PCC Library Technology Blog

Libraries Are Important - UC Berkeley Earth Sciences and Maps Library

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 16:32:00 +0000

Sometimes I get into conversations with people and the word "library is mentioned. If I am talking to younger people they don't mind the idea of a library but they won't step foot into one. That is okay, I guess because some of them are accessing library content via their devices. Still, there is a preconceived notion that libraries are not relevant to real people.

I was participating at a video storytelling workshop where my team members were assigned to a library. There were polite groans about what story can you find in a library. I tried to tell them thousands of stories but they still thought they drew a bum hand.

This video is from another team who interviewed Brian Quigley at the UC Berkeley Earth Science and Maps Library. There is one point in the video that Mr. Quigley made that is was really important. You have to have a collection and build upon that collection before you need it.

So, I don't think it matters if you are a library lover, an assistant, technician or librarian. I think we need to speak up for and encourage usage of the physical buildings called libraries. I don't think it should be analog versus digital content. It is the protection and preservation of what came before and what is to come.

Shatford Library Student Association New Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Kiri) — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 18:30:00 +0000

Hello! The SLSA has a new blog! You can view and follow it here: http://pccslsa.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for your continuous support! Hope to see you at our next meeting! (Details will be provided at our new blog.)

Updated information on Library Technology Certificate Program

noreply@blogger.com (kfgoguen) — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 18:06:00 +0000

PCC Library Technology Certificate Program Description
Skilled paraprofessionals are needed for various levels of employment in public, academic, school and special libraries. PCC's Library Technology Certificate Program prepares students to work in the dynamic information and technology based world of libraries.
The program focuses on job-related skills and practices needed to enter and succeed in the library workplace. The program provides training for paraprofessionals entering the field and also provides continuing education opportunities for those currently employed. Program courses, developed in consultation with library employers, cover all phases of library public services and provide training and practice in the use of library automated systems including public access, reference, cataloging, circulation, databases and Web search techniques.

Students can earn a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate in Science Degree:

Certificate of Achievement
The Pasadena City College Library Technology Certificate of Acheivement prepares students to work as highly skilled paraprofessionals in various levels of employment in public, academic, special and school libraries and information centers. The Certificate of Achievement in Library Technology requires the completion of 8 required classes (20 units).
Associate in Science Degree
Students not planning to transfer or complete a bachelor's degree can also pursue an Associate in Science degree in Library Technology by completing the 20-unit program along with general education requirements and electives for a total of 60 units. Students are encouraged to meet with a PCC Counselor to discuss the requirements for this degree.
Students planning to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree are encouraged to meet with a PCC Counselor to discuss their academic goals to determine the type of Associate degree to pursue. Specific requirements vary for the types of Associate degrees. (See PCC Degree & Transfer Programs)

NOTE: the Associate in Science in Library Technology is an option but it is best for students who don’t plan to transfer because the general education requirements for the AS don’t fully meet the general education requirements of the transfer institutions, even when students are selecting only transferable courses from the AS general education pattern. Students planning to earn a bachelor’s degree should follow the requirements of their intended transfer school making sure to consult with a counselor to ensure the one is clear on those requirements. Students planning to continue on for a master’s degree in Library Science can pursue any major relevant for the type of library work they plan to pursue.

A Declaration for the Right to Libraries Poster

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:54:00 +0000

With information oozing from all kinds of sources most people would think that there is no need for a library. Not us, because, hey we are by our very nature, are informed people.

You Can Download a PDF of the Full Poster.

ALA President Barbara Stripling wants to guide the organization to re-think how libraries service communities. This discussion has been going on for some time but it never hurts to keep chipping away at the huge amount of information illiteracy that is being pushed through our multichannel public discourse. You can find a full copy of the poster at her site.

We know that people need help in finding information that meets their needs. We know that it is important to find viable, credible sources. And we know that there are vested political and commercial interests that want keep that from happening.

So this is a reminder to all of us as to why libraries are so important.

So if you need a talking point or a reminder of why we need to master the reference interview this Declaration is as good as reason as any.

