I'm too tired to answer this question right now, but this is my blog subject for the week. I'm going to hunt you down and e-mail all of you so that I can hopefully get at least a few answers. I am interested in hearing why you have chosen librarianship as a profession, what other fields you considered working in, and how you think libraries (whether it be public, academic or special) impact our society.
Thanks for your participation!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Did that really just happen?
Did an undergrad really just say to me "So none of these staplers work honey buns?" in the most grotesque, condescending tone of voice ever?
Two months ago I might have let that slide, but not today.
Two months ago I might have let that slide, but not today.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The meat of the semester
This is what I've been waiting for all semester. Today, patron after patron approached me looking for assistance with research papers and assignments. I polished up on some reference interview techniques. One thing I've learned this semester is to take my time when answering reference questions. At first, I felt like the patron wanted the answer as quick as possible and I wasn't very skilled at making sure I knew exactly what they were looking for. As we all know, the patron doesn't always know exactly what they're looking for and it's our job to help guide them through a series of interactions to formulate the best search strategies possible. Another important skill I'm working on is how to draw the line between doing the search for the patron and giving them the skills to do the search on their own.
I'm nearly giddy with all the gratitude that was expressed to me today. One patron told me that she's had a lifelong admiration for the help and knowledge that librarians can provide and that I reinforced that admiration in her mind. Yeah!!!
During my miserable week in bed with the "bubonic plague", I missed reference interactions so much that I found myself hanging around Yahoo! Answers looking to spread the information wealth around (pun intended for the political junkies). It's oddly addictive, sort of like watching Jeopardy and screaming out the answers when there's no one around to hear.
But I'm back now, and it's a good time to be back.
I'm nearly giddy with all the gratitude that was expressed to me today. One patron told me that she's had a lifelong admiration for the help and knowledge that librarians can provide and that I reinforced that admiration in her mind. Yeah!!!
During my miserable week in bed with the "bubonic plague", I missed reference interactions so much that I found myself hanging around Yahoo! Answers looking to spread the information wealth around (pun intended for the political junkies). It's oddly addictive, sort of like watching Jeopardy and screaming out the answers when there's no one around to hear.
But I'm back now, and it's a good time to be back.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Not so FAQs
If you happen to find yourself on the receiving end of a not-so-frequently asked question that you are able to find the answer to, please be so kind as to post the question and answer for the benefit of your friendly colleagues.
Thx.
Thx.
Community Access at the UGL
As the police escorted out one of our community users this afternoon, a patron walked up to the desk and said, "You should talk to the Detroit Public Library about opening on Sunday and then the boogermen [sic] wouldn't come here."
Later today, a student from another college hoping to use our computers was visibly disappointed when I directed her to the Community Access terminals. Young, attractive, and well-dressed, she quickly garnered what was undoubtedly unwanted attention from her fellow computer users.
The presence of community members at the UGL is something I've thought about on many occasions. One of the reasons I have chosen librarianship as a career is my firm belief that equal access to information is a major contributing factor to our democracy. I feel passionately that people from all educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds should have the right to seek and obtain knowledge free of charge and have the right to do so in an environment in which they will be treated with respect and dignity. Public libraries and librarians are bound to uphold this ideal. But where does this leave the UGL?
As an academic library, the UGL's main purpose is to serve the students and faculty of the University. Therefore, public access to university computing services should be seen as a privilege that must be treated as such, not as a right to be abused.
Because of my strong convictions about open access to information, I do believe that the University has a responsibility to the community of Detroit, and providing valuable Internet connection to those who would otherwise have no access is an honorable service. Putting that conviction aside, allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment. First of all, don't tuition-paying students deserve to have a clean and safe environment in which to study and work? Panhandling, disruptive behavior, and blatant disregard for Library rules occur on a regular basis. Secondly, how necessary of a service is the Library providing if community members use the Internet largely to access pornography, play online games, or participate in other web-based activity of dubious value?
Of course, community members aren't the only patrons responsible for unruly behavior, noise, and disregard for library rules and property. Students hold their own in those arenas. And of course, if the Library is going to provide Internet access, it's certainly not appropriate for the Library to decide what content is appropriate or beneficial for patrons to view. Certainly not all community members prove to be problematic, but the few who do certainly leave an unfavorable impression at the expense of those who do not.
So again, let's discuss, shall we? I believe that the potential benefits for members of the community outweigh the negatives, and in light of the DPL's limited resources for the population served here, it is, if not an obligation of WSU, then at least a step towards maintaining a positive and supportive relationship with the community.
Et tu?
Later today, a student from another college hoping to use our computers was visibly disappointed when I directed her to the Community Access terminals. Young, attractive, and well-dressed, she quickly garnered what was undoubtedly unwanted attention from her fellow computer users.
The presence of community members at the UGL is something I've thought about on many occasions. One of the reasons I have chosen librarianship as a career is my firm belief that equal access to information is a major contributing factor to our democracy. I feel passionately that people from all educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds should have the right to seek and obtain knowledge free of charge and have the right to do so in an environment in which they will be treated with respect and dignity. Public libraries and librarians are bound to uphold this ideal. But where does this leave the UGL?
As an academic library, the UGL's main purpose is to serve the students and faculty of the University. Therefore, public access to university computing services should be seen as a privilege that must be treated as such, not as a right to be abused.
Because of my strong convictions about open access to information, I do believe that the University has a responsibility to the community of Detroit, and providing valuable Internet connection to those who would otherwise have no access is an honorable service. Putting that conviction aside, allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment. First of all, don't tuition-paying students deserve to have a clean and safe environment in which to study and work? Panhandling, disruptive behavior, and blatant disregard for Library rules occur on a regular basis. Secondly, how necessary of a service is the Library providing if community members use the Internet largely to access pornography, play online games, or participate in other web-based activity of dubious value?
Of course, community members aren't the only patrons responsible for unruly behavior, noise, and disregard for library rules and property. Students hold their own in those arenas. And of course, if the Library is going to provide Internet access, it's certainly not appropriate for the Library to decide what content is appropriate or beneficial for patrons to view. Certainly not all community members prove to be problematic, but the few who do certainly leave an unfavorable impression at the expense of those who do not.
So again, let's discuss, shall we? I believe that the potential benefits for members of the community outweigh the negatives, and in light of the DPL's limited resources for the population served here, it is, if not an obligation of WSU, then at least a step towards maintaining a positive and supportive relationship with the community.
Et tu?
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