Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Day in the life of a Public Library Book Buyer!
Day in the life of a Public Library Book Buyer!
I have the best job in my public library system: I select books for adults, in English and in Spanish for 27 libraries. I don’t supervise anyone but myself which is a freedom I greatly appreciate.
Everyday I receive requests from library staff & patrons and read reviews of forthcoming titles. I work to fill-in missing titles of favorite old series (for mystery & science fiction especially), classics and other titles that have been lost but are still loved. And, I eagerly unpack boxes of “advance reading” copies - uncorrected proofs - to see what’s going to be “hyped” by publishers in the coming months. I try to read my free e-mail newsletter, “Shelf Awareness: Daily Enlightenment for the Book Trade”, every day (http://www.shelf-awareness.com/). This publication is, “…dedicated to helping the people in stores, in libraries and on the Web buy, sell and lend books most wisely.” I like knowing what books will be on television and radio shows such as The Colbert Report or NPR and reading interviews with authors.
More often than you might think, my job also involves justifying my decisions to purchase a particular title (or not). My department receives complaints all the time regarding materials that people find offensive in one way or another and we do our best to respond promptly and courteously. I used to think this type of complaint mainly initiated with a patron. I was disappointed to discover that sometimes a person with an MLS, employed by the library, will try to limit access to an item that may have been selected to fill a patron’s request. So, sometimes my job is to educate staff about our selection criteria and policies and ideals regarding intellectual freedom.
Three people work in my department. There is also another selector for children’s and young adult materials and our supervisor. We have a six million dollar materials budget for a service area of one million people. Six dollars per patron, per year, does not stretch as far as we would like it to but we do the best we can. In addition to books, we purchase magazines, newspapers, downloadable media, dvds, music cds, books on cd and databases.
Helen the Librarian, Book Buyer
Pima County Public Library
helen.gutierrez@pima.gov
Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Call for Applications
http://www.arl.org/news/pr/irdw-15june09.shtml
Press Releases & Announcements
Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Call for Applications--Deadline August 31
For immediate release:
June 15, 2009
For more information, contact:
Mark A. Puente
Association of Research Libraries
202-296-2296
mpuente@arl.org
Download a PDF of this release
Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Call for Applications
Deadline August 31
Washington DC—The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is accepting applications for the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW), a program designed to recruit LIS graduate students from traditionally underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds into careers in research libraries. The IRDW includes a stipend up to $10,000 over two years, leadership and career development training, and a formal mentorship program.
The IRDW is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and ARL member libraries. This initiative reflects the commitment of ARL members to create a diverse research library community that will better meet the challenges of changing demographics in higher education and the emphasis of global perspectives in the academy.
Program Goal and Objectives
*
Attracting LIS graduate students from underrepresented groups to careers in research libraries, especially students with an educational background in applied and natural sciences or information technology*
*
Strengthening participants’ leadership skills via a Leadership Institute held in conjunction with the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting
*
Developing a network of mentors who will guide and nurture the career development of the participants
* Candidates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply. Those without academic training in natural/applied sciences or information technology/computer science will be required to complete coursework that will better prepare the candidate to work in science librarianship or information technology.
Applications
Successful applicants will meet the following criteria:
1.
Member of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group (Note: Racial and ethnic group membership is based on the categories outlined in the US Census. Racially and ethnically underrepresented groups include: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino.)
2.
Acceptance into an ALA-accredited LIS graduate program
3.
Interest in pursuing a career in a research library
All applicants are required to submit the following materials by Monday, August 31, 2009:
*
Applicant summary sheet
*
Résumé
*
A 350-word essay describing what attracts you to a professional position in an ARL library
*
Two letters of reference
*
Official undergraduate and graduate school transcripts including your last academic semester completed
*
Copy of an official letter of acceptance from an ALA-accredited library/information school
For more details about the application process, see the complete Call for Applications http://www.arl.org/diversity/init/call.shtml.
For more information about the program, see the IRDW Web site http://www.arl.org/diversity/init/.