Book Spine Poetry Contest Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Kiri) — Sat, 18 May 2013 02:22:00 +0000

Post by: Shatford Library Student Association

I want to start off by apologizing profusely. I am so sorry that this post is so late.

Congratulations to our first place winner Kelly Cole and our runner up Elizabeth Donahue! This contest has been a lot of fun and we hope to have more in the future!

Here are their images, if you'd like to see them again.

Frog and toad together

Lost in the woods

Where the sidewalk ends

Loving

A family of poems

-Kelly Cole

Not like I’m jealous or anything

Liar

Would I lie to you

-Elizabeth Donahue

Poetry Foundation Poetry App for Android and iOS

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:09:00 +0000

Wanting to read poetry shouldn't just be confined to April. There are times when you need a bit of Auden or a touch of Anna Marie Hong. The good news is that Smartphone and table users can download the free Poetry App from the Poetry Foundation.

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/mobile

You can sort by title, the first line in the poem or type in the name of the poet. Some of the poetry is in audio format so you really could listen while you work. And because we live in sociable times you could share a poem you really like via Facebook and Twitter.

I installed the app on an inexpensive tablet. It worked fine. I was able to select what I wanted to read. I did have trouble playing back the audio poems. I'm 99% sure my device is the problem but I just wanted to put it out their that there could be an issue.

So if you have wanted a way to read more Naruda or Christina Rossetti then this app could work for you.

Book Spine Poetry Photo Contest Finalists

noreply@blogger.com (Kiri) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:38:00 +0000

Post by: Shatford Library Student Association

Hello everyone! Sorry about the wait, we had 33 wonderful entries to vote on. After much deliberation we have come up with not four, but six finalists. (Yeah, they were that good.)

So, without further adieu, I give you the finalists.

¡Caramba!

¡Ask a mexican!

Everything you need to know about latino history

The end

-Yvonne Romo

Let your life speak

All things bright and beautiful

The winged energy of delight

Taking tine to just be

Something to remember me by

-Thomas Elrod

Ride the big red cars

Scenic view ahead

Out with the stars

Los Angeles

The California I love

-Tiffney Sanford

Not like I’m jealous or anything

Liar

Would I lie to you

-Elizabeth Donahue

Come to me in silence

Never let me go

Come my beloved

Come be my light

-Zack Elkhaldy

Frog and toad together

Lost in the woods

Where the sidewalk ends

Loving

A family of poems

-Kelly Cole

Congratulations to the six finalists!

Vote here. One vote per person please.

The winners will be announced at our potluck on Monday, April 29th. More details about the potluck will be included in an email coming to you soon. If you are not on our mailing list our email address is on the sidebar. Just shoot us an email and we will add your address to the list.

Poetry Month: Book Spine Poetry Photo Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Kiri) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:57:00 +0000

Post by: Shatford Library Student Association

National Poetry Month is coming up and what better way to celebrate than with a Book Spine Poem Contest?

What is Book Spine Poetry, you ask? This!-

Photo from here.

Since we, the Shatford Library Student Association, think this is a fun way to celebrate we are hosting a contest. Make your own spine poetry and send us a picture of it! You could even get a nice prize for it. ;-)

ONE photo per participant. Please submit your book spine poem photo to ICC.PCCSLSA@gmail.com. Also, please label the email "Book Spine Poem Photo Contest" and have your name in the email along with the attached picture.

Rules:

1. You may use a maximum of 6 books and a minimum of 3.
2. Use only the titles of the books, please.
3. No vulgarity! This is a public, school event so keep it classy. Thanks.
4. You may use books from home, the public library, Shatford library, you name it!
5. If you use books from your library please take a pencil and paper with you to write down titles that stand out – you can go back to them later and you'd be saving the staff and the other patrons a lot of trouble.

DEADLINE: April 12, 2013.

Four finalists will be picked for you, yes- you, to vote on. First place winner will receive a Starbucks Gift Card, a Vroman's Gift Card, and a cool notebook! Runner up will receive a Starbucks Gift Card.

Have fun and be creative! If you have any more questions please feel free to post comment. We look forward to seeing your entries!

