Showing posts with label Library and Information Science. Show all posts

Thursday, March 20, 2014

So You Want My Job: Librarian | The Art of Manliness

Mr. Nate Pedersen teaching a computer class. (Credit: Cheryl Parton)

In the golden age of the library, these book depositories served as
true community hubs for cities and towns all over the country. As ebooks
have taken off, there has been uncertainty about the future of the
library — what role does it play in society if books are so cheap and
can be accessed so easily through one’s home computer? Is there still a
place for the librarian — the person who recommends books, fulfills
research requests, organizes the annals of the entirety of human
knowledge? Not to mention the question that is perhaps most salient to
the readers of this particular website: is there a place for that far
rarer breed — the male librarian? To answer these questions we talked with Nate Pedersen, Community Librarian with Deschutes Public Library in Bend, Oregon. Read more...

Libraries Are Failing America

By David Harsanyi

March 18, 2014

A new Pew Study claims that
libraries “loom large in the public imagination,” with 90 percent of
Americans ages 16 and older saying that closing down their local
libraries would have an impact on their community. The public may imagine that
libraries are dynamic centers of learning and community, but the Pew
data seems suggest that they’re mostly places where your prosperous
neighbors borrow books and movies without having to directly pay for
them. And as Pew points out, adults with “higher levels of education and
household income are more likely to use public libraries” – and the
more you use the library the more well-off you probably are.

“Library Lovers,” those designated as having the highest levels of
engagement, only represent 10 percent of Americans. Among them, 66
percent are white, most of them college educated and living in
households earning more than $50,000. Also, deep in the Pew poll we
learn 58 percent of these highly engaged freeloaders say they borrowed
more books than they bought last year, compared to 38 percent of the
general population. Read more...

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Banned Books in Prison — Annoyed Librarian

March 6, 2014 By Annoyed Librarian Leave a Comment

There’s a news article about prison libraries that makes me wonder what stance the ALA would take on the matter.

In almost all ways it’s an exemplary tale of how New York
city libraries are trying to provide library service to the local prison
populations. This is a great thing to do unless the goal of prison is
merely to provide prisoners with unrelieved misery.

And given the amount of time prisoners have on their hands,
reading is a popular activity. The main problem is a lack of books and
service.

For example, at the prison the Brooklyn Public Library is
working with, the “library” consists of a cart that can hold 2-300
books, which is wheeled around like the meal and medicine carts.

That at least implies that reading material is as essential
to life as food and medicine, which I suspect many librarians would
agree with. However, a wheeled cart is hardly like a decently stocked
library that prisoners can browse. It’s even worse than a bookmobile. Read more...

Friday, March 7, 2014

The 'M' Word - Marketing Libraries Marketing tips and trends for libraries and non-profits Thursday, March 06, 2014 Great Posters, for Free

Do you sometimes see images online and wish you could print them out for your own library? It's often hard to tell who created the images or what the copyright status is.

Well, here are 2 great posters that promote librarians (note: not "libraries," but the humans who make them work!). I've gotten permission from the source to share them with you.

The publisher Springer has some wonderful images, and its marketing department will send you the high-resolution PDFs, for free, so you can print as many posters as you like. If you want either of these, simply send an email to libraryrelations@springer.com to request them. Put "2600 BC" or "Keep Calm" in the subject line of your email to request your PDFs. (And the low-res versions I used above make for great social media posts.)

Thanks to the marketing-savvy staff at Springer for helping librarians show their value! I hope that many of you will take advantage of this generous offer.

Letter: Disappearing librarians one more blow to human interaction

Reader says replacing librarians with self-serve machines isolates people.

Photograph by: Calgary Herald

Saturday was a sad day for me. My local library has gone self-serve. In the
exact location where the librarians used to stand, I now stare at a self-serve machine. This was so upsetting to me, that I actually forgot the last four digits of my phone number.

