kristin buxton - Comments

LSW: Joan

For you librarians whose libraries have Facebook Pages: who administers it? And how did you figure that out? I have a new job. At the old place, I set up the page and was the only one who ever bothered with it. We're setting up a FB page here at the new place, and it looks like we're going to be more formal about it. Your input, please!

December 14 - Comment - Like - Share

Jeff Scott and Sir Shuping liked this

We have a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages...). We on the Web Content Team set it up and administer it (one person in particular) because it's in our "jurisdiction." Because we have a Web Content Team, it makes doing things like this fairly easy. - josh neff, geek at large

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Our User Services Librarian is responsible for it... but it's only been a few months. I dunno yet if we'll expand that role to include other staff, or keep it localized for the sake of accountability/responsibility. Things that are un-owned tend to languish, I've found. - Jenica

I set it up, and administer it along with our Marketing and Communications department. I'm not exactly sure who decided they'd have a hand in it, but they're like the Borg and end up taking over almost everything, so... - cecily

I manage my library's Facebook page, because I'm the only person here. :-) http://www.facebook.com/pages... - Stephanie_Thankful

I set it up, and added a few other people as administrators, but no one else ever touches it. - kristin buxton

I administer the Penrose Library page. I set it up about 1.5 years ago. I have a couple of other people as administrations, but same as with Kristin, no one else touches it. Then again, I don't touch it all that much, maybe once a month. I will send out some announcements on FB and Twitter. I have grown tired of FB quite a bit. - Joe

I led an implementation group with members from various areas of the library (branches, IT, collections) to set ours up (http://www.facebook.com/uclibra...). We ended up giving each person one day of the week to check and respond to comments, and I'm backup if someone's on leave. I add events whenever library admin asks, and all our blogs feed onto the wall using Social RSS (though that can be buggy and miss some). It's been running this way about 6 months and so far everyone seems happy. - Deborah Fitchett

I am the webmaster at our library, and I maintain it and keep it updated. There's others who are administrators, but like others here, no one else touches it. I mostly provide updates via Twitter, so we kill two birds with one stone for the time being. - Miriella

You all are fantastic. Thank you! - Joan

In case you want more input, I set ours up and made the Distance Learning Librarian and our Libraries' Marketing Director co-admins. Only the DLL and I really update it, but it's easy and fun and the administration is cool with our judgement. - Kaijsa Calkins

There are only a few of us, and no one is particularly web 2.0 around here, so, that would be me (the Director). Although, for event content I have it set-up so that the events posted to the website (technically a blog in "website" clothing) get pushed directly to FB and Twitter, so that saves me some work. - Jessica

One of our reference assistants does it and does a great job too. The page has 200+ fans and is fairly active. http://www.facebook.com/steacie... - John Dupuis

John, this is my favorite part: "Looking for a job? Lost your dog? Got a dull pain in your arm? We can't help with any of those. Try over at Scott Library." - Joan

LSW: Derrick

Well, now I'm curious. My objective in attending library school is to end up in an academic setting as a librarian. If I attended an online program how does one get themselves into a setting where they can learn what it is to be an academic librarian if the bulk (100%) of the work is online?

December 16 - Comment - Like - Share

Nikki just said internships, which now seems blatantly obvious. *rattles the cobwebs in the head* - Derrick

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Yeah, I'm actually not sure why in-person school would necessarily help you learn this? - Meg v. Meg v. 1.0.0.1

I did an online program and if anything I think it helped me understand students better, since more stuff is moving to online course sites. - Kendra <3 Three Lions

I think many of us associate on-campus programs with many opportunities for employment, etc. where it's understood that you are there to learn more than as a long-term job. Having never really had an internship, that plan didn't occur to me either. - s t e v e

I think the most important thing is to be immersed, for work and school to be all about libraries. You don't need to attend f2f for this to happen; sometimes it just makes it easier. - Joan

Meg, I guess I'm taking it for granted that in-person school would have an on-campus library and that the two go together. Is it safe to assume this isn't automatically the case? - Derrick

