So. I'm well into what, my third week? Fourth? Heck I don't remember. I've been a weeding fiend in my department, and there are now empty shelves that will soon house the YA books I'm ordering. Though the specific portion of the collection I'm working on looks good- I'm happy with the progress, and with the way it's working out- it's still a lot to take for other people I think. I think the bare shelves scare people in some way. I assure them it's to make room for my stuff. Out with the old (unused) and in with the new (hopefully useful)! Still, there is so much collection maintenance that needs to be done in the building that if I stand back and take it all in, I can easily go into panic mode- and I've considered asking our Director for a key to do stealth weeding at midnight.
It's hard to change a process. One process, that has served a library well for years, can take a lot of cajoling and convincing to change. This includes even the initial "Why do you do it this way?" and onto the "Have you ever thought about doing it this way?" It's NOT that I have a better way, but I just wonder sometimes why people hang onto things and processes that are no longer useful, or really just include extra steps that are just adding steps that don't need to be there. It can get really overwhelming, being the new person and seeing the big picture, and wanting to help with the change, but not really feeling like anyone truly understands why change is important...how it could better serve the public AND make staff lives' easier.
So I try to focus on one thing at a time. And when I do that, I can still get overwhelmed with all there is to do- but it's a big lesson in Patience. I can do this, once this, this and this get done. I am convinced that I could work there 24 hours a day for at least 6 months and still have plenty to do. My sense of urgency is not contagious to most though- and I don't think that's really uncommon. Library folk have historically been stereotyped to be quiet, slow to make a decision, researchers, thinkers, organizers, etc. I'm not quiet. I like to make decisions and have a contingency plan or another option and wiggle room for mistakes. I'm a researcher and a thinker, and mostly organized. Sometimes I just don't know where I fit. I know this is also the plight of the YA librarian in general- being in between age groups. I love that facet of my job- I love getting called up to work another desk or cover someone's breaks. It provides a lot of variety to my job. But it also opens your eyes up to other opportunities for improvement....
And then I just try to sit back and wait- let other people figure it out on their own, or carefully approach a topic in a way that lets them know that "hey- I was just wondering, no pressure, just curious...have you ever thought of this?"
On the up side:
My teen books are starting to arrive! They are so pretty and shiny and new and good looking. I love them already.
And I'm trying to patiently wait before hoarding them all into my to-be area. Patience. Yeaaaaaahhhhhhh
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Digital Divide
So. Last night I sat down with my laptop to blog and my boyfriend came up from the basement (AKA Man Cave) and asked what I was about to do. I told him blog. He asked, "About what?" and I said, "The Digital Divide," and he said, "That sounds dumb." I responded telling him that HE was dumb (like a mature 31 year old woman would) and then he said, "That sounds like a nerd term."
Sigh. I suppose it is.
I guess I just feel that I've encountered the Digital Divide in a whole new way of late. Before, whenever I thought about the Digital Divide, I always stereotyped. I thought of older people who haven't been in the workforce in a long time, therefore haven't had the necessity of updating themselves with technology and technological tools. I also thought about senior citizens who may have thought the advances in technology were a passing phase or something. And until now, mostly I've only encountered those people who have little to no technological skills, and realized this only once they were out of a job. Since many MANY employers are now asking for emailed or electronically submitted resumes and applications, much of the public service work I've done up until this point has included assistance in filling out these forms and creating resumes for people on computers, since they don't know how.
So we're talking Digital Divide, we're talking patrons. We're talking about my previous experience with a pretty specific portion of the patron population, meaning those trying to get back into the workforce and need to have basic computing skills to even submit a resume for a CHANCE at an interview.
Now I'm experiencing something different. For the first time, I'm working at a place that hasn't updated their computers in years. As a result, many of the things don't work, or don't offer patrons the tools they need. None of the computers where I work (right now) have Microsoft Office on them. That means no word processing, no presentation making, no excel chart creating....nothing. This includes the STAFF PC's! (OMG that's a whole other blog post about creative ways around not having the software you need for formatting things.) At any rate, since the patrons haven't had the computers, and the staff hasn't had the computers, or the software to keep up to date on certain things...I'm experiencing more of the digital divide with staff and colleagues within my new job. It's at times frustrating, but more than anything disheartening. It makes me really frustrated for the people who work at this library, who don't have the skills or information they've needed in order to "keep up" in the library world. As a result, I feel a little disconnected from them and find myself wanting to help- but feeling that it's not my place to instruct someone on how to copy and paste, or use Google Docs, or organize their internet browser bookmarks.
