"The Librarian"

The British Library plans to digitally Archive the Web

2013-04-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

I was scouring the web and found the most amazing information about the British Library. As if it is not difficult enough to find a piece or pieces of info.

Material on 1bn webpages from nearly 5m .uk websites, plus public tweets and Facebook entries, are to preserved for the historical record at six libraries in the UK and Ireland.
The archive project, aimed at preserving a digital record of events and cultural and intellectual works to match traditional print archives, begins on Saturday.
Its organisers say copies of every public tweet and Facebook entry in the UK could eventually be included. The moves will also cover ebooks and iPad editions of newspapers and other digital forms.
The British Library will begin the enormous operation a day after new regulations laid down by parliament come into force but already it is warning that key accounts of some events over the past 10 years have already been lost.
"If you want a picture of what life is like today in the UK you have to look at the web," "We have already lost a lot of material, particularly around events such as the 7/7 London bombings or the 2008 financial crisis."
Social media reactions to the Queen's diamond jubilee celebrations were among other information that had fallen "into the digital black hole of the 21st century because we haven't been able to capture it," she said. "Most of that material has already been lost or taken down." Lucie
Burgess from the British Library said "We will have to distinguish between content published in the UK and elsewhere but in principle we will be able to archive the publicly available tweets of any individual, company or organisation."
Until now the British Library could only preserve a relatively small number of websites. The 2003 Legal Deposit Libraries Act paved the way for such information to be stored but copyright laws had forced it to seek permission each time it wanted to collect web content.
The Bodleian Library, in Oxford, Cambridge University library, the National Library of Scotland, the National Library of Wales and Trinity College library in Dublin, like the British Library, which is acting on behalf of all, have the right to receive a copy of every UK electronic publication.
The trawl will include embedded audio and video material but the regulations do not cover other mediums such as YouTube or Spotify. The project will later seek to identify UK sites in the .org and .com domains.
Burgess said that it had taken over 300 years to collect 750m pages from printed newspapers, yet the aim now was to collect 1bn webpages in a year and then conduct regular sweeps in future. "It is about taking a snapshot. It is not for us to say what is of interest. Researchers will be the judges of that."
Roly Keating, chief executive of the British Library, said that there had been " a very real danger" of millions of web pages, e-publications and other non-print items "falling through the cracks of a system that was devised primarily to capture ink and paper".
While the 2003 act established the principle that legal deposit "needed to evolve to reflect the massive shift to digital forms of publishing", the regulations would make "digital legal deposit a reality, and ensure that the legal deposit libraries themselves are able to evolve – collecting, preserving and providing long-term access to the profusion of cultural and intellectual content appearing online or in other digital formats."
Access to the material will be offered in reading rooms at each of the six libraries.

Mr Bean in the Library

2013-02-03T14:40:00.001-08:00

The library for most of us Librarians has many funny moments.
So please enjoy this video clip!

Information Literacy

2013-02-01T12:55:00.001-08:00

The American Library Association defines information literacy as a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." ALA also states that "information literacy is a survival skill in the Information Age." "Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning."

What is information Literacy

2013-01-31T14:24:00.003-08:00

What is information Literacy Video

Information Literacy Video

2013-01-31T14:18:00.001-08:00

Information Literacy is very important in all libraries.

Advantages & Disadvantages of E-Resources

2012-03-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

Advantages of e-resources

Accessible – can be accessed from any computer on campus and usually any computer off campus, any time of the day or night, so there is no need to make a trip to the library
Easily searchable - each journal can be searched quick and easy often through the complete full text of articles and via online index
Speed - Articles/issues appear online before printed version is available
Interactive - Rapid turnaround time means articles can be read, commented by the readers, amended quickly and greater feedback thru the web
Links - Hypertext format should be exploited and links to related articles, information on other web sites, stable URLs for individual articles and email alerts when latest issue loaded.
Added Value - Advantages taken on the web is to add value by using animation, virtual reality and interactive mathematical charts.
Inexpensive - savings can be made over printing costs, distribution costs and extra costs by new features.
Flexibility - E-journals evolved quickly. They are not tied to a format, printer, and distribution network

Disadvantages of e-resources

Difficulty reading computer screens:
limitations of computer monitor
read information in the screen
Often not included in indexing and abstracting services
Search engines ignores PDF files
Format that a large proportion of e-journal use

Archiving

If archive is guaranteed, physical storage can be saved
Perishable citation - once online, if websites change URLs citations disappear
Authenticity - authors concerned about establishing the source, authority of material in general, convinced reader for their credibility

Promoting and Marketing Library Services

2012-02-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

As librarians we should be actively marketing and promoting our library services.

