The last week of library school

Yes, that’s right.  I’ve finally made it.  This was a longer road than I had anticipated but it was worth it just the same.  I learned much more than I ever thought there was to librarianship.  It’s not just putting books on a shelf it’s customer service, accounting, managing, training, cataloguing, researching and being technologically savvy.  You have to know patrons, staff, leaders, collection, resources, policies, databases, procedures, laws, communities, schools, etc. etc.  That book you check out at the library was chosen for you and is available to you because of a librarian who worked hard to research it’s value, gather funds for it, catalogue it, get that book into the collection, and send it off to whatever library branch you chose.  I’m glad that I learned so much and know there’s a lot more I need to know once I step into the library as an employee.  I also was inducted into the Epsilon Omega Epsilon honor society last week, which is something I never thought possible. 

I’m finishing up my final Personal Management Theory paper which is “In some ways this paper is the scholarly culmination of your diary” that we’ve kept all through the term regarding our readings and personal experiences or initial reactions.  Therefore, with the diary already worked through and the outline finished, this was much easier than I thought because there was a lot of re-using quotes and references and merely restating my reasons for including it in my theory (or definition as we called it in the diary) of Library Management.

Anyway, I’ve just submitted my final paper now and I don’t see any other assignments I need to turn in.  I think I’m done.  My final grades will post on May 19th and then I’ll be official.

With that said, I’m not sure how much I can keep this blog up these days.  I’ll keep applying for jobs and posting any new, interesting developments I run across (or find a completely new way to use the site) but, sad as it is to admit, I think my “grad school blog days” are coming to an end.  For now at least.

I’ll post my regular goings on at The Tales of Missus P. instead.  Thanks for everyone who’s helped me out thus far on my endeavours in librarianship.  I’ll be in touch!

Catching up on library school

I’ve been on Spring Break the week before last, then last week marked our mid-point in my Library Management course. (Yes, it does seem like longer).  I’m the discussion board moderator for these two weeks about Managing People.  Reading from Herbert A. Simon’s book Administrative Behavior I inserted this quote:

"The major problems of organization today are not problems of departmentalization and coordination of operating units.  Instead, they are problems of organizing information storage and information processing -- not division of labor, but factorization of decision-making.These organizational problems are best attacks, at least to a first approximation, by examining the information system and the system of decision it supports in abstraction from agency and department structure" (p. 248-9).

My questions posed are:  What issues have you witnessed or heard of regarding problems in communication?  What could have been done to solve the problem better?  As a manager, how would you have dealt with the communication in the (library or other) organization?

I’ve found some pretty interesting comments.  I figured that was going to be a hot topic for many people.  There are public and school librarians who say that there are issues within the departments that aren’t expressed to other departments or that instructions aren’t clear and concise. 

Aside from my discussion board moderation, we have a Stakeholders Analysis project for the Dallas Public Library.  I’ll be taking on the local colleges and the City of Dallas itself for my part of the project.  We’ll get the first draft done by April 11th, then the final draft done by the 27th.  Aside from that I’ll have to do my final Reflective Diary for weeks 5-10, plus outline and complete my Personal Theory of Management paper.  That’s a lot of work to turn in by May 4th but I’ll be glad to have it under my belt.

Right now I’m still leaning toward the idea that I won’t be joining up for another online program anytime soon.  Granted I’m not working (still) and I have time to do it, I’m just burned out.  I’d like to do something in Education, but then again I’m not sure.  I think it’s best to just enjoy the Spring, look for work, get back to writing (and blogging) and try to get into a program later on when I can be in a face-to-face setting for a higher degree.  Or, better yet, if my workplace would pay for it!  I was looking through tons of online programs and then after moving and getting settled, I decided that more time in my real life was more important.  Granted I feel more enlightened and accomplished when I’m learning in a class but I can always do some online Webinars or courses through the ALA or YALSA. 

Married life is just way too good to worry about homework! (And you can quote me on that.)  With that said, I’ve got to get back to my cooking…

The Portfolio!

Now that I've dropped my Librarians as Instructional Partners class, I've been able to concentrate on my Portfolio. This is my Final Exam that includes my resume, five-year plan on how I'll benefit the community in a new job, a list of how I'll accomplish those goals, and academic papers proving I have the necessary skills needed to accomplish those goals. There was a lot of tweaking involved and working with my academic advisor whom I just happened to ask how I submit an online portfolio. She gave a lot more pointers than the basic outline gave so now I should have a pretty decent Portfolio all together. Before I submit it I'll have to add a paragraph indicating why I chose the academic papers I chose.

In other library news, I'm the proud owner of cards for both my local library and the big City Library. I'm still super impressed with their self-service machines. Having a cafe around is awesome too. Yesterday I was able to walk to the library with Steve, then go on to the park with my books and read Wuthering Heights over coffee. Not a bad way to start the week.

I also applied for a library job in a town near here. I'm not sure how many positions are available or how many people will be applying for them but I really hope I get that job. It would be part-time, a bus ride away, and something within my perspective career. I have my fingers crossed big time for this.

May can’t come soon enough

Wow.  It’s almost March and I have so much going on with these classes.  Not only do I have the two classes to work on, but I also have to get my portfolio finished as my final exam for the program.  My first attempt at it is the 9th.  For my classes, the Library Management one is doing fine.  I finished the first group of Reflection Diary entries and have our group getting organized (this teacher did like many and got our group put together for us already.)  My Librarians as Instructional Partners is another story.

