I had a great time at the 2014 OLA conference last week, attending informative and thought-provoking sessions, and chatting with colleagues I hadn't seen recently. SSD sponsored a number of sessions, in addition to a pre-conference. I was impressed with the two SSD sessions I attended.
The first, "Oral History and Libraries: a Perfect Fit", highlighted Lake Oswego Public Library's "In Their Own Words II" project. I was impressed at how much they had accomplished, and it really got me to thinking about the importance of capturing oral history. (Alas, since I was on the conference committee, I had to leave that session early).
The second, "Our First Digital Collection: Starting From Scratch with Nothing", reviewed Multnomah County Library's first digital collection: Central Library: Historic Photographs. Mostly using tools they already had, great organization, and some in-house crowdsourcing, they were able to get the collection ready for the Central Library's anniversary. The presenter gave excellent advice about planning and project management.
Major kudos to SSD for providing such great programming!
Slides for all the OLA session are (or will be soon) available on Northwest Central.
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Monday, July 8, 2013
Library Technology News
The library mobile app company Boopsie for Libraries introduced multilingual functionality at the end of June. It's an app that public and academic libraries use for their mobile needs and it allows patrons to "search the library's catalog, locate branches, ask a librarian questions,
view a calendar of events and check out books on their mobile devices
with just the click of a button."
Monday, April 8, 2013
Associates latest issue and a question
The new "Associates" is out for the first part of 2013. There are articles about the Library Journal Paraprofessional of the Year Laura Poe, certification in Massachusetts, volunteers in the library, spotlights on a couple paraprofessionals and more. Associates is a worldwide journal for library support staff. Check it out!
There's a kickstarter project to create libraries in Africa. What do you think of this creative way to finance a library? Do you see this kind of technology/social media changing the way your library is funded in the future?
There's a kickstarter project to create libraries in Africa. What do you think of this creative way to finance a library? Do you see this kind of technology/social media changing the way your library is funded in the future?
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Latest Kindle iOS deletes your library
You may have heard by now, but in case you haven't, the Kindle for iOS app update (3.6.1) for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch deletes libraries and saved settings in iThing.
Amazon issued this statement:
Fortunately, all the information is stored in the Cloud, but restoring massive amounts of books, movies, and TV episodes can be a painful undertaking.
Pass this along to your patrons with Amazon's Kindle app!
Amazon issued this statement:
We have identified an issue with the app update that may cause your app to become deregistered. To register, enter your Amazon account e-mail address and password and all your Amazon content will be available in the cloud. We have submitted an update fix for this issue and are working with Apple to release.And as of today, there's an even newer version of the app (3.6.2), which still doesn't seem to have fixed the above issue, based on user comments.
Fortunately, all the information is stored in the Cloud, but restoring massive amounts of books, movies, and TV episodes can be a painful undertaking.
Pass this along to your patrons with Amazon's Kindle app!
Monday, February 4, 2013
The Applestore Library (Again)
I'm sure by now you've heard of the "bookless" library that has just opened in San Antonio, TX. If you haven't, there's a plethora of news outlets covering it: NPR, Mashable, engadget, treehugger, the verge, rt, some comparing it to an Apple store. Skimming the articles, there are different coverages of the different pros and cons associated with it. However, as usual, I saw nothing about how the library is staffed. Do they have support staff? There are questions about availability of ebook titles from publishers, and how long ereaders last, but little about the running of the library itself.
So, dear readers, if this is the direction libraries are headed, how do you see your job changing? What would a support staff job in a library like that look like? Would we be called "Library Geniuses" that work at the Genius Bar?
So, dear readers, if this is the direction libraries are headed, how do you see your job changing? What would a support staff job in a library like that look like? Would we be called "Library Geniuses" that work at the Genius Bar?
Monday, December 10, 2012
LSSC Free Webinar Today and Tomorrow
The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association’s Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program will be offering two free webinars in December. Anyone interested in the programs are welcome to sign up by clicking the links below.