Introduction

Marketing is frequently viewed as a set of strategies and techniques that belong to administrators outside of librarianship. However as librarians we are all involved in the process of marketing. The definition of marketing is seen as the management process which identifies, anticipates and supplies customer requirements efficiently...''. Thus the essence of marketing involves finding out what the users want, then setting out to meet those needs. As librarians we all participate in this process of assessing our users needs and trying to fullfill them. Thus, we are already marketing our library information skills. However, in order to do this effectively librarians need to embrace the total marketing function involving market research and analysis, service planning and promotion.

Market Research

Market research involves the ``systematic gathering, recording and analyzing of data'' relating to the demand for a service or product . The parent organization needs to be analyzed in terms of funding sources, the contribution the library makes to the mission of the parent organization, resources available and the needs of the users. There are two basic functions of market research: Firstly To reduce the uncertainty of the decision-making process of marketing . Secondly, To monitor and control the performance of marketing activities.
The information gathered through market research will provide the basis for making marketing decisions.

Market Plan

In light of the information gathered from the market research the conclusions should be summarized and stated as the basis upon which the market plan is based. The market plan is the actual process which will establish the library's business goals and objectives and figure out how to achieve them. It can be described as an action most effective when the relevant activities are planned and coordinated. The marketing plan is the tool which will ensure that the library services and products are viewed in a focused and clear way.

Objectives and Strategies

Once users needs, future trends and resources available have been established the librarian is in a position to plan the marketing objectives, the resources to be used, the place and the time scale of the operation and the strategies required to achieve them. The process of setting aims and objectives will serve a number of purposes. It will provide a focused overview of the library service and give direction and guidance in achieving the objectives. If possible objectives should be quantifiable in order to ensure effective evaluation. Once objectives have been set the strategies necessary to achieve them can be planned. If any of the objectives change over time then the market plan will need to be updated.

Promotion

Essentially promotion is the means of informing your users what you do and what you can do. The benefits for those who promote their library services include: increased usage, increased value in the organization, education of users and changed perceptions.
The promotional plan emerges from the marketing plan. It is to do with how to achieve the objectives that have been forecast. It involves:

a description of the service requiring publicity;
description of the audience at which publicity is targeted;
details of the campaign method to be employed including type of publicity  to be used and method(s) of distribution;
execution of campaign;
analysis of campaign performance.

The setting of clear promotional objectives will also ensure that the success of the advertising campaign can be evaluated. From time to time it should be accepted that promotional activities have not met their objectives. At this point the marketing strategies need to be re-evaluated in the context of the feedback received.

The Medium

Promotional activities can take many forms and the promotional media will depend on the nature of the target audience and on promotional objectives.

Personal Skills

Your manner whether in person or on the telephone, will affect your users' rating of the library. You need to be professional and use quality procedures but you also need to smile and establish a personal relationship with as many of your users as possible. If you react positively to complaints, people will be encouraged to tell you about other things they would like changed. Instead of defending your position think about their suggestions. Make yourself highly visible, visit the staff room, memorize names, learn research interests of staff. Make a point of visiting staff rather than waiting for them to visit you. Establish the key players and the people who can and want to help.

E-Mail

Where a large proportion of the users are on e-mail it is an easy way of reaching them, quickly and cheaply. It can be targeted more precisely than most other methods and so is effective at reaching specific audiences. I have found that staff respond quicker to e-mails than any other medium. By maintaining up-to-date address lists different user groups can be targeted with different versions of the advertising `message'.
The Internet
The Internet has the power to improve the library's image and to allow the library to offer enhanced services. Although it takes time to set up and maintain services on the Internet, it can reap rewards in terms of user satisfaction and recognition. A Library Web home page serves as a promotional tool advertising in-house library services and electronic information resources on the web. The pages should include an e-mail link to the library making the librarian easy to contact.
Newsletters and Leaflets
Newsletters and leaflets are both a means of delivering information. A newsletter can be used to list interesting new web sites, new journals and online services, and perhaps more general science news of interest. It does not have to be long but should be produced on a regular basis. Leaflets and guides can be handed out, and displayed on notice boards. The library notice board should be in a prominent place.

