Well, I've spent an interesting and engaging hour working my way through the Delicious CPD23 bookmarks. I visited blogs without any real rhyme or reason, instead choosing to peruse the list and click on blog names that amused me. Never underestimate the power of a good blog title!
While sitting in front of my increasingly toasty laptop is not exactly the best way to spend one of the hottest days of the year, I have enjoyed reading other people's thoughts and opinions on CPD23 and found that there was a resounding theme throughout the blogs I visited.
#1 The Importance of Feedback
One of the most prevailing topics blogged about was that it is important to not just read and quietly mull over what you have read during your explorations, but instead offer feedback or some form of greeting before exiting to open up a dialogue, or just to welcome someone new into the blogging fold.
Not only does this provide a morale boost to the individual, but also opens up the line of communication. This is especially important after the recent allegations of cliquishness within the LIS NP community. I love receiving comments, no matter how (seemingly) random or off topic. They always brighten up my day and make me feel that I'm not just shouting in the dark and that people are out there too.
So don't be afraid to just say hi, or that you like someone's blog layout, or that you've been stalking them on Twitter :D. It's all welcome, and I'm sure it's not just me that feels this way.
#2 Branching out from your area of expertise / comfort zone
I have to admit, when scanning through the list of participants on Delicious, it was very tempting to click on the legal/law tab and merely peruse the people working in the same library sector as myself. I also had to stop myself from just visiting my real life library friends' blogs, many of whom are participating.
Despite the randomness of my CPD browsing, I did still have to make an initial effort to step out of my comfort zone and to reach out to new individuals who I haven't spoken to before. It is very easy to stay within your sector, or your friendship group, and while this is safe and secure, and can offer interesting insight into your particular job role, I don't feel it is entirely inkeeping with the spirit of the CPD project.
To me, part of continuing my professional development is to experience other sectors of librarianship that are completely removed from my own work in the legal sector. I was especially interested to read the accounts of current and future library school students and find out what their take on this experience is, as well as engaging with people in specialist libraries and schools - as I often think school librarians are under-represented, with many of the people I have come across at various events and on Twitter being from the legal or academic side of libraries.
I think the more we know about our profession and what other people are doing, the better really and I can't wait to find out more as I progress.
I hope this wasn't too rambling, I am rather warm right now!
Image Credit: Kristina B on Flickr