So we have one group of High School Librarians together.  We had to get a trio, but then another girl needed into the group.  I said it was okay and get her set up for our group wiki, then the other two members pointed out that the professor may not want us to have four members.  So off I went to contact the professor about that. (How did this become my responsibility to begin with?)  While that was all going on, about six of us in the class were getting emails from the professor saying that we still hadn’t posted our partners for yet another project.  Sheesh.  So one girl from my High School Librarian group said she’d partner with me after I already told another girl in my class whom I’ve not worked with yet, that she could be my partner.  Of course, it ended up being my responsibility to contact the professor, see if we could have the same partner for more than one project.  There was major back and forth emailing with me and the two girls, plus these emails from the professor threatening that we need to post our partners or she would have to do it for us.  After we all sufficiently had chaos, I got the final email from the professor that we needed different partners for each group, and I confirmed that everything was go for the other girls in the class.

Yes, it’s confusing.  Yes, it’s a major pain.  I’m not the only one in the class who is making comments like “this is ridiculous”.  I even told the professor that I’d picked my partner and “a lot of us have been emailing back and forth trying to get this figured out. You can understand how getting organized for two partner projects at a time can get a bit confusing.”  The professor said before that she loves suggestions for improvement and there’s mine.  We’re confused and there’s too much going on.

But no matter.  I got into the Epsilon Omega Epsilon honour society.  I paid my $30 membership dues so I have this to put on my resume.  I wonder if it will mention that on my diploma. 

I’m still awaiting word from the library system if there are any volunteer positions open at any local branches.  I think my not being able to get into the school system here is just the reason I’ll need to get experience in the public library.  I was going to inquire about volunteering at the Children’s Book Museum but they wanted a whole police background check and then I could enquire with the museum.  As Steve said “there’s always one more thing that needs done before getting anything sorted.”  How true.  Nothing can ever be straightforward.  Granted, I understand the need for a police background check but I’d rather use my time on the library and getting a background check for them if they need it.

On to Week 5

My first big assignment for Library Management will be on Monday.  I have to finish up my Reflective Diaries for Weeks 2-4.  So far everything in that class is going pretty well as far as I can see.  I’m getting my weekly discussions posted and I’m in a group where I don’t have to be a leader.

My other class, Librarians as Instructional Partners, is still dragging on as usual.  This week, my partner did all the work in one day in our Wiki, then when I typed up the paper, he submitted it online instead of keeping it in MLA format in a Word document.  This meant that the teacher could only see our online discussion and she “could only assume” that I didn’t do any work.  Very nice.  But I’m not going to worry about that class anymore.  Already I’ve received only 109 points out of 145 after only 4 assignments.  I’ve never had this kind of nit-picky rubric for every single thing we do.  It’s really over the top and I just don’t have the patience at this point to hear how I didn’t do this and didn’t do that.  I understand teacher’s wanting to have high expectations but this is ridiculous!

I’m almost to the finish line though.  I’ll take whatever grade the teacher wants to give me in the end, get my A or B in Library Management, grab my degree and run.

However, since I can’t work at a school anytime soon and library jobs are scarce, I’m wondering if this blog will be able to serve much purpose in the near future.  I may volunteer at the local library as I had mused about a while ago.  I will be getting a job in some capacity soon enough, I’m just not sure it’s going to be in any kind of library field.  We’ll see. 

I don’t think I want to bother with getting another degree right away after this term is over.  I just don’t like homework cutting into my quality at home now that I’m here with Steve.  Maybe after I’m all settled and can go to school like a normal person (in actual classrooms), I can get my English Literature degree as I had planned in 2003.  But that’s all in the distant future.  Right now I have a Master’s of Library Science to get finished!

Going on Week 3

I found out today that since I’ve just arrived in the UK and only under a Visa, I can’t take my teacher training courses with “home” status tuition. I’d be shelling out $18k for two terms just to undergo training that will do nothing more than get me a teaching license in England.  Not worth it.  Ignorance was bliss for a while and I had this grand master plan how I’d work in the summer, then go back to school in the Fall.  Now I’m just going to have to work and keep on looking for a school online in the States to keep up my credentials until we get back.  Until then I’ll just have to try and find some kind of job without the Qualified Teacher Status here; teacher’s aide if they’ll let me.  I can always go to a temp agency or the Job Centre and find something non school related if the system won’t have me.

I’m now torn between the idea of getting an Learning and Technology degree from WGU (as the information states, this is for school media specialists) or the Ed Specialist program at Liberty University.

It’s mildly disappointing but it’s fine in the fact that I don’t have to try and force any kind of plans on myself.  Usually I’m full of organization and plans but now, heck, I can’t make any because I don’t know what’s around the corner.  I’m just enjoying being here with Steve and seeing what life, school and career offer me next.

So I have Librarians as Instructional Partners and Library Management as my courses this term.  So far I’m a bit disappointed with my “fun” class of the Instructional Partners class.  School Librarian classes before were cool.  This one is full of wikis with information all over the place instead of just in the main class webpage.  Then we have a ton of (groan) partner work.  (I should have known.)  But since it’s my last term, the class is paid for and it’s technically an elective, I’ll grin and bear it.  The Library Management class is my main focus so I have to get an A in that and grab that degree in May.  Hooray! Anyway, I did a few things for my class that I wanted to post.

Librarians as Instructional Partners Online Discussion

First, my Librarians as Instructional Partners class required me to make a short video of myself as a portrait of what kind of collaborator I am based on a couple of (not really accurate I don’t think) personality tests. 