The Message

Once you have decided upon the advertising medium you need to consider how to convey the message you want to get across. The wording and layout of the advertisement are critical.

The advertisement should be uncluttered with the text printed against a pale  or white background making it easier to read. White ``space'' is powerful.
Use good quality print.
Do not print texts in capitals as it is harder to read.
Use illustrations and pictures.
Keep the layout interesting, with bullet points, sub-headings and so on.
Use bold colours and catchy headlines and large print.
Express the service/product in terms of readers interests.
Use short sentences, short paragraphs, and avoid long words. Avoid jargon.
Give examples.
Look at other peoples advertisements and judge for yourself what is attention  grabbing.

A good advertisement attracts Attention, arouses Interest, creates Desire and stimulates Action, known as the A-I-D-A sequence.

Attention

You need to get a reader's attention. Within two seconds most readers give up and move on so your job is to grab their attention in those two seconds, and keep them reading. The most important thing about a headline is that it should emphasize the benefit of the service to the reader. The headlines job is to answer the reader's question ``what's in it for me?''

Interest

Once you have got the readers attention the next thing is to turn that attention into genuine interest. The first paragraph should encourage further reading. The advertisement should stress how the users will positively gain from the new service or product.

Desire

The next crucial ingredient in your advertisement is desire. As you have been writing the advertisement you should have been cultivating a desire in your reader to own the product or take advantage of your service. However, be honest and do not exaggerate. Continue expressing the service in terms of readers interest.

Action

The desire needs to be converted into action. Tell the reader what to do now that you have persuaded them to use the service - ``Phone this number'', ``Put date in your diary'', ``Act now''. Encourage action and involvement. The easier you make the process of contacting you the more likely they are to do so.

The time and cost involved in advertising needs to be considered. Whatever you do to promote your services will entail costs, even if it is only the cost of your time, therefore you need to make sure that you get full benefit for the cost incurred. It is also important to advertise at the right time and with the right frequency.

Conclusion

As librarians we should be actively marketing and promoting our library services. The basic aim of marketing is to know and understand our users in order that the library is able to satisfy those needs in an effective way. A marketing plan is an essential tool which will enable us to focus our efforts. The market plan should assess where you are now (market research), where you are going (objectives) and how you are going to get there (strategies).

Collection Development

2011-10-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

My blog about collection development is one of a series which gives a view of my own experiences. I see collection development as something entwined within the total organisation of a library, almost as if it feeds on all the other parts, acquisitions, user services, technical services, cataloguing, electronic systems, and so on and so forth.

In order to describe the Library as a growing organism, I have to introduce Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan (1892–1972) of India who was an inventor, educator, librarian, and a philosopher. His early education was of a mathematics background. Using this systematic way of thinking, he later applied this to his work in library science. His most notable work was on library classification and administration. He went England to study librarianship.

The Five Laws of Library Science are some of the most influential concepts in the field of library science. Since they were published in 1931, these five laws have remained a centerpiece of professional values...In fact, these basic theories of Library Science continue to directly affect the development of this discipline and the service of all libraries.

These laws are:
    1.    Books are for use.
    2.    Every reader his [or her] book.
    3.    Every book its reader.
    4.    Save the time of the reader.
    5.    The library is a growing organism.

At this point I would like to just concentrate on the 5th Law.

Fifth Law: The library is a growing organism

This law focused more on the need for internal change than on changes in the environment itself. Ranganathan argued that library organizations must accommodate growth in staff, the physical collection, and patron use. This involved allowing for growth in the physical building, reading areas, and shelving.

The Library Trinity

The library is sometimes described a trinity of books, users and staff. Books are of various types and formats generally known as a collection. Books are being published in an increasing number every year. Advances in information communication technology and the emergence of electronic resources have added a new dimension of digital books and other media to ever increasing number of books worldwide. Left to themselves, librarians would like to acquire as many books as they can while the users would like to have all the books of their interest in the library with which they are associated. Unfortunately, library budgets are very much limited regardless of the type of library - academic, public, or special library. At the same time other needs such as intranet computers, multi media services etc have to be met . The best way of facing these problems is to have a well written collection development policy.

