Libraries: a plea from a silence seeker -- Any takers?

Once sanctuaries of quiet study, libraries have become glorified community centres.  spiked-online.com

Ten Tips (or Steps) for Tracking Trends

By Elisabeth Doucett, 05/11/2010, American Libraries Magazine
Libraries can stay relevant to their users by strategically riding the wave of societal trends. [This article is excerpted from What They Don’t Teach You at Library School, to be published by ALA Editions in July].
Extract:

Step 1: Identify potential sources of information for societal and library trend tracking

Step 2: Develop a method for regularly reviewing those resources.

Step 3: Search social networking sites.

Step 4: Review each idea that you pulled out of your research, considering potential implications for your library.

Step 5: Leave your idea list in a file until you start the same process the next week.

Step 6: When you identify the ideas that you want to pursue for your library, get together with some of your fellow librarians to help you review the ideas and find the good and bad about them.

Step 7: Put the ideas back in the file and let them sit for another week.

Step 8: Once a month, pull out one idea that has gone through steps 1–7.

Step 9: Approval.

Step 10: Turned down. Continue reading 10 Tips for Tracking Trends

Innovative Internet Applications in Libraries ~~ Book and Reading Lists

Note: This is an excellent categorization of the emerging trends in services and products.
Kathy Leeds @ Wilton Library needs to be congratualted for this creative resource.

"Reader's advisory has not disappeared from the list of functions libraries traditionally perform. The following are a few examples of Web versions of this service:

Addison [IL] Public Library: Readers' Resources
Austin [TX] Public Library: Good Reads
Baltimore County Public Library: Books and More
Canterbury [NZ] Public Library: If You Like...
Cleveland [OH] Public Library: YRead? for Teens
County of Los Angeles [CA] Public Library: Readers' Advisory Services
Essex [UK] Libraries: Ask Chris
Evanston [IL] Public Library: Reading Resources

Continue browsing: @ Wilton Library

Innovative Internet Applications in Libraries ~~ Ages & Stages

Note: This is an excellent categorization of the emerging trends in services and products.
Kathy Leeds @ Wilton Library needs to be congratualted for this creative resource.

"Special sections of sites designed for segments of the service population are increasingly part of library offerings."
Boston Public Library Extreme Teen Lounge
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Teens Real Life
Dewey Browse [Chesterfield, NH School Library]
eVolver [Denver,CO Public Library]
50 Plus [Phoenix (AZ) Public Library]
55+ [Hennepin County Library]
For Kids [Chicago Public Library]
For Teens, Kids & Parents [Winnipeg Public Library]
Kids & Teens [Tacoma, WA Public Library]
Kids @ the Library [Halifax Public Library, Canada]
Kids' Place [Newark, NJ Public Library]
Kidspoint [The Central Rappahannock VA Regional Library]
Children's Room [High Point NC Public Library]
Kids' Central [Waukesha, WI Public Library]
Kids Know It All [Harris County (TX)Public Library]
On-Lion for Kids [NY Public Library]

Continue browsing @ Wilton Library

Obsolete Academic Librarian Skills

"A few bloggers were having fun identifying totally obsolete skills. You know, the sort of things we all used to do all the time that nobody has to bother with anymore. For example, dialing a rotary phone, using carbon paper to make copies, or changing the ball on a selectric typewriter. That got me to thinking that in the years I’ve been in this profession, for the vast majority of academic librarians, there are more than a few accumulated skills and practices that could now be considered obsolete...." continue reading
Posted by StevenB on February 20th, 2008 under Just Thinking. Comments: 38

PUNCHLINE:
"If Google and a librarian had an informational smackdown, who would win?"
"Today's librarians are shelving stereotypes" read more by By CAROLYN FEIBEL: Information isn't reserved for books @ Houston Chronicle

Uneasy tensions in LIS Education

This article covers the training and education of librarians.

Education for 21st century librarianship continues to face many of the uneasy tensions that have been present since its beginnings in the 19th century. Some of the tensions facing Library and Information Science Education:

Tension # 1: Generalization versus specialization

There's always been a tension between specialization and generalization in the history of the development of Library Science as an academic discipline (at least in the United States). I guess you could say both have won or maybe they co-exist uneasily? For example, one can still get a graduate degree in Library and Information Science with just about 12 courses. In some schools such as the University of Arizona's School of Information Resources and Library Science the generalization-specialization is exhibited in the following ways: graduate students can specialize in an area of study such as Knowledge Organization. The specialization is a core intellectual problem area of LIS - see this article in D-Lib Magazine for more. Or they can specialize in a particular information environment such asSchool Library Media certification.

