Tag Archives: library and information services

Virginia county library system destroyed 250,000 of its own books | Yahoo! News Canada

Posted on by

The Fairfax County Public Library system in Virginia reportedly destroyed 250,000 books as part of an effort to revamp its system and cut costs.

The Washington Post reports that the books were discarded as part of a plan to reduce costs and bring the county’s library system into the digital age.

But in the past, discarded books were donated to a group called Friends of the Library, which would then donate them or sell them to raise money for the libraries, which have faced steep budget cuts in recent years. This time, seven months went by with no books going to the group — and no explanation why.

See the full story: Virginia county library system destroyed 250,000 of its own books | The Sideshow | Yahoo! News Canada.

32 Free Library Webinars in September | Ellyssa Kroski – OEDB.org

Posted on by

32 free webinars that are relevant for librarians and information professionals.

via 32 Free Library Webinars in September | Ellyssa Kroski – OEDB.org.

Librarians in the Intelligence Process | The Proverbial Lone Wolf Librarian’s Weblog

Posted on by

Librarians in the Intelligence Process…08.19.13 | The Proverbial Lone Wolf Librarian’s Weblog.

Woman wants changes at library after grandson checks out erotic novel | Fox 59 News

Posted on by

Story about a woman challenging adult materials in a library’s collection. This incident would make a great case study for a course assignment in LIS school.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.– The library is a great place for children to explore new books and learn to love reading. However, what if your child came home from the library with an erotic romance novel?

Snips

Deeren said she followed library protocol in an attempt to get books like this removed. “This is what I did. I went through three different people, filled out paper and then they sent this back,” Deeren said, referring to a letter that was sent back to her.

The letter indicated that Night Games has been nominated for several awards and that it’s the guardian’s responsibility to monitor a child’s book selection, which is indicated in the library application for people 18 and younger.

************

“There is a place for these books and that’s an adult book store. If they want to keep it at a library, I want them to keep it behind a door,” Deeren said.

She is not giving up.

“I want to get this (Night Games) out of there. I want to just keep talking to people about getting these kinds of books out or putting them behind closed doors. One or the other,” Deeren said.

There is much more content to this story. See the full article:  Woman wants changes at library after grandson checks out erotic novel | Fox 59 News – fox59.com.

NISO publishes update to Metrics Data Dictionary for Libraries and Information Providers | Stephen’s Lighthouse

Posted on by

NISO publishes update to Metrics Data Dictionary for Libraries and Information Providers | Stephen’s Lighthouse.

More Vendors Help Libraries Stream Video | The Digital Shift

Posted on by

Since the beginning of 2013, four major library vendors have announced the launch of new or expanded streaming services that will enable patrons to view movies and television shows at their library or at home using computers, tablets, smart TVs, or any device equipped with a web browser.

See the full article: More Vendors Help Libraries Stream Video | The Digital Shift.

10 Great Slidedecks from SLA 2013 – OEDB.org

Posted on by

10 Great Slidedecks from SLA 2013 – OEDB.org.

  1. KM Content that Delivers: Learn from the Early Adopters
  2. 60 Sites in 60 Minutes
  3. The Accidental Systems Librarian: Using Our Librarian Competencies in Managing Systems
  4. Where Did the Books Go? Exploring E-Library Models at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Libraries at Cornell University
  5. Implementing Open Source
  6. The Key Success Factor in Knowledge Management…What Else? Change Management
  7. SharePoint Speed Dating: Tips and Techniques from the Pros: Quick Tips for Creating a Competitive Intelligence SharePoint Site
  8. SPOTLIGHT SESSION: The Race to the Patent Office – the Impact of the America Invents Act
  9. Just Say No to Aimlessness! Strategic Leveraging of Social Media Content
  10. Next Generation Sci-Tech Librarians: Helping Institutions and Researchers Increase Their Impact

Links to Recent Career-Related Articles

Posted on by

LIS Specific Articles

She Said She Had a “Crush” on Us | Hired Librarians
An interview with Nicole Tekulve, Information Commons Librarian, and Virginia Cairns, Chair of Search Committee/Head of Reference & Instruction.

