Reasons to work in a library

Blog No.8

Reasons to work in a library

http://destinationlibrary.pbworks.com/w/page/17594320/Top%2010%20reasons%20to%20work%20in%20a%20library

After reading over my blog posts I realised that a lot of them are about the future of libraries, how technology is changing them and where they fit in the world today. Though I think my last post needs to be about why I want to work in a library, a thing which has changed throughout the year. I found an article that gives ten supposed perks of being a librarian and working in the industry, which is just a bit of fun, but also very true.

Librarians work in a dynamic industry that's constantly evolving.

I have talked about how libraries have to change to suit the needs of society, and how they aren’t necessarily bad changes. I don’t think that change is something to be afraid of in a library.

Librarians are the custodians of a wealth of resources: computer games and CD-ROMs; graphic novels; the latest magazines, movies and music as well as masses of online information. There are even books!

This is quiet an admirable role, and very important, as there has to be a place where materials are stored and preserved.

Librarians provide opportunities for people to create stuff (knowledge transfer etc).

There aren’t many places where you can access materials to be creative for free, and have people to help you find what you need. Libraries are always positive and encouraging environments.

Librarians constantly enjoy the challenge of new technology and making it work for their customers.

Although it can be a challenge to come to terms with new technology, libraries embrace new information and new ways of delivering it. Also, having new and well working technology will always ensure there are patrons using the library, as it will suit the needs of the demographic.

A librarian's work is never dull! On a daily basis, librarians interact with many diverse and interesting people, assisting and supporting them in unique and varied ways. 

Libraries are a place where anybody of any gender, nationality or age can access information and assistance.

Librarians have plenty of opportunities to advance their careers.

There are many different jobs in a library, which is good news for me and every other aspiring librarian!

 Librarians work in a wide range of organisations: public libraries, university libraries and school libraries. They also have the opportunity to work in specialised areas they might be particularly passionate about, such as medicine, media, and environment, finance or law libraries. 

This is exciting and good to keep in mind. If you can combine your librarian job with a subject area that interests you, this is all the better. This is also a good idea as working in a specific area which interests you make for a better reference librarian.

A library qualification provides a solid foundation to move into other professions, such as records management, information management, archival and curatorial work.

There is a lot of room to move around in this profession, it would never be boring or feel restrictive (hopefully).

Your library qualification is a passport to working around the world.

A perk of any job (according to me).

Librarians are sexy, knowledgeable, interesting and mysterious people.

Of course! Being around so many different people and materials would be incredibly interesting, and would teach you a thing or two.

Melville predicts the future?

"A library's function is to give the public in the quickest and cheapest way information, inspiration, and recreation. If a better way than the book can be found, we should use it."
Melville Dewey (1851-1931)
American Librarian and Educator

Whilst completing my cataloging timeline assignment, I came across a quote that stayed with me as we have been talking about the use of technology in libraries. I think Melville Dewey was thinking ahead here, as he is describing a library as a place that simply preserves, redistributes and supplies information in any form. Finding information via the internet, whether it be through Google or a more specific database, in today's world is often the quickest and cheapest way of finding information of any kind. Previously, information was sought in books, which the library was designed to cater for by having shelves to house these books. Though now computers provide the internet to seek information, libraries should definitely alter their space to hold these devices. This is not to say that books are totally a thing of the past, and should be banned from libraries (imagine that!) though I think there should be the opportunity for patrons to search for information in a number of ways as libraries are about freedom (I think). 

As I visit libraries regularly, I have noticed that they are accommodating for new technology, but I think it is vital that there are staff that know how to use these things (web 2.0/23 things) and need to be willing to teach patrons (hold workshops and tutorials) and not simply have them there for the sake of it as some older libraries tend to do. Libraries shouldn't be getting held up on the idea that books are the only way to get information (or even still be entertained) as this will lose patrons and cause the much feared and anticipated death of libraries. If librarians change the way they look at libraries, and what they are really used for rather than the aesthetic (spiral staircases and antique book cases) then there is no reason for the library to fade away, rather, it will be revamped and return in a different form, though still provide pretty much the same service.

School Libraries and their influence on students

Upon completing my two work placements at school libraries, I realised how important a library is in a school setting, no matter the age of the students. In a way, the library was the centre of the school, a meeting point, and most certainly a place that held all important equipment, information and materials necessary for everyday life at school. 

My observations were:

When I first walked into the library at my second placement I was amazed by how modern it seemed. They had a circulation desk, separate reference desk where a teacher librarian was always present, separate fiction and non-fiction areas, a lounge area for students at lunch time where they could look at magazines, ‘quick reads’ on display, new books on display, three separate computer pods and a ‘news’ area where up to date newspapers were provided. As I spent more time in the library, I was amazed at how much there was on offer for students, and how the library staff were trying to bring the library into the technological age. Each different work space had a specific name with the letter ‘i’ in front of it, to give the place a more modern feel, for example, above the nonfiction section there were the words ‘iDiscover’ and above the fiction section ‘iRead’ and ‘iCreate’. I found this particularly impressive, as they were really trying to encourage the students with very simple techniques.

