Demystifying the Technician/Librarian Relationship in Academic Libraries

Session # 605 OLA's Super Conference 2008,

Tanis Fink, Chief Librarian, Seneca College;
Mark Bryant, Reference and Information Literacy Librarian, Humber College;
Laurie Morrison, Librarian for Modern Languages and Visual Arts, Brock University;
Autumn Piette, Reference Technician, King Library, Seneca College.

Explore the nature of the relationship between librarians and library technicians. What is your perspective on these two similar and yet different groups that share common goals and values? How do we foster teamwork and relationship building? Can we uncover ways to improve and promote a healthy working and collaborative environment? A diverse panel of librarians and technicians will explore their personal experience. Come prepared to participate and share your thoughts.

Convenor: Jennifer Peters-Lise, Seneca College

Strains and Joys Color Mergers Between Libraries and Tech Units

By ANDREA L. FOSTER, The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 18, 2008

Adrift. Dysfunctional. Desperately needing a change. The adjectives sound like descriptions of a bad relationship, but about three years ago Xavier University, in Cincinnati, applied them to two of its departments.

Both Xavier's library and its information-technology unit were in terrible shape. Xavier had hired four chief information officers in five years, its technology was obsolete, its library and IT staffs didn't talk to each other, and students had to jump through hoops to do online research.

David W. Dodd, the CIO who arrived at Xavier in 2005, said students and faculty members wanted three basic things: "Provide the services I'm looking for, in the manner I want, and get out of my way." They weren't getting any of them. full article

Same Shelf and aisle of my desktop:

• Librarians and IT Professionals and
• Librarians and Techies – A NEXUS

Readings between the shelf:

• Google Print vs. The Open Library vs. Project Gutenberg

"Today we saw yet another entry from The Library of Congress, as it
received 3 million dollars to start their own project, from a most
unlikely source, Google! It was suggested at today's Geek Lunch a
motivation of Google's might be to let The Library of Congress pay
the price in non-cash value, for opening the vast intercontinental
virtual prairieland to the virtual settlers, who just happed to be
an assortment of multi-billion dollar cartels, who have felt those
slings and arrows of their misfortune a little too much." Michael Hart


• Best Practices: Trainer, Train Thyself (Part 1 of 2)
  Carole Leita’s Infoblog post earlier this week draws attention to a myth-breaking report from University College London (UCL), the British Library, and the Joint Information Systems Committee: Information Behavior of the Researcher of the Future. Her post also makes me think about the current behavior of those of us who are or have been involved in staff training and development programs.
• British Study Says "Google Generation" a Myth; Libraries Must Step Up, Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 1/28/2008 [info courtesy: Sujatha.Thadakamalla @ Aucklandcity Public Library]

Two interesting articles review this British Library Report: Society Is Dumbing Down, by Zubin Jelveh @ ODD Numbers; and We're all information gatherers now, By Jeremy Wagstaff @ AsiaMedia

Librarian faces racism at trial if extradited, lawyer tells court

Sep 22, 2007 04:30 AM
Peter Small
Courts Bureau, TheStar.com
A Toronto librarian accused of shooting a white police officer in Chicago almost 40 years ago should not be extradited to face trial in the U.S. because as a black man, he won't get a fair trail, his lawyer has told three appeal court judges.

"Black men in the United States have been victims of persecution for centuries and that includes to the present day ... including state authorities in Chicago," John Norris argued yesterday.

Canada's justice minister turned a "blind eye" to this deep-rooted racism when he ordered Joseph Pannell to be surrendered for extradition, Norris told the panel.

But federal Crown counsel Janet Henchey countered there would be no particular risk to Pannell due to U.S. racism. "Frankly, there is racism in Canada."

Pannell, 58, has been in jail since July 2004, when he was arrested at gunpoint as he left his job at the Toronto Reference Library. continue reading

Funny you should ask: Humor at the Reference Desk

"A short time after returning to librarianship after some years away, I was working at the reference desk . . . When I looked up . . . a young man (approximately college age) was standing there. I asked if I could help him and he said, "Do you have anything on eunuchs?"