Shatford Library Student Association

noreply@blogger.com (Kiri) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:53:00 +0000

Hello! We are proud to announce that there is a new club here at Pasadena City College... the Shatford Library Student Association! Here is a little run-down of our club:

The purpose of the club shall be to foster interest in libraries, information science, and information technologies as viable career choices. Working as a liaison between the Shatford Library and the students at Pasadena City College, the club hopes to raise awareness of Shatford library services and promote the role of libraries in society. Members will be encouraged to take part in various activities such as networking with professionals, professional workshops, visits to various libraries, and guest speakers.

So, basically, it is a club to promote our college's library and to have fun by taking part in library and school related events.

Introductions!

President/ICC Alternate
Name: Élan Delgadillo

Club Expectations: I want to build a strong social network among librarians, aspiring librarians, and library enthusiasts. I want to share the joys and journeys every library has to offer with the world, or at least with the students and staff of PCC (baby steps).

Hobbies: Writing (Poetry, Screenplays, and Prose) and Reading just about anything.

Favorite Books:
Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Frederic Engels
Candide by Voltaire
The Sunset Limited by Cormac McCarthy

Vice President/ICC Representative
Name: Abrany Morales

Club Expectations: From this club I hope to bring awareness to more students about the importance of environment that the library can provide and the resources that it offers to help throughout their careers.

Hobbies: Reading, painting, playing piano, blogging, and going to the movies!

Favorite Books:
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
The Husband by Dean Koontz
No Exit by Jean Paul Sarte
The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Secretary/Webmaster
Name: Kiri Lahey

Club Expectations: I want to connect with others who share the same views as me on libraries, have fun doing library related events, gain experience and connections through volunteering, and help promote our school's library.
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, Postcrossing, crafting, screen printing, playing video games, and reading, of course.
Favorite Books:
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy by Clare B. Dunkle
Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
Be With You by Takuji Ichikawa
Kamikaze Girls by Novala Takemoto

Treasurer/Outreach Coordinator
Name: Carla Perez Zuehls

Club Expectations: I want everyone to have fun. I want to have people gain knowledge about libraries that they didn't have before; I also want people involved in the library programs to gather information about new exciting things, volunteer opportunities, and also feel confident in themselves after going through some of the workshops that we will be offering. I look forward to this opportunity to get to know everyone.

Hobbies: reading, exploring new places, going to movies, being with friends and family, taking long walks by myself, and exploring

Favorite Books:
Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling (love, love this series!!!! I can reread this series over and over)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (classic, and such a great story about love, family and redemption)
Angelology by Danielle Trussoni (interesting story about angels)
Divergent series by Veronica Roth (interesting YA dystopian series.. exciting)
Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting (spooky YA series)
A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline Engle (classic children's book, but yet I can reread any given time)
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker (just a great book)

If you need any more information you can check out our Facebook page. Our next meeting is Monday, April 1st from 5:30pm-6:30pm in LL-311. Hope to see you there!

RSS Reader Alternatives for Library Students

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:40:00 +0000

I think most people are starting to allow the weeping to cease. For days now people have been in a ruckus about the closing of Google Reader.

Google Reader allows you to subscribe to an RSS feed so that you could have the web site or blog delivered to the reader instead of you remembering to go to the site. It is one of the ways people keep up with a specific block of interest. There are users that have thousands of links to web sites in their readers.

I will tell you as an information junkie this hit hard. Yes, I have bookmarks but using Google Reader helps me to to stay on top of the sites that I need to visit on a daily or weekly basis. I keep my RSS subscriptions private. I love sharing a good link on Twitter but you don't need to know every web site and blog I visit. I have this thing about privacy. I'm in favor of it.

Mind you, I'm not ashamed of my links. You should visit Too Busy Thinking About Comics but there are some places that you might not want a potential future employer to know that.

Wait, this is a library blog and if your future library doesn't understand about comic books and graphic novels then you don't necessarily want to work for them anyway.

I digress.