Tension #2: Practice versus Theory

Tension #3: 1 year versus 2 year graduate degree

Tension #4: Education for Information (the I word) versus Education for Library Science (the L word) or is it LIS Education?

Tension #5: Cataloging education versus Knowledge organization (or organization of information) approaches

Tension #6: Distance learning versus classroom delivery

The Williamson report on library education chastised librarians and called them "prejudiced" even in this regard for failing to take advantage of new technologies that would provide access (to library education through DE - distance education) to rural areas.

Tension #7: Crisis Criers - if we believe some folks LIS education has been in crisis now for over a hundred years in the US (since inception in fact). continue reading @

Education - LISWiki

Outsourcing Libraries - Public Library as a Private Enterprise

"Once known as staid, quiet repositories for books, some institutions are copying business models on how best to attract and keep 'customers.' Jeff Overly "

Outsourcing Libraries: @ OntheCommons.org, Tue, 11/06/2007 , by David Bollier's blog
"There may be no more eloquent statement about the erosion of our civic connectedness than the news that public libraries around the country are starting to outsource their daily operations. Yes, public libraries are being privatized. This should not be entirely surprising, given how jails, highways and even military operations are being privatized these days. Yet it does raise the distressing question – If libraries are vulnerable, where will this momentum for dismantling our civic institutions end? ... http://faithcommons.org/feeditem/outsourcing_libraries

• Google for more on "Outsourcing Libraries" "library outsourced"

See also on the same shelf:

Outsourcing Library Operations in Academic Libraries: An Overview of Issues and Outcomes, by Claire-Lise Benaud, Sever Bordeianu

Outsourcing in private law libraries since the Baker & McKenzie action, Kevin Miles, The Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances, 1996: 9:2

Meditating Librarian: Outsourcing libraries?

Libraries take a page from business world:
By JEFF OVERLEY, The Orange County Register

Union unveils plan to reopen libraries (The Mail Tribune): (Outsource your chores via the Net (Berkshire Eagle) @ Outsource-Hub.com

The Bottom Line: “library” includes a children’s library, but does not include a library conducted by private enterprise for profit. Source: LIBRARY BOARD OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA ACT 1951 - SECT 3

2008 Ontario Association of Library Technicians Conference

OALT/ABO: 35th Annual Conference
Up coming ConferencesDates:
May 7 - 10, 2008
Location: Kingston, ON
More details to follow...

• Past Conferences - themes and locations

A Course on Library 2.0 & Social Networking

Info courtesy: Sukhdev's World

LIS 768: Course Syllabus
Here is the updated syllabus: stephensl2syllabusfinal1.doc
Revised Course Schedule: lis768courseschedulerevised.doc

See also:

Tags Help Make Libraries Del.icio.us: Social bookmarking and tagging boost participation, By Melissa L. Rethlefsen -- Library Journal, 9/15/2007

Social Software in Libraries, by Meredith Farkas

New OCLC Report: Sharing, Privacy and Trust in Our Networked World:
The practice of using a social network to establish and enhance relationships based on some common ground—shared interests, related skills, or a common geographic location—is as old as human societies, but social networking has flourished due to the ease of connecting on the Web.

This OCLC membership report explores this web of social participation and cooperation on the Internet and how it may impact the library’s role, including:

* The use of social networking, social media, commercial and library services on the Web
* How and what users and librarians share on the Web and their attitudes toward related privacy issues
* Opinions on privacy online
* Libraries’ current and future roles in social networking

The report is based on a survey (by Harris Interactive on behalf of OCLC) of the general public from six countries—Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States—and of library directors from the U.S. The research provides insights into the values and social-networking habits of library users. continue reading the report

Info courtesy:
Gerry McKiernan
Associate Professor
Science and Technology Librarian
Iowa State University Library
Ames IA 50011

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION's Education & Careers Section

Make a living making a difference...

