Welcome to the room for the Library Society of the World! By joining the Society, you are joining a world-spanning group of library professionals and library advocates, dedicated to furthering the role of librarians, archivists, information professionals, and information educators through communication and collaboration. The LSW is about people, not buildings (although some of us think architecture is sexy). It's about friendship, not organization. It's about creating and fostering opportunities, not building barriers and divisions.
So I'm trying to put together a panel for SXSW (due by tomorrow) and I thought I'd pick the brains of some LSW folks. So far Amy Buckland and I have come up with the idea of a panel that discusses how librarians and library staff are using emerging tech and/or 2.0-ish stuff to enhance library services. But we (or rather, I) have an ulterior motive:
I'd like this panel to be a way for us to talk techier people into considering librarianship as a career. The way I see it, is we need more people from outside the discipline who are doing great things with tech to think about other uses for their apps and web services other than in corporate or for-profit settings. If you have some ideas about specific things we can include, or you're interested in appearing on the panel (for the chance at a free registration to SXSW in March) let me know here. Thanks!
- Cecily
If you want to attract techier people, why not look for problems that we'd like them to solve? I know LSW member Tim Keneipp created an internal incident report system for the library he works in. Show them things like that (Casey Bisson's WordPress OPAC comes to mind as well), and then show them tech stuff we have but hate and say, "we need people who can change this!" I would guess...
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- laura x
Traditionally libraries pay for paper (and for students) : the arrival of expensive e-resources mostly research-oriented has not been followed by a growth of libraries budgets. So alternative funding solutions have been set up : annual fee per faculty, annual fee per computer, global additional funding... I'm looking for other examples of what has been done.
- marlene
E-resources eat our book budget, then devour standing orders and next start in on the furniture and part-time employees. Nobody else helps pay to feed the beast.
- barbara fister
Our students pay a library fee, part of which is earmarked for e-resources. But we also pay for e-resources out of our general serials budget and our standing orders budget.
- Kirsten
+1 Barbara. E-resources are a separate budget line from periodical subscriptions; they are currently a little less than a third the size of the periodicals budget, and approximately equivalent to the book budget. There are two cases where departments chip in to cover the cost of specialized e-resources, but those are truly special-case exceptions. (we're a SLAC, ~1400 FTE)
- Catherine Pellegrino
LSW MEETUP: 7 PM SATURDAY, GIORDANO'S, 223 W. JACKSON. Be there or be elliptical! I'll have my Cod of Ethics shirt on, and will probably show somewhat early. :)
- D0r0th34
Thinking I'll skip it. Sorry folks, but you're really not missing much if I don't come. :-P It's my mom's birthday this weekend and I hope to spend a little time with her.
- LLL
Ok, update: Task2Gather, while it has some nice features, is a navigation/design nightmare. Not using that one! TaskBin is easy to use, but I don't like that I can't set specific due dates (only has generic today, this week and future). WizeHive seems best of these 3 so far, but free version is limited to 3 people.
- Dana Longley
Thanks for looking at WizeHive. The 3 user limit will almost certainly go away when we release some new pricing options in the next few weeks. The base level product will probably have unlimited users and come in either a free version (with a small amount of ads) or a very inexpensive version that has no ads.
- Mike Levinson
"What is your library saving you? How much would you pay out-of-pocket for the library services you use?"
- αnnα vαȵ scoyoç
from Bookmarklet
Neat, but a little consumer-oriented to me. How about "value of other people in my community having a place to go; value of children in the daycare down the road being exposed to stories being read to them; value to our society that an elderly shut it gets hours of enjoyment and is able to travel beyond her four walls; value of the book that some lip-pierced and tattooed teenager read...
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- barbara fister
i know...isn't that one of our biggest challenges...assessing the IMPACT libraries make. i know NJ's "tell us your story" campaign is taking a stab at such an assessment. www.tellusyourstory.org/ but still...calculating the true (other than monetary) value -- is tough.
