

4. Books are here - 1 Secondary title to be item added and shipped - I would like these in schools for Sept

5. Africentric school - Max is taking care

6. Closing school - TLs are being hired this summer to do the work with some clerical staff

Sys. Tech Team Projects:

The most important one is the preparation for rolling out STAT.  (revising the manuals, incorporating STAT and collection codes changes into the CIRC and ITEM MGMT manuals)  Then, the system setup one school at a time.

The second project is ‘closed days’ programming.

The third project is patron clean up.

The fourth project is the splitting up of the FRE collection code into 4 smaller codes. 

Getting books into the hands of students

Friday June 19, 2009

http://www.thestar.com/article/653408

It was almost unanimous!

Wednesday June 17, 2009

It was almost unanimous, the winning logo is

While our meeting was short today, I appreciate that people took the time to attend.  While participation is always light in these meetings, I would like to improve that.  I do not think that I am such a good communicator that everyone just understands the information or ideas I am sharing.  I also realize though not everyone is comfortable asking questions in large groups.

As always I will have to reflect on this one, and pay particular attention to the lessons learned from the next few days that are communications focused with Ministry information and other year end information being sent out to the system.

Tomorrow, I will announce the new Library Technical Services logo.  Today is the final day for voting.  There are three logos left to choose from @ http://bit.ly/lkVkB  Help choose our Technical Services Logo!

While I would agree that digital content is becoming increasingly important, I would caution anyone thinking that the termination of books is near.  The number of people who access to reliable access to the internet globally is only 23%.  Even in an Ontario survey last week stated only 43% of Ontarians have reliable access to the internet.  This number decreases to 37% when only looking at the senior population of the province.

So I read with surprise this weekend that California is considering going fully digital with their textbooks http://www.thestar.com/article/650231 It will be interesting to learn what technology will be provided to each of California's six million students to access these texts.

On the practice side of things TDSB trustee Howard Goodman says, "…technology to achieve its potential, the culture of schools and of teaching practices have to be changed…"  Some of our schools have started purchasing E-books already.  Some vendors are even providing the e-version of books for free with the purchase of the print. 

So, while we wait for our new system RFP to be tendered, we should all be considering the options of cataloguing e-resources.  Will we be able to link to individual chapters, or will we provide static service to the full text?  Will the introduction of more interactive content in our catalogue attract more users to the print materials we have always catalogued?  Will e-books provide a new way to encourage pleasure reading?  How will teachers verify research citations?  And the most exciting question for me is – how often will the content be updated?  How long will it take changes to be reflected when a new planet is discovered or when a new country signs is constitution?

Ministry and Logo

Friday June 12, 2009

The details of the 2009/2010 Ministry Library funding will be announced next week.  I will be ironing out details today and over the weekend. 

Please have a final look at the 5 remaining logos http://bit.ly/lkVkB and vote on your favourite or send me another one to add to the votes.  I will include our new logo with the Ministry communications that will be sent out to Teacher-Librarians, Superintendants, and Principals.

The meeting week is almost over and my head is full of ideas and things that I need some time to reflect on.  Besides reflecting on workflow and my own job evaluation, I am looking forward to hearing each of your reflections on the past year of professional growth and what your plans are for next year!

Logo Voting Starts Today!

Thursday June 11, 2009

Visit http://bit.ly/lkVkB to choose our Technical Services Logo!

This logo will be used wherever and whenever you can.  Most importantly, it will go on all training documents this fall, the Technical Services School Library Cataloguing Options document that is sent to all schools, our newsletter items for distributions and on our website and brochures.

This easy branding exercise will set a consistent image for our messages.  The content will continue to be a focus for formatting, accessibility and ACCURACY!

Meetings

Wednesday June 10, 2009

The rest of the week is full of meetings.  I do not particularly like meetings, but realize they are a good forum to share information.  I do not believe they are a good forum to solve problems.  I prefer problem solving conversations where two or more people with the same interest and passion to find a solution can come together, bounce ideas off of each other and find a creative solution to try! 

At our last System Technician meeting, this did happened and it was great.  There were at least two things being discussed and there was no definitive answer but solutions were shared, and morphed into possible solutions that can be tried.  As I have always said nothing is written in stone, so let us try something different if needed and see if it works.  If not we can try again!

I realize it takes a lot of trust to reach a point for someone to share a personal idea, and most of the trust is based in the realization that those you are sharing the idea with are not going to judge you personally or professionally.  That is the environment I am dedicated to creating in Technical Services and even though it has taken me years to create this trust with a smaller team, I know eventually it can be created with the larger team.