There are just SO MANY SHORTCUTS in the digital realm. Technology allows people to do things faster, more efficiently, MULTI-TASK! And so a lot of the time I feel really weird in my new job, wanting to have several browser windows open (including my email and calendar), consulting web resources for patron interactions, etc. I'm kind of an anomaly it seems.
And it's not their fault! I mean, had I not been given the tools in my job, and the trust to "Go forth and Learn" wherever you were, on desk, off desk, etc.-- would I know what I know now? That's what I wonder. I mean, I have a computer at home. I love my iPhone and I love gadgets in my personal life, so it just all kind of melts together now. There is not so much a line between what I use Professionally (for my job) and what I use personally (at home). Facebook has colleagues and it's often where I learn about interesting articles about libraries. It's not just where I post pictures of my adorable baby. It's where I connect with people.
So basically what I'm wondering: do a lot of my new colleagues just avoid technology in their personal lives too? Or is there that big of a divide between their personal and professional lives that they may have a super cool fancy phone, and still not know how to cut and paste into a Word document? I find that hard to believe. I don't know. It's just puzzling to me how Information folks, us nerdy librarians who would like to know as much as possible...how they could avoid wanting to learn more? To become more helpful to patrons?
I'm not speaking about anyone specific, just making an overall observation due to a couple of interactions I've had. It just seems that there are two camps where I work: those who know and use computers, software and technology on a regular basis, for pretty much everything- and those that don't.
I just wonder how long "those that don't" will stay that way. Will they change? Will they want to learn? I think they'll have to once we get the tools to offer patrons....we'll see!
Sigh. I suppose it is.
I guess I just feel that I've encountered the Digital Divide in a whole new way of late. Before, whenever I thought about the Digital Divide, I always stereotyped. I thought of older people who haven't been in the workforce in a long time, therefore haven't had the necessity of updating themselves with technology and technological tools. I also thought about senior citizens who may have thought the advances in technology were a passing phase or something. And until now, mostly I've only encountered those people who have little to no technological skills, and realized this only once they were out of a job. Since many MANY employers are now asking for emailed or electronically submitted resumes and applications, much of the public service work I've done up until this point has included assistance in filling out these forms and creating resumes for people on computers, since they don't know how.
So we're talking Digital Divide, we're talking patrons. We're talking about my previous experience with a pretty specific portion of the patron population, meaning those trying to get back into the workforce and need to have basic computing skills to even submit a resume for a CHANCE at an interview.
Now I'm experiencing something different. For the first time, I'm working at a place that hasn't updated their computers in years. As a result, many of the things don't work, or don't offer patrons the tools they need. None of the computers where I work (right now) have Microsoft Office on them. That means no word processing, no presentation making, no excel chart creating....nothing. This includes the STAFF PC's! (OMG that's a whole other blog post about creative ways around not having the software you need for formatting things.) At any rate, since the patrons haven't had the computers, and the staff hasn't had the computers, or the software to keep up to date on certain things...I'm experiencing more of the digital divide with staff and colleagues within my new job. It's at times frustrating, but more than anything disheartening. It makes me really frustrated for the people who work at this library, who don't have the skills or information they've needed in order to "keep up" in the library world. As a result, I feel a little disconnected from them and find myself wanting to help- but feeling that it's not my place to instruct someone on how to copy and paste, or use Google Docs, or organize their internet browser bookmarks.
There are just SO MANY SHORTCUTS in the digital realm. Technology allows people to do things faster, more efficiently, MULTI-TASK! And so a lot of the time I feel really weird in my new job, wanting to have several browser windows open (including my email and calendar), consulting web resources for patron interactions, etc. I'm kind of an anomaly it seems.