In the past, when they suggested I use the optional self-serve machine, I always refused,
thinking, "I have a 21st century, sit-in-front-of-thecomputer-type-job.
What I really want is to be able to talk to you. I want the possibility of hearing you say, 'Oh, that book looks interesting' or 'I've heard about this book'." Read more...

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Why’d Middle States Go and Do That?

Those of us who work for colleges and universities in the
mid-Atlantic region were taken by surprise when the word suddenly spread
that a draft revision of the Characteristics of Excellence,
the primary set of standards for higher education accreditation
published by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
now omitted any reference to the library or information literacy as a
learning outcome. The surprise was followed by shock for good reason.

MSCHE has been a good friend to academic librarians. It was an early
adopter of specific language in its standards addressing information
literacy as a desired learning outcome. This was a departure from
earlier standards that only spoke mostly to the physical qualities of
the academic library (e.g., Did it have adequate study carrels? Were the
hours adequate for the institution? Were there librarians available to
provide research help?). When the 2002 edition of the MSCHE standards
were adopted it was a quantum leap ahead for information literacy in
higher education. Read more...

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Libraries and librarians are more relevant than ever in the digital age

Harold Washington library in Chicago.

The need for libraries, and librarians has been placed under scrutiny due to the advent of the internet. Everything in print is now available online. So do we really need physical libraries and librarians anymore? Of course we do…now, more than ever before.

NOTE: To learn more about the future of libraries, check out some of the columns by Futurist Thomas Frey. Read more....

Monday, October 21, 2013

Librarians in the 21st Century: Designing a Career Strategy for Evolving Roles and Opportunities by Lisa Chow

Librarians in the 21st Century: Designing a Career Strategy for Evolving Roles and Opportunities

by Lisa Chow, People-Centered Design Advocate and Librarian at People Interact Consultancy on Oct 17, 2013

Librarians in the 21st Century: Designing a Career Strategy for Evolving Roles and Opportunities from Lisa Chow

Friday, August 30, 2013

New Value of Libraries Megapost – Stephen's Lighthouse

About The Author

Stephen Abram is a librarian and consultant with Lighthouse Partners and Dysart & Jones. He blogs on library strategies for direction, marketing, technology and user alignment.

Value of Libraries Megapost

I have been pulling together all of my posts on studies and reports on the value of public libraries for my work with the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries. I thought I might as well post it here too. I’m sure I’ve got some dupes in here but c’est la vie! Hope you find it useful! There are many useful talking points and proofs in this research.
We look forward to the value studies report from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto that is in process right now for Toronto Public Library that is expected to be released in late 2013.

The Value of Public Libraries

Selected (mostly free) Web References:
CULC Analysis of Canadian Public Library Trends

In 2011 the Canadian Urban Libraries Council commissioned a study of library trends over the last decade. An Analysis of Public Library Trends is useful document for Canadian public library advocates, leaders and planners.

Video: LibValue: Comprehensive Approaches to Defining Library Value
Tactic: Highlighting the Value of Library Use
Texas Public Libraries Return on Investment Study Available
https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/librarydevelopments/?p=13917
https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/sites/default/files/public/tslac/pubs/ROI_Final.pdf (223 page PDF)

Read more...

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Christian Zabriskie: Libraries in New York City: Why We Give a Damn and Why You Should Too

Libraries and librarians play unique roles in the cultural fabric of New York City.

We are, in our small neighborhood libraries, a kind of secular clergy, a trusted ear and an unbiased source of information and support to anyone who walks in the door. This is the compact we have at the deeper levels of our engagement with our communities past the bestsellers and free internet. There is a web of trust. Our users know, or should know, that they can come to us with issues and concerns and that we will leverage our best abilities to their ends. No matter what crazy crap is going on in your life the librarian will figure it out and set you up with at least some better understanding and a direction to go in.

If this all sounds a lot like hyperbole to you then you are probably middle class, college educated, and white. Read more...