My Jung Typology test says that I am an INFJ: Introverted 11%, Intuitive 25%, Feeling 38% and Judging 67%. I really don’t feel that is my personality at all, however. I find the term “judging” to sound harsh rather and assessing, carefully thinking through, planning and organizing, which is what I do. Hartzell Needs Assessment indicates a balance of needs for achievement, power and affirmation. I had four questions that I answered with a 1 or 2 on each section.

http://animoto.com/play/WLtn5kUsQFBJwj3lzjNvYg#

Secondly, today I had to post my reason for wanting to be a school librarian and, thus, collaborator with school teachers:

I love books and I love being important

It sounds silly but it’s true. I love the idea of being a go-to person of importance. I’ve been an English teacher. I’ve had librarians who are very helpful, on top of their game, and always willing to help. That’s the kind of librarian a teacher needs as a collaborator and as a kind of support system. I will say though, sadly, I’ve run into school librarians who weren’t as helpful when I needed interviews or help on assignments in my other classes. I want to do the best I can, learn as much as I can, and play a major role in the function of my future school. I love the idea of being the one whom people come to for help whether they are students or teachers. I know that principals rely a lot of the librarians for teacher training in new technologies or resources. The school librarian is an essential part of the school. My love for learning, literature and, let’s face it, books, is why I want to be a classroom-library collaborator.

A new term, a new start

Last week my final library science classes at TWU started.  Coincidentally or not I was travelling last week as well.  So today, from my new home office in my flat in England, with a view of the back garden, I am catching up on my first assignments.

This term I have Librarians as Instructional Partners as well as Library Management.  So far I’ve done my introductions and read an article, printed the syllabi and started writing in assignment dates in my day-planner.  It looks like I’ll have my hands full with assignments and projects, but that’s fine.  I’m enjoying the spoils of being a housewife now so I can spend my days, like today, doing the laundry and tackling homework. 

As far as the quest for an online Master’s in Ed program, I found out that I really don’t need it.  My MLS degree courses will suffice for renewing my Florida Professional Certificate so I’ve already sent in the fax to have those transcripts sent in to Tallahassee (where the FLDOE is) in May once the term is over.  After that, if we come back to Florida, all I need to do is take a Media Specialist test and I can be certified for that as well.  At this rate, I’ll have a lot of tools under my belt.  I’ll still go to Durham in February to do the interview for my UK teacher training courses (see if they’ll let me in).  I now can sort of lean back and see what, if any, classes I want to take over Summer.  I’m thinking I’d enjoy the MEd in Reading programs better than the Curriculum and Development ones.  (Still not sure what the C&I programs do for anyone either but I did hear a couple comments on that being good for librarians.)

I’m sorry I don’t have much other input than that.  I’ll be able to post more specifics about my librarian/academic life once the term really gets moving.

Until Spring 2011…

I’ve finished my courses for the term, officially.  I just submitted a Pathfinder for Information Sources (Reference Librarian class) on American Southern Cooking.  It was really tricky since it had to include almanacs, yearbooks, handbooks, encyclopedias, directories, indexes and the like.  With cooking you basically have magazines, books, television programs and some websites.  But I dug through and found enough things to list so tonight I just added a few more sources, annotated what I had and submitted it.  I was only one day and 15 minutes late on it too – that’s not too bad. 

I ended up with a 950 out of 1000 in my Children’s and YA Literature class as well so my grades should be pretty good.  I want to apply for membership to Epsilon Omega Epsilon (EOE) in January.  I missed the deadline this term so I want to make sure to join before I graduate in May.  I’ll be able to use the insignia on my cover letters and mention my membership in my resume.  Not too shabby.

Knowing that I’ll be graduating in May next year makes me very relieved.  I honestly am not going to be interested in getting into another college program now that I’m a married woman with a life to live.  Before it was just me and trying to get whatever head knowledge and skills I could to get put into some kind of career that I could stay in.  Now that I’ll have my Professional Teaching Certificate in Florida and my MLS degree I will be armed with the tools I need to get into a School Librarian position, should one come up.  Granted, as I said last post, there are stipulations for becoming a teacher in the UK that differs vastly to the requirements from state to state.  That’s one thing I may have to get into – more teacher training.  But no more Master’s degree programs for me for a while at least, until I really have to get one.  I just hope I won’t end up needing an IT degree – I don’t know if I could deal with that much techy coursework.

Now, again, the thing I don’t love about the library degree is that it’s just a lot of fact-finding.  That’s the main reason why I’m glad it’ll be over.  The course work offers little for creativity.  Granted there is some when we have to create pretend events or new programs at the library.  But just talking about the surface of the book and not analyzes the contents and how we can use them is dull after a while.  Now, the Children’s and YA Lit class really gave me the room to read, analyze and discuss how I’d use the books in library or school situations.  That’s what made me really think I wanted to work at the School Library.  It also means there won’t just be a public service vibe to my job.  I understand that it’s more than that, but when I was volunteering I just felt like I was back at Winn-Dixie again, ringing up people’s groceries and giving them money for their returned items.  Plus, when it’s public domain you get the odd balls whom, yes, I sympathize with, but I don’t want to have situations again where I have to call the police because some random person stole some random item off the shelf.  I’ve done that way before I had an education and I’ve no interest in going back there.  (Even though I probably will when I have to gather up some experience at the public library next year.)