And it's not their fault! I mean, had I not been given the tools in my job, and the trust to "Go forth and Learn" wherever you were, on desk, off desk, etc.-- would I know what I know now? That's what I wonder. I mean, I have a computer at home. I love my iPhone and I love gadgets in my personal life, so it just all kind of melts together now. There is not so much a line between what I use Professionally (for my job) and what I use personally (at home). Facebook has colleagues and it's often where I learn about interesting articles about libraries. It's not just where I post pictures of my adorable baby. It's where I connect with people.
So basically what I'm wondering: do a lot of my new colleagues just avoid technology in their personal lives too? Or is there that big of a divide between their personal and professional lives that they may have a super cool fancy phone, and still not know how to cut and paste into a Word document? I find that hard to believe. I don't know. It's just puzzling to me how Information folks, us nerdy librarians who would like to know as much as possible...how they could avoid wanting to learn more? To become more helpful to patrons?
I'm not speaking about anyone specific, just making an overall observation due to a couple of interactions I've had. It just seems that there are two camps where I work: those who know and use computers, software and technology on a regular basis, for pretty much everything- and those that don't.
I just wonder how long "those that don't" will stay that way. Will they change? Will they want to learn? I think they'll have to once we get the tools to offer patrons....we'll see!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Hump Day
Well, I've made it through half of the week at the new library. I am spent. Monday I was all pumped up on adrenaline and couldn't even fall asleep until 1am after work. Tuesday I started to get overwhelmed with all the directions in which a person could START working in my job, then I created a plan. Wednesday (today) I began working on the plan, and upon walking through the door of our house- wanted to just lay down and stare at the walls.
This is not an option for someone with a baby, so first I fed the baby, played with said baby, bathed baby, fed baby a bottle, and then put him in bed against his will, and THEN I laid down on my couch, stared at the wall where my London photos hang, and listened to him whine for about 30 minutes before passing out. Not quite what a person would call relaxing, since I was staring at the pictures thinking of them, of that time, and not the present- where you can't walk in my house without stepping on something, the laundry needs done, the dishes need done, the groceries need bought, the old food thrown out, and the work week is only halfway over and I'm thinking, "Oh. my. god." because it doesn't feel like any of it will get done and I'm so mentally exhausted I could fall over.
So I started trying to think of what was bringing on the fatigue, aside from just the normal "wednesday crash" of a work week and adjusting to a new workplace, job, etc.
Aside from one person at my job, nobody knows me personally. So there's no real chit chat. I'm still gauging my co-workers and trying to figure out where I'll be on the social totem pole, who hangs out with who, what cliques there are, and I haven't had much time (nor really put forth any effort) to do any of that. Anyways. I miss my people at the old job. They all were with me through the tough personal stuff. I could tell them if something in my personal life was ticking me off. They all asked about my baby and genuinely cared and asked to see new pictures.
I can't expect people to be all that interested in my personal life at this point in the ball game. I just started, and it took me four years to develop the relationships that I did at the old library. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm a pretty social being, and I like the collaboration of connecting with people and ideas and right now I'm feeling a little isolated. I knew that would happen- and I'm fine with it for now. I just hope that down the road, I can create some lasting friendships with the people I now work with...
and I need to be sure to stay in touch with those I used to work with.
On the upside- I withdrew roundabout 50 books today, many of them older than me, and that was quite cathartic. The plan is in action, and that makes me feel good.
This is not an option for someone with a baby, so first I fed the baby, played with said baby, bathed baby, fed baby a bottle, and then put him in bed against his will, and THEN I laid down on my couch, stared at the wall where my London photos hang, and listened to him whine for about 30 minutes before passing out. Not quite what a person would call relaxing, since I was staring at the pictures thinking of them, of that time, and not the present- where you can't walk in my house without stepping on something, the laundry needs done, the dishes need done, the groceries need bought, the old food thrown out, and the work week is only halfway over and I'm thinking, "Oh. my. god." because it doesn't feel like any of it will get done and I'm so mentally exhausted I could fall over.
So I started trying to think of what was bringing on the fatigue, aside from just the normal "wednesday crash" of a work week and adjusting to a new workplace, job, etc.