Consider joining the 400,000 librarians and library workers who bring opportunity every day to the communities they serve. If you're looking to enter the library profession or furthering an existing career in libraries, the following resources can help you on your way.

Explore a career in libraries:

• Career Overview
• Salary & Outlook Information

Interested? Start your library career:

• Education & Degrees
• Scholarships

Furthering your library career:

• Professional Development
  • Getting Involved in ALA
  • Continuing Education
• Employment Opportunities
  Includes information for jobseekers, as well as employment resources for existing library workers and human resource professionals.
• Recruiting others to the Profession
  Love your library career? Use these resources to usher in the next generation of library workers.
  

Click here for more info and updates

+ Practical Ideas You Can Use to Improve Your Library Program

Text from the AASL 2001 Annual Conference Session

Title of presentation: 101+ Practical Ideas You Can Use to Improve Your Library Program.

Presented by: Gene Hainer, Colorado State Library and Su Eckhardt, Cherry Creek School District.

(c) 2001, Colorado Educational Media Association and Colorado State Library. Permission to duplicate for educational purposes only, with proper credit to the above authors and organizations. All other rights reserved.

The following ideas were gathered from many sources or personal experience. Some you may want to do now. Others you may never want to do. There may even be things you know about that aren't listed here.

While reading, take a moment to commit yourself to doing something--anything--to improve your library, work life, collection, PR, communication, collaboration, instructional practices. Anything. Then take that first step and try it! If that's successful, try something else. You (and your program) will be better for it.

Categorized by the elements presented in Principles of Information Power: Building Partnerships for Student Learning.

LEADERSHIP

1. Realize that you do not have time to do EVERYTHING. Decide what is important and do THAT....

LEARNING AND TEACHING

45. Start curriculum mapping of the classroom content. Work with teachers to sketch out the major curriculum areas or units that they will be working on throughout the year. These can be displayed on poster board (if first laminated, can be written on, erased, and changed as needed during the year). It also reminds teachers that you and the library are there to help with instruction.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

55. Post copyright restrictions. Place on copy machines, VCRs, reproducible notebooks that request permissions, etc.

Continue reading the 101+Practical Ideas You Can Use to Improve Your Library Program

LIGHTSPACE: Paradigm Shift in Education

"In my student days I studied in some of the world’s most renowned libraries, such as the awe-inspiring library of the British Museum, — where supposedly the dream and the horror of communism was born —, or the much smaller library of Mackintosh’s Fine Arts School in Glasgow. Their difference in size was immense, but there was a common denominator shared by almost all the classical style libraries: that was their dark atmosphere, dim spot lights only, hardly any sound, only whispering; visually you were surrounded by stacks of mostly leather bound and dusty books looking all very ancient. Both buildings were center oriented, inward looking only. You were meant to be glued to your seat over your book. One had the feeling of being in a monastic setting with ancient editions of the Bible, the Greek tragedies and other heavy volumes of sacred wisdom. One wasn’t allowed to speak, forget about laughing. Libraries were conceived as castles of learning, education and ancient wisdom, as if education by default had to be directed backwards. And above all, the accent was on seriousness.

The results of this cloistered and serious paradigm of human learning, whether in the dark halls of Oxford, Harvard or Berlin, ultimately sanctioned by the “religions of the book” from 2000 to 2500 years ago and not derived from “religions of personal experience”, are not encouraging: the 20th century was the bloodiest in human history, and the 21st promises to beat the gruesome record. continue reading Architecture of the Month: 2006 April

"

Yahoo Answers on the Street

See also: Yahoo's New Reality Show:

Top Ten Facebook Apps for Librarians

Part One @ iLibrarian & OEDb

Librarians are experimenting with a wide range of Facebook Apps ranging from the productive such as the 30 Boxes Calendar, Meebo, Twitter, and Zoho Online Office to the silly with Zombies, Likeness, My Aquarium, and SuperPoke. Here are the first three Facebook Apps designed for the librarian in all of us:
Books iRead – With nearly 200,000 users, this handy app claims to be the most popular book application on Facebook. .



LibGuides Librarian – For those of you using Springshare’s LibGuides subject guides maker for libraries, you’ll be pleased to see this new app which lets you display your guides in your Facebook profile and also provides a search of your library’s catalog.