- αnnα vαȵ scoyoç
Don't know anything about it: but this just came through my email box "New open source ERM system - Subscription Management Database - SMDB. SMDB is a solution for both single libraries and consortium." http://www.sempertool.dk
- JSNFLMNG
I block obvious spammers from following @jomcparklib. I don't want to contribute to their astronomical feed figures. curious to know what others do.
- Stephanie_JOMCParkLib
I'm thinking of creating a twitter stream for my branch and I would definitely block them, for a couple of reasons. First of all, like Stephanie mentions, to not reward the spammers. Also, when people look at who's following my feed, I don't want them to think my numbers are inflated. Our facebook page has 140ish fans and they are mostly actual York students, at least the last time I checked in some detail.
- John Dupuis
thanks all! i've been lucky and that we haven't had much of the spammers, but a few cropped up
- Sir Shuping
I've been letting them follow me, hasn't mattered so far. I can always go back and block them if things change right? I've been wondering if we should follow back, if we do then I would definitely vet each one as a patron. I don't care too much about stats, it's not a competition. (right?)
- JSNFLMNG
The OCLC Bloggers Salon is Sunday, 5:30-8, Chicago Hilton, Boulevard Room C (2nd floor). And there are no has-been bloggers, just people taking possibly-permanent blogcations. (Well, OK, some of us has-beens do blog, but that's a different parsing.)
- Walt Crawford
The whole crazy thing is just one big blogger salon, far as I'm concerned.
- Steve Incandenza
Rochelle, I'll join you at the Has-been Blogger Salon. Not sure that I can make it to the Sunday one. I'll probably be trying to get home on Metra or Blue Line or something by then.
- Betsy (bentley) Vera
I can't wait to meet you officially on saturday!!
- Becca
from twhirl
ALA Meetup Thread (revised)! Meetup will be SATURDAY at Giordano's (223 W Jackson Blvd is closest to convention ctr). Time TBD. If you *ARE* planning to make it, please post here! (if not, please refrain from posting so we can get an easy, accurate count)
Abigail, is it okay if some of us show a bit early? Like, sixish?
- D0r0th34
There is a bar there so showing up early is fine. I've made a reservation for 30 people at 7 for dinner. It's under my name. I should be in the bar area by 6-6:30 at the latest.
- Abigail (Hε₫§εhσ§ ĺﺃβ)
Oh, my word, but I am slow. Just now trying to figure out ALA schedule. Is there room for me in this shindig?
- Cap'n Rochelle
I know I said something earlier, but I will definitely be there. Is it too late to add me, too?
- Louise Alcorn
@Abigail, sorry I just got your question. You are correct that it will be me plus 4!
- Becca
Rochelle--of course! Louise and Eric--I'd counted you. Becca, we're dedicating a corner to y'all :) Current real count is 26....so we've a bit of wiggle room. See everyone Saturday!!!
- Abigail (Hε₫§εhσ§ ĺﺃβ)
I will be staying over on Saturday night. I don't know what hotel I'm in, but I'll try to be there. When?
- Betsy (bentley) Vera
I am very late to this party, but will chance it and come over.
- Kaijsa Calkins
Here are my thoughts on the job outlook for those of us in Library Systems and IT work. Let me know what you think. As usual, I was unable to express it in less than 500 words. My apologies. http://blog.infosciphi.info/...
I think your right. I've noticed that some libraries seem to have an almost unrealistic expectation of what someone can do...or they just cover everything that they want and scare the bejezus out of anyone that might apply
- Sir Shuping
Seems right to me. I know of too many skilled former librarians now in the IT sector (it just pays better!) and too many accidental tech librarians who are intimidated into not applying for positions because of the requirements.
- Jaclyn
I get depressed when I think about how much more I could be making in IT. I love libraries, but who knows if I'll spend my entire career in them. I'm frequently tempted to jump ship, given how darn expensive it is to live in DC, raise a family, and have a wife in grad school.
