Final blog for Promotions

Wow, this year has been so busy, but thankfully it's nearly over (I'm actually not sure about being thankful, I have really enjoyed having somewhere to focus my efforts and gain a sense of achievement). I chose to do Scenario 1, regarding starting a book club. As I said in my last post (how appropriate for this week - Remembrance Day was just a few days ago) I was hoping to have my assignment ready to hand up this week. I was successful in getting this done without too much drama. I found the most difficult part was the format - it was difficult not to write it as if I was going through the processes. So - I wrote it as if it was already done, and then created another document as the planning for other branches to follow.

We were also required to create a report for submission to the powers-that-be (in this case the Jacaranda Public Library Corporation) to encourage the other branches to start their own book clubs.

Doing this exercise definitely opened my eyes as to the amount of planning any event requires, even the ones which seem so straightforward, there's a lot of detail behind them.

Initially I chose the book club scenario as I'm a member of a book club, although it isn't run by the library. I felt that this did help me with certain aspects, such as knowing that their are notes which come with each copy, etc. As our meetings are monthly and follow a general format, it gave me a basis for the time frame as well.

I chose to work alone, that's just how I roll. I think I achieved more as I was able to pick and choose my times and tasks to suit my lifestyle (hectic).

This module has been a bit mad ..... a bit of event planning never did anyone any harm! The display was a challenge, and I am so glad I had such great partners!

Thanks for the whole experience - I have enjoyed the challenges, for the most part........

I will probably continue to blog, just have to get past a few life challenges first.

Week 12 (during the scenario selection)

Terry did say we don't really need to blog during this week, as overall there were only 3 posts necessary for this month. But I found out so much interesting stuff when I was researching for the scenario I have chosen, that I wanted to put it here (as I can't really put it in our theoretical plan). I have chosen scenario one - setting up a new book club as a particular branch within a library, with certain required documents :
A planning document
A report on the success/failure (god forbid)
I don't know if this was cheating, but I worked back to front - I pretended (to myself) that I had been the book club coordinator, and listed the steps I followed to set it up. Then I realised that it didn't really look like a planning document, it was too specific - for example I mentioned a 30 November cut off date, how many respondents we received, etc. Which you can't really put into a planning document.........anyway, maybe I made more work for myself but that was how I managed to create the planning stage. As none of it was real, the method could still work - bottom up is how Michele puts it, when we speak about Gantt charts and design briefs.
Anyway, some of the cool facts/stuff I found is here :

Central Highlands libraries bookclub has over 110 clubs, a waiting list – and the waiting list is closed. They have 216 book sets (makes for a great selection), 10 books per set.

Albury city library has 10 types of book clubs.

How great is this? Victoria Library (Canada) . They actually lend out the book club sets - unfortunately it's in Canada, but there are several schemes running in Australia too.

AND (sorry, but I really enjoy all of this) look here : Melbourne book clubs there are so many interesting and varied clubs operating - there's bound to be something for everyone here, with a Cult Fiction book club, a 3rd Wednesday book club, etc . Plus there are also reading circles, where members bring and discuss books of their own choice. Which reminds me, my book club meeting is this Wednesday night - and for once I have already finished the book, no last minute skimming required.

There is so much going on there - now that would require lots of planning!

We were given time in class today, once the noise had settled down to a dull roar, to continue on with this task, as it is a major assessment task. We were given the option of working in pairs, but I prefer to work on my own. 

Hopefully by this time next week, I will have my assignment ready to hand in. 

.........

   Marita