When news broke of Google's decision to close the site July 1, 2013 there was much grieving and gnashing of the teeth. Out of misery comes opportunity. There are replacement RSS readers ready to welcome you but first you gotta get your feeds out of Google Reader.

Nick Barber from IDG Network News and Tech Tips has a video on how to extract your feeds from Google Reader.

After you get them extracted then what?

Well, you have options. But before you begin you will need to do some research. Many of the RSS readers use Google Reader as a back end synchronization support. Without Google Reader the software either has to create a new back end of support or it ain't gonna work after July 1st.

You will need to make sure there is independent support for your feeds.

Clouds, Web and Social Media Based Readers

There is something to be said for web based RSS readers. You can use them with smartphone and tablets, you have universal access no matter where you go and for those that are truly social media beings of habit you can share them with your connections.

Feedly works with both Firefox and Chrome browsers. When it senses that a web page or blog has a feed link it will allow you to add that page as a feed. Feedly then displays the pages in a visual magazine like format. Feedly is also available for Android and iOS devices. Feedly has a number of sharing options with all of the major social media outlets.

Flipboard is very popular and allows you to connect and share your finds and subscription with your social networks.

Pulse is another visual reader that works on the desktop, Apple iOS and Andriod platforms. In addition to added RSS feeds you can pull content from their catalog. You also can sync your feeds across other devices.

Desktop RSS Readers

I have been testing out Feedreader. So far so good. It is easy to add the subscription feed links. I like that I can quickly spot what is incoming. I like that I can type in a search term to see if it pops up in any of my feeds. I can minimize it and have pop-up show me incoming or shut it down when I need to get work done. There is a version for on-line use as well.

RSSOwl is a Java based reader. Java is a programing language that may or may not be installed on your system. It has an e-mail like interface that you might like.

The e-mail client Thunderbird has a very good RSS reader function. I know because I also use that as an additional reader software. For RSS only I don't think it would be worth it to install but should you happen to need an alternative e-mail program and RSS reader this is a keeper.

Other reader choices are:

Please remember to check if the RSS software or App uses Google Reader as a back end synchronize.

Which is why I can't recommend FeedDemon because it is shutting down. It will work after July 1 if you disable the Google synchronization but it will no longer be supported.

A Look At Library Science Daily

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:25:00 +0000

Twitter can be a great way to find library people and resources. It just so happens that I discovered Matt Anderson's Library Science Daily, a look at what is going on in the world of librarianship and related topics.

You can search by article type, such as education, technology or society or you can just browse to find topics of interest that you might have missed.

Might be worth it to place it in your RSS/Reader of choice to keep up with the happenings around the globe.

Library of Congress Transition from Thomas.gov to Congress.gov

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 05:53:00 +0000

The Library of Congress is developing a new portal site for researching the data generated out of the U.S. Congress.

Beta version of Congress.gov web site

You still can use Thomas.gov to find information on a bill or piece of legislation. In about a year's time the new Congress.gov site will take over. The new site will make it easier to find bills, research legislation, and you will be able to access data over mobile devices.

One of the things that will be easier is getting a better understanding of how congress works. You should check out the legislative page that contains text and video that brings a bit of clarity about the process.

National Archives 1940 Census Site Is Live

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:24:00 +0000

I love it when history, technology and crowd sourcing come together. What do you do when you have 3 million plus pages of census documents that need to be entered into a database?

http://1940census.archives.gov

You ask for help. 160,000 people volunteered and within five months The 1940 Census is available for free from a number of partner web sites in addition to the National Archives.

This is a short video created by the National Archives explaining how they converted microfilm to a digital format and how to use the enumeration district numbers. For those of you in the digital technician program pay close attention toward the end of the video.

At the National Archives site you can get a primer on how to do a census search, the vocabulary you need to understand and more. There is even a blank 1940 Census form for your perusal.

You can get much of the information from proprietary sites like Archive.com, Family Search.org, or access to ProQuest.

This is a great opportunity to find that rascal of a relative or to get a better sense of how people functioned in the the time between the Great Depression and World War 2.