- jönαthaη
It stresses me as well Jonathan. To be honest, the money to be made isn't in the actual tech positions, it's in Library Systems administration and management. And you have to go to larger libraries or well endowed liberal arts colleges and publics in well-to-do areas. I know it's not all about the money, hell I've got a BA in Philosophy & the MSLS - I'm not interested in getting rich, I just want to be able to pay the bills and buy gadgets. :)
- W!cKeD's L!fE
I don't think about how much money I _was_ making in IT, before I became a librarian. I like libraries. I keep telling myself that.
- DJF
The lists are a little daunting these days on those job descriptions...often it's not even defined as a systems position or specifically IT and yet it has all the expectations.
- Abigail (Hε₫§εhσ§ ĺﺃβ)
I hope that by getting an MS in Tech Mgt I'll be able to stay in libraries (or at least, academia) and earn a decent salary to support a family on. I hear you, man. We've had similar discussions before. :)
- jönαthaη
they also have multi-day passes, which is probably what I'm going to get. although most of the conference hotels are not terribly close to train stations.
- ~Courtney S.
#ALA2009 Aggregator: "Because not yet everyone uses FriendFeed, this room collects items tagged #ala2009 from across the Internet. Twitter items only contain links, but no retweets." - http://friendfeed.com/ala2009
driving myself bananas. I need an image of ancient Chinese scrolls or ancient Chinese libraries or something. please help before I tear out all my hair! (or run out of time)
You can get to the MCC by taking the Metra, which runs from Randolph Street to the MCC (and past that). see http://www.metrarail.com/ for details
- ~Courtney S.
Also, Chicago transit is visible on Google maps under the "More" menu. You can even get directions that include public transit at http://maps.google.com/transit
- ~Courtney S.
So let's pretend I want to eventually move into library management (I really am pretending--I don't know). Currently my job doesn't involve management, so what are some logical steps to take from here?
Very helpful, Mr. Neff. Anyone here not hopped up on goofballs?
- Steve Incandenza
Get involved with management-y things. Take any opportunity to serve on a committee with membership that includes people OUTSIDE the library -- you want to build those ties. I don't know how you'd do this, but learning about budgeting and HR procedures cannot possibly hurt. Also, ask Jenica. *g*
- D0r0th34
Good question, steve, and one I've been thinking about a lot lately - thanks for asking it!
- ÉllbeeÇee
Leading projects? Anything you can do that demonstrates the ability to coordinate people's efforts, regardless of whether you're in a supervisory role or not, would be good practice for and evidence of management ability.
- Catherine Pellegrino
project management and leadership, absolutely. and pay attention to all administrative information coming down from the top of your structure. I don't know how transparent anyone else's institution is, but when budget information is disseminated, pay attention to how it's managed and divided. The better you can make sense of where the money goes, the more you know about priorities and...
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- Jenica
Not sure which professional orgs you're part of but most have leadership & management sections in them. You don't have to already be a manager to participate and it's a great way to network and learn the latest. Volunteer to be program chair of a local conference, chair local committees, etc... these activities indicate your willingness to lead and are noticed/remembered by colleagues.
- Nikki D.
You may not think your job involves management, but it likely does. Previously I was in a position where I did a lot of managing from the bottom because the management wasn't managing things in any sense of real management. But some of the suggestions here are really good.
- LLL
Manage some people. Manage a group of LAs or student workers for some projects or full time. Make sure you have to turn in job "performance evaluations" every once in a while, otherwise, you won't be seen as a "manager".
- Joe Kraus
Also (depending on how you get along with higher-ups), let them know you're interested in such things.
- Flitcraft
Steve--perhaps you could take on interns? I know MPOW there's no way I could get management responsibilities over the aides--we have a person who manages them and that's her territory. But if you bring in someone for a specific project, you still need to train and supervise them?
- Abigail (Hε₫§εhσ§ ĺﺃβ)
Agreeing with Abigail: is there a local library school with students looking for internships/field experiences/practicums? Or local students doing distance ed LIS programs? If you don't have access to student assistants to use as guinea pigs for practice supervision, you might be able to get in some mentoring on the side.
