This week, a daily message that I receive has been all about our jobs. Everyday, it focused on a different aspect of work and its' importance, in our lives.
Coincidentally, I have been following the ispresso blog, a little more closely, this week.
i still have the same questions unanswered that I did months ago. What will our jobs look like in a year's time? Will Ispresso have made an impact?
George from Circ took the ball and ran with her ideas. She and two committee members are putting into place 91 recommendations that will make circ processes better. By June, George will have completed her task and continued to improve.
I am still waiting for some direction and some support.
Someone said get started and go. Last summer, that is what happened with blog. Andrea, patrick and Diane supported me in that venture. I wonder how much more successful it could have been had we had everyone's (I mean everyone from every branch and admin) support and their efforts?
Catherine G.
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2 comments:
Hi Catherine:
We discussed the comparison of the Circ task force and ISpresso.
The major difference is that we're dealing with a "fuzzier" area in our work. While the circ group made recommendations for more fixed tasks e.g. checking in/out books - the info staff's work revolves around people mostly. People in my mind are a lot more unpredictable and it is therefore harder to regluate our processes.
That said- there are some things we could analyze in our daily work.
There were suggestions to track our tasks more finitely -i.e. not just mark down directional questions - but mark down how many "log me in to the computer" questions we get or how many "Where is the bathroom"
Then we can really see where our time is spent.
Next is the question of project - which most of us identify as central to our jobs - however the view that information services in the reference desk sense is really where the time support is alocated. That's considered our "bread and butter" - but I believe perhaps the core should be more related to projects; ones we'd like to do, projects that are mandated, developing new services, supporting the established services, etc.
I think comparing circ to info is apples and oranges myself. But I wanted to let you know we did identify the need to have a clearer picture of where our time is spent - in an objective sense. This should also be done without judgement so that it's not turned into a quota contest or something.
Don't think this gives you direction or support - it's just an FYI really.
all the best
Meg
Meg,
Thanks for the support.
It is a good perspective on the two different areas.
Definite good point that circ processes are more measurable than ours.
Appreciate the thoughtful answer.
Catherine
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