RDA Templates Demo Video - Library of Congress

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:50:00 +0000

The cataloging process is evolving. Once upon a time I spent my evenings trying to get a grip on MARC, Dewey and AACR2. To stay in the game you have to be willing to keep up to date with the changes in the field.

Resource Description and Access (RDA) is the next level of library cataloging. This is a video by the Library of Congress by Cataloging educator Deborah Fritz and library software developer Richard Fritz.

This is an opportunity to take a look at a prototype of RDA and to get a sense of where cataloging is going.

For a transcript of this presentation or to view it in Real Media format, you can visit the Library of Congress RDA Templates web page.

If you would like to get your hands of the software mentioned in the video you can visit the RIMMF wiki and download the software. The software is under a Creative Commons license and is free to use for educational and non-commercial purposes only.

ALA Advocacy Excerpt - The High Ground

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:20:00 +0000

This is an small part of a presentation given on the Expo floor of the American Library Association 2012 conference. in Anaheim, CA.

This is an open caption version of the video. We all want to support libraries and part of that support is seeking funding. This is a look at the ways that libraries and those that love them go about getting financial or resource support.

In this excerpt, the speaker talks about one of the ways to gain support for libraries is to get the attention of decision makers. Surprisingly is not always about facts or figures; is about the ideological high ground.

For more information about learning about advocacy skills that support libraries visit the American Library Association Advocacy University web site.

Opportunity to Brush Up on Google Search Skills

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 21:35:00 +0000

For those of you that want to do more with Google than to use quotation marks you might be interested in a free on-line class that Google is conducting in Power Searching.

Power Searching with Google Registration Page

Power Searching with Google is a free, short term class that Google is conducting. It is in the same spirit as the MIT classes on the Python programing language and Building a Search Engine.

Meaning that you could have classmates from all over the world. This specific class is being taught by Google. There will be opportunities to go deep via Google+, Google Hangouts and other social media pathways.

I would guess that you would be able to ask questions via Google Hangouts or a number of different ways. I'm half tempted to buy that Nexus 7 tablet just to try it out. Like I need an excuse to buy tech.

Class starts on July 10, 2012 and runs for two weeks. So, fire up that phone, tablet or desktop and register.

Addendum: Just got my confirmation; ixnay on the phone. You can use a tablet, notebook or desktop computer. I'm thinking they would prefer that you use Chrome. Just a hunch.

Fanzines From the ALA Expo Floor Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:06:00 +0000

Before blogs, before the Internet as we know it there were fanzines. The great news is that there are still fanzines being produced. On the ALA Expo floor was an exhibit of some of the publications.

Fanzines are small publications that focus in on a particular topic or niche subject area. They can be handwritten, assembled from found materials, photocopied or professionally produced.

The topics can range from surviving the workday after a bender to a catalog of every Tonka toy made. Whimsy or dead serious in content. Sometimes explicit. Sometime reveling in the mundane.

I remember finding fanzines on the floor of record stores next to the free alternative newspapers. That was one method of distribution. Another was mail sharing or trading. Fanzines could also be sold for subscription.

It was hit or miss. There could be one issue or seven or 130. It depended on the person. There are still a few folks producing fanzines in the U.S. but other countries are continuing the tradition.

It was kinda cool to find this spot of creativity at the conference.

My View From the ALA Expo Floor - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:46:00 +0000

It has been a few years since I graduated. Life and the general economic situation has lead me to unexpected paths away from brick and mortar libraries. I stay connected by dipping into the cyber equivalents.

I thought going to see the exhibits at the conference was a good way for me to re-connect. I have to say that I felt like an interloper. Maybe I was, I'm not a librarian.

Which is the number one question I got when I stepped up to a table. "What library are your from?" "Who do you represent?" "Are You A Librarian?"

Totally understandable.

It would have been misleading to add the school library to my badge. I'm not a student any more. I don't work at a library. I can say that I have been applying what I have gained in the program to communicate and share information with various on-line communities that won't step foot in a physical library.

They should. They won't. I meet folks where they are.

But what about the other stakeholders in literacy, technology and freedom of information advocates? Should we not have come?