Also, many f2f programs have ga-ships as part of the degree program, which can make life a lot easier and school a lot cheaper. - Joan

Seconding Nikki - I did MLIS part time while working full-time in an academic med library (where I am employed). Also did a practicum in another academic med library for credit. I highly recommend to both on campus and remote students to get some practical experience in a library somewhere along the line. - Rachel Walden

Oh, sure, but you wouldn't just hang out all day, every day, to watch them work, right? (PRO TIP: that will freak them out) And I think that you could get an internship at pretty much any academic library. - Meg v. Meg v. 1.0.0.1

Joan, that's a good point, I hadn't thought of that. - Meg v. Meg v. 1.0.0.1

Good to know, Meg. Thanks for the insight. That puts me at ease for the ambivalence I had towards online programs. - Derrick

Another data point: I'm almost done with my online MLIS, though I was already an academic librarian when I started, and had worked in reference for 3 years before that. I also had 10 days of f2f coursework at the beginning of my degree, and went back to campus for 8 days each summer to knock out a class. I've met about 3-4 people during those on-campus times who have become fantastic and supportive friends/colleagues. - Meg v. Meg v. 1.0.0.1

Derrick, candidates who have an MLIS... and nothing else... just don't rise to the top of my candidate list. Ever. Because there are always candidates with a brand-new MLIS AND internships, part-time work experience, and/or volunteer gigs. Those people have more demonstrable experience to discuss in terms of success, failure, and relevance than the ones who don't have those experiences.... more... - Jenica

I'm honestly surprised that internships aren't a required part of more library school programs. FWIW, I had ZERO prior experience *or* community in the library field before I began my online studies in fall 2006 & graduated in fall 2007 while working a non-library job & raising a family. I made (and am still making) the most of every opportunity. That gets you places. - Nikki D.

Jenica, that helps a lot also. I'm still in my infancy of trying to determine which program is the best fit for me (although the costs are my biggest hurdle; I need to start looking at grants and scholarships as well), but all of this is really good information. I think I might widen my net a bit since I feel less intimidated by online only pgorams. - Derrick

In my experience, there were no internships. We did have graduate teaching assistantships where you were placed in libraries on campus. The large public libraries also staff their desks on Sundays with library school students. If I were in a position to hire, I'd be more inclined to look at someone with a more well-rounded background rather than someone who has only worked in libraries.... more... - cecily

FWIW, I never wanted to work in libraries when I entered library school. My first three jobs post-MLIS were all in corporations (of various sizes). Yet here I am, working at a public library, and I only took *one* course that had to do with public library services when I was in school. Where you land may not be where you plan. The more malleable you are around that fact, the better off you will be. - cecily

And lastly, it isn't guaranteed that just because you're at a school with an MLIS program that they have a hand-in-hand arrangement with the libraries on their campus. Some do. Some don't. UBC has roughly 17 different libraries/service divisions where MLIS students *could* work, but when I was there, only about 3 grad assistantships opened up in a year. - cecily

Cecily, I think that the more I arm myself with the knowledge I pick up here, the more I look forward to school. I think I what's best for me is a good, well-rounded program. - Derrick

You can learn a lot. You can also start working yourself into a panic. EDIT: I guess my point is that it's a good idea to have a general idea of expectations before you begin to apply, but many of those expectations won't prove to be factual once you're actually in school. Your success in library school, just like any other professional school, will largely depend on what you bring to... more... - cecily

I think these are all just good things to think about, and to be able to ask the school about. In Derrick's case, I think working in higher ed before will be a very good thing to show when looking for that first professional job. How a person takes all this will depend on his/her makeup. I tend to need this kind of discussion to kick me out of a stupor and start thinking about it. Other people may be see all this stuff and just panic. - s t e v e

Cecily, you know I love you. Thanks for that. And Steve, I forget that I already work in higher ed, and have for years. I really need to sit down and do a resume or CV; I haven't in a long time. Anyway, this is all really good information and I am indebted for what everyone's contributed. - Derrick

PRECISELY. You got this already, babe. Stop worrying. - cecily

*stops worrying* (but not about the GRE) *cries* - Derrick

Tip for that, ask local libraries if they have access to http://www.gale.cengage.com/Testing... among their resources. Their GRE study tips & practice tests helped me because my fear of that test was a real barrier. - Nikki D.

