Learning to Fly - getting started

Back from leave and ready to start reading Learning to Fly. I got back lateish yesterday and therefore only managed a quick spin through the first chapter on the bus this morning. Rather than wade straight in I plan to run my eye over it (and chapter 2) again on the way home tonight / on the bus tomorrow morning).

I will probably post my reflections on the exercises denoted by a bird along with other commentary.

Final thought for today - I suspect from the introductory sections that the definition of Knowledge is going to be a bit vulnerable to the criticisms discussed previously.

Happy reading...

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On your marks?

My next post to this blog will be about the first couple of chapters of Learning to Fly (the opus by Mrs Beckham of the same name still available for 1p from Amazon I note).

If anyone has decided to join in then you will be very welcome to comment on the post. I have made this as easy as possible so you do not need to register, use your own name (thinks - I can have a debate on my own if needs be) and I have left moderation off so there will be no delay between you typing your nugget of insight and it appearing for all.

Questioning attitudes are very welcome!

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First Set Text - Learning to Fly

The text I want to consider first is the book Learning to Fly: Practical Knowledge Management from Leading and Learning Organizations by Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell.






It has a good reputation, is by a UK author and was recommended by my director. As of this post there are copies held at three other LHL services (NWP, KI and WHP) all be it not all of them being the 2004 revised edition I am using. Using "What's in London's Libraries" there are a few copies available for loan via the Public Library route. Failing that it is in print and available from £13.99 new (www.amazon.co.uk) or less for a used copy.

There are some 14 chapters and a number of appendices. For the purposes of this exercise it is my intention to read and reflect on a couple of chapters a week.

To give anyone who fancies joining in a chance to get hold of a copy / allow me to clear a few things first I plan to start in October (to be more precise week beginning 6th October).

Please note if anyone wants to read Learning to Fly by Victoria Beckham instead please feel free to update me with any key conclusions for health librarians.

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What is the plan?

I need to get to grips with Knowledge Management (KM).




While KM is hardly a new buzz term it seems to be one that is now impacting in the NHS. If nothing else it is cropping up frequently at meetings I attend (not just those populated by librarians). I have the K word in my job title and KM in my job description. I also need to prepare a strategy for my service and feel that KM should potentially be part if not at the heart of it.

I have a basic idea about KM concepts (tacit and explicit knowledge and so on) and have read a few texts - for example - Nonaka & Takeuchi "The Knowledge Creating Company" (available via WHP if you feel like having your mind blown).

I plan to use this blog to reflect on my reading (hopefully with colleagues) and see what might be brought into practice.

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