Aside from one person at my job, nobody knows me personally. So there's no real chit chat. I'm still gauging my co-workers and trying to figure out where I'll be on the social totem pole, who hangs out with who, what cliques there are, and I haven't had much time (nor really put forth any effort) to do any of that. Anyways. I miss my people at the old job. They all were with me through the tough personal stuff. I could tell them if something in my personal life was ticking me off. They all asked about my baby and genuinely cared and asked to see new pictures.
I can't expect people to be all that interested in my personal life at this point in the ball game. I just started, and it took me four years to develop the relationships that I did at the old library. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm a pretty social being, and I like the collaboration of connecting with people and ideas and right now I'm feeling a little isolated. I knew that would happen- and I'm fine with it for now. I just hope that down the road, I can create some lasting friendships with the people I now work with...
and I need to be sure to stay in touch with those I used to work with.
On the upside- I withdrew roundabout 50 books today, many of them older than me, and that was quite cathartic. The plan is in action, and that makes me feel good.
Monday, June 21, 2010
First Day
So today was my first day at the new library system. There are so many things that are different about this organization than what I'm used to- and not in a bad way. It's almost like when you go down south and are there for a little while, you just pick up on the fact that things function in a different manner down there versus the way we do it up north. It's just...different.
That being said, I have to catch myself when I immediately want to revert back to my "old way" or shall I say the Worthington Way of doing things. Somebody at my new library said today that they don't mind change, they just want to know it's for a good reason, and not just because that's the way it's done somewhere else. And I think that's a valid point. I think people need to understand why changes are taking place- how it will benefit the organization, or more importantly, the mission of the organization, which should ultimately support the community it serves.
So during my day today, I found myself jotting things down (not nearly as much as I should have) of just ideas to ponder, things to think about as I tackle the new job. Most of the ideas are what we call low-hanging-fruit, or quick fixes that could either serve the public quicker or faster, or allow people to communicate more efficiently. Nothing is catastrophic, but I have a feeling that my new workplace has a lot of people who (understandably so) get nervous about changes.
Change is hard. First off, it's hard to take any sort of advice that comes unsolicited, particularly if you have been doing something one way for a very long time and it's served you just fine. I think about Employee Evaluations or overall "constructive criticism" and how hard it is to hear those things that you don't want to know. It sucks. I mean, I was told back in 2007 that I was a semi-lousy communicator. I don't know if I necessarily agree with that claim, but suggesting to me that I could improve upon that skill allowed me to better communicate with my (then) boss and work better within the organization. Yea, I still may hold a tiny grudge for the unsolicited advice but hey, I learned from it. The whole CYA (cover your a$$) way of thinking is a good way to go if you ask me. And had I not learned that from hearing it the hard way (employee evaluation) I never would've learned and I would still just be a crappy communicator, likely in the same paraprofessional job I had back then. Live and learn. Or as my USMC brothers would say, "Buy a box of straws and suck it the *expletive* up".
So anyhow, I have a million things floating through my head right now, and as I learn the ropes of a new system, I am being careful to learn and observe and not suggest too much. It's also forcing me to ask myself, "Well why did WE do it this way?" Which to me, is a good way to critically think about the way I work. And I'm a nerd, so I like that.
Basically to sum up, I'm super pumped about the new place, because I see tons of opportunity for growth. With growth there's bound to be growing pains, and I'm sure to be on the receiving end of some of them, but I'm determined to learn what I can.
More later- and hopefully I'll have details on projects and whatnot as well. :)
That being said, I have to catch myself when I immediately want to revert back to my "old way" or shall I say the Worthington Way of doing things. Somebody at my new library said today that they don't mind change, they just want to know it's for a good reason, and not just because that's the way it's done somewhere else. And I think that's a valid point. I think people need to understand why changes are taking place- how it will benefit the organization, or more importantly, the mission of the organization, which should ultimately support the community it serves.
So during my day today, I found myself jotting things down (not nearly as much as I should have) of just ideas to ponder, things to think about as I tackle the new job. Most of the ideas are what we call low-hanging-fruit, or quick fixes that could either serve the public quicker or faster, or allow people to communicate more efficiently. Nothing is catastrophic, but I have a feeling that my new workplace has a lot of people who (understandably so) get nervous about changes.