Defining a Collection Development Policy

The American Library Association defines collection development policies (CDP) as 'documents which define the scope of a library's existing collections, plan for the continuing development of resources, identify collection strengths, and outline the relationship between selection philosophy and the institution's goals, general selection criteria, and intellectual freedom'.

The need for a Collection Development Policy

The primary purpose of a written collection development policy is to lay down guidelines for selecting materials for the collection of the library. It also describes steps on weeding (deselection), retention, preservation and archiving. It helps in identifying gaps in collections and providing orientation to new staff. It can help the library users what to expect from the library and what to recommend to be added to the collection. Collection development policy statement often focuses on the communication function: internally, with the users, staff, and administrators, and externally, with other libraries and institutions. Communication embraces a wide range of operations, including training, budgeting cooperative acquisitions, interaction with users, and shared services. The collection development plan is like business plan for a small business. It is like a road map which outlines the steps to be taken to accomplish the goals of the business. CD Policies act as a planning tool, a guide to selectors, ensuring consistency and a defence for challenges.

Writing a Collection Development Policy

Collection development policy may be written either for the entire library or to a specific subject such as petroleum, chemistry, economics, and business etc. The policy is usually drafted by a committee where as for a specific subject it is by the subject librarian concerned.

Elements of Collection Development Policy

The Guide for written collection policy statements by the American Library Association explicitly describes various items of information that are to be included in the policy statement. These elements are listed below . The below mentioned items are included in policy statement:
- Introduction to the policy statement
- General purpose
- Brief note about the library
- General subject boundaries
- Languages
- Geographical areas
- Types of materials collected
- Format of materials collected
- Special collections and manuscripts
- Other resources available
- Detailed subject areas
- Weeding and deselection

Conclusion

With the diminishing budgets and ever increasing prices of books and non-book material, there is every need for a sound collection development policy with periodic revisions.

Since a collection development policy is largely in the realm of theory . A CD policy's purpose is to lay down guidelines for selecting materials for the collection of the library . There is nothing more fundamental than laying the groundwork for how to spend your money and where you want your library to go.

Basically the CD policy is a guidelines for selecting make sense only if you know where the library is, not simply where it wants to go. And in order to figure that out you need to come up with current strengths and weaknesses, and with how the library's materials are used which is a formidable undertaking. However there is an argument in Librarianship that selection is primarily based on librarians' intuition and individual experience and so guidelines can never be objective.

Redifining the Special Library

2011-08-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

The corporate library I worked in was very non traditional because it was redefined from a place to access paper records or books to one that also housed the most advanced electronic resources, including the Internet, digital photo-library, and remote access to a wide range of information sources.

I often refer to my nigerian colleague who was of the old school but really he was a mine of library Knowledge and a mastermind of Library science. He always suggested that we should not be referred to just as special librarians per se, but now could be known as information professionals or knowledge managers.

Increasingly we have combined traditional duties with tasks involving new and emerging technologies. I mean how many times do you see that there is a need for an emerging technology Librarian.

As librarians, we help people find information and use it effectively for personal and professional purposes. We are bowls of knowledge of a wide variety of scholarly and public information sources and we follow trends related to publishing, computers, and the media in order to oversee the selection and organization of library materials. On the whole and as best as we can we manage staff and develop and direct information and literacy programs for all and ensure that information is organized in a manner that meets users’ needs.

As special librarian in a small library we worked in all areas, including user services, technical services, and administrative services.

At intervals we used surveys to analyze users’ needs to determine what information is appropriate and searching for, acquiring, and providing the information. As an information literacy expert I used my role to instruct, by showing users how to find information. Our role as librarians usually to help users navigate the Internet so they can search for and evaluate information efficiently. Special Librarians in technical services, such as acquisitions and cataloguing, acquire, prepare, and classify materials so that patrons can find it easily. Abstracts and summaries are now ready made and can even be found on the internet.

However, because we were jack of all trades... we worked as special Librarians in administrative services overseeing the management and planning of the library. We negotiated the contract for services, materials, and equipment. As much as possible we supervised library employees; performed public-relations, prepared budgets; and directed activities to ensure that everything functioned properly.

