This document discusses the value of peer networks for library and information professionals. It begins by defining peer networks as groups of colleagues and professionals in the same field that interact on a professional basis through conferences, social media, email lists, and other means. The document then discusses various benefits of peer networks, including benchmarking, finding solutions to problems, learning about new tools, feeling less isolated in struggles, encouraging professional engagement, discovering new opportunities and resources, getting advice and support, observing trends, gaining different perspectives, making lifelong friends, sharing experiences, and personal and professional growth. It also notes some challenges, such as justifying the time investment to employers and negotiating authentic online identities. Overall, the document advocates for peer networks and shares many

1. Proving the value of peer networks: plugging in to your peers Bethan Ruddock #npc2010 July 2010 Proving the value of peer networks: plugging in to your peers Bethan Ruddock #npc2010 July 2010 Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomo908us/4289813899/

2. What are peer networks, and why should I care?

3. What? ‘contact groups consisting of fellow Library/Information professionals, workers, or others associated with the profession. These may include groups such as work colleagues; fellow members of an association; members of a social group such as a ning or facebook group; conference attendees; twitter followers; and other groups with whom you interact on a professional basis.’ Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelunch_box/2798522576/

4. Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/emagic/56206100/ Why? ‘If you work in isolation you repeat the mistakes that others have made.’

5. Why? ‘They provide the opportunity for: benchmarking; discovering solutions to problems; finding out about tools others have used first; making you realise you are not alone in your struggles; encouraging professional engagement.’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomasrotger/3174249161

6. Peer Networks Present: Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/buzelman/2281323834/

7. Support: ‘Find peer networks on Twitter, email lists and face-to-face hugely helpful both for getting new opportunities and for mutual support/advice.’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/rembcc/4046044227/

8. Collaboration: ‘Necessary for us all to share experience and build new ideas with our colleagues and peers’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoemaclean/3847512028/in/photostream/

9. Collective intelligence: ‘I find peer networks very valuable for finding out about resources and opportunities I might otherwise have missed.’ ‘I've found Twitter useful for making links with others who I've not actually met, and getting advice on issues (mainly related to digital repositories).’ ‘networking can improve services we offer and helps us bench mark.’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/caroslines/3428960391

10. Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jspad/2184459670/ Discussion: ‘My peer network on twitter helps keep me up to date. Peer network of old colleagues helps me brainstorm ideas, reflect on practice, and are a valuable information source.’

11. Current awareness: ‘Peer networks have a vital role to play in the work I do, it helps us to set standards and keep up with current trends and developments in the profession.’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayeve/2312167749/

12. Current awareness: ‘They are also invaluable for observing trends, debates, etc quickly. How people in your peer network engage with certain debates or issues can provide a very good temperature check on how important a certain issue is perceived to be (linked data for example) and what the key questions are.’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqjunkie/2473850888/

13. Different points of view: ‘Knowing your peers means that you are exposed to new ideas / different ideologies, which may well further new thinking related to your work’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/boliston/3966640589/

14. Different points of view: ‘To be effective anyone in the library/information world needs to be able to network with peers. Not only can this help either directly or indirectly with your career but is stimulating and thought provoking to find out how others tackle particular issues. Your peers are also a valuable information source in themselves!’ Image used under a CC licence by http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheeshoo/12976949/

15. Friendship: ‘Invaluable for experience sharing, kiteflying, support - and I've made some lifelong friends’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/levoodoo/4404202914/

16. Sharing professional experiences: ‘Valuable for numerous reasons, including keeping up with what is happening in other workplaces, getting support when things are tough, finding quick answers by asking a contact who knows.’ Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/1133983889/

17. Personal growth: ‘I believe they are vital, for personal development, for increasing one's knowledge of the profession as a whole, and in becoming involved in worthwhile projects.’ Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/theseanster93/811096903/

18. Community of experts: ‘Peer networking has helped a great deal in my role as a library assistant dealing with requests for classical music scores. Experienced staff left soon after I joined and a network called IAMLS has helped me develop some very good contacts whom I have called for advice. The network is also useful for tracking down obscure pieces of music.’ Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/horiavarlan/4268315679/

19. Advice for new professionals: ‘I actively encourage younger colleagues to join social networking and peer networking groups. There is valuable information and experience to be gained, and we all need to "see beyond the desk" to stayon top of the job and remain enthusiastic and fresh. It is so easy to become insular and short sighted, even within a team context, let alone an institutional one.’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/feargal/3899824088/

20. New professional view: ‘As somebody who has been involved in the profession for less than a year I have found peer networks invaluable. Without peer networks I doubt I would have learnt so much about the profession in such a short space of time... ...I've probably learnt just as much if not more about the profession through networking as I have from my current job.’ Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/2442371176/

21. New professional view: ‘I believe them to be very important for career advancement, making sure that people know who you are.’ Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/zen/1291138853/

22. ‘I have already been able to communicate with other chartership candidates via twitter and the LIS mailing lists.’ Chartership: ‘the network of those working toward chartership is invaluable for sharing ideas, getting a bit of reassurance or encouragement.’ ‘It has helped with my chartership.’ Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/milivoj/2166043959/

23. Opportunities: post on a journal articles Run a demo session guest blog posts book contributions run a social media workshop conference papers invited to speak at two events set up the Library Routes Project joint conference session Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/dno1967/4106791340/

24. Fresh point-of-view: ‘As a new professional, I felt it was important to attend the BIALL conference to meet law librarians outside my library for the first time.’ Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/screenpunk/3474867233/

25. Finding a network: ‘I use peer networks through social media sites, twitter, LinkedIn, Ning sites such as MashUps, and sites supporting conferences. This gives me access to a wide group of like minded librarians who when I meet them f2f I already know what we have in common.’ Image used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/pouser/4382366795/

26. Finding a network: ‘am part of the Ravelibrarians group on a huge knitting social networking website called Ravelry. I know, sounds insane, but we actually have really interesting work-related discussions on the fora.’ Image used under a CC licence by http://www.flickr.com/photos/elitatt/4341808966/

27. Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobbygreg/168206195/ Finding a network: ‘I have set up a semi-formal peer network which meets 4 times a year. We seem to get a lot out of it.’

28. Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/chunghow33/2920326416/ Challenges: ‘Most of this networking is done in my spare time … I think I would struggle to continue my current level of involvement in full-time employment at my current workplace due to employer concerns about the value of peer networks.’

29. Challenges: ‘Can be very time consuming so need to work out costs/benefits.’ ‘had to justify why going to a library-related conference was so important that I needed time off. Also, have been asked to take time off for CILIP Committee out of my personal time.’ Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/theaftershock/3283238354/

30. Challenges: ‘Peer networks are highly valuable, but negotiating and communicating within them takes skill. We need to reflect on the identity/persona we present. On the other hand authenticity can be really valuable in forming relationships that don't feel loose or weak.’ Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyberslayer/952121271/

31. Challenges: I just dislike the idea of being forced to do it if I want a better job.

32. Proving value: Image by http://www.wordle.net

33. ‘I found the International Association of Music Libraries UK Branch invaluable when, as a younger professional, I felt isolated. I was a subject specialist for Music but also for many other subjects. Music was my main interest – I had taken a specialist course in music librarianship at Leeds Polytechnic - but it had a negligible profile at my university library, a situation I was determined to change. Thanks to the energy, interest and support of IAML(UK) I can say with complete assurance and no personal vanity that I accomplished this change successfully, to the benefit of the library, the Music Department and the university.’ Positive change: Image used by CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigi62/2626024366/

34. @bethanar bethaninfoprof.wordpress.com bethan.ruddock@manchester.ac.uk