Change is hard. First off, it's hard to take any sort of advice that comes unsolicited, particularly if you have been doing something one way for a very long time and it's served you just fine. I think about Employee Evaluations or overall "constructive criticism" and how hard it is to hear those things that you don't want to know. It sucks. I mean, I was told back in 2007 that I was a semi-lousy communicator. I don't know if I necessarily agree with that claim, but suggesting to me that I could improve upon that skill allowed me to better communicate with my (then) boss and work better within the organization. Yea, I still may hold a tiny grudge for the unsolicited advice but hey, I learned from it. The whole CYA (cover your a$$) way of thinking is a good way to go if you ask me. And had I not learned that from hearing it the hard way (employee evaluation) I never would've learned and I would still just be a crappy communicator, likely in the same paraprofessional job I had back then. Live and learn. Or as my USMC brothers would say, "Buy a box of straws and suck it the *expletive* up".
So anyhow, I have a million things floating through my head right now, and as I learn the ropes of a new system, I am being careful to learn and observe and not suggest too much. It's also forcing me to ask myself, "Well why did WE do it this way?" Which to me, is a good way to critically think about the way I work. And I'm a nerd, so I like that.
Basically to sum up, I'm super pumped about the new place, because I see tons of opportunity for growth. With growth there's bound to be growing pains, and I'm sure to be on the receiving end of some of them, but I'm determined to learn what I can.
More later- and hopefully I'll have details on projects and whatnot as well. :)
Monday, June 7, 2010
Wrapping things up
As I'm wrapping things up in my current job to get prepared for the next one, I am working on a program (that I won't be giving) presentation on Downloadable Books.
Ah, Downloadable eBooks, Audiobooks- easy-peasy, right?! Notsomuch.
If someone walks up with a question about the program, or a flier- let's say the question is posed like this:
"So, how do I download these free books?"
I will venture to say that most librarians will give a blank stare to the patron and pray that they are asking about ONE particular kind of eBook or Audiobook that the librarian knows about. "Maybe they don't know anything about eBooks or downloadable audiobooks, and a vague definition will suffice," the librarian may think to herself hopefully.
Only then the patron is asking about their iPhone, or their Blackberry. OR maybe they just got a Sony Reader, or maybe they have an old Sony Reader someone gave them. Or maybe they have an iPad (ooohhhhhhh) or a regular iPod, or a Zune, or a nook.
The thing I learned about STARTING my Downloadable Books program is this:
Digital Rights Management software is the biggest PITA ever. Seriously. I wanted to throw things. Specifically mobile devices and computers. Every device has something different, every DRM software a slightly different issue. If you have this device, you need this platform, and this *FREE* software and this upgrade and these are the steps.
Bottom line?
As much as I believe that libraries need to be relevant and keep up with the wants of the patrons- keep up with the "digital times" by having access to things like eBooks and MP3 audiobooks or WMV audiobooks...
It's much easier to do it illegally. I can't say that with solid authority, because I don't do it illegally...however I can guaran(expletive)tee I could figure out how to download a book or audiobook in roughly a half hour if I could do it illegally.
Doing it legally however, with all the bells and whistles that come along with Digital Rights Management and different devices...is a pain. A ROYAL PAIN.
46 text heavy, bullet-laden Powerpoint Presentation slides later, I have a VAGUE idea of how to download books, transfer them to some devices, and I know for a fact I spent a few weeks working on it and only grazed the tip of the DRM iceberg.
As much as it sucks that I'm about to say it:
I'm really glad I don't have to do the program. I'm terrified of what people would ask and that I wouldn't know the answer. That said, I hope someone else does a better job than I could figuring it out.
I have a lot of confidence in my intelligent colleagues that they'll do just fine. :)
Ah, Downloadable eBooks, Audiobooks- easy-peasy, right?! Notsomuch.
If someone walks up with a question about the program, or a flier- let's say the question is posed like this:
"So, how do I download these free books?"
I will venture to say that most librarians will give a blank stare to the patron and pray that they are asking about ONE particular kind of eBook or Audiobook that the librarian knows about. "Maybe they don't know anything about eBooks or downloadable audiobooks, and a vague definition will suffice," the librarian may think to herself hopefully.
