PensarLib

Inspiring

2011-11-01T11:32:00.002+02:00

I've often said that I do not have a job, but as a librarian I am merely paid to be myself! Thanks Paulo!

LiSLIG Presentation (LIASA Conference 2011)

2011-10-06T14:53:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I presented to the LiSLIG group at the 13th Annual LIASA Conference in East London, South Africa. If you would like to view the presentation, please go to my Google Docs page. This presentation is an introduction to Discovery-to-delivery tools and was aimed at getting special (corporate, school, organisational and NGO) libraries to start providing their unique and valuable data to the vendors of discovery tools for harvesting and indexing.

'Men of the stacks' calendar changing perceptions

2011-09-28T11:45:00.004+02:00

I've often come across people who respond by rudely saying 'shame' after I have told them that I am a librarian. Considering the complete inaccurate view of librarians, it is not surprising that some initiatives aim to change how we as librarians are perceived and that it can (and is) a very fulfilling career 'even for a man'!

I am happy to share the following initiative:

The Men of the stacks - a 2012 calender

If I was to be the Queen...

2011-09-28T10:48:00.004+02:00

(I originally posted this on the RLC Blog)

If I was to be the Queen ...

I would knight librarians for aren’t we the keepers and protectors of the truth. Are we not on an endless errand to find the holiest of grails (knowledge), bringing it into the open for the world to see (cataloguing, exposing, digitising ...)? Are we not always out there looking to save ‘maidens in distress’ (researchers and students) in a world filled with dragons (irrelevant and incorrect information) whose sole aim is to ensnare and devour the feeble minded? We are knights in shining libraries sworn to do the bidding of those that we serve. We are the 'illuminators' of the true path to wisdom.

Sir Librarian – what a wonderful world this can be! I am proud to be a librarian! I am proud to part of a small group of chosen people who though battle-scarred keeps on fighting the good fight for an informed world.

Preparing job seekers for interviews

2011-09-27T08:11:00.005+02:00

A while ago I asked our Human Resources section why they do not, as part of the interview process, explain to candidates why they might have been unsuccessful (especially if it was more a behavioural issue while in the interview as opposed to educational qualifications issues). It seems once a decision has been made the unsuccessful candidates are just told that they have not been successful - should we not as part of the process assist those people (especially for the lower or possibly non-professional positions) by calling them back and allowing time for discussion? The discussion can easily be adapted into a training session and through this process we as an institution can proactively respond to the need for people to be trained in 'the art of interviews', thus increasing their ability to become employable. I am of the opinion that in South Africa it is not a case of employment opportunities, as much how ready and able people are to respond to the employment opportunities.

It was with great surprise that I saw one company involved in a similar process recently. Please see Sabinet's blog and I hope that we and other organisations can adopt a similar approach.

Interview tips for librarians

2010-11-18T07:49:00.008+02:00

It has been a long time since the first blog, but this year has been marked as one of the most strenuous that I have ever experienced. One of the activities this year that have kept me exceedingly busy was the incredible amount of short-listings and interviews that I had the partake in as part of the committee focusing on filling various positions within the library. My experience in this regard may still be lacking but it is fairly evident that librarians need to work on the job-application and interview skills. I thought I'd list some of the most commons errors that we encountered this year:

1) The application form that you have to complete is the interview committee's first glimpse of you. This is your opportunity to sell yourself. This document is what is used to determine whether you are worth interviewing. Most applications that I have seen this year contained grammar and spelling mistakes as well as being incomplete! Read the application carefully and complete ALL the required areas. Be honest and remember to sell yourself.

2) When you are granted an interview, remember that the most important thing to do is to ensure that you HAVE STUDIED the job profile that you are applying for! The interviewers are not there to find fault with you or to catch you being dishonest etc. They are there to ensure that they have done their best to find the most suitable candidate for the job, someone that will also fit the environment. If you do not understand the position that you have applied for, you will not make it.

3) Being nervous is normal. Believe me, the interviewers are nervous too! Coming prepared will lessen the nervousness. Be prepared with replies to questions such as why you have applied for the position, why do you think you are suitable for the position, and what are your strengths and weaknesses. Think logically: working 20 hours a day is not a strength but rather points to an imbalance or inability to prioritise!

Mention weaknesses rather as areas that you have identified as those aspects of yourself that you have identified for development. The ability to assess oneself objectively coupled with a willingness to always strive to improve yourself will not be viewed in a negative way by the interviewers.

Stick to answering the questions! Do not go into lengthy orations, or use every question as an opportunity to show the interviewers how clever you think you are, or how many people within the industry you know! Be honest!!!!!

4) Ask questions! Remember that you are also trying to determine if you would actually want to work for the institution that you applied to. But do your homework! Do not interrogate or bombard the interviewers - they are not the ones being interviewed! Ask the type of questions that indicate your understanding of the industry as a whole and where the institution fits into this picture. The opportunity to ask questions are not to be viewed as an opportunity to negotiate your salary or benefits!

5) Be concise and to the point. Do not at any time try to sound better than you may be. Do not relay your life story or try to win the job through emotional statements or personal sentiments.

6) Relax! Well, try to at least en enjoy the interview!

Part 2 to follow soon!

2010 Wish list

2010-01-05T16:35:00.001+02:00

It's 2010!

My wish list for 2010 have not changed at all from my 2009 list... so here I list them again:

1) A clear indication as to the impact of RDA on information provisioning and retrieval;
2) A national information policy;
3) All tertiary institutions having accessible research repositories;
4) (in line with number 2) an formalised indication from the South African government as to open access support;
5) An increase in salaries for ALL librarians :);
6) A national day in acknowledgment of librarians!;
7) Support for a true 'professional body' for librarians!

Please note that I use the term 'librarians' in the broader sense to include all those who are passionate slaves within the information provisioning sector.