A sample from "Funny You Should Ask: Baffling, Bewildering, and
Bizarre Questions from the Reference Desk" (Thomson, 2005) (a weekly e-mail column from Gale.com)

Janis Test of the Abilene Public Library contributed this:

"Somewhat taken aback, I decided to use my reference interview skills (however rusty) and began asking questions such as "Do you have any particular time period in mind?" and "Are you more interested in harem culture, or castrati?"

When I noted that he was looking at me as if I were from another planet, I sighed and fell back on the tried and true, "How do you spell that?"

He rolled his eyes and said patiently, "U-N-I-X." I said, "Oh, exactly," looked it up in the online catalog and directed him to the appropriate part of the library. Once he had gotten out of range, I began laughing and almost literally fell out of my chair. So much for the reference interview." [source: "Al Reynolds" ]

True Library stories

"Humor is allowed in reference desk answers"

Librarian Humor in Classroom and Reference

See also: Google

Unusual Reference Questions - Globalism Visited

The Lessons of T Shirts to Marketers

"One of the problems all of us marketers has is that we lie to ourselves. We want so badly to reinforce what we think we know that we often miss the obvious.

We turn to focus groups and see what we want to see.
We turn to "experts" and hear what we want to hear.
We turn to research to read what we want to read.

We even talk to our customers. Unfortunately, our customers perception of how they interact with our products and services don't alway match reality. No where is this more obvious than at sporting events." Full artilce

A Visible Pathfinder for Increasing Blog Traffic in 2007

"The wise learn from their own experiences but the truly intelligent will learn from someone else's!" - Benjamin Franklin.

My 2007 resolution for return-on-investments in blogging is to have a two-way traffic. The prescription is, please:
1. post a comment--aka, visual signature--in this blog on whatever subject (spam and phishing EXEMPTED)
2. turn on your blog comments' button; I will reciprocate not once, but every post that you create in 2007. This is my own idea of live and let live. I do reciprocate; my 2006 ledger shows Bloggers, such as, Sukhdev Singh, K. G. Schneider, Nancy White, Nirmala Palaniappan, David Tebbutt, Peachy Limpin, Thomas Brevik, Steven Edward Streight, Neil Patel, Diane Levin, and more.


PUNCHLINE: Increasing Blog traffic is a major concern, even for many Gurus [e.g., Adrian W Kingsley-Hughes' Three simple actions that doubled my website traffic in 30 days]
Previous post:

Visualizing Comments on Blogs

Visualizing Traffic At My Blog Via Mapping The Pathways

Blog As A Teaching Tool

Idea courtesy: Bloggers Compose Their Yearly Ledgers, By Jeralyn; and How to Pay for Blog Comments, @ usability blog of John S. Rhodes; So what'd you get? by Ryan Block

Technorati Tags: blog comments   2007 blog   blog traffic   2007 resolution   2007 blogging     popular bloggers   popular comments   top bloggers   Reward-program   return-on-investments

Introvert and Looking for a Job - You are not alone

There are lots of guides, gurus and googlers:
PS. thanks to Ahtisham (in chat) & Nirmala for a lead on this topic: Networking for the Introverts

NETWORKING TIPS, FROM ONE INTROVERT TO ANOTHER, LYNN SCHEURELL IS THE [Certified Feng Shui Expert ]

Introverts unite! Written by Brian Flemming

Networking for Introverts, by Rachel @ The Liminal Librarian

Confessions of an Introvert, The Shy Girl's Guide to Career, Networking and Getting the Most Out of Life, by Meghan Wier

Successful Marketing for Introverts
Beth Woodward, CPCC, Pinnacle Associates, Inc.

How To Network: For Introverts, by rob @ Businesspundit.com

Toxicity in the library workplace - a survey

This is all aobut emotional or sense related inter-relationship in library as a workplace.