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Middle School Librarianship
Alma Ramos-McDermott working at Pollard Middle School in Needham, MA who is giving us an inside view to what it is like!
A day in the life of a Middle School librarian
I am a first year middle school librarian for over 1100 students in grades 6-8. My day is supposed to officially start at 7:25 am, but I am usually in the library by 6:45 a.m. Sometimes, I am greeted at the library door, or 5-10 minutes after I arrive, by a teacher or two looking for that “last minute” DVD or book that they absolutely need and forgot to get yesterday. They may also come to get the keys to the laptop cart they are using in their classroom or to find out if the daily newspaper has been delivered. Between the time I get there and the time the library “officially” opens to students, I may see 1-3 teachers.
In library school, we learned that teachers depend on us, but we weren’t told that it may be earlier in the day than we expected. However, as a former classroom teacher for 21 years and, since I’m there early to beat traffic, it feels good to help get their day organized. During that early morning time, I also work on book orders and check through my e-mails. Today, several teachers contacted me to schedule time for their classes in the library. I e-mailed them to arrange a time to meet with them and, at that time, we’ll discuss their lesson and how I can help their students learn important research and information literacy skills that go with their lesson. Also, since it’s the beginning of the month, I am looking for books on the online catalog that match themes related to the month that I can display in the library’s three display cases. I walk in and out of the shelves getting the books that I need to display.
At 7:25, the school doors open. Since the library faces the front door, many students stream into the library. Some need to return a book, others want to renew, some want to borrow, some need to use the computer, and the rest are there for the two 8th grade and one 6th grade class that use the library for Advisory classes, which takes the place of Homeroom. While all this activity takes place, I am busy checking out books and/or helping students to find what they need on the shelves or via the online catalog. When there’s a lull, I am in the stacks putting together a cart of books for a teacher who needs it in their classroom. Today, the cart is beginning to get filled with poetry books for a 6th grade class. On other days, the carts have held books on Biographies, Mysteries, Ancient Greece, Chemistry, Planets, Picture Books for a Theatre project and other topics.
Soon after 8:00 a.m. the bell rings for the end of Advisory, and I straighten up the tables/chairs, pick up papers, and/or log students out of the computers if they forgot. Today, my classes are in a teacher’s classroom, as a follow-up to a lesson that was done in the library last week. We school librarians need to be flexible, since teachers may change their mind at the last minute and decide they need to reschedule the planned lesson, or change locations. Today, the times for me to come were changed, as the teacher forgot that first period is a reading block.
Throughout the day, I take groups of students to the library to look for books that they need for their research. As students worked on their research project using laptops, I walked around the classroom reinforcing what I’d taught for those who needed extra help. There was a short 45 minute break between two of my four classes, so I used that time to finish the cart of books for the month’s theme, and finish decorating the library cases. I also returned several telephone messages and e-mails, and helped several students who came in seeking books.
Lunch is 22 minutes, but I spend 15 of those minutes looking up information to answer a teacher’s e-mail. I settle down for a quick bite, and then I’m off to my next set of classes. I rush out of the classroom at 2:08 to get to the library on time to set up for the afterschool center which begins at 2:10. Before I’m finished setting up, several students have already come in to use the library since the dismissal bell has rung. I wind up with 45 students. Some days I have 60, others 20. Each day varies.
I am supposed to stay until 2:40 pm, when a paid teacher comes in until 3:30 pm. Instead of leaving, I wind up continuing to help a student with a project on the computer. As I get ready to leave, someone else pleads for help with a Spanish assignment. Since I speak Spanish, and I feel badly for her, I help, and finally wind up leaving at 3:10 pm for my hour ride home.
Today, my day began at 6:45 and ended at 3:10 pm, and it’s been non-stop action all day. Library school taught me to be a librarian, but I’ve learned more each day than a textbook or professor could have ever shown me. My advice to you is: if you’re in library school studying to become a school librarian, take time to volunteer in a school library so you can get “on the job” training, and learn to “think on your feet.” Every day is different, and I learn something new every day. So will you.