Anyway, so Christmas break for me is here and I couldn’t feel less Christmassy.  There’s a slim chance I’ll get an approval email on my Visa next Monday or Tuesday but if not, that means I won’t be going over to be with Steve until after the holidays.  Complete bummer.  If this were April or something and there wasn’t much going on aside from Easter, I wouldn’t feel as bad but Christmas is a biggy and we still have not spent our first Christmas together as a married couple.  Again, major bummer but by going over after the holidays the flights and delays and crowds will be less of hassle to deal with so there is a bright side to this after all.

End of Fall 2010 Term

Next Monday I’ll have my final project, a book trailer, submitted in for my Children’s and YA Literature course.  I’ll also have to finish up my Info Sources project, a Pathfinder on Southern Cooking, by Thursday.  For the most part, aside from a few discussion board responses, that means I’m done for the term.  I’m totally relieved.  I’ve really had a rekindling of love for the library and I know I want to get into the school or academic library (later on if I get some experience and a PhD under my belt).  I’m a bit over it with the courses though.  Burned out I guess you could say.  I’m ready to have a week where I don’t have to think about what homework I have to do.  Saying that, I’ll probably have to do some teacher training courses once I move, but I’m not really unhappy about that.  Hands-on experience and doing something for my career puts you in a different mindset than just sitting and a computer all day typing up papers.  These projects have been killers but get me the head knowledge and the grades I need.  It’s a whole different world from the English/Writing/Education field I was in before.  It’s a lot of fact finding and opinions based on fact rather than creative ideas.  Not that a librarian doesn’t have to be creative, it’s just that there’s a whole science to how the library runs, just like a court of law.  There are ways to do things and the librarian just has to know these ways (and get better ideas for different ways by studying other libraries and librarians.)

I hope that soon I can write more detailed stories of my time at the library.  I’m working on it and I know I’ll get there soon.  May 2011 will be the month of MLS magic!

Week 11? Really?

Information Sources class discussion

Multiple Intelligences (H. Gardner)

“The theory of multiple intelligences suggests that there are a number of distinct forms of intelligence that each individual possesses in varying degrees. Gardner proposes seven primary forms: linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, spatial, body-kinesthetic, intrapersonal (e.g., insight, metacognition) and interpersonal (e.g., social skills). “

Principles:

1. Individuals should be encouraged to use their preferred intelligences in learning.

2. Instructional activities should appeal to different forms of intelligence.

3. Assessment of learning should measure multiple forms of intelligence.

Reference:

http://tip.psychology.org/gardner.html

To me this is the best choice because most people do not learn in one certain way. We learn different things in different ways. I love listen to audio books over reading a lot of the time. I can “see” the images better by hearing them. Music has a rhythm that makes words and stories easy to remember. Working with others helps understand what you know and what others know so you can learn from one another. All lessons are like this because we have links to see graphs and charts. We work with one another. We physically go to the library to observe and research so our bodies are involved. I just wish we had more pictures in Library Science. I mean, I know our books are data-packed but couldn’t they add some fun color photos once in a while? Maybe the TWU MLS program should come up with a channel on Youtube to show us how the library works in various training videos. Now that would be cool!

Learning something about your own learning style will help you as you prepare instruction for others with different learning styles.  Take the Learning Style Questionnaire located at the following website:  http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

I'm sort of surprised that I do not have a high tendency for any certain learning style.  I'm in the middle for most of them.  I'm a little higher in the visual learning only because I knew those questions were asking for that kind of learning.  I know that the activities that I learned from best were based in the visual.  I always loved maps and charts on the board to explain concepts in literature, history and science.  I am not a math fan and I was only able to do well in math when I had a couple of teachers who did equations that were not just in the regular long formula mode but explained in association with other daily concepts, or having equations put into a table when doing variables.  I love using movies in a classroom but even that confuses some students who don't "get it" even after seeing it.  So for people like me (and for every library and classroom around that is full of people with various learning styles) there has to be various types of help.  Signs, verbal instruction, charts or anything else that will appeal to people's different personalities.  This is why our school implemented "Thinking Maps" campus wide.  Having students learn concepts in visual/doing/seeing/thinking/hearing/habitual mode is the only way for them to understand and get the concepts.

Children’s and YA Literature class discussion

Just want to say thank you, Dr. Vardell, for adding this section to our curriculum.  Before I thought fantasy fiction was Harry Potter or Twilight or something with dragons and pirates or something that I wasn't interested in, in the slightest.  (Reminds me too much of those boys in elementary school playing Dungeons and Dragons.)  Anyway, I'm loving this section and keep looking for more books to read within the genre that don't require wands or blood letting.

It also makes me know that I can really enjoy being a Children's or School Librarian in the future.  I've loved being exposed to these different books in each module.

I know this is a simple approach to finding new literature, but I thought I'd post it anyway.  I used this when doing my project for Collection Development class.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/Fantasy-and-Adventure/379002217/?cds2Pid=17547&linkid=1640528

My favorite category is "Edgy Stories for Teens".

Week 9

I’m getting less inventive with my subject headings, I admit.  I’m just counting the days until this term is over.  Not because I’m glad to be finished with my studies, really, just because I’m excited to start working in the libraries.  I honestly have really enjoyed doing this work, especially the work with the Children’s books.  I hem and haw about what library career I want but I think I do want to work with the kids. 