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Urban Librarians’ First Conference Is a Love-In | School Library Journal

Urban Librarians’ First Conference Is a Love-In

By Rocco Staino on April 8, 2013 Leave a Comment

“Out of the stacks and into the streets” was the rallying cry for the first Urban Librarian’s Conference that attracted 120 librarians from around the country to the Brooklyn Public Library on April 5. It was organized by Urban Librarians Unite, a grassroots advocacy group that encourages new developments in library science and advocates for libraries and librarians in urban areas.

IMG 3068small Urban Librarians First Conference Is a Love In

Peter Bromberg, keynote speaker.

The mood for the day was set by Peter Bromberg, associate director of the Princeton Public Library (NJ) and a 2008 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, who focused on love in his opening keynote. He spoke about his Russian immigrant aunt, who wrote as a young woman that “the library saved my life” as a librarian taught her to read and speak English. He also spoke about librarians having a “caring gene,” our love for the profession and the people we help.

“Peter Bromberg’s talk was genuinely inspiring,” noted attendee Amy Martin, children’s librarian at Eastmore Branch of the Oakland Public Library. “It is interesting to see how similar the challenges are in urban libraries, even on opposite coasts.”

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Options for Continuing Education - 04-08-2013 : METRO article contact: Davis Erin Anderson articles for METRO in New York, NY US METRO

Options for Continuing Education

With ongoing changes to the workplace, job market, job descriptions, users/patrons, and technology for all kinds of information professionals, keeping skills current is necessary for everyone, from job-hunting new graduates to those currently employed with years of experience. Staying informed about new trends and issues in the profession is also critical to maintaining professional competence.

Some information professionals have additional incentive for continuing education (CE). Public librarians in NY State who got their Professional Certificates on or after January 1, 2010 are required to get 60 hours of CE every five years in order to maintain their certification. Archivists certified by the Academy of Certified Archivists and School Library Media Specialists in NY State also need professional development/CE to re-certify or maintain their certification.

Fortunately, there are a range of options and with research and deliberation, an appropriate continuing education plan can be devised by each information professional. Read more....

Ellen Mehling received her MSLIS from LIU and works as a librarian, instructor, writer and job search/career advisor in and around NYC. Her professional experience includes work in special, public, and academic libraries, as well as archives. She has been METRO’s Job Bank Manager and Career Development Consultant since 2009.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Urban Librarian Brigade Bringing Books To The Sidewalks: Gothamist

Urban Librarian Brigade Bringing Books To The Sidewalks: Gothamist: Urban Librarian Brigade Bringing Books To The Sidewalks

ubnlibrary.jpeg

Two literary-minded Brooklynites have teamed up to bring the printed page to the street. Lauren Comito and Christian Zabriskie have started a movement called Urban Librarians Unite, a library advocacy
organization that will train and dispatch a Volunteer Library Brigade across the city. Before hitting their beats, each volunteer will receive training in reference services, public service, and storytime... but not dancing:

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Library Careers: Information Organization and Retrieval, Customer Service and More

Library Careers: Information Organization and Retrieval, Customer Service and More
by Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse February 14, 2013

Like most people, I never thought I would be a librarian while I was growing up. I tossed around a few ideas periodically: horse trainer, accountant, or psychologist, but I ultimately switched to library science while I was in graduate school. Why? I like working with people, but I do not necessarily want to be a clinical psychologist. I love working in a large urban public library system, providing services to those who need it most. I love working with kids, doing story times, and working at a research library on Sunday. I enjoy blogging and the excellent literary programs that NYPL staff and visiting presenters produce. I have been a librarian since 2003, and I have met a few people who are in library school or who have library degrees and were searching for jobs. This is a blog post for them. Read article...

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Apply Yourself : Library Hack School

Apply Yourself

20/02/2013 § 17 Comments

When I tell people what I am doing in Florence, Italy for a year, I am invariably asked one question: “How did you land such a position?!” To which I smile broadly, often chuckle a little and answer simply and honestly: “I applied.” This, my LIS, MLIS and MSIT friends is one of my best hacks for library school and life.

“Library Automation 6″ by quisnovus via Flickr under CC.

Apply Yourself

20/02/2013 § 17 Comments

“Library Automation 6″ by quisnovus via Flickr under CC.

