After conducting these interviews, the thing that struck me as most significant was the high level of job satisfaction the librarians shared. Each person I spoke with seemed to have found a perfect niche to fill; and they all appeared genuinely happy in their roles despite the differences in the job descriptions themselves.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Library Center Analysis #6: Special Library
For a Special Library, I chose to visit the Research Institute Center of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The RIC is a technical research library maintaining resources on a range of marine science and environmental issues in the State of Florida. It is located at 100 8th Ave SE in St. Petersburg (near the USF St. Pete campus) and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A visitor's pass is required to gain admittance to the library and is obtained from the receptionist in the main lobby. Information about the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is available at the website http://myfwc.com.
Library Center Analysis #5: Government Documents Depository
The Government Documents Depository was a unique part of the library tour. First, I took a bit of a tour through the government documents depository at the University of South Florida, located in the basement of the library building. I asked Merilyn Burke about the government documents, before wandering through that section of the library. Burke explained that the government publications were stored there, but that most patrons utilized the online sources for data, and that the depository acted mostly as an archives for preserving the documents and as a resource for researchers searching for specific information.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Library Center Analysis #4: Academic Library, Research Institution
The next library that I visited was the Tampa Campus of the University of South Florida Library. This library is located on Fowler Avenue in Tampa, with on line access at http://www.lib.usf.edu/. The University library is larger in scope and function, and is larger than all of the other libraries I visited combined, with a staff that would exceed that of the combined libraries as well.
Library Center Analysis #3: Academic Library- Community College
The next library that I visited was the Tarpon Springs Campus of the St. Petersburg College M.M. Bennett Library. The libraries affiliated with St. Petersburg College, a 2 and 4 year college now, are unique in that they serve as both academic libraries for the institution and also as community libraries in their areas. I interviewed the Information Services Librarian, Matthew Bodie, about working in this library.
Library Center Analysis #2: Public Library
The next Library that I visited was the Palm Harbor Public Library, located on Nebraska Avenue in Palm Harbor, FL. (http://www.palmharborlibrary.org/) Working my way up through the age groups, I decided to visit with the teen services librarian at this library.
Katie Banks, the librarian in charge of the teen services, also graduated from USF School of Information (before the name change, of course.) She chose to be a teen librarian because she felt it was more fun, and loves engaging the younger patrons and working with the teen advisory board.
Katie Banks, the librarian in charge of the teen services, also graduated from USF School of Information (before the name change, of course.) She chose to be a teen librarian because she felt it was more fun, and loves engaging the younger patrons and working with the teen advisory board.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Library Center Analysis #1: School Library
Ok, so I am a little behind on the writing part of this assignment. I will try to catch up, and hope that the notes I made are sufficient and that I didn't rely too much on my memory, assuming that I would write the blog entries right away! (I know, I just should have, but I have been busy.)
The first type of library that I visited was the School Library, at St. Paul's School in Clearwater.
The first type of library that I visited was the School Library, at St. Paul's School in Clearwater.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
LIS Blog Analysis #2
The second blog that I followed (as much as I could follow along anyway) was The Librarian in Black. "Amazingly informed and therefore properly opinionated" is the tagline, and never have I read a tagline so accurate as this one. The reason that I was drawn to this blog is that it is almost entirely dedicated to technology in libraries, a subject with which I am not entirely familiar. The author, Sarah Houghton-Jan, works as the assistant director of the San Rafael Public Library (where she was recently hired, having previously been the Digital Futures Manager for the San Jose Public Library System.) and is also a consultant for InfoPeople. The librarian in black is also very active in professional organizations, and blogs about her presentations and reviews and opinions of seminars she attends.