Information Resources and Sources discussion

This week I had to discuss the March 2005 ALA newsletter about Enabling Learning: Proposing a Collaborative Framework for Library Staff Development.  Our question was, “Is this a good staff development plan?  Why? or Why not?  Would it work in your library?  If you are not currently working in a library, would it work in any library with which you are familiar?”  I responded with:

“1) The need for achievement, 2) the need for affiliation, and 3) the need for power, or in this case, more specifically, the need to af­fect change.” I can understand how many jobs give people a need for power though it can be abused. I’m glad to know that in a librarians’ case it means that they have a say so in the changes made at their library. I think that would be pertinent at any library too.

“ While individuals can work to de­velop skills to assess and adapt their professional outlook…Advocacy can become aligned with that sense of purpose we often long for in our lives, and with that sense of service that draws many of us to the profession.” This almost makes it seem that librarians will only be fulfilled and have a sense of purpose by having to take matters into their own hands. “Some staff resist taking on the Protean role of todayʼs librarian and others are motivated but susceptible to negative ‘group think.’” Again, it seems as if this article wants the librarians to learn coping skills and know how to work well with others.

“Self-guided Assessment Tools for staff to as­sess and align their own needs in relation to those of the organization.” I see a red flag right there. I’ve volunteered at a library but worked at schools for years. If they wanted me to self-assess, that would cause me to think there was some kind of managerial spy tactic going on to make me have to take the blame for something that wasn’t getting done. However, “Online discussion groups or blogs for staff at all levels to share stories and resources” always are nice to have at any job. Again, thought, “’Menu for Mentoring’: a means of matching willing ‘experts’ of identified competencies and skills with eager ‘learners’” is another one that looks like it can cause problems and resentment really easily among the staff.

All in all, I just don’t think a librarian would look at this and feel like it’s something to help them. It seems like it’s something to make them take on more responsibility. They have to learn more, teach more, develop more skills, etc. While training is fine, this seems as if the whole answer to the issues within the library is to give librarians something else to do. Again, it makes it seem like they’re being called incompetent (though I know the intent isn’t as such.) Granted, as a teacher, I know we had to learn a lot and it helped our job immensely, so maybe a librarian in the field wouldn’t feel as put off my this article.

I don’t think my opinions were very well received.  Granted, yes, we are all lifelong learners and patrons come to use daily for our expertise.  However, it just seemed like the way to have librarians all get along and feel less stressed was to have them self-assess and learn new skills.  I don’t think that’s the librarians’ main complaint.  I think it’s budget, long hours, not enough hours, patron complaints, overloaded work week…  That was all I was thinking;  just in the mindset of a librarian already working her tail off just to be told, “now, assess yourself and we’ll have you make sure you do a better job.”  Not something that would come by easily to some, I don’t think.

I also had to write some annotations on Chicago Manual of Style 14th Edition which has an updated online version.  I accessed the information on the printed book through Books in Print.

Children’s and YA Literature

I found YA Historical Novels on Goodreads to share for the class.  This week I’m reading Chains, Catherine Called Birdy, and The Wednesday Wars.  I’ll update my Unfinished Book Reviews for those books next week.

Week 8

The end is in sight for this Fall term and I’m so ready for it to be over.  In my Information Sources class I’ve managed to mess up an assignment twice and now have to spend the weekend going back to assignments from 3 weeks ago to change and correct.  At first I was confused about why each week we had, seemingly, the same assignment due.  After reading some of the student chat discussions I discovered that we were doing, as the syllabus says “sets” of these.  These sets were for different categories for each week.  After I thought I’d corrected that, I realized today that the categorized assignments were not corresponding with our weekly chapter reading assignments.  They were for chapters that we’d read maybe 2-3 weeks previously.  I ended up emailing the professor (again) and explaining to her how confused I’d been about these assignments and I would redo them.

With online classes I just get so use to how other professors set up their weekly modules that when another professor does something differently, I get all messed up.  At least I realized I did this now and now at the end of the term.

I also have still been working on my reviews for my Children’s / YA Literature class.  This week we read informational / non-fiction books.  I reviewed Bodies from the Ice, Actual Size, and Walt Whitman: Words for America.  Next week we’re doing historical fiction so I have actual novels to read.  I enjoy this class very much and I can see how being a Children’s Librarian would be very rewarding.

In mid-November I apply for graduation too.  I should be done by May!

Still working on getting back to Steve soon.  Here we thought this paperwork would take only one month, now it looks like it will be December before I get there. 

A couple of articles about reference librarians

Information Sources and Services class discussion

Murphy, Sarah Anne. “The Reference Narrative.” Reference and User Services Quarterly 44.3 (2005): 247-252.

Murphy argues that like medical diagnoses, the reference interview needs to follow the same basic steps: literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical or mystical. In the same way doctors diagnose patients, librarians need prior knowledge of their subject matter but be able to encourage the patron’s personal narrative in assisting them with their needs.

I think Murphy has a valid point. She cites the Daniel model of medical interpretations as well as previous articles about hermeneutics. She emphasizes the use of interpretation based on the relationship between the librarian and the patron. She stresses that the personal, eye-to-eye contact and interpretation of facial and hand jesters will help assess what the patron needs. Murphy references Taylor by stating, “the interpretive nature of the reference interview, requiring the patron and the librarian to collaborate and find ways to rephrase or restructure a query for a library system.”

The personal connection in proper interpretation of a patron’s query is the key to this article. She mentions that the email or chat query can be very limiting and the need for “experience of the whole person within her particular environment” is something that must be done on the librarian and patron’s part. Murphy mentions that librarians have to understand the patron’s culture, circumstances or help them word the question in library terms so that they can get better results.