“80% of success is showing up.” – Woody Allen

You have to show up. For most positions and roles that you want to land, that means tossing your hat in the ring with an application.
If you have been following HLS’s new series “So What Do You Do?” you have heard about a number of great internships and programs to round out your LIS education. In none of them (at least so far) does the hacker say: well I was just standing around on a street corner and someone said “come do this thing.” Whether it be getting into library school, volunteering, taking a leadership position in the club which eventually leads to the internship which then leads to a job with your dream organization… all the steps start with some sort of applying yourself — even if it is as simple as showing up. Read article...

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Home - Librarian and Archivist Mentoring Resources - at Harvard

Home - Librarian and Archivist Mentoring Resources -

Mentoring relationships have long been opportunities to gain trusted insight into our careers, aspirations, and daily lives from those in more experienced positions. Successful mentoring may take a variety of forms, but all require the active participation of individuals to nurture and focus their aspirations towards tangible goals through mindful reciprocal relationship building. We aim to provide resources and information to allow others in the Harvard library and archival community to seek and establish mentoring relationships, to be inspired by thoughtful goal setting and network building, and to be resilient during times of change.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Caroline Kennedy on Libraries and Family | American Libraries Magazine

ubmitted by Phil Morehart on Sun, 01/27/2013 - 22:16

“I’m descended from a long line of book worms and librarians. They would be very proud of me for being here with you.” Caroline Kennedy’s revelation at the beginning of her Auditorium Speaker Series talk at ALA Midwinter set the tone for the entire session. Her talk and Q&A with ALA President-elect Barbara Stripling was filled with stories that detailed how learning, books, and poetry shaped her famous family, interwoven with reminders of the important roles that libraries and librarians play as guardians and facilitators of information and ideas, role models to youth, and voices for communities. Read more...

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki - Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki

Meredith Farkas

Librarian, writer, teacher, techie and mother.

Introduction

Welcome to Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. This wiki was created to be a one-stop shop for great ideas and information for all types of librarians. All over the world, librarians are developing successful programs and doing innovative things with technology that no one outside of their library knows about. There are lots of great blogs out there sharing information about the profession, but there is no one place where all of this information is collected and organized. That's what we're trying to do.
If you've done something at your library that you consider a success, please write about it in the wiki or provide a link to outside coverage. If you have materials that would be helpful to other librarians, add them to the wiki. And if you know of a librarian or a library that is doing something great, feel free to include information or links to it. Basically, if you know of anything that might be useful to other librarians (including useful websites), this is the place to put it. I hope this wiki will be a venue where people can share ideas with one another, and where librarians can learn to replicate the successes of other libraries.

This wiki is not run by any commercial entity and does not represent any commercial interests. For those wishing to use content in the wiki, the wiki itself (and all the content contained herein) is licensed under the Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons License. Please familiarize yourself with the license before using any of the content on your own site.

Anyone who wants to add to or edit topics on the wiki can do it. You don't need to ask before making a change -- this wiki belongs to the community of librarians who use it. If you have any technical questions about the wiki, please contact its creator, Meredith Farkas. Questions about specific content in the wiki should be directed to that individual author.

If you are going to link to this wiki, please use the following URL:
http://www.libsuccess.org/
Read more...http://www.libsuccess.org

Monday, November 26, 2012

After Storm Destruction, Rockaway Libraries Help Keep Community Afloat - NYTimes.com

By VIVIAN YEE

Published: November 25, 2012

A library bus parked outside the original branch in the Rockaways has become a place for warmth and useful information.

It was the little things, the sudden absence of everyday fixtures, that disoriented residents in the Rockaways in the days after the storm, as much as the loss of house and home. The traffic lights had gone dark. Where was one to get a prescription filled? And oh, what about books due at the library? Read more....

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Library is Now Open: Lending a Hand at Queens Library’s Howard Beach Branch « The Magpie Librarian: A Librarian's Guide to Modern Life and Etiquette

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Photograph by: Calgary Herald

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