The Perfect Special Librarian

2011-07-29T16:09:00.000-07:00

Working in a corporate library my role was classed as a Special Librarian. To be classed as Special, my colleagues and I honed our personal competencies. To make sure of this we all had a commitment to Service Excellence.

We always managed to seek out performance feedback and used it as a source for continuous improvement. Many times we tried to conduct regular user surveys. Asking library users if they found what they were looking for. This meant we took pride in a job well done. I was always at the centre of sharing especially in terms of new knowledge with others at conferences and in the professional literature. We had an inclination to improve services.

Seeking out challenges and sees new opportunities both inside and outside the library. Sometimes I took on new roles in the organization that required an information leader. I was able to use library-based knowledge and skills to solve a variety of information problems in a wide range of settings, both for individuals or for organizations. We did not limit the library collection or the information search to traditional media such as books and journals, but we went on to use RSS feeds and internet based data subscriptions.

Even students learning about Librarianship will tell you that being a Librarian is seeing the Bigger Picture. Information-seeking and use is part of the creative process for individuals and for organizations. I perceived the library and its information services as part of the bigger process of making informed decisions. I was able to give the highest priority to urgent demands that are critical to the organization's competitive advantage. i fought to monitors major business trends and world events. I saw and anticipated trends and pro-actively realigned library and information services to take advantage of them.

We took advantage partnerships and alliances, whenever we could. As long as we were able to find alliances with management information systems (MIS) professionals to optimize complementary knowledge and skills. We communicated with other libraries or information services inside or outside the organization to optimize resource sharing. We communicated with database vendors and other information providers to improve products and services.

We managed to create an environment of mutual respect and trust. Without even saying we treated all users with respect. We made sure we always delivered on time and on target and expected others to do the same. I created a problem-solving environment in which everyone's contribution is valued and acknowledged.

Effective Communication Skills were a must. We managed to runs meetings effectively. We also presented ideas clearly and enthusiastically. With my background in communications I was able to write clear and understandable text.   In all of this I was a team player. I always tried to seek out opportunities for team participation. The Leadership role was played to a Tee. I was able to acknowledge the contribution of all members of the team.

While Planning, prioritizing and focusing on what is critical, I recognized that in order to use resources most effectively, ongoing, careful planning is required. I developed an approach to planning and time management that incorporates personal and professional goals. I reviewed goals on a regular basis, prioritized them and made sure that an appropriate proportions of daily activities are related to the most critical personal and professional goals. i also mentored others to do the same.

As all Librarians I am and always will be committed to lifelong learning and personal career planning. I have always been committed to a career that involves ongoing learning and knowledge development. I was able to take on a personal responsibility for long-term career planning and saw opportunities for learning and enrichment. I advocated an approach that encouraged and supported ongoing knowledge development and that valued the contribution of people. I always maintained a strong sense of self-worth based on the achievement of a balanced set of evolving personal and professional goals.

As a special Librarian I used my personal business skills and created new opportunities. I recognized that, in the changing world of work, entrepreneurship and the ability to function as a small business professional are essential skills. I saw opportunities to develop these skills. I used the entrepreneurial spirit in the organizational environment to revitalize products and services. I also realised the value of professional networking and solidarity. I used these opportunities to share knowledge and skills, to bench mark against other information service providers and to form partnerships and alliances. I recognized the need for a forum where information professionals can communicate with each other and speak with one voice on important information policy issues.

I tried to be flexible and positive in times of continuing change. It is at this point that I took the wheel and I tried to take on different responsibilities at different points in time and to respond to changing needs. I tried to maintain a positive attitude and helped others to do the same. I instantly looked for solutions. A librarian is not a librarian until he/she helps others to develop their new ideas by providing appropriate information. As the Ideas person I am still always on the lookout for new ideas. I was able to see and use or embrace technology as an enabler of new information ideas, products and services.

In fact you can say a Perfect Special Librarian has all these skills and personal competencies. But who am I to blow my own trumpet? So with all these competencies, where is the margin for error, indeed what can go wrong in a perfect world?

Paying for Overdue Library Materials

2011-07-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

One of the problems any Library has is dealing with Overdue materials, these can be audiotapes, CD Roms, Videotapes, DVD's, Books and Journals.