 

Smith, Sally Decker. Roberta Johnson. “Reference Desk Realities.” Public Libraries 46.1) (Ja/F 2007): 69-73.

Smith and Johnson give a very personal and positively informative article about what is essential to a reference librarian. They emphasize that this is a public service job and even if there are crabby patrons or strange queries, we have to represent our library the best we can. There are plenty of positive tips for librarians and soon-to-be librarians.

I agree with the tips they are giving us. Many of this is common sense (don’t talk bad about the boss, the policies, the library, the town, etc. to a patron) and some of it are things new reference librarians need to know (like what the Patriot Act says and when we should call 9-1-1 for a patron who made need assistance.) I found this article very pleasant and beneficial to read. It encouraged me to become a reference librarian even more. Smith and Johnson discuss that there is stress, like any job, but that as long as we are confident in our job, like to always learn, keep direct eye contact, act friendly, etc. we will be in the right job field. The article discusses that a lot of times the librarian works alone but in the public library there is more room for working with others. Smith and Johnson also discuss how often you should or should not be asking for help. It’s a great article for reference librarians to be or those who are new to their job. Again, some of it is common sense but a lot of it really gives you a candid and empathetic read about what it is really like to be a reference librarian.

I like that they point out at the end that it’s not polite to focus on telling people about patrons’ “stupid questions.” I’ve worked in public service as a teen so I know how bizarre people can be. I’m glad Smith and Johnson address this and give us the sense that they understand why would do it, but still make sure we understand how wrong it is to react in such a way to our patrons.

 

For the record

I’m so confused in this class sometimes but I really do like it.  I’m eager to become a reference librarian.  The Smith article talked about how you learn all the time – I’d love that!

Playing catch-up on my classes

It’s very late, or extremely early and I’ve finally finished up my assignments for both Info Sources and Services and Children’s Lit.  I had to write three new book reviews for my Unfinished Book Reviews blog that I’m using for class.  After that I had to write my five and a quarter page paper on what I discovered at the reference desk when I played spybrarian (Steve’s clever term, I can’t take the credit) the other day.  All in all I think I’ll like being a reference librarian as a career option.  Plus, I know I’m learning more with my classes, which is a plus.  Some days I’d like everything to come easy to me with the terminology.  It’s intimidating to walk into  the big library world that seems to have a ton of experts who know a heck of a lot more than I do.  But I keep at it and I feel like I’ve made the right choice with my career change.  (Though I do love teaching college.) 

Anyway, it’s way to late and sleep is waiting on me.  Good night, library!  Good night, books!  Good night, school!  Good night, internet!  See you in the morning!

Analysis of "Reflections of a Reference Librarian" article

Information Sources and Services course discussion

At the end of Susan J. Beck’s role as president of RUSA (Reference and User Services Association), she wrote this article to reflect on why she became a reference librarian. Beck begins by stating that she is “over fifty and have been a reference librarian since 1980 – you do the math.” With this length of experience, she states, with a humorous angle that the main questions asked by a reference librarian are “Where is the pencil sharpener? Where is the photocopier, and how much do the copies cost? Where are the restrooms?” Beck’s list of questions are just a beginning to the root of her being a reference librarian; “a polite, friendly, and quick response” is what is essential for any questions a reference librarian receives. This helps build a relationship between patron and reference librarian (305).

Beck says that she “became a librarian because I loved solitary studying in libraries while a college student. The library, as a place, was very comforting to me” (305). Beck explains how the library was easily accessible and full of options for reading. She states that this is why “I am so fascinated by searching the Web.” She mentions that during her time as a student she rarely used the reference librarian as a source of assistance when writing the papers for her history, political science, and education courses. When she became a grad student, however, she used the reference librarians more often and found them “always friendly and helpful. I do not ever remember leaving the reference desk without knowing where I was going next. I was a happy and satisfied user.” After that, Beck decided to go to library school because it “just made so much sense.” She loved the libraries all the time she was a student and she loved just being in the library (306).

Once Beck was a library student, she felt intimidated by the reference librarians. She felt that as a library student, the reference librarians would think she should already know the answers to her questions. She felt as if she should learn the answers on her own and that the librarians would be testy about answering her questions. “Why is there always that tension between library school student and reference librarians?” Beck was asked this question at a presentation and her answer was, “Please do ask the librarians as much questions as you can and on every occasion that you need to!” Beck believes that this exchange between the professional librarian and the student must be used as a teaching tool. Beck even mentions how her “greatest influences have been my colleagues” (306).

Beck is also influenced by library literature and she even encourages librarians to keep articles that they find extremely useful. Her lists for important articles include Benson and Maloney’s “Principles of Searching”, Carol Tenopir’s “Online Database” columns in Library Journal, as well as Dewney and Michell’s “Oranges and Peaches: Understanding Communication Accidents in the Reference Interview.” Beck states that the Benson and Maloney article includes steps for conducting the reference interview, “Clarify the question (the interview), Establish search parameters…, Identify sources to be searched, Translate the question into the language of each source, Conduct the search, and Deliver the information.” Beck mentions how this is a simple and effective way of conducting the reference interview and it has been a basic formula to use. Beck also asserts that, “Did I completely answer your question?” should be inserted at the end of the reference interview. If the answer is “no” then the librarian should start over until they give a satisfactory answer (307).

