Online Collaboration: The Next Big Thing Is Not You.

The Next Big Thing Is Not You.

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I frequently read a blog by Buffy Hamilton, a High School Librarian in Canton, GA. She recently posted the presentation above that got me thinking about my own online identity.

Since switching jobs from the public library sector to the academic library, I find myself with less and less time to collaborate/participate online. It's important to note that my academic library is not a traditional library. I work in a very small post-secondary, proprietary institution that is aimed at business, public and medical industries. The library was non-existent 2 years ago, but a heavy push for academic standards was made, and libraries at the different campuses have been created. Most of our resources are online and accessed through library databases, and each location has begun a small "core" collection that is housed in the "library" setting. I use the word library very loosely when talking about the setting, though, since we actually refer to it as the Learning Resource Center (LRC). It's within the size of a regular classroom housing 4 bookshelves and 12 computers that students can use for research and homework project purposes. My desk sits right inside the door and is the first thing anyone sees when they enter.

Now I've set the stage to explain what my duties cover:

• Reference and Instruction -- I enter classrooms at the instructors request to provide research help for certain classroom projects. Students are then encouraged to stop back by the LRC for additional help.
  
• Cataloging -- All new materials are cataloged and added to the collection.
• Inter-Library Loan -- We do quite a bit of this since our physical collection is so small.
  
• Collection Development -- As programs of study evolve, new materials for the core collection must be evaluated, and old materials within the current collection are weeded.
• Subject Specialty Areas -- I am in charge of Project Management, Gaming/Interactive Media, and Computers/Keyboarding. This Quarter, the librarians have been identifying standards for each area of study. This has taken quite a bit of work to dig through relevant information.
  
• Adjunct Instructor -- I will be teaching 3, yes 3, Information Literacy classes during the Winter Quarter. Two will be ground classes, and one online section. YIKES
• Various Committee Involvement:

1. ILS Search Committee
   
2. LibGuides 2.0 Committee
3. Campus Student Satisfaction Committee

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but as you can see, I stay quite busy! Now, let me get back to my reason for writing this whole bit. If you perused the slides above, you see just how far social media and the like has come in recent years. I have a pretty heavy online presence, and most of it has been geared towards library collaboration and gaining ideas from others in the field. I have an online presence on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Friendfeed (Library Society of the World) -- This place is GREAT for asking questions and getting instant feedback from librarians at the forefront of our industry.
  
• Goodreads
• Flickr
• Blogger
• LinkedIn

You get the idea. With so many online areas, it's been difficult to keep up with everything. It truly is information overload.

So I ask you, how in the heck do you keep up with everything online when other work demands keep you focused? How do you continue to stay abreast of every new trend/technology when you simply don't have the time to stay current throughout the week? And... if you DO find the time (say, when you make it home from work), how do you balance your online presence with your family obligations. A weary mind wants to know!