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Sunday, December 20th, 2009
library_grrls
[ footprints_45 ]
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2:02a
Thoughts on San Jose State University
After reading through various posts, this school seems to not be regarded very highly. Some even refer to it as the "diploma mill" of MLS degrees. I see that it is ALA approved and ranked in the top 22. There are a lot of other programs that I see that are ALA approved, but not even ranked.
Is this program not taken seriously in the "working world", especially academic libraries, or just by this board? I would appreciate any thoughts/experiences.
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(7 comments | comment on this) Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
library_grrls
[ cutest_sandgirl ]
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2:13p
I've been made Part Time Supervisor...
Lord help the part timers... LOL!
Seriously though, I'm honored that the Powers That Be entrust me with this duty, but I'm also scared shitless.
My first task as Supervisor was to create the schedule for next term. There wasn't much training involved... just... here's the template, here's a list of the student's availablity, have fun. I whipped up a draft in two days and was delighted that my supervisor approved it. There are some gaps that need filled though.
So the Head of Circulation wants me to find one or two more part-timers (students) to put on the schedule for next term. Which means I have to go thru a stack of applications and contact them and set up an interview and well.... interview them. Heh.
I've never interviewed anyone in my life. Hell, I've never been a Supervisor before.
So I have two interviews set up so far.
I don't know who'll be more nervous... them or me! O_o
Any advice?
current mood:  nervous
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(13 comments | comment on this) Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
(comment on this) Monday, December 14th, 2009
libraries
[ dragonladyflame ]
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10:06p
Books For Swaziland! :: An exciting request.
BOOKS FOR SWAZILAND! :: An exciting request.
A PITCH THAT I SPENT MUCH TOO LONG WRITING.
(Cross-posted to: my LiveJournal and related communities, my Facebook profile and related pages, HPK-Mayhem, Bowers House, Moomers Readings, lots of my friends. Please forward!)
Hi everyone!
My name is Lydia and I am currently volunteering in Swaziland with the U.S. Peace Corps. For several years previous to my departure, I worked in the wonderful bookstore O'Gara & Wilson -- Chicago's oldest bookstore, in fact! (It has a beautiful new website that you can access by clicking here). I am also a nigh-rabid writer, and generally spend much more time reading than out in the healthy fresh air like a normal human.
Recently, my friend and fellow volunteer Jason collaborated with an organization called Books For Africa to create Books For Swaziland, a project designed to establish new libraries or enhance existing school library facilities in rural Swazi communities. He then recruited a bunch of us other volunteers to help distribute the books around our communities. If this sounds awesome to you, please donate to the project by clicking here.
But perhaps you have doubts! Read on, my friend. I will settle all your doubts and solve all your problems.
Your Doubts!
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking:
1) "Wow, it is awfully culturally imperialistic for America to be shoving our books down Swaziland's throat. I am disappointed in Lydia, as I thought she was a more culturally sensitive human than this!"
2) "Book donations are very rarely of good quality or useful subject matter. Doesn't Lydia know that it will not be awesome for Swazis to receive thousands of obscure literary criticism tomes and 1995 computer manuals?"
3) "I feel zero confidence that these books will be properly accessible to the Swazi populace and/or taken care of. For example, how is Lydia ensuring that the books for at her site are not sold, or perhaps destroyed through neglect?"
I completely understand! But rest assured that I would not participate in a project that did not address said doubts. Allow me to explain!
( Read more... )
Take care, all of you. I hope all is well in America.
Lydia
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(comment on this)
libraries
[ enigmajoe2002 ]
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12:34p
ALA
I just joined the ALA under a student membership and have not gotten much time to look over the site...I will probably do that when I get home. Anyways, I would like to know your guys (if you are/have been a part of the ALA) likes and dislikes of the ALA site; what benefits, member discounts, and stuff like that.
Thanks :)
current mood: chipper
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(6 comments | comment on this)
libraries
[ instant_culture ]
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9:24a
Interaction requested!
For my final for one of my classes, I was asked to answer the following question: "What is the relationship between culture and information technology?" I created a blog, thinking that the format would also illustrate my point that the two are interdependent and shape eachother. If you have a moment, please check out ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) instant_culture and post a few responses/questions so that we can get some discussion going on there and really drive home the point!
Thanks!
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(comment on this) Thursday, December 10th, 2009
library_grrls
[ mysteena ]
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7:53a
A little about me: I'm about to start my last quarter of library school (yay!) but my actual hands-on library experience is limited. I had an internship this summer and currently I volunteer at my kids' elementary school's media center on a weekly basis. The media specialist doesn't have an MLS, and this is his first year working in the library. Previously, he worked as the computer technician in the math lab. I think he was given this position due to seniority, but I'm not sure. He is the only person working in the library and relies heavily on volunteers.
Yesterday he asked me to go through the shelves and make sure the books were in order. It was mind-numbing. But I know, a necessary evil and I am a volunteer so grunt work it is. I found a book on Zapata that had been miscataloged. My question to you is: How do I tactfully bring this to his attention? Obviously I handled it the wrong way because he got quite defensive. I handed it to him, told him it had been miscataloged and walked away. This way, I thought it would seem that I wasn't accusing him(as it could have been the previous librarian) and I had confidence that he could figure out the error on his own. Well, when I went by his desk the next time he snapped, "What's the problem?"
I said, "Isn't it about Zapata?"
"Yes" (almost a snarl)
"Shouldn't it be in the Z's?"
At this point he looks at the spine and sees that it had been labeled with an "R" and he started berating himself, etc. But the whole experience was awkward. I don't want to disrespect him or what he clearly considers HIS library. Is there a more delicate way to handle such a situation?
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(16 comments | comment on this) Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
(11 comments | comment on this)
library_grrls
[ cariadanam ]
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11:47a
AS or BS???
Hi everyone,
After much pondering and almost backing out I have decided to change careers. I have read all the info out there about why I shouldn't go into librarianship (budget, no one is retiring, etc) but I can't seem to resist!
A little background and my question:
I have an AS (Paralegal) and I have a MS (Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine) I supposedly received my Bachelors along the way to the Masters. My problem is my masters is not regionally accredited. I can't apply for the MLS/MLIS until I get an accredited Bachelors.
I am in California and we have Associate's library programs that I can attend through a community college, this would enable me to hopefully get a job as a paraprofessional. Or I could take the online Bachelors through University of Maine, Augusta. A bachelor's wouldn't be much longer and then I could roll into a MLS program.
Concerns:
I just can't figure out by research if I would be more employable as a paraprofessional with a certificate/AS or with a MLS. Do you think jobs will be more plentiful for paraprofessionals considering all the issues these days?
If I did do the Bachelor's would I be frowned on for doing it in Library science sense its not diversified? I do have a MS in Chinese medicine after all. I think the online Bachelors would make since, because I can do it online. There are very few Bachelors degrees online especially in CA, and I don't want to put a lot of money into this going to out of state schools. I am 36 with 3 small kids, things are tight. The school in Maine has a low tuition fee for out of state LS degrees.
I want to do what is actually going to get me a job, even if it means making less money but I want to pick the right schooling situation as well.
I appreciate your thoughts!
Julie
current mood:  contemplative
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(8 comments | comment on this)
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