I enjoy the variety of my job, and love helping teachers and students learn research skills and recommend books to read.
Monday, April 27, 2009
It's time! Rolling out the new Day in the Life!!!
Our inaugral post was submitted by Siobhan Champ-Blackwell, Community Outreach Liaison for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine MidContinental Region (NN/LM MCR) and REFORMA Secretary, from Omaha, Nebraska:
When asked to explain the position of Community Outreach Liaison for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine MidContinental Region (NN/LM MCR), I feel the need to sit down and get ready for a long chat. So, pull up a chair, a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and join me as we explore the world of regional medical libraries, outreach and networking.
First, the NN/LM. There are eight regional medical libraries (RML) in the United States. You can find your RML at http://nnlm.gov/ . Just click on the map for your state and you are there. I work for the MidContinental Region, the big purple section in the middle of the country. http://nnlm.gov/mcr/
“The mission of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by providing all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improving the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health. The Program is coordinated by the National Library of Medicine and carried out through a nationwide network of health science libraries and information centers.” This is a pretty broad mission, and each RML carries it out in slightly different ways, depending on the geography of the region, the make-up of the population, etc.
At the NN/LM MCR, we use what we call the “distributed model”. The University of Utah holds the contract for the Regional Medical Library and subcontracts positions and special projects to seven libraries in the region. I work for Creighton University’s Health Sciences Library/Learning Resources Center through its subcontract with the University of Utah. Creighton’s HSL/LRC carries out the work of community outreach in the region through my office. Community Outreach focuses on improving access to health information around health disparities issues, especially in terms of minority health status. The other RMLs have a centralized model, where the NN/LM staff work mainly out of one medical library. For the NN/LM MCR the distributed model helps us to reach our frontier and rural geographic communities more efficiently.
You can see that this is a job that is bigger than one person or one office. In the NN/LM, we strive to assist libraries and community organizations to help us carry out our mission. We do this by providing classes, exhibiting at conferences, funding projects so they can reach their communities. Another successful strategy that I have used is to keep a blog “Bringing Health Information to the Community” http://nnlm.gov/mcr/bhic/ This blog is read daily by hundreds of national and international readers, made up of librarians and staff at public health departments and community organizations. And the readers of the BHIC blog forward postings onto others that they know would benefit from specific items, and so the word spreads.
It’s hard to describe a day in the life of an NN/LM librarian, because every day is different for all of us. I might be headed out for a three day trip to Denver to teach 12 hours of Continuing Education to public librarians, or driving to Kansas City to lead a “Café to Go” session, which brings librarians and community organizations together to find ways to partner with each other on health information projects. I may be teaching future healthcare providers at health sciences schools across the region on cultural competency resourcez. I may be in my office, blogging, answering email, developing classes. Or I might be taking notes at a REFORMA Board of Directors Meeting, fulfilling my role as Secretary of REFORMA. Networking, teaching, getting outside the library to where people are is a fun, exhausting and worthwhile way to spend time.
If you want to know more about being a medical librarian, see the resources the Medical Library Association has put together at http://mlanet.org/students/ I hope you consider this field. There is huge variety in what a medical librarian does and where s/he will end up – hospitals, corporations, non profits and public libraries are just some of the places that hire medical librarians. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have, and be sure and contact your RML!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
New posts coming soon!
In the upcoming months, we will begin posting our "Day in the life" series. This series will showcase a variety of different librarians and all of the exciting things they are doing in their communities.
For those individuals interested in learning about how to become a librarian, the American Library Association (ALA) has a great document available which provides an overview of the ALA accredited schools in the U.S. Also available is an overview of the profession, future trends, salaries, a listing of scholarships and a variety of other things that will be so interesting you will spend hours reading about the exciting world of librarianship! Find that information here!
DId you say FREE?!?!? Current student opportunity
Fifth Annual ARL Leadership Institute, Jan. 24-25, '09, Denver--Register by Dec. 8, '08
For immediate release:
September 17, 2008
For more information, contact:
Jerome Offord Jr.