- Catherine Pellegrino
Can I add to Steve's question? When you volunteer for these outside opportunities to develop your leadership skills how do you prevent this from coming back to you in the form of "You spent too much time this year working on ALA/whatever and have neglected your primary job here at fill in the blank library?" Is this a common struggle?
- Lori Reed
Keep your higher-ups in the loop as you consider volunteer opportunities. In fact, ask 'em where you could get involved and tell 'em why. Much harder for them to gig you on it if they signed off beforehand.
- D0r0th34
Hmm, interesting, Jenica. I do project management and take leadership roles at times, but I don't think of myself as a manager. I'm technically only responsible for managing one person. So glad you asked this Steve. The salaries in management, frankly, are very enticing, but I'm not convinced I would actually like the work. I like getting my hands dirty on "real" things.
- Laura Norvig
Seems to me that many librarians who do not self-define as a "manager" think that management is something they're not doing, when in reality... as librarians, we're all managing, all the time. If you lead projects, make decisions about resources, and supervise staff... how are you NOT a manager? :) ( I suspect the answer is that it's a question of scale; many librarians are not...
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- Jenica
I don't want to hijack this thread, but I do believe there's a real distinction between leaders and managers (some managers aren't leaders, some leaders aren't managers), one I've tried to keep semi-clear in the Library Leadership Network. Unfortunately, the Management Literature tends to equate the two.
- Walt Crawford
And meanwhile, any time I hear about what "management skills" are, I think to myself, good old activist that I am, "Oh, they mean *organizing skills*"--although most of those are hard to put on your resume.
- laura x
Laura: Heh. I was once expounding at length on the best ways to get various people in various departments at MFPOW on board for a big project, and another member of the steering committee said to me, "wow, Catherine, you're really starting to sound like a manager," to which I replied, "no, actually, I'm starting to sound like a labor organizer." Amazing how often those skills come in handy.
- Catherine Pellegrino
I'm sure your local Subway is looking for someone reasonably reliable to manage their sandwich artists. (I'm only half-joking.)
- Greg Schwartz
Yeah, right. You know how hard it is to get a job at Subway in this economy?
- Steve Incandenza
Look at job posting for library managers so that you know what skills you need to develop. Then think creatively (as people above have said) about how you acquire those skills. You do not have to acquire management skills in the library. One important point is that at some point you'll need to change your resume to a functional style resume so that you can highlight those skills and...
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- Jill Hurst-Wahl
@Walt - Our management textbook said that managers "plan, organise, lead and control". It said it a great many times. When I'm old and senile and have forgotten everything but my name, I'll still be able to recite that.
- Deborah Fitchett
Volunteer for the board of a small community organization. If you end up chair, you will find yourself managing lots, including HR, finance and so on. That's really the best thing to see all the parts of an organization in one big humongous lump.
- Ryanish
Actually I'm with Walt on this one. There are a lot of suggestions about leading - eg. forming external partnerships, understanding the formal and informal structure of the organisation and serving on committees. Any librarian who wanted to do their job well in any organisation should do these.... When I read Steve's original qn, I immediately thought he meant a job where he managed other people . I think most of us "non-managing leaders" already manage time, relationships, resources and information
- SoCalled KathrynGreenhill
from iPhone
Kathryn: I think that "managing other people" can fall under several of the things that folks have suggested. Whenever I've been responsible for leading a committee or a project, I've had to draw on every ounce of people management skills and knowledge I have in order to meet goals. Unless Steve can some how shift his position around to having staff reporting to him officially, this is probably the best way to get people management experience.
- ǎňňǎ
the only difference between managing people in a committee, project, or other group and managing people formally (as far as I've seen in my 8 years managing people formally) is that the formal manager has the stick as well as the carrot. In informal management scenarios, you rarely have the power to punish, only to reward, and that, frankly, makes it a *more* challenging management...