Beck’s article is important for someone planning to become a reference librarian because Beck has been a reference librarian for a number of years. She really enjoys her job and has great insight and good tips for students and professionals. I’m glad to see that she mentioned that “Oranges and Peaches” article as I was asked to read that during my studies as well. This article gave me a bit more of a clear knowledge of what the reference librarian’s main job skills is. I like that she included that we are to answer questions with a friendly and eager manner in order to insure a closer relationship between patron and librarian. I vaguely remember using the reference librarian as an English major in my undergrad years and I was always fascinated by how the librarian had the keys to all that knowledge.

Beck, like Mark Anderson-Wilk who wrote my article #2 choice, also encourages the use Google Scholar which I was only introduced to as a community college teacher earlier this year. I like that the reference librarian’s job is to keep up with new ways of doing searches, but also needs a cataloging skill (something Beck is sad to see go in the recent reference librarian training.) I am also encouraged by Beck’s affirmation that we should make a point to go to workshops at least once a year. She mentions that even though the library may not be able to pay for it, you should save up and go at least once a year. This will help you network with other librarians and learn the most modern techniques for finding information.

I like Beck’s personal touch to the article. It made it much easier to read and was less clinical as other articles such as the Anderson-Wilk article I’ll use for next time. There was less jargon and if it was used, it was explained. You can tell that Beck is very enthusiastic about her career and she encouraged new reference librarians to pursue their new career with vigor and education. Her tips on using your available sources such as colleges, other librarians, library literature and workshops are important for new librarians to take note of. Also her listing the steps to the reference interview is something we should all keep on hand, including the articles she mentioned. I really liked this article and it made me more interested in a career in reference librarianship. I love that Beck concludes her article with her email address and a request for anyone who reads her article to contact her. Again, it’s a nice, personal touch.

Work Cited

Beck, Susan J. "Reflections of a Reference Librarian." Reference & User Services Quarterly 49.4

(2010): 305-309. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.

Analysis for YA Book Shelf

Children’s Literature class discussion

I’ve been checking out YA Book Shelf for a while now. I started chatting with the blog author on Twitter when I started studying the YA Books for my Collection Development class. She (Melissa) always has lots of interesting book contests that intrigues her readers. She’s very well read and gives great insight and suggestions on new and old (classic) books to read. As you can see from her most recent post on the YA novel Hush, Hush she really tries to get involved in her own review of the book as well as how it is received in the public. You can tell that she really loves what she does and reading her posts you can see what new books are coming up, including events online regarding books. She’s very willing to discuss the books with you. She has a very modern website and includes all sorts of links plus book trailers if anyone wants to see more examples. This website really inspired me to create my blog that I started and will now use for my class book reviews.

http://www.yabookshelf.com/

http://twitter.com/YABookShelf

In other news:  9 days left until the wedding!

End of the summer term

Part of my response for my end of year reflection:

I will admit, I was quite disappointed to know that the Public Library jobs are threatened so much. I'm honestly not quite sure where the degree plan comes in either. I was at a very small library and everyone was super nice to me and really showed me the ropes. None of them had an MLS degree so I felt kind of silly being there, to be quite honest. I was very happy to be there, so this is not to say I didn't learn anything or appreciate what they do and what they did for me. However, I equated the job at the library more to working at a grocery or department store. Aside from the Tech processing or here and there activities conducted, there was just a customer service job. Even people who have lost their jobs at grocery stores are given job placement. I've heard that a lot of temps leave their positions at the library as well and it's a revolving door atmosphere. I'm not surprised. With the same type of working being available to any given retail store that will ensure 40 hours a week plus retirement (at, say Publix) why not go that route instead? A lot of people are given on-the-job training and go from being a Circulation Desk Clerk to Head Librarian. Again, I'm just not sure where the degree aspect comes in for the Public Libraries. Since I don't live in Texas, I couldn't undertake a school librarian focus on my program, but I think that's where I'll be headed. I've taught English in the past and I really thought these two jobs would compliment one another but I really don't see that (in my small corner of the world, mind you) meshing. It's a shame. I'm not trying to be disrespectful to the profession, I'm just not sure where it comes to play in the whole arena of Public Libraries.

Again, it's not to say I don't appreciate every librarian for what they do, I'm just not sure the Public Library is where I'd enjoy working as much. I miss literature. High school librarian? University librarian? Something up that road I think is better for me. But then again, maybe not. Maybe something will fall in my lap that I really love in the Public Library. There's more than Titusville in my future, so I'll just have to see where my career ends up.

Flag Day and the beginning of Summer term

Happy Flag Day, everyone! My vacation is over and sadly Steve had to go back home. We had such a good time and I'm so thankful for our time together. I'll be going back over to be with him soon, so until then I have to occupy myself with all my library goings on.

Summer term started last week. I'm looking at the Public Library course retake with fresh eyes. I've decided to use a different library for my focus - the library I'll be volunteering at. That way I can get a better view of the library and write up my projects based on what I experience there for more than a couple of hours on my own. This means that, conveniently, the Practicum and Public Library courses for the term will work side by side. It's quite nice for a Summer term. I have to work 120 hours from now until August and I'll be starting my internship on Wednesday. There will be Storytime that day, so I can hang out with tiny kids for a change. (Not that I didn't get my fill at Disney for the last two weeks.)