Today's meeting is with all the System Technicains, Max, Olivi and myself and the techs will share with us updates from their team meetings, and most importantly items that need management action.  I will post the minutes here soon so that you can all be aware of what was presented. 

Tomorrow's meeting is management meeting with Max, Olivia and I.  We will discuss the action items for today's meeting, TPL returns, OSPAC distribution, regular workflow, the Fall LMnO, preparing for Professional Learning meetings and any thing else we need to touch base on.  If you ever want to use our management meeting, time to confer or present anything to us, feel free!

Finally tomorrow at 3:30 is our first meeting with our Principal about Schedule 2 evaluations J 

Accessibility

June 9, 2009

It is just not the message but the style of the message that has to be accessible.  Whether it is the safety sheets to check our fire extinguishers or the newsletters that we send out with updates to Teacher-Librarians it is important to ensure we are using a "good" size font, readable colours and accessible background.

When considering our new logo I want to make sure it is sizable and readable for all staff and Librarians.  I would have liked to use the three primary colours of red, yellow and blue in our logo, but yellow is often hard to read and does not translate well in black and white.  Therefore, I stuck with red, blue and TDSB green.

I would still like to encourage anyone one else who would like to submit a logo to do so.  I am going to ensure as of September all of our document being posted and distributed has our logo and is in an appropriate font and background.  If you see anything that needs to be changed do not hesitate to let me know.

Friday June 5, 2009

During the month of July Max, Olivia and I plan to meet with each of you at your convenience.  We will use these meetings to review your professional learning plan from 2008/2009 and briefly talk about your plans for 2009/2010.  It does not matter if you just meet with one of us or all of us.  The questions will be the same.  What was your best learning experience this year?  What was your most disappointing learning experience this year?  What are some ideas you have thought of for 2009/2010?  The last question will be easy – Do you want your 2008/2009 form filed or shredded?

If you have any questions or concerns before hand, or during the next year, regarding Professional Learning do not hesitate to ask!

1. include value in our service
2. provide access for all
3. remember the 7Rs
4. marketing to teachers not just librarians
5. "mashing up" libraries

Reminders

Friday May 15, 2009

There are few things I appreciate more than honest and unbiased feedback.  Thanks to Max and Mary who both spoke to me in person and submitted comments on the site yesterday.  They reminded me that we had only just finished the Ministry project in record time and before that we had a two month turnaround time.  They also reminded me of the new tasks the everyone has taken on with printing thousands of spine labels for schools and STAT!  Finally that we have done everything this year [projects, cataloguing, item adding, training, help desk] with a smaller staff and no extra temporary assistance!

I know everyone is doing their personal best to support student success and it is good to be reminded of all the details that go into this.

All the while, the Ministry continues to remind us of the important role school libraries play in student success by ensuring continued funding for next year!  Some Boards are holding fairs next month with their 09/10 allotment, when a decision has been made at TDSB I will ensure to communicate it with everyone at a staff meeting.

The most important reminder I would like to give you this long weekend is no matter what as you're your Unit-Coordinator I still believe in family first.  Take time to take care of yourself, your family and those you care about this weekend.  Rest, relax and rejuvenate.  I do not believe we were born to work, but we do work to live and in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. 

Integrity has many definitions.  At my core integrity means doing what you say.  When people ask what I do at work, I say I try my best to get the high quality books into the hands of the quarter of a million children we are responsible for supporting.

Further to my post yesterday, there is always a question when trying to balance projects and cataloguing.  While treating everyone equally, are we treating everyone equitably?  Sometimes some schools need some extra time from us, but at what cost to all the other schools.

Are blitzes the best way to cover for projects, or is there a better way to find a balance to equally and equitably support all our school libraries?  As the Technical Services department the core of our responsibilities are cataloguing.  Currently we have an unacceptable turnaround of 6 months.  Are we doing too many projects?  Having too many meetings?  On the other hand, do we edit our bibs too much?

As we prepare to move to a new system as a team we will also dialogue about moving to a new service mindset.  Currently a lot of your service to schools is rules based, you can do this but not that.  In our new system, my hope is our mind set on service will be based on how we can help schools do this and that.

For now as we continue to focus on cataloguing from December and January, I will try my best to be aware of reducing meetings, projects and things that unnecessarily distract us from our core responsibility but at the same time do not squelch our service to schools.

On Wednesday and Friday this week meeting room A will be used for interviews so there will be some other people visiting here as well.

This page was last modified on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 09:58:26 AM