I remember that when our Library system was first automated the biggest glory was sending overdue notices to all the patrons who had material for several years. The whole point was to remind them to bring the items back to the Library. We did not even issue a fine. It was quite simple. However it seemed to cause a third world war. Which apparently never stopped as it seemed to lie dormant and then when the exercise was revived, again the overdue notices seemed to hit a nerve. It seems many people do not like to be reminded that they have forgotten library materials at home, wether it is just for a month or several years!!!

In a corporate business library most of the staff are in higher management positions so written reminders are not always welcome.

I have always thought that a nominal fee would have been a deterrent for constant overdues. As most people hare to part with their money.

The article i have posted below, shows creative ways of paying overdue Library fines.

Although the article below that goes a bit too far by arresting patrons who have overdue materials.

Some material I read over the internet describe how overdues should be given the death sentence. A bit harsh don't you think?

Creative Ways to Pay Fines for Overdue Library Books

2011-07-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

There are many creative ways for patrons to pay for overdue books.

Overdue Library Books: Borrowers Arrested for Failing to Return Overdue Books, DVDs - ABC News

2011-07-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Overdue Library Books: Borrowers Arrested for Failing to Return Overdue Books, DVDs - ABC News

Your Life Work

2011-07-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

A world awaits you ...when you choose a Library Career.

Challenges of the 21st Century Librarian

2011-07-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

I was asked recently about the challenges of a 21st Century Librarian. So i answered, so many challenges and so little time.

The Ability to embrace change: Technology is forever changing and we should embrace it as our best friend. After all Librarians are the nest techno- guineas, and also chance is good as it is a part of development.
Online Mediums:
Librarians need to do so much online these days, way beyond basic catalog and database searching (which sure isn’t easy either). Librarians have to be able to use search engines and use them well. They need to be able to find quality online resources. They need to help patrons set up e-mail and teach basic Internet skills. They need to be able to troubleshoot problems users are having accessing online library resources, at least to the extent where they can figure out if the problem is on the library’s side or the user’s side. Reference librarians are often providing reference services online via e-mail and synchronous chat. More important than knowing specific tools is a general comfort in the online medium. You just can’t provide reference services without basic Internet and search skills.
We should have the ability to easily learn new technologies: Troubleshooting paper jams in scanners or printers is part of Library services. Learning about technology is definitely a skill. People need to learn how to learn about new technologies to help our patrons.

Ability to keep up with new ideas in technology and librarianship (enthusiasm for learning): Keeping up with new technology is often not an explicitly listed part of one’s basic weekly job duties, but its importance can’t be stressed enough. A few years ago, few people were talking about blogs and IM in libraries, but now so many libraries are using these tools to provide services to patrons. We need to be able to keep up with what’s new in technology and what libraries are (or could be) doing with it.We need to keep up with reading professional literature, browsing blogs, or attending a Webcast.
Continuous learning has to be a part of a Librarian's life because it is how to develop skills for learning new technologies and how to develop a strategy for troublshooting technologies.

Project management skills: The ability to implement the technology, determine which tool(s) to use, train staff, market the service,The importance of being able to delegate tasks to colleagues and to get people to work as a team. Also we need to be able to talk to and work with people from different areas (IT, faculty, community members). People need to be able to take a project from an idea to the finishing touches (training, marketing, and ensuring sustainability).

Ability to question and evaluate library services: Questioning how and why the changes will affect the patron is a very important skill.

Ability to envisage change Librarians need to understand how any changes in the way the library provides services will affect all . Sometimes we focus on the needs of one group and ignore the fact that the changes that will benefit one group will not benefit another. With any change, librarians should discuss about how it will affect each of department . Not only patrons but staff, IT, and administrators. If you implement a project that library staff don’t support, the likelihood of success is poor.

Vision to translate traditional library services into the online medium: With the growth of the distance learning and the fact that so many patrons access the library from the Internet, it’s important that librarians can translate traditional library services into the online medium. This includes readers’ advisory, reference, and instruction services. How can we provide equivalent services to people who only access the library from online? Librarians need to know how to capitalize on the technologies out there (HTML, blogs, wikis, IM, etc.) to provide these services online to their patrons.