Librarian –This virtual librarian service provides links to books, scholarly sources, and reference resources which the community can add to and vote on. Those who access this application can access an “Ask a Librarian” service, as well as customize and build their own widget based on the original. Continue reading

The 6th Annual Ohio Library Support Staff Institute August 5 – 7, 2007

at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio

Just added to the agenda:
“The Library Degree: Is It For Me?”
a discussion with Michael Bradshaw, 2006 OLSSI Chair
and Doug Morrison, OLSSI Founder
Keynote Address by Neal Semel of Diversity Matters - "Multiculturalism and Respect"

Classes include:
3-Dimensional Picture Book Art: Movable & Pop-Up Books
Assault Prevention and Self-Defense
Basic Animation Techniques in PowerPoint Presentations
Book Repair
Creating Original Records in WorldCat
Creating Your Own Blog...Hands- on Training
Etiquette and Greetings Around the World
Multicultural Communications and Holidays in a Diverse World
Sexual Harassment: Working With Respect
The Elixir of Librarianship. ..Maps
What A Difference A Generation Makes
Yoga for Stressed Library Staff
This year’s grand prize is an Amish Heartland Package for two at the Inn at Honey Run in beautiful Holmes county.
SPACES ARE FILLING QUICKLY! Register at: http://www.olssi.org [librarian-wannabes]

- posted by Rachel @ Beyond the Job

The Top 10 Reasons to Be a Librarian

By Martha J. SpearLibrary media specialist Berkley (Mich.) High School
(with apologies to David Letterman)

As a high school library media specialist, I have the good fortune to work with, and sometimes mold, young people. If I’m lucky, I discover what they do after graduation. Recently, one of my favorite students informed me that after earning her humanities degree at a tiny private college, she was pursuing a master’s degree in museum studies. Congratulating her, I jokingly said, “Watch it. That’s awfully close to a master’s in library science.” She laughed and said: “Oh, I’d never do that.” Somewhat defensively, I replied, “You could do worse.”

Long after this brief conversation, I wondered, where did we, as librarians, go wrong? Why is there such an onus on this profession that a bright, young person would choose, well, any career but that of librarianship? I think it’s sad. Librarianship has much to offer, and I think we can do better in promoting our profession. Toward that end, I present my top 10 reasons for being a librarian.

Ever-changing and renewing
Romance
Useful skills
Great conferences
Time off
A job with scope
It pays the rent
Good working conditions
Cool coworkers
Grand purpose
In sum, I feel very much like Evelyn Carnahan in the film The Mummy. To refresh your memory, our leading lady is in the midst of describing—and defending—what she does for a living to a roguish male. They have been drinking.

Evelyn: Look, I—I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a gunfighter, Mr. O’Connell! But I am proud of what I am!

Rick O’Connell: And what is that?

Evelyn: I am . . . a librarian!

I couldn’t have said it better.

This article originally appeared in American Libraries, October 2002, p. 54–55. continue reading

Finding a journal article is like hunting for a needle in a haystack

I have an excellent powerpoint presentation on information literacy. This was originally designed as an online tutorial.
Available on request.

Punchline:
"Unfortunately, database searching techniques are rarely taught inelementary secondary education and college and graduate education may often see little increase in this nil level of instruction. Hence information literacy in academia is perhaps the most neglected area of erudition and is after all only that minor aspect of scholarship that involves the methods one uses in electronic sources to find the
publications and documents that are on topic for research and specific subject learning." David Dillard


See also other PowerPoint presentations:

• Blog As A Teaching Tool
• The Six A’s for Evaluating Web Content

Library Technicians - Who are they?

From: College Grad Careers
CollegeGrad.com - Career Videos, Library Technicians. Library Technicians occupy the top spot on the Librarian support staff. They free Librarians up for other tasks, while helping to acquire, prepare and organize materials.

Library 2.0 - This network is for Library 2.0 Stuff

This network is for librarians and others interested in Library 2.0.

Quote of the Day - Good Library is ....

"The closest we will ever come to an orderly universe is a good library." Ashleigh Brilliant

Thanks to Gwyn Raven @ Myrddin Wandering for this quote, and for linking all my blogs.

PS. See more quotations on Library, books, readers, and reading habits @ my blog: Library & Information Science Quotations