Nikki, that sounds awesome. I think what I have, more than anything, is just an irrational fear of the test. I have a year to conquer it. And try and do well. Thanks for the link. - Derrick

Right, WORRYING is a waste of time. Also librarians = pathologically helpful. We will help you until you beg for mercy. - s t e v e

*snicker* - Baroness Von SmashAHomie

Everybody has excellent advice. My strategy in library school was make it what I wanted it to me and to take advantage of every opportunity. Most importantly, I took the time to write about each course, job, internship, etc. in a reflective way that communicated how the experience was relevant to my career goals. It made job searching and interviewing so much easier to have already thought that stuff out. - Kaijsa Calkins

Adding to Kaijsa's last comment, I found it useful to read job opening descriptions from various types of libraries I thought I was interested in to find out what some of the usual requirements/skills needed are. - Rachel Walden

I did an in-person MLIS, and while I worked at one of the campus libraries (and a public library) while I was in school, the program didn't set that up for me, it was posted on one of the student mailing lists and I applied. The same could have easily happened in a distance program. - kristin buxton

I should add I'm proactive to the point of nervy: I directly asked librarians whose jobs interested me about internship possibilities, my internship was not posted anywhere. I was the 1st here and there have been 2 others since (but they only hired me ;). The worst they can say is no. The best is that they'll realize you're a smart cookie and help things happen :) - Nikki D.

You'll be amazed at what you'll learn in an online class. Because everyone needs to participate, you'll get a better understanding of their experiences and be able to learn from them. And there will likely be assignments that will have you interacting f2f with librarians and working with/in local libraries. - Jill Hurst-Wahl

Nikki D++. Guts go a long way when you're new in the profession. I've talked to and/or helped a fair few students who approached me out of the blue -- and loved every minute of it, so DON'T think you're imposing on a librarian just by asking. Meeting proto-librarians feels like the best thing I do. - D0r0th34

Late to the thread, but yes, remember that your pre-MLS experience can count for a lot. I went into library school intending to be a corporate librarian. I'm an academic librarian with business subject knowledge because of my pre-library school experience (I did get some library experience in school as a student assistant, but the big seller was my business knowledge). - ÉllbeeÇee

LSW: mita

I'm considering asking Santa for a Kindle as a cheap tablet reader for long pdfs that I refuse to print out. Can any Kindle owners confirm or deny reports that the non-DX Kindle is no good for reading pdfs because of a lack of zoom feature?

December 13 - Comment - Like - Share

Hm. I tried a DX Kindle. From what I remember, a PDF where the text is actually text is resizaeable same as Kindle books are. But a PDF that is a page image (like the scans used in our college's electronic reserves) are not zoomable. I could be wrong, but that's what I recall. - s t e v e

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So, to refine my question, can a Kindle 2 be used to read long pdfs such as from academic journals without eyestrain? - mita

Mita--does this answer you question?: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets... - Rochelle Rochelle

I put a PDF on my kindle2. It's readable (mostly) in landscape mode but completely illegible in portrait. No way to change the font size/zoom. I wouldn't want to read lots that way. - kristin buxton

Thanks Rochelle for the link, but it was the first-person reports such as Kristin's that I was hoping for. I think I might have to ask around to get my mits on one in RL to see if its the reader for me. - mita

Joe to Joe's feed, LSW

The STELLA Unconference is starting to come together. http://denver-stella.pbworks.com/ Without the LSW, this would never happen on 1/8-9/10

December 3 - Comment - Like - Share

Meg v. Meg v. 1.0.0.1, Jennifer McDaniel, laura x and 2 other people liked this

Look at all the people you have attending! Awesome. - marthalib

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i wish i could go!!!!!! stupid work. - Kendra <3 Three Lions

well frickin' done! - jambina

Joe, that's so freaking great!!! I remember when this was just a wisp of an idea. I'm proud of the LSW and proud of you. - laura x

That's so great! Congrats! - Sarah G.

