Thursday, October 13, 2005
Tales from the Front Desk
The story goes that a reference librarian was working at a university when a student requested information about “Gee Suits.” The librarian didn’t know what this was… Was it some kind of clothing? Upon asking a few questions, it became clear that the student didn’t really know what it was either, only that it had something to do with religion.
The librarian racked his brain, and then finally came up with a solution. He asked the student to write down what he was looking for. The student wrote and handed the piece of paper over. It read, “Jesuits.”
<*<*<*<>*>*>* >
LIBRARIANS: the books, the fame, the fortune… What more could you want? (Maybe more books.)
The librarian racked his brain, and then finally came up with a solution. He asked the student to write down what he was looking for. The student wrote and handed the piece of paper over. It read, “Jesuits.”
<*<*<*<>*>*>* >
LIBRARIANS: the books, the fame, the fortune… What more could you want? (Maybe more books.)
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Professional Organizations
Topic: Professional associations are voluntary and take time away from one’s regular job, are expensive, and require travel to meetings. Considering all of this, why do people join professional associations and seek leadership positions?
I think professional organizations have a great deal going for them. They offer workshops and seminars so that an individual can continue to learn the latest information about their chosen field. Conventions offer the opportunity to get to know your fellow professionals in a different setting. (I love conventions! They are such fun and interesting and they are often in interesting places.) The magazines that some organizations offer, such as the Association of College and Research Libraries’ CRL News magazine, keep their members up-to-date on the latest information as well as offering a place for publication.
The only aspect of a professional organization that I don’t understand would be an individual’s desire to work their way up the ladder of leadership positions. Not being ambitious myself, I would not desire such a political move. But I am sure that many people believe that for an organization to remain “fresh”, new ideas have to be injected into the organization on a regular basis. If the people at the top are getting old and stale, then someone with new ideas will want to take their place.
Despite my reluctance to be involved in the leadership of a professional organization, I think they are great things to join in order to help in your professional career. I myself became a member of the ALA (at student rates) so I might have the opportunity to apply for scholarships. Professional organization offer so much for people at all stages of their careers.
I think professional organizations have a great deal going for them. They offer workshops and seminars so that an individual can continue to learn the latest information about their chosen field. Conventions offer the opportunity to get to know your fellow professionals in a different setting. (I love conventions! They are such fun and interesting and they are often in interesting places.) The magazines that some organizations offer, such as the Association of College and Research Libraries’ CRL News magazine, keep their members up-to-date on the latest information as well as offering a place for publication.
The only aspect of a professional organization that I don’t understand would be an individual’s desire to work their way up the ladder of leadership positions. Not being ambitious myself, I would not desire such a political move. But I am sure that many people believe that for an organization to remain “fresh”, new ideas have to be injected into the organization on a regular basis. If the people at the top are getting old and stale, then someone with new ideas will want to take their place.
Despite my reluctance to be involved in the leadership of a professional organization, I think they are great things to join in order to help in your professional career. I myself became a member of the ALA (at student rates) so I might have the opportunity to apply for scholarships. Professional organization offer so much for people at all stages of their careers.
Library ethics
I had to read a bunch of Codes of Ethics from various professional organization in the library and information fields. Then I had to formulate an opinion:
The statements of codes and ethics from library and other professional organizations show the basic desire of these groups to “do good,” or at least, “do no harm.” To the professional, this is a call to action. This says to me, as a librarian, that I have a duty to the public to provide them with information. With these rules the public will also know that we are doing our best to provide them with the best service. I particularly appreciate the fact that they are revised on a regular basis to keep current.
The flaw in these documents is that the idea of “Moral” and “good” can be subjective. Even hate-filled books are included in library collections, if only to show the moral and social climate of certain time periods. Therefore, who is to say what is good for the public or not?
Some of them (particularly the ACM code of ethics) read a bit like religious dogma. But, I can see that their intent is to be as clear as possible. These documents are not all bad since they do provide the professional with an outline to follow and provide the public with an idea of what they can hope to expect.
The statements of codes and ethics from library and other professional organizations show the basic desire of these groups to “do good,” or at least, “do no harm.” To the professional, this is a call to action. This says to me, as a librarian, that I have a duty to the public to provide them with information. With these rules the public will also know that we are doing our best to provide them with the best service. I particularly appreciate the fact that they are revised on a regular basis to keep current.
The flaw in these documents is that the idea of “Moral” and “good” can be subjective. Even hate-filled books are included in library collections, if only to show the moral and social climate of certain time periods. Therefore, who is to say what is good for the public or not?
Some of them (particularly the ACM code of ethics) read a bit like religious dogma. But, I can see that their intent is to be as clear as possible. These documents are not all bad since they do provide the professional with an outline to follow and provide the public with an idea of what they can hope to expect.
Enthusiasm
This story is based on the story in, "Commercial Online Tough Sell," by Barbara Quint. Can be found at: http://stats.acc.nccu.edu/dstuhlman/Quint_Commercial.txt This discussion question is not based on the article.
================================================
The librarian of a small community college in a community with a high education level described her extended negotiations with a major database vendor. Deciding on the vendor was relatively easy. The complexities arose when she wanted to add access to the library's Web site. At first the vendor wanted to charge her for each and every student within the city limits. Gradually they negotiated down to students and parents in the school. The salesperson's boss refused to sign the deal. Finally, the director threatened to go to a competitor. In the end the library paid about $2000 for the rights to offer access over the library's Web site.
With unlimited subscription pricing for the library and around-the-clock Web access for the students in place, the director went to market the ideas and product to the teachers, students, and staff. Stories were placed in the school newsletter and local newspapers. The director visited classrooms. She designed and had printed promotional book marks. She mounted a banner across the top of the main entrance to the library.
This all resulted in 43 search requests in the first month and 40 in the second.
========================
Doloho says:
In the story, the librarian’s enthusiasm and excellent marketing skills were her greatest weapons. In the future, she may even drum up enough support and usage to validate her work. However, she didn’t investigate whether or not the database was needed in her community. Even though there is a “high education level” in her community, maybe the resources that the database offered were available in the libraries (public and university.)
She should first find out what her community’s libraries are lacking then put her considerable enthusiasm behind that.
================================================
The librarian of a small community college in a community with a high education level described her extended negotiations with a major database vendor. Deciding on the vendor was relatively easy. The complexities arose when she wanted to add access to the library's Web site. At first the vendor wanted to charge her for each and every student within the city limits. Gradually they negotiated down to students and parents in the school. The salesperson's boss refused to sign the deal. Finally, the director threatened to go to a competitor. In the end the library paid about $2000 for the rights to offer access over the library's Web site.
With unlimited subscription pricing for the library and around-the-clock Web access for the students in place, the director went to market the ideas and product to the teachers, students, and staff. Stories were placed in the school newsletter and local newspapers. The director visited classrooms. She designed and had printed promotional book marks. She mounted a banner across the top of the main entrance to the library.
This all resulted in 43 search requests in the first month and 40 in the second.
========================
Doloho says:
In the story, the librarian’s enthusiasm and excellent marketing skills were her greatest weapons. In the future, she may even drum up enough support and usage to validate her work. However, she didn’t investigate whether or not the database was needed in her community. Even though there is a “high education level” in her community, maybe the resources that the database offered were available in the libraries (public and university.)
She should first find out what her community’s libraries are lacking then put her considerable enthusiasm behind that.
