Task 1 monday 14 june 2010

First formal day at work, it was a good day for me.... every person looked great and prepared for the corporate world. we started the day with a good note, though we did not have internet access. We had printed sources which helped us to an extent and that was a bit of a problem since it meant that we had to carry the day's task to the following day.

I learned a lot on embedded librarianship and the services they offer. We had to compare the differences between the CSIR information specialist and any embedded librarian to investigate what the CSIR information specialist is not doing or is lacking and then recommend what can be done to improve the situation.

This is what i found out..... that the CSIR information specialist does:
Existing information specialist
· Liaising with clients
· Provision of selective alerting services and the compilation of subject specific electronic newsletters on new research and development trends
· Conduct information and knowledge assessments(information audits)
· Build and maintain relationship with the designated units/centres
· Good working understanding of ICT and Web 2.0 tools
· Advanced internet and database searching skills as well as expert knowledge of the content on subject specific information resources, including the ability to critically evaluate and filter them
· Support and promote CSIR policy regarding dissemination of research outcomes
· Empower line staff through training in the use of electronic information resources as well as the critical evaluation and selection of authoritative information resources
· Encourage and implement the use of Virtual Research Environment practices and tools
· Conduct bibliometric research
· Ensure that all CSIR generated publications are captured, managed, preserved and accessible
· Manage remote/ branch Information Centres
· Mentor, train and develop interns

And the recommendation's are:
· The information specialists require adjustments in training and work activities as well as long term management commitment.
· The professional training for information specialist should include an internship in a practice setting common to the domain knowledge being acquired.
· Brokering arrangement for librarians to take courses
· Mentoring and evaluating the specialist-trainees
· Arrange practicum experiences.

And later during the day we found out that we had to move from the CSIR campus to tuks main campus so that we may have access to internet since its almost impossible to do our project without internet.
We also had a webinar which was moved from teusday to monday, that was done in order to teach us that sometimes unscheduled events can occure out of nowhere, but in the working environment one has to tackle it like a professional and not lose focus.

We also had a tour in the knowledge commons building. It is a very great idea to have such a building in an organisation, where different people and high researchers get together and share knowledge while sitting and having coffee. I was very impressed by that.
All in all it was a wonderful day, I learned a lot.