Critical of technologies and ability to compare technologies:We need to be able to compare different versions of the same type of software to figure out which will best meet our patrons’ needs. We also need a sense of pragmatism about technology. We need to avoid technolust. We shouldn’t just implement wikis because wikis are cool and we really want to use them. There is nothing magical about the technologies; it’s how we use them that matters. Technology should always fill a need and we should think realistically about what technologies are actually needed in our libraries.

Ability to sell ideas/library services: We need serious marketing skills and salesmanship to be a librarian. When I have an idea, it often has to be “sold” to administrators, IT, faculty, colleagues, and students. Once we implement a service for patrons, we need to market it to them so that people will actually use the service. Using and planning differnet strategies to market the reference desk and specifically IM reference. I personally like to sell “information literacy” to all. and I’m definitely learning what works and what doesn’t. It is perhaps a part of the sales and marketing area, which is not covered at Uni.

Libraries are a necessity

2011-06-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

Libraries are portals to all of the world’s knowledge. Librarians make sure that knowledge continues to be recorded and saved for the future, even as information-storage devices and formats change.

The information kept in libraries helps everyday people start their own small businesses, which helps grow the economy.

Some of the world’s smartest and richest people (such as Andrew Carnegie and Bill Gates) poured their time and money into Libraries.

Librarians are trained to do high-level research, which supports scientists, doctors, lawyers, professors, writers, government officials, and other important professionals every single day.

Without the aide of librarians, all of these people would be making decisions without having all of the relevant knowledge they need on their topics.

Libraries are economically efficient. Their model of sharing allows them to serve many people with few resources. And they often join to create consortia in order to buy hardware, software, and information at lower group prices. Libraries often have exceptionally high rates of Return on Investment; some have been measured at more than 600% ROI. This means that librarians are excellent stewards of public monies; they use their budgets carefully and get the most value out of every dollar. Contrast this to the way many corporations waste money.

Many public libraries offer online services that they subscribe to in order to support students’ learning.

Librarians have always been major defenders of intellectual freedom, long before most people even knew what it was. This means that they are watchdogs on topics like free speech, copyright, privacy, and the right to know what governments and corporations are doing. They and their associations lobby for these rights and fight alongside other citizens to preserve them.

Librarians have actually saved lives by providing information to doctors who were dealing with difficult cases.

Only a tiny fraction of the world’s information is available for free on the internet. But all of it is available through libraries.

Libraries stop wars, and build countries. They form the basis of the economy. They build the foundation of what is good and right for society. They are holders national treasure, the power and the knowledge of Intellect and what is right in our life. They are beacons for all kinds of information.

Librarians are the original, and the best, search engines.

Libraries have always been “green,” because they purchase a limited number of items that many people can share. For instance, people can borrow DVDs, magazines, and books rather than every person having to buy his or her own copy. Likewise, people can use shared computers, photocopiers, fax machines, and even meeting rooms.

Libraries serve a vital social service by helping bridge the gap between the haves and the have nots, especially when it comes to literacy and computer skills training.

Libraries offer services and products that level intellect. That means that they allow people of any income level or background to access high-quality information, to use computers, or to borrow what they want. The existence of libraries ensures that knowledge and technology are available to everyone, not just to those who can afford their own. This is more than charity work; this helps raise the education levels of society as a whole.

Studies have shown that the presence of libraries is good for towns and cities; people find more value in areas that have libraries nearby.

Libraries have been around for 5,000 years. If they were not essential institutions, they would have died out long ago.

Libraries change lives.

Libraries are spaces where people of all ages can practice lifelong learning.

Some say that the internet and e-books have taken over libraries, but that is still a debatable topic.

Have a passion for your work

2011-06-22T03:31:00.000-07:00

The first idea of becoming a Librarian came to my mind while i was at school, unfortunately my sister's friend had an idea to study Librarianship and she was the most brilliant girl at school. So that in a way put my idea a notch down then came the news that the University was asking for extremely high grades. How could i go there? I asked myself.It was in fact the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Imagine that years later I would goto that very same place to study for my Masters in Library and Information Studies.

I guess that it is only things that dreams are made of, because after that my career took a different path.

Often when you are young you wonder what you really want to do with your career. What is that you want to spend years studying and then put that into practice. As all of us at that age have stars in our eyes. Our interests are social and whom you meet and talk with will probably influence you for the rest of your life.

