My project to update the multilingual collection is falling a bit flat. The adult services librarian isn't getting back to me on a time I can meet with her to propose the signs I want to put up. I'm thinking of just leaving those signs out and going for it anyway! Well, we'll see how that goes. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who cares about that project. I want to learn more about the SOMP system, too. How we get new multi-lingual books in and whatnot.
Other than that, I've got it into my head to put together subject bibliographies for the Star Wars novels we have in our collection. In looking for new SW series for my dear man, I've found it's difficult to navigate through our collection and all the many, many authors who have contributed to these series.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
New computers + writing manuals
The library recently got a massive grant from the town, so we're using that to upgrade our computer systems. We're getting a RFID system! *dances* I learned about that in school, so it should be made of awesome.
In addition to that, we're also digitizing a lot of our collection (they won't tell us what that means, exactly, but they hired some people to do it, so I'll assume they know what they're doing). Also, we got a new program in place to sign patrons onto the computer! I was so excited when the lady came around to instruct us. I even volunteered to write a procedures manual for this new system. It's so cool, called PC Connect, and allows people on circulation to go in and see the status of every computer in the building. We can book time for patrons, log them off, extend their time, etc. It was very cool, and a great experience to write the manual for the circulation department.
After this, I volunteered to update the circ procedures manual, so I'm doing that right now. I've gone through the existing manual, noted the things that need to be changed for greater understandability, and even procedures that are missing (there were quite a few). I've gone over my proposed changes with my supervisor and she's okayed me to proceed with updating this!
I shouldn't be so excited to write procedures manuals, but I am. I even know that nobody in circ will look at the thing, but just in case they need to, it's there. It'll be great for new employees in the circ department, which will be very cool. I wish the manual had been up-to-date when I'd started. They try to teach you how to do things, but the instruction left me confused as so many different people do things their own way, and sometimes, 'their own way' isn't the correct or even proper way to do things.
Then again, I am a bit of an eccentric nerd who loves writing, so why wouldn't I approach this self-appointed/afflicted task with the same gusto that I approach a super-uber-chocolate sundae?
In addition to that, we're also digitizing a lot of our collection (they won't tell us what that means, exactly, but they hired some people to do it, so I'll assume they know what they're doing). Also, we got a new program in place to sign patrons onto the computer! I was so excited when the lady came around to instruct us. I even volunteered to write a procedures manual for this new system. It's so cool, called PC Connect, and allows people on circulation to go in and see the status of every computer in the building. We can book time for patrons, log them off, extend their time, etc. It was very cool, and a great experience to write the manual for the circulation department.
After this, I volunteered to update the circ procedures manual, so I'm doing that right now. I've gone through the existing manual, noted the things that need to be changed for greater understandability, and even procedures that are missing (there were quite a few). I've gone over my proposed changes with my supervisor and she's okayed me to proceed with updating this!
I shouldn't be so excited to write procedures manuals, but I am. I even know that nobody in circ will look at the thing, but just in case they need to, it's there. It'll be great for new employees in the circ department, which will be very cool. I wish the manual had been up-to-date when I'd started. They try to teach you how to do things, but the instruction left me confused as so many different people do things their own way, and sometimes, 'their own way' isn't the correct or even proper way to do things.
Then again, I am a bit of an eccentric nerd who loves writing, so why wouldn't I approach this self-appointed/afflicted task with the same gusto that I approach a super-uber-chocolate sundae?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
myliblog: Uncle Bobby's Wedding
I'm in love with my profession all over again.
Beautiful response to a patron complaint regarding the inclusion of a children's beginner-level book that addresses gay marriage from a child's perspective. The responding librarian is intelligent and respectful and composes a very well-thought-out response.
myliblog: Uncle Bobby's Wedding
Beautiful response to a patron complaint regarding the inclusion of a children's beginner-level book that addresses gay marriage from a child's perspective. The responding librarian is intelligent and respectful and composes a very well-thought-out response.
myliblog: Uncle Bobby's Wedding
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Multi-Lingual re-vamp
I noticed that our multi-lingual section is a bit unkept and the books are shelved all willy nilly. I asked my supervisor if I had permission to take time out of shelving to go reorganize the shelves. She said yes.