Over the past few months, many of the blogs have centered around the e-book issue, and particularly the controversy surrounding Harper Collins. (If you don't know what this is about, then you have NOT been reading any blogs relating to libraries at all in the past few months...) The LIB is opinionated- and that is good, because hearing the arguments and debates from a passionate point of view is good. Also, I happen to read a number of blogs relating to writing and publishing...and the opinions don't always match up, but sometimes they do, and that is important too. I don't know that this issue is going to be resolved any time soon, but it is certainly important to the future of digital collections in libraries, and therefore worth following. In addition, entries on digital music collections and Digital Rights Management are informative (and did I mention, opinionated?) and mostly written so that a novice like myself can follow and learn.
Also, she blogs about the seminars of the Computers In Libraries Conference of 2011, which I found to be very helpful in understanding many of the issues related to technology. I feel that in a few minutes of reading the entries, I can at least obtain a basic grasp of the issues and a rudimentary understanding of the directions in which library science is headed. Among the interesting panel discussions blogged, the ones regarding search engines, and how to get the best value for the search were particularly enlightening. These panels are relevant to me not only as a future librarian but as a current student. Learning how to search effectively, and where to do so, certainly saves time when conducting research and improves accuracy, so thank you LIB for bringing me these tips.
One of the entries which I was most interested in was a survey posted for a friend, a student at library school, who was conducting research on book challenges and removal in libraries. The results of the poll were disturbing, particularly as this related directly to the topic on which I was writing my research paper at the time. The greatest part of the blog setup, though, is not the blog itself, but the comments- stories and opinions from librarians all over the place, chipping in their opinions and anecdotes. The stories in the comments give a much clearer view of real life situations that we will encounter in our future careers. Plus, the stories of the patrons hiding materials and peeling off stickers, or of library assistants simply throwing away an entire series of books because he felt 'they were trashy' are funny, but wait they are true- so not that funny- but still kind of funny.
One of the things I found most fascinating is the manner in which many of the librarians seem to echo the idea that the ethics and lessons taught in library school just don't make it out into the work force; Putting your job on the line to defend intellectual freedom is a risk that many are not willing to take. In addition, it seems that some view challenges as an insult to their collection development and selection process, and that many feel that there is no reason to report challenges or removals to the professional organizations.
For this assignment I followed a variety of blogs to try to get a bigger picture of the field of information science. This included blogs about cataloging, about books, about libraries, and about librarians. But sometimes you have to just laugh. So...
As a parting note, one of the other sites that I followed while bookmarking blogs is Unshelved, by Gene Ambaum and Bill Barnes.
Be warned, I have lost hours scrolling through these...
Over the past few months, many of the blogs have centered around the e-book issue, and particularly the controversy surrounding Harper Collins. (If you don't know what this is about, then you have NOT been reading any blogs relating to libraries at all in the past few months...) The LIB is opinionated- and that is good, because hearing the arguments and debates from a passionate point of view is good. Also, I happen to read a number of blogs relating to writing and publishing...and the opinions don't always match up, but sometimes they do, and that is important too. I don't know that this issue is going to be resolved any time soon, but it is certainly important to the future of digital collections in libraries, and therefore worth following. In addition, entries on digital music collections and Digital Rights Management are informative (and did I mention, opinionated?) and mostly written so that a novice like myself can follow and learn.
Also, she blogs about the seminars of the Computers In Libraries Conference of 2011, which I found to be very helpful in understanding many of the issues related to technology. I feel that in a few minutes of reading the entries, I can at least obtain a basic grasp of the issues and a rudimentary understanding of the directions in which library science is headed. Among the interesting panel discussions blogged, the ones regarding search engines, and how to get the best value for the search were particularly enlightening. These panels are relevant to me not only as a future librarian but as a current student. Learning how to search effectively, and where to do so, certainly saves time when conducting research and improves accuracy, so thank you LIB for bringing me these tips.