Congrats :) Wish I could go :( - Meg v. Meg v. 1.0.0.1

I wish I was still a science librarian!! - Laura H.

rad, i wish i was a science librarian now. - tara

I'll have to make sure I'm there next year :) - kristin buxton

Awesome, Joe, and great logo! - s t e v e

Thanks Steve, you helped me find the logo (if I remember correctly)... I found some others, but this one was gooder. - Joe

LSW: Derrick

I went to the public library today in Burbank to visit a friend who earned her MLIS and to inquire about volunteering there on the weekends. I was giddy with excitement. I know it can't all be ice cream cake and cookies (which was offered to me while I was there), but I think returning to school (and to libraries) is the right thing for me.

November 29 - Comment - Like - Share

Rev. Dr. W!cKeD Rock, Pete, Archangel ωαřмaiden and 12 other people liked this

Yay! - Laura B.

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volunteering is a great idea -- you'll get a good idea of what it's like, warts & all. see if you like public libraries' brand of ice cream cake & cookies. :-) - Stephanie_Thankful

I sent an online request to volunteer at the LA public library, but haven't heard back. I heard that they aren't the best organized organization, so I decided to look at smaller libraries in Burbank and Pasadena. I'm going into this wanting to work in an academic setting, but at this point, I'll be happy just to be in any library. - Derrick

:) - D0r0th34

Also, you know how you like libraries? When you go out of town and you want to see them in the cities you visit. I'M TALKING TO YOU PORTLAND (Jan 8-11...). - Derrick

ooh ooh ooh! Multnomah County's Central Library is a MUST. :) - holly

Ok, this makes me feel like a bad librarian. Mostly, I could care less about other library buildings unless I have someone showing me around - I don't visit them when I'm on vacation typically (if they were something special, sure, but just generally? No). Ah well. I'll keep hanging out here in my ivory tower. ;) - ÉllbeeÇee

Derrick, that's terrific! :) - josh neff, geek at large

Wonderful! Congrats on your decision, so excited for you and Libraryland! - Victoria Plautia

I still say you should become a teen services librarian, and I'm going to keep saying it until I turn blue in the face. :) - cecily

Cecily, there's so many aspects to what a librarian can do, I'm gobsmacked. I don't even know what a teen services librarian does. Can I search for that on Google or Wikipedia? - Derrick

It's obvious. A "teen services librarian" services teens. duh. - DJF

Heh. In public libraries, they tend to divide the people who work with the public into "adult services," "teen services," (both of which sound naughty) and "children's services" (which sounds like they deal with abused kids. - s t e v e

Teens? But I swear a lot. - Derrick

so do the teens - DJF

http://www.instantrimshot.com/ - Derrick

WHICH IS WHY YOU WOULD BE PERFECT. - cecily

Our teen librarian swears all the time. She also has some choice things to say about the Twilight series. (One of her big complaints: "Vampires are all about sex! These books are way too chaste! It's just wrong!") - josh neff, geek at large

Yeah, the names of positions in librarianship are kinda funny. You could be a Special Librarian like me, cuz you're so special! But NOT like Special Olympics, I swear. - Laura Norvig

As the Web Services librarian, I service the web. Which makes me sound like I'm a porny cam girl or something. - cecily

I'm a Web Content Developer. I don't service anyone. Which, frankly, is wasting some of my talents. ;) - josh neff, geek at large

cecily I try not to think to much about what my title of "web services librarian" actually means. I'm thinking of getting business cards that just say, "Other duties as assigned." - DJF

Hang on, I'm working on getting my title changed to Web Services Librarian... - Miriella

*attempts to change title to Web Services Librarian, fails, sulks back as an Instructional Services Librarian* Sigh. I'm never with the cool kids. ;) - ÉllbeeÇee