Any librarian, who thinks in-line with Ranganathan to conenct library with biological connotations, will find that concern for wellness, well-being and care of the staff is an essential component of managing the human capital. And the survey ...

"Some researchers have identified hostile, unreasonable and emotionally distressing work behaviors as "toxic" in that they poison the whole workplace environment. We are investigating the question of how much this happens in libraries and how severe it is. Please answer a few short questions to help us learn about your experiences. complete the survey

Studies have been done in business on the effects of emotional toxicity in the workplace, but few studies have been done on emotional toxicity in library workplaces. We are attempting to learn more about the amount of emotional toxicity in libraries, and ask that you take our survey at . The survey is confidential and takes only about ten minutes to complete. The results will be reported in a panel at next spring's ACRL conference in Baltimore.

Thank you.
Terrence Bennett, Mollie Freier, Ann Riley

Mary P. (Mollie) Freier
Chair
Library Instructional Services
Brookens Library, Room 233
University of Illinois at Springfield
One University Plaza, MS BRK 140
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
(217) 206-7290

My 2 cents worth: I just received a comment from Prof. Neelameghan on the above subject. Based on this, I think the bigger issue is about human relations in libraries and librarianship. Are there any surveys, yes. Too generic a subject.

How about managing related issues
a) isolation in library, as a workplace? Any studies? No idea. [PS. I have compiled a bibliography on the subject of Isolation in Chaplaincy. Ask me please.]
b) grief in workplace? Any studies? No idea. [read the existing literature in the following citations to understand how caregivers care for themselves]
c) counseling the library staff in times of downsizing, layoff, etc.? No idea

see also related literature

Bibliography of Emotion Research, zum Buch Mediale Emotionen
Bibliographie zur Emotionsforschung
[Note posted in [DIG_REF] Art, Media & Emotion: To those interested in research on Media & Emotion - The bibliography on Art, Media & Emotion, compilated during a project of the Young Academy of Sciences, Berlin is now online]

Reinhold, Barbara Bailey. Toxic work : how to overcome stress, overload, and burnout and revitalize your career, New York : Dutton, c1996.

Time to Treat Toxic Emotions at Work
Real emotional pain festers in every work environment and, if left unchallenged, can cripple an organization. Call in the "toxin handlers," advises author Peter Frost in Toxic Emotions at Work, from Harvard Business School Press. Read our interview and excerpt.

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Recommended Resource List: StressMaterials indicated by call numbers may be found on site using the State Library's Online Catalog.

Menz, Robert L. A pastoral counselor's model for wellness in the workplace : psychergonomics Haworth Pastoral Press, 2003

Levinson H.. Emotional toxicity of the work environment. Arch Environ Health. 1969 Aug;19(2):239-43. Emotional toxicity of the work environment.

Lisa Cox-Whalen; Juliet Nurse; Mary F. Steele. Job Loss & Pastoral Counseling.

Goleman, Daniel (2003) "Destructive Emotions, How Can We Overcome Them?" A scientific dialog with the Dalai Lama Narrated by Daniel Goleman, Bantam Books, ISBN
0-553-80171-6. Book Review

Fostering Sustainable Behavior

Peace of mind for a sustainable future

My related post:

Carl Jung's Conceptualization About Thinking, Feeling, Sensation, Intuition

Emotional Communication Interface - Revisited

A previous, related post in my blog (about living and bio-organic sources in libraries): Library is a Growing Organism - Dr. Ranganathan's Fifth Law Revisited

Diversity Resources - Accommodation, Tolerance and Coexistence

This is a running post: Updated 16 July, 201:

SELF-STUDY GUIDE: CULTURAL COMPETENCE

DIMENSIONS OF FAITH AND CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES WITH PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES : A Bibliography and Address Listing of Resources For Clergy, Laypersons, Families, and Service Providers

BookCon-troversy: Uproar Over Lack of Diversity at BEA’s Consumer Day

Diversity in Librarianship | Consider the Source

Spiritual Diversity Collection at a local library, Sunday, March 31, 2013, infoZine--Kansas City, MO Cultural Crossroads, Inc. announces a major campaign to establish New Community Resource.