My life turned from a love of books to a love of film. Both are a form of Communication. But I guess one is static whilst the other is in motion.

Books are only static visually, once opened, they become to the reader a treasure trove of rare and unimaginable wealth and precious knowledge. I had the idea that if i was able to make films somehow i could change the world. Most film-makers want to do this by the way. They are film-makers by day but philosophers by night. They are closeted philanthropists who want to use their art to do good for society.

So off i went to study Communication Studies - Media Degree in my favourite part of the world...Wales. of course it rained everyday but a little bit of rain never dettered me becuase I had grown up in a Lincolnshire steel town, where the grey clouds hung over you persistently gloomily.

Once you step into the world of work, it seems there is no control about how or where you will work. Suddenly others have complete control. Within a couple of years I had found my self working in a Library. Much as I loved books It was a whole new ballgame.

But in stepped my Fairy Godmother in the way of a Nigearian colleague who wispered open sesame and again i had stepped into a magical room of books and knowledge and finding things. Everyday was a fantastic magical day finding information, knowledge.

Being a librarian is like being on a treasure hunt every day. You never know what you’ll be working on from day to day and hour to hour. I enjoyed the fast past nature (switching from topic to topic), as well as constantly learning. I picked up information for fun as it was like helping people–I was learning.

Now I see the role as an Educator. My perspective has shifted over the years from being “just a librarian” who helps find information to being a teacher. I routinely teach people how to interact with information (e.g. how to search for information, how to find it, how to legally and ethically use it, how to produce it). I try to teach concepts that will last a life time, but address the immediate information needs of individuals at the same time.

As time went on I realised that I had a passion for finding information. For teaching Information Literacy.

Having a profession that you love is a challenge, and if you love it with a passion it will in turn give you its due returns. I promise you!

Watch out...funny...but could this be true?

2011-06-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

CIA facebook programme

Digitizing an Image Collection

2011-06-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

There are many pros to digitizing an Image collection. The main advantage is that you centralize a collection and instead of having hard copies of negatives and greying photos of different sizes. You can have all pictures on a CD or hard disk or server. And the requester or researcher can have the pictures within minutes of requesting their need for pictures.

However, one of the cons of digitization is which Electronic conversion management system will you decide to put all the pictures on.

Who will do all the conversion?
How you will convert all the images?
What criteria will you use to define the duplicate singularization?
Who will index and catalogue the collection?
An additional problem is how the original images came to you in the first place, were they already indexed, catalogued, tagged, and described/captioned in full?

If indeed you are able to answer the above mentioned questions, then you are ready to embark on your digitization project.

Digitizing Images is a Librarian's electronic archiving project, the most successful part is being able to retrieve the images after scanning and storage.

The Straight Librarian can also be insuting....

2011-06-12T05:22:00.000-07:00

Ewwww.... Librarians can be a little too blunt as this video shows.

Star Trek...a Librarians job is definetly more challenging

2011-06-12T04:13:00.000-07:00

Librarians job is more challenging... I love this and I am sure all librarians will also.

Funny Library

2011-06-08T03:43:00.001-07:00

It is truly not funny when the library you are working in is a busy library and there is a constant stream of people with nothing better to do, and no where else to go.

Our library does have a stimulating environment though, especially as there is free coffee, but there is no de-caff.

No weeding has been done for 20 years so it has an extensive collection. Maintaining the archives means that several hundred boxes of old papers need filing.

Recently however we advertised a post in the library and we found that a challenging position meant that no one usually stays more than 12 months.

We decided that the new candidate should have appropriate qualifications, though at the end of the day that won't be considered in our decision - we just go on gut feeling here.

They will have various library duties, but because there is insufficient staff, they will have to do the job of 3 people.

The clientele is sometimes difficult, so new staff have to focus on people oriented services. New staff should be team orientated. All decisions are made by the supervisor; and are not open to discussion, amendment or review.

We wanted someone to be well organised because things are so chaotic here, someone has to sort out all the mess. Even though everyone has the ability to communicate, it does seem that staff are at each others throat.

A candidate should provide 3 referees including current employer, because we know your current employer will be so annoyed at your leaving, they will give us a complete run-down of all your shortcomings.