December 10th, 2pm Central Time – An Introduction to the LSSC Program
On Monday, December 10th at 2:00 pm (Central), LSSC will offer an hour-long webinar on the program and how it works. The presentation will explain the value of this certification to Library Support Staff, employers, and library users. You will also have the opportunity to have all of your questions answered by program staff members. This webinar is open to all interested candidates. Register to attend at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/
December 11th, 3pm Central Time – Preparing a Portfolio
Many LSSC candidates want to prepare portfolios to meet LSSC requirements. On Tuesday, December 11 at 2:00 pm (Central), LSSC will offer an hour-long webinar explaining what the LSSC Program requires in a portfolio. The presentation will also give you the chance to see examples of successful submissions and learn how your portfolio will be evaluated. This webinar is open to all interested candidates. Register to attend at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/
Ian Lashbrook - ilashbrook@ala.org
Research Associate
American Library Association-Allied Professional Association
50 E Huron St
Chicago IL 60611-2795
Friday, January 20, 2012
How to use what you learn in LSSC
Another post from Sylvia in our continuing series about LSSC - Library Support Staff Certification. Sylvia works for Baker County Library District managing the magazine and newspaper collections.
What helps you the most in completing your classwork in the LSSC program?
Working from home: I mentioned that I work from home and this is possible because our IT manager made a house call; he helped me set up my home pc for internet access and appropriate programs that would support my support staff training. The expense for equipment and the internet connection, of course, has been my own, but the library I work for supported me by allowing the technology manager to do that, and I am grateful.
My co-worker’s creative support: As much as possible, I look for opportunities to integrate my class assignments with my daily responsibilities at work, or I turn class projects into an opportunity for on-the-job training. My co-workers help me find opportunities. For example, for one class project I was able to learn all about the online and in-library resources we had for genealogy research. Myself and a co-worker attended “Family History Days”, where I gave a power point presentation I’d prepared on that topic and she put together an informational booth. This presentation led to another opportunity for a similar presentation at another local genealogy conference, as well as sharing the information at an all-staff training day. I needed help from more knowledgeable staff to create the presentation because I needed to learn about the resources for myself, I shared the information with the community and passed the information on to other staff who hadn’t yet had the opportunity to learn about these resources.
Thanks once again, Sylvia. Are you taking classes and working? Let us know how it's going for you by commenting below.
What helps you the most in completing your classwork in the LSSC program?
Working from home: I mentioned that I work from home and this is possible because our IT manager made a house call; he helped me set up my home pc for internet access and appropriate programs that would support my support staff training. The expense for equipment and the internet connection, of course, has been my own, but the library I work for supported me by allowing the technology manager to do that, and I am grateful.
My co-worker’s creative support: As much as possible, I look for opportunities to integrate my class assignments with my daily responsibilities at work, or I turn class projects into an opportunity for on-the-job training. My co-workers help me find opportunities. For example, for one class project I was able to learn all about the online and in-library resources we had for genealogy research. Myself and a co-worker attended “Family History Days”, where I gave a power point presentation I’d prepared on that topic and she put together an informational booth. This presentation led to another opportunity for a similar presentation at another local genealogy conference, as well as sharing the information at an all-staff training day. I needed help from more knowledgeable staff to create the presentation because I needed to learn about the resources for myself, I shared the information with the community and passed the information on to other staff who hadn’t yet had the opportunity to learn about these resources.
Thanks once again, Sylvia. Are you taking classes and working? Let us know how it's going for you by commenting below.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Balancing life, work, and school. What works for you?
Sylvia Bowers answers another question for us about her experience with LSSC - Library Support Staff Certification.
What techniques have you learned in order to balance your work/school/home life?
I try to schedule no more than 2-hours per day during the week to do general classwork; this usually falls between 8pm to 10pm after my household has quieted down and I can focus. I block larger sections of time on the weekends to work on bigger class projects. If I’m feeling pressured to get my assignments done in too little time, I will schedule a couple vacation hours to accommodate the extra time needed to do a good job. I have only had to do this two to three times. Also, a couple of the instructors have stated up front in their syllabus the amount of time they expect to be spent on classwork and assignments. The class I am taking right now, Adult Readers’ Advisory, specified that students should be able to complete classwork and assignments in 7 to 10 hours per week. I try to use this as a guideline, so I’m not spending more time than is expected. If an instructor has not stated their time expectations then I will simply ask and this then gives a good baseline from which to plan.
The absolutely most useful thing I did when I first started taking classes was to connect to the internet at home so I could do my classwork from home. I found, though, that I was still spending too much time isolated from my family, so I got a laptop. With a laptop I can sit in the living room with my family while they’re reading or visiting and I can do my classwork. It usually takes longer to do my work because there are interruptions, but that’s okay, because this setup meets my emotional need to spend time with my family in the evening.
Thanks, Sylvia. Do you have any questions or comments for Sylvia? Just click on the link below!
What techniques have you learned in order to balance your work/school/home life?