As I walked through the convention center (and it was huge) I had people flash a look at my badge. If it didn't display what they wanted to see they looked away, hoping I wouldn't walk over.

Why Would a Non-library Person come to ALA?

Beyond my personal reasons, I could see what has changed and not changed since the last time I visited. Paper books are still important. There are vendors selling and librarians wanting audio CDs for their patrons. E-book vendors getting a bit more space on the floor.

A lot of things to think about and to share.

Yes, it's that Time Again! Time for ALA in Anaheim

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:57:00 +0000

Debating whether you should go to ALA's conference this weekend? If you're a student member, you cannot beat the price for what you get. Even if you decide to just go for the exhibits and after hours events which many are free, it will be worth your venture out there. You will get tons of freebies and the chance to network. When I went to my first ALA conference four years ago in Anaheim, I was about half way through the PCC Library Tech Program. What amazed me was the welcome I got from the library professionals I met there even when I told them I was just a library assistant getting my certificate in Library Technology. I was, of course, asked if I was considering getting my Master's to which I responded affirmatively but still with hesitation. Here's the link for registration fees. One can register at ALA onsite.

If you still have not decided whether or not you are attending the American Library Association (ALA) conference in Anaheim this weekend, here's some reasons straight from them:

Learn from your peers at 500+ programs on hot topics
Fill your toolbox with tools for library advocacy
Choose among the wide range of Preconferences and continuing education
Have the chance to share your expertise in a “Conversation Starter” program
Connect with employers or job seekers at the ALA JobLIST Placement Center
Meet hundreds of authors at four live stages and in booths throughout the exhibit hall
Hear unforgettable speakers and presenters such as John Irving, Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer, and the Rock Bottom Remainders
See and try the latest in products, services, publications and technologies from 800+ exhibitors in the largest library exhibition in the world
Engage at the Networking Uncommons—impromptu sessions, and conversations
Enjoy the professional and personal experiences your colleagues describe here.

If you do go to ALA, feel free to share your experiences here.

The Data Journalism Handbook

noreply@blogger.com (Gena) — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:27:00 +0000

There are all kinds of ways to find information. What do you do when you find it? Or perhaps there is so much of it that it requires a different approach to share the main points of the sources.

The Data Journalism Handbook is a guide written by journalists to help other journalists and people who need to deal with large amounts of information to find a way to get to the good stuff and make it visible.

There is a free web version and a paper version that will be published some time this year. In the web version you can select the chapter that most meets your needs at the moment.

The books focus is from the point of view of someone in the United Kingdom but who wants to always search American centric information anyway.

Chapters that might have an appeal to library students include:

A Five Minute Field Guide - suggested methods to organize your thoughts and a listing of data sources that could provide support to hard to answer questions. Some of the sources cited are the Guardian's World Data Bank, Project Wombat and ScraperWiki.
Basic Steps In Working with Data - how to ask the right questions and find the answers.
Designing with Data - because when you find it you have to do something with it. How do you present the result of your search without distorting the intended meaning?

This is a good resource for the old kit bag

Library Interview Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:25:00 +0000

Do your research:

Know what the institution is about, its goals and history. During the question and answer period it’s good to be able to talk about specifics. Be aware of recent awards and upcoming events.
Show some forethought, even if it's just a page position. When asked if you have questions, ask about something that is coming up in the pipeline for them. Scan the news, their website and their fliers; many institutions strive to convey their triumphs to their patron base.

Take inventory of yourself:

Don't just play up your library skills and knowledge. Even if you haven't finished your certificate there are other skills you could relate that could be applicable to the position.
How do your previous experiences relate to this library and its functions? Before the interview think of your current skills and successes at work, then relate them to the library you will be interviewing for.
To expand on the first two points, what other skills do you have: phone skills, handling money, handling difficult people? These are some skills that may come into use for a position that simply lists job duties as shelving and clerical work.