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- Jenica
I think you are right Jenica. I lead ad hoc teams of ppl from many sections and levels and it feels like I need to charm them and show people how much fun it can be, how we can serve better, how much they can improve their skills... But it's a bit like being a grandparent or Auntie - you get to hand them back at the end of the day to the people who *really* set the rules and need to keep them happy long term..
- SoCalled KathrynGreenhill
from iPhone
As everyone has said, most of us are managers in one way or another. But here are some things to think about when considering capital M Management. Make sure you know the difference between managing and supervising. Look inside yourself and ask if you are ready for the responsibility of carrying your work with you (in the abstract) more often. Think about how you deal with crisis,...
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- Cap'n Rochelle
I've been thinking about this recently, too. Especially at smaller institutions, there isn't really a "career path" to follow in the formal sense. (At my library, I'm still in my "entry level" position with only one person between me and the library director. Promotion doesn't exist, really.) My director is really good about recognizing and encouraging the less-formal kinds of...
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- lris
If you are academic, get on university committees, try to get to chair one. For any kind of library, get involved in outside organizations (both professional and "fun") and work the committee structure. Do be careful of the issue which Lori Reed raises about how much work time you spend. If it is "off work" time, you are less likely to hear the issue raised. Good luck!
- Michael Golrick
Deborah: I'd note two things: 1. Saying something in a textbook doesn't (automatically) make it so. 2. Yes, every manager *should* be a leader--but there are many kinds of leadership that don't involve management. (When I get material for LLN about "failed leadership," I usually put it into the management category, since it's usually about managers who aren't leaders.)
- Walt Crawford
To steal from a conversation I've been having with Mary Carmen, not all leaders are managers, not all managers are leaders, and some people are both or neither. But there are lots of kinds of management -- resource management, project management, personnel management, vision management -- and all of them have a place in libraries, but not every manager is responsible for all of them....
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- Jenica
To tail end onto what Jenica has stated, I think that anyone who is thinking about management should really think about what aspects or areas of management they are interested in going into and then evaluate their current skills and what skills they need to improve. There are many management opportunities and not everyone is suited for them, the important point is that libraries need people in these management positions and we need people who are willing to embrace the challenge.
- Mary Carmen
As fun as it is to debate leadership vs. management, where I work it's pretty clear who is in management and who isn't. And it's pretty clear to the union and HR too: You either supervise people or you don't. And when you go to apply for those management positions, if you haven't supervised people before, you are at a distinct disadvantage, regardless of how many "leadership...
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- Greg Schwartz
Greg, that does seem to be the catch-22. Because, yes, I'm talking about moving into positions where I'd have to be managing people and/or money directly. It's fine to lead from wherever in the organization, but that's not really what I'm talking about. I'm not planning on switching to Subway or Wal-Mart, so I'll have to find ways to make it work in academic libraries. As she knows, I'm...
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- Steve Incandenza
Psst, Steve: I got my management job without any prior supervisory experience. Maybe publibs are more loosey-goosey about that sort of stuff, though.
- Cap'n Rochelle
As with most things, every institution's different. At RLG, I went from being non-management to being a low-level manager (with reports), then back to being a non-manager (but sometimes project leader), to being *called* a manager but with no reports...but, of course, that wasn't a library and certainly didn't have a union. (And other than "for ridicule," I'd never hold up my career as an example.)
- Walt Crawford
Interesting discussion! I agree with Mary that knowing what kind of management you want to do is important. After spending 7 months managing a library I decided I wanted something more directed, with fewer staff (I had 16 direct and non-direct reports). Project management really is where it's at for me - I get doses of all the general management stuff without having to constantly deal...
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- Fiona Bradley
Who besides me is at loose ends between 3 and 5:30 Friday and would like to do something in Chi-town? Could include dinner; I'm not bound and determined to go to LITA Open House.
looking for how libraries let their users know about new discovery layers/opac interface switches. if you've done this in your library recently, please let me know. (we're throwing worldcat local on top of our aleph install.)
If we do another zine for Annual next year, it has to feature a bogus ALA schedule. Some of the stuff in the real event planner is priceless. Like the ACRL program: "DIversity - Canceled."