The library staff really made use of the materials they were given, as when new books came in, they had an entire shelf dedicated to new books which I noticed the students seemed to look at the most. I also thought that offering a reserves service was effective, as students felt independent coming to the library to pick up their books, and it seemed to further encourage students to read and seek out books. Also, the library regularly invites guest speakers such as authors to come and talk to students which the librarians said was always a success.

 The librarians were constantly interacting with the students. I noticed that if a student seemed lost looking at books, then a librarian would assist them immediately and in an extremely positive way. I really felt like this was a brilliant environment that encouraged reading fiction and nonfiction, embracing new books, and keeping up to date with the news and new technologies.

I think that this library is incredibly well equipped and has the right attitude to survive the changing world of libraries, and is already making adjustments. The librarians told me that they recently had a refurbishment, which indicated to me that they cared about the presentation of the environment and saw how it affected the students. The teacher librarian told me that she constantly attends meeting and talks about how libraries are changing as she is aware that the jobs of librarians are changing, which I think is important to stay in touch with what is happening, and I was very impressed to see these librarians doing so.

After reflecting upon these observations, it was clear that libraries definitely have a place in today's world, and especially in a school environment. This being said, there is also a responsibility of the librarian staff to see that the library functions as well as it could, which was the case of my second work experience.

Getting all defensive: Fighting for our libraries...Is there any need?

Blog No.5

As I am about to embark on my second work placement next week, I have been thinking about the purpose of libraries and why I want to work within this industry. I'm reading widely, and in doing that, I have noticed that librarians are constantly having to reassess the relevance of libraries in the future. Though in my opinion, the importance of libraries is and has always been incredibly clear.

When I visited my second work placement (Francis Xavier Secondary College in Berwick) I witnessed the library staff having to strive to keep the library 'interesting' for the students, having to make sure that there were enough facilities for other teachers to use, and keeping the library up to date in terms of technology. Though despite the supposed difficulties of all these things, this is what libraries have been doing all along. For example, libraries are constantly having to research their demographic to satisfy customer needs, otherwise nobody would visit the library. Librarians have always had to ensure the accessibility of technology and devices, and at the same time make sure that they are current and able to meet the demands of patrons. When I came to the conclusion that librarians' jobs don't really change in terms of challenges, just the type of challenges they face, I began to wonder: what are we worried about?

As far as the relevance of libraries is concerned, there will never not be a time when quality information is not needed, and the people to organize and preserve this. Aside from that, as Zadie Smith talks about in her article below, she insists that libraries are 'absolutely essential' to create 'equality of opportunity' for people. In simpler words, she is talking about how the library environment offers no prejudice or judgement, which is important for a person of any age. If a primary or secondary student walked into a library and wanted to take out a book, they would be able to do so without any difficulty. In many ways, this would be the only opportunity and environment  where they have the freedom to do this, as every other part of their school life and education is dictated. Everybody needs to be able to have a space where they are allowed to search and discover, which in my opinion, is what libraries continually offer.

Title: 'Zadie Smith defends local libraries'
Author: Zadie Smith
URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/31/zadie-smith-defends-local-libraries

Preserving the past and embracing the future

“but with the virtual book about to include physical senses, the writing is already on the virtual wall.”

I wanted to begin with this quote, taken directly from the article stated above, as I think it accurately identifies the fear that all librarians seem to be facing at the moment. As libraries become more technology-fuelled, it is hard for librarians to see their future in the business, with search engines like ‘Google’ (however broad and sometimes unreliable) threatening to replace them. Even though the purpose of a library is to preserve, organise and make available information of all types, it seems that the public have made up their mind that a computer or random search engine will do the same job.

I have several problems with this, as does the article I just read. Libraries will always have a purpose as they are “a place for empowering, for creating a better society, finding spaces for young and old, for books and digital media”, which proposes that although computers are being used to search for answers, e-readers are replacing books and self-serve is taking librarians away from the circulation desk, there will always be a need to have a building dedicated to the preservation of information, and to store the new technologies that are being created, as well as preserving the old. Many people also seem to forget that libraries serve many people who are financially challenged, as they are allowed to borrow entertainment for free, especially the older population. Another part of the article that I found interesting was this, “ The library as a place for escape from a chaotic world, eg the Slow Movement: slow time, slow learning – slow everything – as the world quickens and moves to hypertime and culture, libraries find niches by providing places of quietness and calm.” Although in the article this point is raised as being an ‘issue’, I think that it is rather the remedy to the problem of the busy modern world which everyone who visits a library should be reminded of. More technology means more chaos, people rushing around with their quick gadgets, getting impatient as they become more accustomed to their result-driven ‘must have now’ world that these devices allow them. A library is a world away from all this, which could seem too spiritual or sensitive to some, but if we have bedrooms in houses that store the contents and history of our lives that is separate from everybody else’s, then why not have a library which stores the content of the world and human history?