Only then the patron is asking about their iPhone, or their Blackberry. OR maybe they just got a Sony Reader, or maybe they have an old Sony Reader someone gave them. Or maybe they have an iPad (ooohhhhhhh) or a regular iPod, or a Zune, or a nook.
The thing I learned about STARTING my Downloadable Books program is this:
Digital Rights Management software is the biggest PITA ever. Seriously. I wanted to throw things. Specifically mobile devices and computers. Every device has something different, every DRM software a slightly different issue. If you have this device, you need this platform, and this *FREE* software and this upgrade and these are the steps.
Bottom line?
As much as I believe that libraries need to be relevant and keep up with the wants of the patrons- keep up with the "digital times" by having access to things like eBooks and MP3 audiobooks or WMV audiobooks...
It's much easier to do it illegally. I can't say that with solid authority, because I don't do it illegally...however I can guaran(expletive)tee I could figure out how to download a book or audiobook in roughly a half hour if I could do it illegally.
Doing it legally however, with all the bells and whistles that come along with Digital Rights Management and different devices...is a pain. A ROYAL PAIN.
46 text heavy, bullet-laden Powerpoint Presentation slides later, I have a VAGUE idea of how to download books, transfer them to some devices, and I know for a fact I spent a few weeks working on it and only grazed the tip of the DRM iceberg.
As much as it sucks that I'm about to say it:
I'm really glad I don't have to do the program. I'm terrified of what people would ask and that I wouldn't know the answer. That said, I hope someone else does a better job than I could figuring it out.
I have a lot of confidence in my intelligent colleagues that they'll do just fine. :)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Blog Revival
So, it's been almost a year since my last post, and I'm going to make the attempt of revitalizing the blog here. My personal and professional lives kind of starting melting together a bit and I didn't know how to extract one from the other. I think having a baby is a good enough excuse for that- and also a good excuse for not having the time to post. But I'm going to give-it-a-go again and see if I can't make some astute observations on here, even if people aren't reading it. :)
Backstory:
The last year has been quite eventful professionally as well as personally. After my maternity leave, I went back to my smallish branch and was transferred to another location. At the newer location I had a lot more adult reference questions and more "serious" collection development work due to the size differences of the collections. I was very happy there, and then due to (another) reorganization of the people at my library, was switched again to ANOTHER location. So that was three libraries in three months.
At the most recent branch, there was less to do collection maintenance-wise, but more reference though different still from the previous branch. These questions appeared to be more school based/homework like. I welcomed the change, but also missed the people at the two other branches where I'd worked before. The people within my organization are so awesome. There is no other word to describe it. The organization itself lends an air of confidence to its people and the people thrive on professional development and for the "good of the people". It has been such a wonderful organization to work for....and
Now I'm switching again. This time to a brand new library system that is smaller and in a completely different area of town. I know little about the community other than I believe it is a tightly knit one, and I know that they support their library due to a recent levy that passed by over 70%. In addition to the levy passage, this library system's director retired and a new director took their place. Changes are happening left and right and I think it's a great and wonderful thing. Honestly, I believe the swift changes I had just from one branch to another led me to this new appealing position- I'm anxious to see and be a part of the new changes to this library. I start on June 21st. I'll be working with Teens again and helping to create a Homework Help Center. This library doesn't currently have a Teen Collection, or specific Teen services or a Teen area. I'm starting from scratch and am super pumped about it. I can't wait to get the ball rolling.
So I'm hoping to post more library-relevant things here. I hope someone will read and start the conversations with me. :)
Last week I went to an AWESOME training offered by OhioNet on Social Media for the Social Good. David Lee King (from Topeka Library in Kansas) spoke about the great things his library does with Web 2.0 and online social networking tools. And then Betsy Hubbard and Debra Jasper from the Kiplinger Programs at OSU spoke. They were incredibly dynamic and had so many relevant and interesting things to discuss. My favorite pieces included:
* How data can be visually appealing/changed to evoke a different reaction from the audience.
* How many different websites are out there right now that can aggregate the information on people from various social networks- literally digging through the deep parts of the interwebs looking for your information. It was fascinating.
* How important it is to SHOW your story instead of tell it.