One of the entries which I was most interested in was a survey posted for a friend, a student at library school, who was conducting research on book challenges and removal in libraries. The results of the poll were disturbing, particularly as this related directly to the topic on which I was writing my research paper at the time. The greatest part of the blog setup, though, is not the blog itself, but the comments- stories and opinions from librarians all over the place, chipping in their opinions and anecdotes. The stories in the comments give a much clearer view of real life situations that we will encounter in our future careers. Plus, the stories of the patrons hiding materials and peeling off stickers, or of library assistants simply throwing away an entire series of books because he felt 'they were trashy' are funny, but wait they are true- so not that funny- but still kind of funny.
One of the things I found most fascinating is the manner in which many of the librarians seem to echo the idea that the ethics and lessons taught in library school just don't make it out into the work force; Putting your job on the line to defend intellectual freedom is a risk that many are not willing to take. In addition, it seems that some view challenges as an insult to their collection development and selection process, and that many feel that there is no reason to report challenges or removals to the professional organizations.
For this assignment I followed a variety of blogs to try to get a bigger picture of the field of information science. This included blogs about cataloging, about books, about libraries, and about librarians. But sometimes you have to just laugh. So...
As a parting note, one of the other sites that I followed while bookmarking blogs is Unshelved, by Gene Ambaum and Bill Barnes.
Be warned, I have lost hours scrolling through these...
LIS Blog Analysis #1
The first librarian blog that I chose to follow was The Gypsy Librarian. This blog is written by Angel Rivera, an Outreach Librarian in Texas, who has also been a Research librarian, a high school teacher and a college adjunct professor. The Gypsy Librarian has a companion blog as well, The Itinerant Librarian, which he uses to discuss issues with a more personal, opinionated tone.
Among the specific topics discussed on this blog are teaching libraries, library 2.0, the use of subject encyclopedias, and on reference services preferences by patrons. Having not particularly focused on academic or research libraries, these topics were mostly new to me, and I found the articles and entries to be quite educational.
One of the things that I found most useful about this blog was the article reviews. Rivera examines articles from other sources which pique his interest and provides commentary and/or rebuttal to the views expressed within. For example, the blog entry regarding an article in Library Trends about "Library 2.0" makes some very relevant points about the need for balance in library skills, particularly for students recently emerging from library school. Rivera points out that students should be up to date on emerging technologies, but that the importance of the role of the librarian is to use these technologies to help the patrons; finding a balance between the technological aspects and the interpersonal skills is a necessary part of learning to be a librarian. This entry reminded me that knowing how to use all of the web 2.0 technologies is less helpful than knowing how to teach others to use them, and understanding how the tools can be useful.
blog entry: http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/03/article-note-on-becoming-librarian-20.html
The rebuttal to the "libraries are dying" hysteria, and the intended satire posted in The Chronicle of Higher Education (http://chronicle.com/article/Death-by-Irony-How-Librarians/125767/) also offered some very valid arguments and reasons why librarians are still necessary and useful. (And a bit of humor as well)
blog entry: http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/01/can-we-please-stop-library-is-dying.html
Finally, I would like to add that one of the things that I found most useful about this blog didn't have to do with actual library issues at all. Rather, it seems that Angel Rivera and I have very different tastes in reading material. Frequent entries in this blog are reviews of books which Rivera has recently read, with reviews and links to his GoodReads reviews where applicable. I have never been a fan of science fiction, or of history, or of manga, or of graphic novels, necessarily. I recognize, however, that at a library, patrons are going to ask about genres with which I am not familiar. Reading the reviews of books that I can honestly say I will never have time or desire to read helps me to develop an understanding of the genre; a review by someone that has done enough research and reading to justify my acceptance of their opinion on the subject is helpful. Also, the reviews are detailed and clear, with explanations for what he dislikes or likes and why, based on his preferences for reading. I won't be using these reviews as a recommendation for what to read next, but I enjoy reading them and learning about the writing style and plots of the books which I may otherwise never have examined.
Among the specific topics discussed on this blog are teaching libraries, library 2.0, the use of subject encyclopedias, and on reference services preferences by patrons. Having not particularly focused on academic or research libraries, these topics were mostly new to me, and I found the articles and entries to be quite educational.