Then I proposed that I create new signs for that area to make it more inviting. So instead of one big sign that says "Oh, Arabic and Chinese are in this alcove" I will have signs that say Chinese /
中文 (zhōngwén) and Arabic / العربية (al arabiya)
I have a feeling I'm getting too excited for this project. I still feel like not too many people care or even want me to do this. Still, I see a place to make a positive change, and I'm gonna go for it!
I have a list of languages at the library. I've asked my friends to take a look at them and tell me if they look okay for displays, or how I should write the language so it's welcoming to library patrons.
This is the list of languages left to verify:
(I get confused when entries like Serbian have two possible words.)
Arabic
العربية (al arabiya)
Filipino
??
Finnish
suomi / suomen kieli
Greek
ελληνικά (ellēniká)
Gujarati
ગુજરાતી (gujarātī)
Hindi
हिन्दी (hindī)
Hungarian
magyar / magyar nyelv
Italian
Italiano
Korean
한국어 [韓國語] (han-guk-eo)
Punjabi
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ / ﺏﺎﺠﻨﭘ (panjābi)
Portuguese
português
Russian
Русский язык (Russkij jazyk)
Serbian
српски (srpski)
српски језик (srpski jezik)
Ukranian
Українська (Ukrajins'ka)
Urdu
اردو (urdū)
Vietnamese
tiếng việt
Then I proposed that I create new signs for that area to make it more inviting. So instead of one big sign that says "Oh, Arabic and Chinese are in this alcove" I will have signs that say Chinese /
中文 (zhōngwén) and Arabic / العربية (al arabiya)
I have a feeling I'm getting too excited for this project. I still feel like not too many people care or even want me to do this. Still, I see a place to make a positive change, and I'm gonna go for it!
I have a list of languages at the library. I've asked my friends to take a look at them and tell me if they look okay for displays, or how I should write the language so it's welcoming to library patrons.
This is the list of languages left to verify:
(I get confused when entries like Serbian have two possible words.)
Arabic
العربية (al arabiya)
Filipino
??
Finnish
suomi / suomen kieli
Greek
ελληνικά (ellēniká)
Gujarati
ગુજરાતી (gujarātī)
Hindi
हिन्दी (hindī)
Hungarian
magyar / magyar nyelv
Italian
Italiano
Korean
한국어 [韓國語] (han-guk-eo)
Punjabi
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ / ﺏﺎﺠﻨﭘ (panjābi)
Portuguese
português
Russian
Русский язык (Russkij jazyk)
Serbian
српски (srpski)
српски језик (srpski jezik)
Ukranian
Українська (Ukrajins'ka)
Urdu
اردو (urdū)
Vietnamese
tiếng việt
Display Success
Well, I put my display together to promote the non-fiction area of the collection. I put up a simple display in the case, but then pulled an unused table out and just stacked tons of interesting-looking non-fiction books on it.
The cool part: My display has since come down (the case is being used for other things) but the table remains!
It's awesome. I set out books, and then I see people going over and looking at the things that are on the table. I even set out a book, then I went back up to circulation and a man came up 10 minutes later with that same book that I'd set out!
I feel so proud, and yet, feel like nobody at work really cares. I don't expect fanfare or anything, but it's like me (and my displays/efforts) are invisible :(
Maybe I care too much...
The cool part: My display has since come down (the case is being used for other things) but the table remains!
It's awesome. I set out books, and then I see people going over and looking at the things that are on the table. I even set out a book, then I went back up to circulation and a man came up 10 minutes later with that same book that I'd set out!
I feel so proud, and yet, feel like nobody at work really cares. I don't expect fanfare or anything, but it's like me (and my displays/efforts) are invisible :(
Maybe I care too much...
Sunday, July 26, 2009
New Display
The only real thing that takes some creativity in my current job is the creation of library displays.
I was just handed my new assignment: non-fiction books that are entertaining to read. (Not the exact words, but essentially what it is.)
I've already got some ideas for how the display will look, and I want to create some sort of bibliography, or at least call number ranges for people to check out. I don't think I can have handouts with this display, though... I'm going to have to talk to my supervisor.