It might seem like a grand theory, but if there were no libraries then there would be no cultural starting point, as in most locations, the library is the core of the community and reflects its interests, priorities and values. The article also discusses how low funding is affecting libraries, and that librarians may have to succumb and accept funding from a body which will seek to change the traditional rules of that library. I didn’t find this to be a problem, the most important thing is that the library is being funded, and later comes the negotiation and compromise between the funders and libraries.

Overall, I found this article to be interesting because all the issues it raises were really the answers to their problems, and the librarians seemed to be afraid of things that should be embraced. I think that libraries should exist, though they should reflect the needs of the society they are in, which means holding new technologies, different services, and ultimately new ways of storing information.

Author: Sohail Inayatullah

Title: “Which Future for Libraries?”

URL: http://www.metafuture.org/Articles/which-future-for-libraries.htm (Date viewed: 23/08/2012).

The Future of Libraries: Are we already there ?

Blog entry No. 3

After studying the certificate 4 in Library and Information services for some months now, questions that have constantly popped up have been: What will happen to libraries in the future? How will they change? Will librarians be needed? 
I still feel like I don't have many answers to these questions, and set about to find a blog or interview with real librarians who are witnessing the change in libraries. I found this interview interesting because it starts off with the librarians talking about their own experiences as children visiting libraries, and then talks about the present where they are working in modern and technologically advanced libraries, which are described as  'centerpieces of urban redevelopment', a description which, for me, is accurate for libraries of the future.

In the interview, instead of pondering about how libraries will change in the future, the librarians seem to regard the 'future' as being now, with libraries apparently already being built as environmentally-friendly and sustainable buildings with cafes and even kitchens with chefs in some cases. It seems that the modern libraries being described are continuing the original aim of having a quiet 'space'to learn, but with much more on offer in terms of technology and facilities. Libraries are also described as if they are the epicenter of a place's culture, representing the people that live around it, and the heritage behind it. Another thing that was mentioned, which until now I have never even considered before, is how libraries can help people who are lonely, confused, not of an English speaking background, or simply older and at a loss for what to do next. I found this paragraph particularly relevant to what the purpose of a library should be, and what it should continue to do in the future:

'I think we need to understand that what we do is we connect people and information, and sometimes you're going to be more focusing on connecting information to information so that people can get to it, which is kind of the cataloguing side of it. Sometimes you've going to be focusing more on connecting people to people, which is the peer support that you're talking about, so that they can gain their information. Sometimes it will be the stamp in the book, the people and the information, but I think that it's no different to what we've been teaching for years and years which is you've got to love and know about people, you've got to love and know about information and the cultural history and find new and different ways to put them together.'

After reading this interview, I felt like my questions had been answered a little more. I think libraries are already in the future, or at least half way through, as they are using technologies such as 'e-readers' and are encouraging learning 'online'. I found this interesting also,

"Some libraries in the eastern states and Queensland are actually lending e-books to their users. We're not doing that. We have a single Kindle which is really a 'try before you buy' but also our way of positioning ourself for our community as something that's an asset when you think about e-books rather than something obsolete that you should bypass."

I think it is important to endorse new ways of reading and learning, instead of acting threatened by these new gadgets. Libraries will change, although, I don't think that it will be as harsh a transition that is being predicted, as libraries have already adapted to cater for the wide use of the internet by installing numerous computers. As for librarians themselves, they will always be needed, otherwise, who would 'run' the library? Give order to the information? Just because people are using technology to learn, more so than picking up a physical book, or look up the answer to a question on 'Google', doesn't mean that they have lost their job, rather, just the nature of their job. In the 'future' librarians will still be connecting people to the information they desire, though, it may be on a computer or a combination of both printed and virtual.

Title: The Future of Libraries
Author: from transcript from tv show 'The Book Show', aired wednesday 30th June 2010.
URL: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bookshow/the-future-of-libraries/3032478

Using blogs to promote a library's services

Blog Entry No.2

I was interested to find out how libraries use their blogs to promote themselves and their particular services, as the internet becomes an increasingly useful platform of communication in this technological age. 

So I visited a few library homepages (mainly Frankston City Library and Casey Cardinia) one of which had a link to it's own blog with information about upcoming events such as guest speakers, writing sessions and movie showings, a few bits of local news from around Frankston, and photos. As it is so easy to create and maintain a blog, libraries have definitely taken advantage of this tool. When I was scrolling down the blog, it was easy on the eyes with interesting photos, a welcoming tone of voice in the writing, and I was left with the feeling that the library was happy to give their service, especially as they had gone to a special effort to create and keep the blog going. There was also a link to the Facebook page, Twitter with live 'tweets' as they are 'tweeted', and an option to receive 'RSS feed'. Patrons were also given an opportunity to submit feedback about the library in general, to which the library responds to complaints and gives thanks for positive comments. Overall, I got the impression that libraries were using blogs not only to keep their patrons up to date, but to also create a personality for themselves, and a place where patrons can go to interact and be informed more so than they would just looking at the catalogue on their computer at home.

Author: Darlene Fichter
Date viewed: 15/08/2012
URL: http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov03/fichter.shtml