Remove Your Librarian Glasses | Information Tyrannosaur
This ability to challenge your own perspectives, examine your implicit assumptions, and inquire into the the viewpoints of others is crucial to diversity work, but also to the work we do in our organizations and the work we do as librarians.

Dear Freshmen: What iSchool Seniors Want You to Know | Information Space
As you’ll hear every senior say, and as you will one day realize yourself, your years of college will go by so fast, and you’ll have no idea where your time went.

A Conversation on The Value of the LIS Degree | Information Space
The current conversation around the value of a professional LIS degree recurs on a regular basis. We recognize that this conversation has many sides to it, so to frame a potential dialogue on the topic, Jill Hurst-Wahl (current LIS faculty) and Matthew Gunby (recent MLIS graduate) have considered possible goals of the LIS degree.

Leadership in a Digital Age | American Libraries 
The increasingly digital context brings challenges and opportunities for librarians, library staff, archivists, and museum professionals. New roles and the competencies required to perform them are evolving. One overriding role for all of us is that of the leader.

Dewey-It-Yourself: How to supplement your library school education | Hack Library School
It can be very frustrating to look at job postings and think, “What does that even mean? They didn’t teach me that!” But with an optimistic and do-it-yourself attitude the gap between what you know and what you need to know can shorten.

General Articles

Will getting an advanced degree limit your career options? | LifeHacker
A graduate degree really is an investment, one that could further your knowledge in your field and possibly boost your earning potential. But, as with other types of investments, there are also risks involved.

You Have To Prove You Deserve the Job | FastCompany
The world is flooded with college graduates this month eager to start that shiny new job. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are looking for a job:

Happiness: Expert Advice On How To Be Happy In Life | Huffington Post
The lowdown behind the newest research on how to get more happy — right now.

Recent Pew Research Links

Posted on by

Teens, Social Media, and Privacy by Mary Madden, Amanda Lenhart, Sandra Cortesi, Urs Gasser, Maeve Duggan, Aaron Smith | Pew Internet & American Life Project

Parents, Children, Libraries, and Reading by Carolyn Miller, Kathryn Zickuhr, Lee Rainie and Kristen Purcell | Pew Internet & American Life Project

Related:

Greatest Hits from Pew Internet’s Library Research from Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project

Tech trends and library services in the digital age from Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project and also Pew: Tech trends and library services in the digital age | Stephen’s Lighthouse

Pew – Public’s Knowledge of Science and Technology | Stephen’s Lighthouse

Career Related Articles Useful to MIS/MLIS Students

Posted on by

On The Modern MLIS website there is the Resources page where I list a number of career-related information services links. I faced a number of challenges in my own job search including taking time off after finishing my MLIS and transitioning my career into a new direction. The easiest ways to ensure you have a job offer after graduating, or to at least increase your chances of being contacted for an interview, is to work in a library services role while you are completing your graduate education and to network by participating in library conferences. New graduates should anticipate their job search taking up to 6 months or even longer before finding employment.

How to Survive and Prevent a Bad Internship | Hack Library School
Many MLS/MLIS programs require, or at least strongly recommend, an internship or practicum before graduation. Internships are great ways to taste-test a type of librarianship, network, and get practical experience. The unfortunate reality is that we don’t always know what we’re walking into when we begin an internship. So, how do we survive or prevent a bad internship?

Congratulations! Now Get A Job. | Hack Library School
It’s time to get a job. In a discouraging economy. Of course, I saw this coming, but I kept my view hazy, even as I researched different career paths. So, now that reality has finally arrived, how does a freshly minted graduate go about finding her first LIS job?

You’re Interviewing them Too! Finding the Academic Library Job of Your Dreams | Backtalk  | LibraryJournal
This article shares a list of key considerations for academic library job-seekers.

The Simple Truth About Finding A Job | AOL Jobs
You’re looking for a job. Chances are it feels complicated, scary, overwhelming. My job-seeking clients have found the chart below comforting and helpful. It contains the essence of what you have to do.

How to be Awesome at Going to Library Conferences | PC Sweeney’s Blog
The author (a Branch Manager East Palo Alto Library in California) shares his experiences about what makes an awesome conference experience.

Big Idea: Post-Secondary Degrees with the Best Career Prospects | Avenue Calgary
There is a section discussing Information Specialists.