Sell yourself:

Be yourself. Put your best foot forward to be someone the interviewer would want to work with.
Dress a level above what you see in the workplace. Some libraries have a relaxed dress code for work. You may see librarians and technical staff in jeans and t-shirts. But for the interview dress it up a little to show a level of professionalism.
Greet everyone professionally, that "patron" you ignore standing at the desk could be your future boss. In the excitement and nervousness of a pending job interview it's easy to have tunnel vision, focusing on what you've prepared to say and what questions might come up, but be friendly and open to those around you. You never know whose input may count when they sit down to decide between candidates.

Here are a few web pages for review. Some of these tips are for librarian positions, but they will help you stand out from other candidates.

Also check out this previous PCC Lib Tech Blog post regarding interviews:

Example Interview Questions for Library Technician Positions

National Library Week: April 8 - 12th, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:25:00 +0000

Almost every day there is something to do to celebrate National Library Week sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). This year's theme is "You belong @ your library."

Today is National Library Workers Day. One can go to the National Library Workers Day website to recognize a library worker of their choice from any type of library.

Are you a Twitter fan? If so, you can tweet your six word library story of why you belong at the library by using this tag #nlw6words. Stories will be compiled and judged http://atyourlibrary.org/. You have till Wednesday, April 11th to participate. You can also follow National Library Week at #nlw12 on Twitter and atyourlibrary.org on Facebook.

Wednesday is also National Bookmobile Day. Thursday is Support Teen Literature Day.

If you happen to be on campus, then check out the Rotunda display at the Shatford Library celebrating National Library Week. There are new READ posters with assorted library staff, campus staff and students. In addition, check out the most current happenings dealing with banned books in Arizona. There are also boards set up where you can write what your favorite book is. Currently, one of my most favorite books is "The Time Traveler's Wife" which is a fictional story about a time traveling librarian who works at the Newbery Library in Chicago and his relationship with his wife which is told from both points of view. Feel free to post a comment of what your favorite book is and why.

noreply@blogger.com (kfgoguen) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:12:00 +0000

Conference website: http://www.alaannual.org/

Early Bird Registration is open:
ALA Student Member** (All Access 6/22-6/26. Excludes Preconferences and Ticketed Events).
** Join online: http://www.ala.org/membership/aladues
Student membership: $33; Library Support Staff membership: $46.
Early Bird student Registration (by May 13): $95; Advance (by June 14): $120; Daily Fees (Paid onsite only): $92 .

ALA Annual Conference attendance tips from YALSA:
5 Ways to Return Triumphant

[NOTE: these are also useful tips for job applicants!]

From YALSA Blog: Direct link to post:
http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2012/03/23/ala-annual-5-ways-to-return-triumphant/
reposted from From: [calix] "Jane Gov" <jgov@beverlyhills.org>

With only three short months until the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, we hope you’ve taken advantage of Early Bird Registration ($215 for YALSA members until May 13) and marked your calendars for June 21 – 26.

With all of the great programs and events offered by YALSA at the conference, you’re going to soak up a fantastic amount of new and exciting information.
Coming back from ALA Annual, it is typical to be overloaded with two things:
ARCs and ideas.

Conference presentations are inspiring, and the exhibit hall always a place of dreams, but as with anything, the devil is in the details. Here are five tips for making the most of your ALA Annual experience once you return to your library.

1. Know Your Library System
A program that worked beautifully for a rural library that serves a population of 3,000 might need tweaking for your suburban, six-branch systems that serves 30,000. If possible, either during or right after the conference, think of ways to adapt the idea. Going to your supervisor or manager with a way to make the idea/program work for the community you serve, rather than “this worked at Library X!” will increase the likelihood of it happening.

2. Know Your Library’s Hierarchy
What is the management style of your library or library system? Good or bad, most places have a chain of command that should be followed. Jumping a person (or two, or three) makes it less likely that the new Summer Reading Program you’re dying to try will happen. Be respectful of the hierarchy. If your system requires you to inform your immediate supervisor, so that she or he can inform the next person up, and so on, follow every step– even if the Director of your system knows you personally.

3. Know Your Library Community
Implementing a Spanish story time is not going to go over well if the population you serve is predominantly Japanese. However, adapting the idea (see suggestion #1) for your Japanese community could go over very well.