Maybe I could post something on the inside of the glass that talks about the ranges where people can look. (This job would be a lot easier if the biographies were stored together instead of interspersed with the rest of the collection.)
I'll try to take some pictures to share once I've put it together. Due date: July 31
I was just handed my new assignment: non-fiction books that are entertaining to read. (Not the exact words, but essentially what it is.)
I've already got some ideas for how the display will look, and I want to create some sort of bibliography, or at least call number ranges for people to check out. I don't think I can have handouts with this display, though... I'm going to have to talk to my supervisor.
Maybe I could post something on the inside of the glass that talks about the ranges where people can look. (This job would be a lot easier if the biographies were stored together instead of interspersed with the rest of the collection.)
I'll try to take some pictures to share once I've put it together. Due date: July 31
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Intro post
As a recent graduate of Seneca College's Library and Information Technician program, and a rabid internet junkie, I am convinced this blog must exist.
Herein you may find my ramblings of my experiences. Only my experiences will be recorded, no gossip or any such rubbish. I am hoping this blog will serve two purposes:
- serve as a log of things I have done, should I need to refer back to them
- share my experiences with other library techs or librarians. Who knows, maybe what I have to say may be useful to others?
My final time at school was unkindly brutal on me. Not that the program is terrible (quite the contrary) but needless to say I was burnt out and feeling unequipped to face the world of libraries. I love helping people find information, but after the last roes of exams, I felt like crawling into a hole.
Of course, it has taken some months to recover. Now I'm feeling a bit braver and wanted to share my experiences.
I'm currently employed in a medium-sized public library in my hometown. I fill a position called Public Service Assistant which is a mix between circulation staff and receptionist. Apart from the usual duties associated with these two positions, I also:
- mend material
- receive orders
- process in-house publishing requests
- put together a seasonal best seller list
- create library displays
- direct patrons to their desired section in the library
- help patrons get set up on the computer
- etc.
It's a varied position and I'm happy to be involved at this level. I feel very lucky, but I am craving a bit more responsibility.
I may have the opportunity to shift the non-fic collection a bit. We currently inter-file biographies with the remainder of the collection. There is some discussion around separating biographies into their own section. If this occurs, I'm putting my hand up first to volunteer this job. I so badly want to do more.
Well, I will keep this short and end here. There are pictures of the library displays that I have assembled. I would like to share these pictures sometime, as well as possibly compile a resource for library techs to refer to when creating a library display. They are so hard to throw together sometimes. It's often nice to see what others have done for similar topics.
Herein you may find my ramblings of my experiences. Only my experiences will be recorded, no gossip or any such rubbish. I am hoping this blog will serve two purposes:
- serve as a log of things I have done, should I need to refer back to them
- share my experiences with other library techs or librarians. Who knows, maybe what I have to say may be useful to others?
My final time at school was unkindly brutal on me. Not that the program is terrible (quite the contrary) but needless to say I was burnt out and feeling unequipped to face the world of libraries. I love helping people find information, but after the last roes of exams, I felt like crawling into a hole.
Of course, it has taken some months to recover. Now I'm feeling a bit braver and wanted to share my experiences.
I'm currently employed in a medium-sized public library in my hometown. I fill a position called Public Service Assistant which is a mix between circulation staff and receptionist. Apart from the usual duties associated with these two positions, I also:
- mend material
- receive orders
- process in-house publishing requests
- put together a seasonal best seller list
- create library displays
- direct patrons to their desired section in the library
- help patrons get set up on the computer
- etc.
It's a varied position and I'm happy to be involved at this level. I feel very lucky, but I am craving a bit more responsibility.
I may have the opportunity to shift the non-fic collection a bit. We currently inter-file biographies with the remainder of the collection. There is some discussion around separating biographies into their own section. If this occurs, I'm putting my hand up first to volunteer this job. I so badly want to do more.
Well, I will keep this short and end here. There are pictures of the library displays that I have assembled. I would like to share these pictures sometime, as well as possibly compile a resource for library techs to refer to when creating a library display. They are so hard to throw together sometimes. It's often nice to see what others have done for similar topics.
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