For both classes I've had to write up my introductions and why I chose Public Librarianship over the others. It just worked out that way, honestly. True, I've been a teacher, but to get a School Librarianship you had to go through the rigmarole of a state teaching certificate, which I couldn't do as a distance student. Plus, aside from working with students, I'd like to work in the public holistically. I like chatting with people here and there, so working with people of all ages would be something I'd like. Not sure where I'll end up working in the long run, but for now, Public Librarianship is my main goal. So I'm excited for this Summer. I'll be getting some good hands-on experience and inching closer to going back to be with Steve soon. Happy days!

 

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Almost finished with Spring 2010

Collection Development class discussion

Short essay by school librarian - do you agree?

Bringelson , Carin. (2004). On intellectual freedom. School Libraries in Canada, 24(4), p.57-9

I really liked this passage in the article, "My job was not to take a position on the book, but simply to provide concrete information about the title and sometimes perspectives on the broader issue or issues involved. My work gave me the opportunity to think about the reasons why people challenge materials. While these reasons were many and varied, among the concerns that came up repeatedly (for many different titles) were objectionable language, sexuality, and violence.”

I would find it hard to not take a stance on a book, especially something I felt strongly against. I feel like a lawyer, trying to defend a client whom I thought shouldn’t walk the streets. I think this is probably the hardest part of our job, but I sort of see it from a parental sort of view to. (Granted, I have no children yet, so my views may change later when I do.) But, it seems like if you give kids the ability to be taught at home what is acceptable and what is not, then allow the kids to decide on their own if they think something is too much or inappropriate. Maybe it’s like drinking. If you tell them that it’s restricted and off limits and then on their 21^st birthday they put themselves into a stupor, it’s because the whole thing was so out of their underage reach.

What is the difference between selection and censorship?

How can librarians avoid self-censorship?

Can you provide an example of self-censorship? This one can be real or made-up. Just provide a "case" for us to talk about. If real, do not name the library's name or the librarian.    

I'm not sure if things are fairly similar in small towns in Texas as they are in Florida, but I live in a very conservative place.  The school where I use to teach had a very nice, Sunday school teaching librarian and he was totally against having the book Wicked in his library.  But, as he pointed out, the kids wanted to read it so he put it on the shelves.

I honestly would have a hard time with self censorship, I admit, especially if I were working in the Children's Library.  Our jobs as librarians are to allow children to read whatever book they want to on the public library level. That’s a hard pill to swallow. Now, as for school libraries, I think it’s going to be even more tricky. As we’ve discussed, there are plenty of parents who are against Harry Potter novels yet the school libraries have them. I’m glad to know that, as our Power Point notes state, “Children – Lesser, but substantial protection, Parental control, ‘Harmful to minors’ statutes, Not all minors are the treated the same -5 year-old vs. 16 year-old.” But, if there is a YA book that has something a parent doesn’t like, it doesn’t mean the book will be yanked off a school or public library shelf. Again, I think it’s the toughest part of our job, quite honestly, to keep our own personal beliefs and convictions out of the selection process.

Class work

I have to finish shining up my website for Web Development class.  I’ll add some library events and tweak the fonts some, but otherwise it’s a basic website and that’s all we need.  (Well, it has that dreaded CSS stuff in there too…)

I also have to write my final Reflection paper and turn that in for Collection Development.  Everything, for both classes, is due on Friday.

Personal stuff

I finished teaching my day class on Monday, and now I have to finish up grading their Lit. Criticism essays and Annotated Bibliographies as well as their Final Exams.  Tonight I go to school for the last night class to collect the same work from those students.  Then I’ll put the grades in by next Monday and be finished with everything and officially on break for a while.

I’ve been jogging and swimming at the gym, so that’s giving me something else to keep me busy each day.  I also started up my new project called Unfinished Book Reviews that I may or may not keep on blogspot.  It seems the easiest right now to use Blogger for this stuff since so many library, librarian and education blogs are products of Blogger.

23 days until Steve and I begin our vacation!

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Are we the future?

Web Development class discussion

Do you think Vannevar Bush's vision was prophetic? Why or why not? What strikes you about his essay?

“There is a growing mountain of research. But there is increased evidence that we are being bogged down today as specialization extends.” I think this is exactly correct. We have commercials for Bing.com that show how even a simple web search can boggle us with nonsense we’re not interested in. There is a huge abundance of information available to us that we can never possible read it all or even try to sift through ever bit of it. There is no ultimate decision as to what can and cannot be printed online so any kind of information is transmitted or submitted in so many avenues of electronic communication that, yes, there is a mountain of research material.

It’s amazing to me that Vannevar Bush had such a vision yet the internet is something that we can’t completely grasp entirely in our present day.

“[A]dvanced photography which can record what is seen or even what is not.” I was just thinking how the Hubble telescope is such a major step in that direction.

“To make the record, we now push a pencil or tap a typewriter. Then comes the process of digestion and correction, followed by an intricate process of typesetting, printing, and distribution. To consider the first stage of the procedure, will the author of the future cease writing by hand or typewriter and talk directly to the record?” This is my favorite quote. You know, we’re still amazed by Dragon Diction apps on the iPhone. I wonder if we’ll ever cease to be amazed at what kind of gadgets we have available to us. Now we don’t even need a real keyboard. Eventually we will stop writing or typing at all and only use verbal dictation to our recording device?

http://www.ps.uni-saarland.de/~duchier/pub/vbush/vbush.txt

Personal stuff

I just have to collect the Final Exams next week, then get everything graded by May 10th.  I have my last week for TWU next week too.  I’m almost done!

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