ALIA article – How have you grown professionally during the pandemic?

Good afternoon all... 

I have discovered recently an opportunity to write an article for Incite magazine which is the Australian Libraries and Information Association (of Australia) magazines for Librarians and Information professionals

Although my article will not be included in next month's publication I did enjoy writing about my current experiences in Libraryland

I have included my article piece below:

 

ALIA article – How have you grown professionally during the pandemic?

 

My name is Tim Law, Library Team Leader at the Murray Bridge Library in South Australia. During this current pandemic I have found the opportunity to be far more bravely creative. With permission and encouragement from our Incident Response Team and my Manager I and my team have delved into the realm of online activities and I think we like it.

Closing the library on the evening of March 25 we were completely inexperienced with running events and activities online and totally unprepared, not knowing where to begin. Without a way to supply our normal array of activities for families as well as author visits and workshops we began to examine how other libraries were supplying these types of events.

While at home for a week following the library closure I also began posting LIVE storytelling, craft and simple science sessions from home, involving my two daughters who loved playing up to the camera. Feedback from friends and family enabled me to alter where I filmed, how long and whether I pre-recorded or filmed LIVE. Soon after returning to the library the team and I used what we have already learned to create fun sessions for our local families to enjoy.

We now plan to continue to explore the digital and see how it can run side by side with our previous program. This pandemic has taught me bravery, stretched my creativity and given me and my team an exciting license to try.