I try to schedule no more than 2-hours per day during the week to do general classwork; this usually falls between 8pm to 10pm after my household has quieted down and I can focus. I block larger sections of time on the weekends to work on bigger class projects. If I’m feeling pressured to get my assignments done in too little time, I will schedule a couple vacation hours to accommodate the extra time needed to do a good job. I have only had to do this two to three times. Also, a couple of the instructors have stated up front in their syllabus the amount of time they expect to be spent on classwork and assignments. The class I am taking right now, Adult Readers’ Advisory, specified that students should be able to complete classwork and assignments in 7 to 10 hours per week. I try to use this as a guideline, so I’m not spending more time than is expected. If an instructor has not stated their time expectations then I will simply ask and this then gives a good baseline from which to plan.
The absolutely most useful thing I did when I first started taking classes was to connect to the internet at home so I could do my classwork from home. I found, though, that I was still spending too much time isolated from my family, so I got a laptop. With a laptop I can sit in the living room with my family while they’re reading or visiting and I can do my classwork. It usually takes longer to do my work because there are interruptions, but that’s okay, because this setup meets my emotional need to spend time with my family in the evening.
Thanks, Sylvia. Do you have any questions or comments for Sylvia? Just click on the link below!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
What can you learn through LSSC?
Today Sylvia Bowers, SSD member-at-large, answers a couple questions for us about her experience with LSSC - Library Support Staff Certification.
Which one class have you liked the most and why? How has what you've learned in your favorite class influenced your work?
These are very good questions. My favorite class with the most usefully applicable information was the Library Technology class I took from Northern Kentucky University. The class started with very basic computer use information, ended with document and internet security, with a lot of practical projects in between.
The class lasted from late August through early October. Some of the projects included creating Google docs and Google presentations, and scheduling online meetings. One project entailed pricing and "purchasing" computer systems and furniture for a fictitious library of my choice. Another fun project for this class was planning how to automate a small branch library.
A large portion of time in this class was spent learning how to cope with technology change. This is a very common challenge. We explored resources that are available and strategies that you can implement that will help a person working in a library keep up with these changes, as well as how to make good use of that technology in your job right now.
In addition to the larger projects, I learned much I can use in my job on a daily basis. For example, I learned beyond-basic internet search skills, standard computer trouble-shooting skills, and I certainly gained an appreciation for the complexity of computer networks.
I appreciated the support I got from the instructor and the institution. It was a very satisfying learning experience and I would recommend this class to anyone.
Thanks, Sylvia!
Are you curious about getting certified? Ask Sylvia questions about the LSSC program by posting in the comments section below!
Which one class have you liked the most and why? How has what you've learned in your favorite class influenced your work?
These are very good questions. My favorite class with the most usefully applicable information was the Library Technology class I took from Northern Kentucky University. The class started with very basic computer use information, ended with document and internet security, with a lot of practical projects in between.
The class lasted from late August through early October. Some of the projects included creating Google docs and Google presentations, and scheduling online meetings. One project entailed pricing and "purchasing" computer systems and furniture for a fictitious library of my choice. Another fun project for this class was planning how to automate a small branch library.
A large portion of time in this class was spent learning how to cope with technology change. This is a very common challenge. We explored resources that are available and strategies that you can implement that will help a person working in a library keep up with these changes, as well as how to make good use of that technology in your job right now.
In addition to the larger projects, I learned much I can use in my job on a daily basis. For example, I learned beyond-basic internet search skills, standard computer trouble-shooting skills, and I certainly gained an appreciation for the complexity of computer networks.
I appreciated the support I got from the instructor and the institution. It was a very satisfying learning experience and I would recommend this class to anyone.
Thanks, Sylvia!
Are you curious about getting certified? Ask Sylvia questions about the LSSC program by posting in the comments section below!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Skype
Wow! I really am a geek just not the techy kind. I successfully navigated through Skype and had a wonderful video conversation with Susan Gilmont. All it took was asking my IT department to download it and set up and account. How simple is that? The next step is an SSD video meeting. This is a new adventure for SSD.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
SSD Presence: Facebook
We've had a blog developed for us, established a Flickr account, we are on the web at www.olaweb.org and now we are looking at joining the world of Facebook. Establishing these virtual identities is not an easy task. Several people share words of wisdom or post articles on the blog however most of the updating falls to 1 person: Sarah Cunningham. And she needs HELP! Would someone like to try their hand at maintaining our Facebook presence? The idea is to share the wealth! How about it? Contact me: cathyz@deschuteslibrary.org if you'd like to take on this fun and rewarding task.
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