Pfft LBC, you're so cool, you've got a cool kid group all by yourself. :P - Miriella

This is so great, Derrick. I share your enthusiasm about libraries. :) - Connie Crosby

Merry, I think that's called "sitting in the corner alone" :p - ÉllbeeÇee

Are you at all interested in academic libraries as well? I can't offer a volunteer gig because we don't use volunteers, but if you ever wanted a library to visit in the area I'm at a fairly well-known academic institution in Pasadena :) - kristin buxton

Kristin, I would most certainly prefer an academic institution! I'm currently work in Pasadena at a well known, but small center of art where I am also an alumnus. I'll sub to you and you can DM me. :) - Derrick

PORTLAND IS TALKING BACK TO YOU. I work at Portland State. Look me up when you are in town. - Joan

Sure thing, Joan! - Derrick

LSW: a creature was stirring

anybody have an opinion about the quality of titles put forward by nova science publishers? is it an appropriate publisher for university-level science education?

November 16 - Comment - Like - Share

we've blocked Nova on Blackwell at MPOW. both content and production are poor. - DJF

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i only had their web site to go on, and it matches with your description of their print pubs. thanx a mil. - a creature was stirring

That was my experience, too - they'd publish three titles that seemed pretty much identical, and were edited by the same guy. - Laura H.

I would guess I might buy about 1 out of 500. - Joe

We also have them blocked. - kristin buxton

i fight to not pick up their books because they're a little too elementary for our collection. - Kendra <3 Three Lions

cecily to cecily's feed, LSW, Librariology

I'm looking for examples of library blogs that focus on the community surrounding the library, not just on the library itself. If you have examples, please list URLs.

October 21 - Comment - Like - Share

edythe liked this

http://shelftalk.spl.org/ Shelf Talk from the Seattle Public Library is mostly book recommendations and library stuff but they do also mention events in the community. (http://shelftalk.spl.org/categor...) - kristin buxton

Thanks for the link, Kristin! - cecily

ÉllbeeÇee to LSW, Librariology

(Primarily for the academic librarians)How are subject specialties handled at your library? Does every college/department have a subject librarian? Are those people also the liaisons to the departments? Where are the areas you think subject specialists are absolutely necessary?

October 19 - Comment - Like - Share

Sir Shuping liked this

Collections are divided up into broad subject ranges; information librarians into narrower subject ranges. The latter liaise with departments especially about teaching and infolit, some institutional repository stuff; but also each department has a liaison to the library (IME mostly about collections issues). The last question will require more thought which may or may not happen today. :-) - Deborah Fitchett

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We call ourselves liaisons, but I don't think it means the same here as it would to you. Yes, each department has a librarian, and we divvy them up primarily by division of the college (so I get Languages & Literature, someone else gets Arts, someone else gets social sciences, etc). Each librarian does the instruction and student appointments for his or her departments, and we do... more... - lris' ghost

Each division has 0-2 subject specialists who are also the liaisons who do collection development, a little instruction, tackle more complicated ref. questions, etc. - kristin buxton

As you know, my library is like Iris's in terms of size and scope. Until recently we had four liaison librarians, one each for humanities (me), social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary programs. We do instruction for our departments, collection development, and departmental/divisional liaison stuff. The model is falling apart a bit, as there was always more demand on the... more... - s t e v e

We have departmental libraries and subject specialists, and are currently struggling to absorb some interdisciplinary changes to campus offerings, as well as other concerns in the light of trying to consolidate service points. A subject specialist is responsible for liaison work, collection development, teaching, outreach, whatever and however the librarian sees fit to organize those activities. - RudĩϐЯaЯïan

We have two Subject librarians - Education (College of Ed) & Music (College of Visual & Performing Arts). The rest of the departments got divvied up between the other 5 librarians on staff. As for the duties, well....those depend on the librarian. The two of us who are subject specialist by title offer quite a bit more to our faculty (IMO) than the rest. We do instruction, student... more... - ~Courtney F.

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