One of the things that I found most useful about this blog was the article reviews. Rivera examines articles from other sources which pique his interest and provides commentary and/or rebuttal to the views expressed within. For example, the blog entry regarding an article in Library Trends about "Library 2.0" makes some very relevant points about the need for balance in library skills, particularly for students recently emerging from library school. Rivera points out that students should be up to date on emerging technologies, but that the importance of the role of the librarian is to use these technologies to help the patrons; finding a balance between the technological aspects and the interpersonal skills is a necessary part of learning to be a librarian. This entry reminded me that knowing how to use all of the web 2.0 technologies is less helpful than knowing how to teach others to use them, and understanding how the tools can be useful.
blog entry: http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/03/article-note-on-becoming-librarian-20.html
The rebuttal to the "libraries are dying" hysteria, and the intended satire posted in The Chronicle of Higher Education (http://chronicle.com/article/Death-by-Irony-How-Librarians/125767/) also offered some very valid arguments and reasons why librarians are still necessary and useful. (And a bit of humor as well)
blog entry: http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/01/can-we-please-stop-library-is-dying.html
Finally, I would like to add that one of the things that I found most useful about this blog didn't have to do with actual library issues at all. Rather, it seems that Angel Rivera and I have very different tastes in reading material. Frequent entries in this blog are reviews of books which Rivera has recently read, with reviews and links to his GoodReads reviews where applicable. I have never been a fan of science fiction, or of history, or of manga, or of graphic novels, necessarily. I recognize, however, that at a library, patrons are going to ask about genres with which I am not familiar. Reading the reviews of books that I can honestly say I will never have time or desire to read helps me to develop an understanding of the genre; a review by someone that has done enough research and reading to justify my acceptance of their opinion on the subject is helpful. Also, the reviews are detailed and clear, with explanations for what he dislikes or likes and why, based on his preferences for reading. I won't be using these reviews as a recommendation for what to read next, but I enjoy reading them and learning about the writing style and plots of the books which I may otherwise never have examined.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
books, and books, and lists of books
Ok, so I realized that I didn't actually list the books since the last entry...for my own record keeping, I feel that I should. I am not going to list the M4C books, but only the YA novels. If you don't care, please skip this post.
Now you see why I haven't had time to update? Reading projects like mad, I tell you.
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner
Coffehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfours
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti
Lament: the Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Waiting for You by Susan Colasanti
Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson
Overnight Sensation by Trish Cook
Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater
If I stay by Gayle Forman
A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin
The Farther You Run by Davida Wills Hurwin
Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
The Seer of Shadows by Avi
Now you see why I haven't had time to update? Reading projects like mad, I tell you.
I haven't been slacking...
I just haven't had a chance to update at all! (I have been updating the wiki, though, as much as I can.)
In case you don't believe me, here is the finished list that I submitted for the Materials fro Children reading project. Each link on that page goes to a separate page for the review. Also, I have been slowly updating the links for the Materials for Young Adults (same wiki, different class), and the partial list is here, but only updated are mostly books which I took out from the library and wanted to return, leaving stacks of completed books without completed reviews all around me. Tread carefully getting to the computer.
I promise that I have also been following my blogs, and working on my library analysis, but I just haven't had the time to catch up with writing them here. The remaining few 23 things have fallen to the wayside, but I won't forget them.
In case you don't believe me, here is the finished list that I submitted for the Materials fro Children reading project. Each link on that page goes to a separate page for the review. Also, I have been slowly updating the links for the Materials for Young Adults (same wiki, different class), and the partial list is here, but only updated are mostly books which I took out from the library and wanted to return, leaving stacks of completed books without completed reviews all around me. Tread carefully getting to the computer.
I promise that I have also been following my blogs, and working on my library analysis, but I just haven't had the time to catch up with writing them here. The remaining few 23 things have fallen to the wayside, but I won't forget them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)