Is all diversity good/bad – a taxonomy of diversity in the IS discipline 2009 ASIS&T Annual Meeting

Thriving on Diversity - Information Opportunities in a Pluralistic World, November 6-11, 2009, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

"Canada is a tolerant and accepting society, accepting diversity, however there's a limit," said Frederick Lowy, who heads the Montreal-based foundation. "There's a point beyond which Canadians ... will not feel comfortable with regard to value clashes. So where is that point?" continue reading the National Post, Beyond the veil, Allison Hanes, November 18, 2006

"(There is a need for) cross-cultural training and diversity management skills among management personnel (not HR departments alone)," Continue reading Indians in New Zealand face job bias: Survey, @ newindpress.com October 5 2006

Charter, gender equity and freedom of religion
Sep. 7, 2006. HAROON SIDDIQUI

Women are still not counted as part of the 10 people who must be present before prayers can begin. Only men count. I have had the extraordinary experience of sitting in a chapel and watching the leader of prayers count the men in the room, his eyes sliding over me as he counted. For all intents and purposes, not only did I not count, I was invisible.

Is Diversity Important?
America is sizably made up of immigrants, and it is not surprising that diversity has become a watchword. Whether in a workplace, in social meetings, or in public behavior, we are constantly reminded and admonished that diversity is what makes an institution, a country and this world a great place to live and work in. Having worked for major US corporations, I can safely say that all levels of employees are being constantly coached, prodded and trained in diversity. More importantly, all employees are expected to practice diversity in their life, not just around the workplace. continue reading: Birds of Different Feathers Can Flock Together By Shyam Amladi

If you are a librarian, or wish to understand the Multicultural, Multiracial, Multilingual, Multiethnic, Multifaith communities, just consider how important is our understanding of unity in diversity. And, how important is our education for accommodation, in such a diverse population today!

Managing Religious Diversity in the library, Joseph Romain and Mohamed Taher. Toronto, 2006
Librarianship-in-Context

Chu, Clara M. "

Education for Multicultural Librarianship," In: Multiculturalism in Libraries, edited by Rosemary Ruhig Du Mont, Lois Buttlar, and William Caynon. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1994; pp. 127-56.

--- Multicultural Library and Information Services Education.

Dr. Donna L. Gilton. Course: Multiculturalism in Libraries [exhaustive material for teaching, training, practice, etc. ]

Montgomery, J.G. "A most delicate matter: religious issues and conflict in the US library workplace", Library Management, Vol. 23 No.8/9, (2002), pp.422-34.

Multicultural Studies Pathfinder. Palomar College Escondido Center

National Diversity in Libraries Conference.

Diversity Plans for Academic Libraries, Library Juice Academy

Pai, Ed. Community Networking. Course offered at the Fullerton campus of the California State University School of Library and Information Science.

[PUBLIB] The Real Outrage. ... And get your blankety-blank religious wars out of my public library...

Riggs, Donald E. and Patricia A. Tarin Editors. Cultural Diversity in Libraries. Neal-Schuman Publishers, 1994

Taylor, Rhonda and Lotsee Patterson teach the Multicultural Librarianship course at the University of Oklahoma School of Library and Information Science. Patterson also coordinates Summer in Santa Fe, an annual continuing education course for library professionals interested in library services to Native Americans in New Mexico

Bruce, Harry and Todd, Ross, “Cultural dimensions in reference services: Is there unity in diversity?” in Infobridges: Linking Australia and Asia. Proceedings of the Second National Reference and Information Service Section Conference, Darwin 9–11 July 1993. Edited by Murray Maynard. Darwin, N.T., Australian Library and Information Association. 1993. pp. 85-95.