* How important informality is on the web. People no longer want technical jargon- it bogs us down. We want casual easy-to-understand narrative.
* How there are no more "captive" audiences- and if you want attention, you need to get it QUICKLY.
The information presented was done so in a way that made an AFTER LUNCH (ugh!) presentation exciting and fun to learn from. I am anxious to put some of their ideas into action and see how I can apply further ideas in my next venture at the new library.
So hopefully I'll be back more often. Thanks to those of you who stuck with me. :)
Backstory:
The last year has been quite eventful professionally as well as personally. After my maternity leave, I went back to my smallish branch and was transferred to another location. At the newer location I had a lot more adult reference questions and more "serious" collection development work due to the size differences of the collections. I was very happy there, and then due to (another) reorganization of the people at my library, was switched again to ANOTHER location. So that was three libraries in three months.
At the most recent branch, there was less to do collection maintenance-wise, but more reference though different still from the previous branch. These questions appeared to be more school based/homework like. I welcomed the change, but also missed the people at the two other branches where I'd worked before. The people within my organization are so awesome. There is no other word to describe it. The organization itself lends an air of confidence to its people and the people thrive on professional development and for the "good of the people". It has been such a wonderful organization to work for....and
Now I'm switching again. This time to a brand new library system that is smaller and in a completely different area of town. I know little about the community other than I believe it is a tightly knit one, and I know that they support their library due to a recent levy that passed by over 70%. In addition to the levy passage, this library system's director retired and a new director took their place. Changes are happening left and right and I think it's a great and wonderful thing. Honestly, I believe the swift changes I had just from one branch to another led me to this new appealing position- I'm anxious to see and be a part of the new changes to this library. I start on June 21st. I'll be working with Teens again and helping to create a Homework Help Center. This library doesn't currently have a Teen Collection, or specific Teen services or a Teen area. I'm starting from scratch and am super pumped about it. I can't wait to get the ball rolling.
So I'm hoping to post more library-relevant things here. I hope someone will read and start the conversations with me. :)
Last week I went to an AWESOME training offered by OhioNet on Social Media for the Social Good. David Lee King (from Topeka Library in Kansas) spoke about the great things his library does with Web 2.0 and online social networking tools. And then Betsy Hubbard and Debra Jasper from the Kiplinger Programs at OSU spoke. They were incredibly dynamic and had so many relevant and interesting things to discuss. My favorite pieces included:
* How data can be visually appealing/changed to evoke a different reaction from the audience.
* How many different websites are out there right now that can aggregate the information on people from various social networks- literally digging through the deep parts of the interwebs looking for your information. It was fascinating.
* How important it is to SHOW your story instead of tell it.
* How important informality is on the web. People no longer want technical jargon- it bogs us down. We want casual easy-to-understand narrative.
* How there are no more "captive" audiences- and if you want attention, you need to get it QUICKLY.
The information presented was done so in a way that made an AFTER LUNCH (ugh!) presentation exciting and fun to learn from. I am anxious to put some of their ideas into action and see how I can apply further ideas in my next venture at the new library.
So hopefully I'll be back more often. Thanks to those of you who stuck with me. :)
Monday, June 15, 2009
hiatus...for now
Obviously, I haven't written on here in a long long time. I've been posting elsewhere, in a place that's focused solely on my personal life because....
I'm making a person. I'm due in two months (hence the LONG hiatus from THIS blog of about 8 months...I am 8 months pregnant.)
I'm hoping that eventually I will be able to post more profession-related writings regarding Library Science. But right now I focus on work AT work, and outside of work I focus on the enormous task of growing a human being, and freaking out about how the hell I'm ever going to handle this parenting thing when the little bugger arrives.
Wish me luck and hopefully I'll be back soon.
I'm making a person. I'm due in two months (hence the LONG hiatus from THIS blog of about 8 months...I am 8 months pregnant.)
I'm hoping that eventually I will be able to post more profession-related writings regarding Library Science. But right now I focus on work AT work, and outside of work I focus on the enormous task of growing a human being, and freaking out about how the hell I'm ever going to handle this parenting thing when the little bugger arrives.
Wish me luck and hopefully I'll be back soon.
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