Association of Research Libraries
202-296-2296
jerome@arl.org
Fifth Annual ARL Leadership Institute, January 24-25, 2009, Denver
Register by December 8, 2008
Washington DC—In conjunction with the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting in Denver, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) will host its Fifth Annual Leadership Institute for MLS students on Saturday and Sunday, January 24 and 25, 2009. The Leadership Institute will focus on issues related to transitioning into, and building career networks in, research libraries. The program will include guest presentations from library leaders and former ARL Diversity Scholars. Registration for this event is open to any MLS student free of charge.
The Leadership Institute is funded by ARL member institutions and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This annual event is a component of the ARL Diversity Initiatives, which include the Career Enhancement Program, Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce, and the Leadership and Career Development Program.
The 2009 Leadership Institute will feature such topics as:
- Research, Teaching, and Learning in the 21st Century
- Current Trends in Information Policy
- The Future of Open Access
- Should I Consider a Residency Program? (panel discussion)
Registration is open through Monday, December 8, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. eastern time. For more information and to register, visit http://www.arl.org/diversity/leadinst/.
Are you a current MLS student? Plan on attending this program!
ARL Career Enhancement Program for Minority MLS Students Now Accepting Applications--Apply by Dec. 8, '08
For immediate release:
October 20, 2008
For more information, contact:
Jerome Offord Jr.
Association of Research Libraries
jerome@arl.org
ARL Career Enhancement Program for Minority MLS Students Now Accepting Applications
Apply by December 8, 2008
Washington DC—The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Career Enhancement Program is accepting a second round of applications until December 8, 2008. Master’s of library science (MLS) students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups who have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credit hours by June 1, 2009, in an ALA-accredited MLS program are encouraged to apply for this enriching program experience.
The ARL Career Enhancement Program has four main components:
Six- to Twelve-Week Fellowship Experience: Each fellow will have the opportunity to work in a research library to gain both educational and professional experience while earning an MLS. Fellows will be assembled in groups of two or three to create a fellowship cohort at each host institution.
Mentoring Relationship: A professional librarian will mentor each fellow during the fellowship. The mentoring relationship will be different from the supervisory relationship and will provide the fellows with professional guidance and resource sharing.
Leadership Development: The fellows will participate in the ARL Leadership Institute, hosted in January in conjunction with the ALA Midwinter Meeting. During the institute, the fellows will have an opportunity to explore macro-level issues facing research libraries and discuss transitioning into a research library upon graduation. The fellows will have an opportunity to connect with other ARL fellows, library leaders, and other MLS students who attend the annual Leadership Institute.
Career Placement: ARL staff will work with each fellow to network and connect with ARL member libraries to facilitate the job search process.
Qualifications for Participating
Eligible applicants for the fellowship must:
be accepted in an ALA-accredited graduate library school program;
be a member of a racial/ethnic minority group as described by the US Census Bureau; and
have completed a minimum of 12 graduate-level credits in library and information science by June 1, 2009.
Selection and Institutional Match
The ARL Career Enhancement Program uses a unique process for selecting and matching fellows with host institutions. Each host institution has committed to have one designated staff member serve on the Coordinating Committee. The committee will read the entire application pool; select acceptable fellows; and then enter into dialogue about experience, professional fit (fellows’ goals and desired experience), and creating a diverse group of students. The committee will then work together to create the best placement for each fellow.
The fellowship host institutions are:
- University at Albany, State University of New York
- University of Arizona
- University of California, San Diego
- Columbia University
- University of Kentucky
- University of Michigan
- National Library of Medicine
- North Carolina State University
- University of Washington
Applications
Applications are being accepted until December 8, 2008, and should be submitted online. More information about the program, the application process, timelines, and host institutions can be found at http://www.arl.org/diversity/cep/index.shtml. If you need additional information, please contact Jerome Offord Jr. jerome@arl.org.