4. Keep Contact Information
Most presenters and vendors are more than happy to give out their contact information. If you’re having trouble getting people get on board with your idea, or you need more information about a product/service/database that you think your library must have, use that contact. Ask the presenter if they have advice, ask the vendor for statistics, take them back to the appropriate channels, and be prepared to do it all again.

5. Be Persistent
The most important thing is to not give up. Follow through with ideas. It may be that your supervisor is happy to implement a new hold shelf method the day after you get back, and it may be that your Summer Reading theme won’t be used for years. Keep at it. You’re adaptable, you know your system, you know your community, and you have all those contacts to make things a success, and you can make it happen.

And in a few years, after you present your brilliant program at ALA, you might get a phone call or an email from another librarian, asking you how you got it done.

See you in Anaheim!

--Posted by YALSA Local Arrangements Committee 2012

**"Student members of ALA are enrolled in MLS/MLIS, NCATE and LTA programs. They are studying to be public, academic, school and special librarians. Some are furthering their studies with post-degree certifications while others are pursuing terminal degrees like doctoral programs. All are eligible for our discounted Student membership dues and each are invited to participate fully in ALA membership during their studies. Student members, whether full- or part- time, are also given the best rates for conference registration – often at discounts as high as 75% off. http://www.ala.org/membership/whoisala/students

Dealing with the Difficult

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:18:00 +0000

A short while back I gained my first library job, and while it’s been quite taxing after my original job, I find it suits my desires. Many of the patrons who visit the library are knowledgeable in the sense that they know what they are looking for or know whom to ask to find said item. Though there have been a few patrons who have come in looking for things the library does not provide.

One such patron happened upon my work area while I was in the middle of training with my supervisor. Said patron walked up to us and asked a question of us that in no uncertain terms the library could answer or even attempt to do so. However this patron was adamant that the question be answered to satisfaction.

I took a breath and asked a cautious question of my own. I did not want to brush this patron off, but did not also want to inflame their anger either. I wanted to diffuse a little of the stress I had heard in the original question. Unsatisfied the patron left the library. Belatedly I came to understand I could have handled this situation much better. But it was handled tactfully at the time.

My own personal strategy varies depending on the issue and the patron, but can be summed up as:

1. Take a breath.

A few heartbeats are enough to collect your thoughts and form what you wish to say. When taken by surprise it can feel natural to want to immediately say something, but take a moment to form the right response in your head.

2. Answer the question.

Refer to your library’s policy or procedures regarding this issue. Don’t attempt to deflect or walk around the patron’s query or statement, this may just make the patron more stressed or angry than they already are.

3. Rely upon coworkers and supervisors.

Unless you work alone rely upon those who have more experience than you. It also helps to have another person to help to diffuse a charged situation.

In addition I would like to refer you to this excellent article dealing with problem patrons entitled Problem Situations, Not Problem Patrons, by Steven Slavick.

For a bullet point list please check out MLA2010: Black Belt Librarians: Dealing with Difficult Patrons, by Brian Herzog. Especially the section titled “How to (safely) approach a stranger and get them to comply with policy.”

OCLC WebJunction also has a free recorded Webinar called Dealing with the Difficult Patrons. You can access the recording here. The webinar is about an hour long, but well worth it! For those of you who work alone there is a good part at the 40:56 time mark that deals with your specific situation.

U.S. Public Libraries: A Snapshot of Priorities & Perspectives

noreply@blogger.com (kfgoguen) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:55:00 +0000

This new report details findings from a study OCLC conducted with libraries in mid-2011 to learn about their priorities, initiatives, thoughts on the future of their service points and the sources they use to keep up with developments in the library field. Nearly 1300 public library staff including directors, managers and librarians participated in the study.

Select Key Findings Most public library staff:

Are focusing their priorities on Internet access, demonstrating value to funders and delivering e-content

Are concentrating on e-books as their top current initiative

Rely mostly on listservs and email to stay current—while just a few use social media

Opinions are split on the make-up of service points in the future

The top priority for public library directors is demonstrating the library's value to funders

Full report available from: http://www.oclc.org/reports/us-public-libraries/default.htm