Collaboration and Culture are Key

 In today's professional world we are facing employees of three different generations working together.  This can prove difficult in trying to have a collaborative group who are use to either, face-to-face, never-ending meetings or instant messenger. There are more collaborative tools coming out to help people break down those silos though it all depends on the culture. Also important to note that doesn't matter what technology is being utilized because it all comes to the culture that will allow it to foster. Will Kelly's article Corporate Culture, Not Technology, Drives Online Collaboration explains that to foster collaboration is through the organization's culture. 



Personally I have been tasked to foster collaboration at my new employment of three months. Not having solid grasp of everything yet I can implement baby steps that yield better return. One thing I noticed is there isn't any server to archive files for everyone to reference. So the organization is utilizing Google Documents to have access to share documents so I take it to another lever and built out calendars with necessary information for tight deadlines. My goal was not to change the collaboration already set but to make information more streamline and improve efficiencies.

I really enjoyed this week's reading as I am currently developing processes in improving collaboration at the workforce. One thing I feel is a universal theme and many organizations have this belief that collaboration and efficiencies are generated by the technology and tool being used but in reality its all stems to culture.

I never knew there were some good blogs for MLIS

My recent exploration on LIS blogs showed there is a rich community of bloggers in all-different backgrounds. I honestly thought blogs were written by out of touch professionals. I do feel part of the problem with librarians is the new blood coming into the professional world who have a digital background. 

1. In the Library With the Lead Pipe
2. 
Librarian's Commute

3. The Distant Librarian

4. Librarian by Day

5. David Lee King

Here are some blogs recently introduced to me that offered me what I call “slice of life” for LIS professionals. The environment each blog offered a sense of an individual who work in the industry and offer a down-to-earth reading. I have seen many blogs where its very professional oriented and the contents seem unrealistic to my professional growth. Best way to compare these blogs and those I was exposed my first semester of MLIS is like watching Good Day Live or Good Morning America to CSPAN or Weather Channel. Both offer same information but how it’s presented is what makes me relate more to one than other. 

Librarian by Day
 is actually best representation of library comedy I have ever found in a blog. I think blogs are there for professional growth but lets face it we need that sense of comical experiences we all have at our jobs. Also this blog offer universal information that are not totally married to MLIS professionals and offers great tips on using modern web tools for the work place.



Plus enjoyed the collection of comical visuals:

Some blogs I want to add into the pool:

1. Information Wants to be Free
• Blog about professors in MLIS, that made me interested in how things are seen from those point of view. Especially having students with different backgrounds how are professors making courses relevant to an ever-changing professional world.
2. iLibrarian
• Not much of fun read but more technology and how some libraries are utilizing them. This is great way of keeping up technology that is being used for library professionals.
3. ALATechSource
• Similar to iLibrarian but this is a blog that is established by a national organization. They offer blogs about monitoring Twitter to capture what is being said about library or an organization in question. Good source that offer technical information and professional networking.

Analyzing all these blogs I do see a pattern on what makes a successful website. Similar to what I posted earlier are transparency, knowing who is your demographic your trying to appeal and lastly making content easy reading but informative. We are all bombarded with life, work and school things that we need something that can cheer us up yet be informative and help us grow professionally.