Pnina Shachaf and Mary Snyder, "The relationship between cultural diversity and user needs in virtual reference services." The Journal of Academic Librarianship, May 2007, 33(3):pp. 361-367. [Full text - pdf]

MULTICULTURAL DAYS: AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE, June 23-25, 2005 at Brock University
Multicultural Days: An International Perspective is the second multicultural conference to be held at Brock University. On November 13, 2002, the Canadian Government announced that Canadian Multiculturalism Day would be held every year on June 27 as part of the “Celebrating Canada!” schedule of events. Based on this announcement, the first conference took the name “Multicultural Days” and was rescheduled to coincide with the first Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, 2003. The purpose of that conference was to explore the ways that Canadians
conceptualize, experience, understand, discuss, and employ strategies to address
multiculturalism and racism in Canada. The first conference also led to the development of an ebook,“Perspectives on Multiculturalism”, that is available on the conference website.

Library Collection Development - Reading List:

ARCHER, J. DOUGLAS “Serving the Religious Information Needs of Our Communities Without Blowing the Budget,” Indiana Library Federation Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN, April 31, 2002.

Datta, Suman. Cultural diversity and libraries: Today & tomorrow, PNL Press 1989

Donna L. Gilton, "Multicultural Review -- Dedicated to a Better Understanding of Ethnic, Racial, and Religious Diversity." Public Libraries. V. 30, no. 6 (November/December 1999): pp. 374-375.

Ellen D. Gilbert, Diversity and Collection Development, Library Philosophy and Practice Vol. 1, No. 2 (Spring 1999)

Gypsy Librarian's Article Note: On Outreach and Multicultural Centers

Marie Martin, Multiculturalism in Libraries: Working Toward Understanding, November 28, 2005,

Sandwell Libraries and Information Service Website: Multicultural Multifaith Resource Collection

10 Steps toward a More Multicultural Youth Library


Religious Accommodation in Workplace

Guidelines on Religious Freedom and Religious Expression in the Workplace.

Humphrey, Barbara G. Human resources guide to the duty to accommodate. Aurora, ON Canada Law Book Inc. 2002

“Individual Identity Issues,” in Religious Diversity in the Workplace, J. Harris,

Ontario Human Rights Commission. Human Rights At Work. Ontario Human Rights Commission.. Toronto. Ontario Human Rights Commission 2004

--- Religion and Human Rights

--- Protecting religious rights

Society for Human Resource Management, Virginia. Religious Holiday Observed in the Workplace.

The Tanenbaum Center and Society for Human Resource Management. Religious Diversity in the Workplace: Religion in the Workplace - 2001 survey of HR professionals

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [Religious Accommodation: Title VII requires an employer to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee or prospective employee]

Veit, Lori. “Religious Diversity: Consider employees’ religions in a diverse workplace,”, Contracting Profits February 2002

Wilson, Peter, 1947- Taylor, Allison. The corporate counsel guide to employment law. 2nd ed. Aurora, ON Canada Law Book Inc. 2003
See my review of the book: Building Websites for a Multinational Audience. By Linda Main

My previous posts in this area:

Globalization and the Politics of Belonging

Religious Education of the Young - Multifaith Resource Series no.1

Save the Time of the Godly: Information Mediators Role in Promoting Spiritual & Religious Accommodation

---Diversity is: Temporal Diversity, Spatial Diversity, Cultural Diversity, and much more. Read about this in educational perspective.

DIVERSION:

Who's Telling The News? Racial Representation Among News Gatherers in Canada's Daily Newsrooms, By John Miller. International Journal of Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations

What is newsroom diversity? Faith Commons

Punchline:
Bhattacharya , Utpal and Groznik, Peter, "Melting Pot or Salad Bowl: Some Evidence from U.S. Investments Abroad" (May 2003). EFA 2003 Annual Conference Paper No. 650. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=290830 or DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.290830

Google for MELTING POT OR SALAD BOWL