Author Archives: halfpintofwisdom

Learning. It’s become a habit – and I’m grateful

Posted on July 3, 2014 by halfpintofwisdom

You know I’m no longer standing beside you in the profession, right? But what I find, constantly, and sometimes annoyingly, is that librarianship never leaves you. You can try to leave it, only to find that it’s become irrevocably embedded. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections from the outside | Leave a comment

Taking the library to our users on Towel Day

Posted on May 23, 2013 by halfpintofwisdom

Libraries are working really hard to reinvent themselves, expanding their vision of what they are and what they do. Part of this is a need to change the community perception of libraries.  At my library, we have been working hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Techy, geeky stuff | 2 Comments

Presenters and speakers-in-public – this share is for you!

Posted on May 15, 2013 by halfpintofwisdom

Presentation Design Techniques from the Masters by @slidecomet from Slide Comet Full credit to the guys @slidecomet for their excellent compilation. Minimalistic, elegant and to the point. There’s nothing quite like learning from the masters! For me, the biggest challenge … Continue reading →

Posted in Presenting | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Using plain language to communicate with customers

Posted on November 14, 2012 by halfpintofwisdom

Today I’m on the hunt for tips and tools to support us as we begin to refine some of our online documentation to better meet the needs of our customers.  Terms and conditions of membership spring to mind – hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing | Tagged | 2 Comments

Science or art? The recombinant DNA of cross-functional teams

Posted on October 5, 2012 by halfpintofwisdom

If you have previously stopped by you will know that I’m a fairly recent recruit to a public library management team, and you will also know that I’m an avid fan of collaboration in any context.  The two have recently … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-functional teams, Interdisciplinary teams | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Getting kids to read: advice from Judy Blume, and a confession from me

Posted on September 11, 2012 by halfpintofwisdom

I am, I confess, a con artist. I raised two boys.  Let’s call number one Action Man.  He never sat still so reading to him was purely a pain down under.  Number two was the Collector, and still is judging … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Reading | Tagged | 7 Comments

Collected magazine: NZ school librarians talk evidence based practice

Posted on September 6, 2012 by halfpintofwisdom

The latest issue of SLANZA’s flagship publication here in New Zealand has hit the eSphere – Collected #7 focuses on evidence based practice.  Having been involved once again in editing this edition, I can tell you that blood, sweat, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflective practice | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Libraries, storytelling, advocacy: Not what or how, but why

Posted on September 6, 2012 by halfpintofwisdom

I know that I’ve been gone for a while.  So much stuff happening that the writer within has taken a short hiatus.  Bear with me while I try to make sense of my changing world. Sometimes you see something, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Library futures | Tagged | 1 Comment

Flipped library: Is it, then, about attitude?

Posted on August 26, 2012 by halfpintofwisdom

You might have read my earlier post about flipped libraries and maybe you thought, “Wow! She’s totally nuts!”  Not an unlikely reaction, especially if you know me personally. I was interested to read this, however.  A recent piece from Library … Continue reading →

Posted in Library futures | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Advocacy will not work unless you make an emotional connection

Posted on June 20, 2012 by halfpintofwisdom

I dare you to not be moved by this clip. And I also dare you to follow the example they set.  When you report, tweet, promote, blog to your community, connect at an emotional level.  Tell the stories, share the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Writing | Tagged , , | 6 Comments