Ode to Librarianship

Fresh from attending my first (and not last) Special Libraries Association (SLA) conference in cool Seattle, Washington, I could not be happier. I am beginning to wonder if one day the honeymoon feeling that I have for my profession will one day settle into a comatose routine. While to some it may seem unrealistic for me to believe that I will continue to feel as passionate as I do about my professional life, I must say that my enthusiasm (and passion for that matter) has not come close to even a hint of diminishing. Everyday that I engage myself in the world of information, and connecting people, as well as myself, with it, leaves me with wonder and awe at the sheer volume and potential of it all. Even better, meeting others who share the same passion for their work, as I feel for mine, is one of the perks which I have discovered is uncommon often in even the most glamourous of professions (out of respect, I will not attempt to name what I personally consider a “glamourous” profession so as not to hurt or insult anyone who might be reading this entry). The point that I’m trying to make is that I feel blessed to have finally found my place in the professional world. Like the day that I found the love of my life, and the days on which I held my children in my arms for the first time, in my professional life, I feel that I am a part of something that will continue to give me the opportunity to make positive contributions and leave a lasting footprint for the future. I could not ask for anything better.

Hollywood Librarian, Los Angeles, Ca

I had the fortunate opportunity to attend a screening of Ann Seidel’s “The Hollywood Librarian” for the second time. I attended the film’s premiere at last summer’s national American Library Association conference held in Washington D.C. Before writing my impressions of the film following the second screening, I thought it would be interesting to review my notes from last year and compare them with my thoughts after today’s viewing. After reading over my summary of the event: I would not change a word. Here is my original review of last year’s screening:

I went to the premiere of the “Hollywood Librarian,” and left feeling very inspired. While the tag line for the film implied that the film would dispel the stereotype of the image of the librarian, I believe it did much more than promised. It did include depictions of librarians as shown through the lens of the camera; however, it juxtaposed those images with real-life librarians who all showed a passion for the work that they do, and the community of patrons that their library serves. Watching the film filled me with pride in my career and the responsibilities that I am both empowered with and proud to carry on.

I have read other reviews, and heard others’ impressions of the film, and while I am disappointed that many do not share my feelings, I will say this: while Seidel’s film may seem to some as better-suited for public television (where the target audience would have the opportunity to see it), it does accomplish this (just to name one thing as I am sure that there are more): it has begun a much-needed public discourse of the value of libraries, and opened the door to the unrecognized (perhaps until now) passion of the librarians who are committed to the empowerment of their communities with the tools necessary to become responsible, informed citizens in the face of what many of us recognize as a “perfect storm” in the sea of information.

Kudos to Ms. Seidel, and to my esteemed colleagues: I am proud to be a part of this profession. We, without question, rock the information world!

Information Literacy for a New Generation

An interesting thing (for me) happened while attending a workshop titled, “It’s the Millennium: Do you know where your users are?” Offered by the California Clearinghouse for Library Instruction, it was a forum for three professionals in the field to present their findings and experience with their interaction with this specific user group. Dr. Alison J. Head, the Roy and Patricia Disney Visiting Professor in New Media Communications at Saint Mary’s College discussed the results of her recent study of junior and senior undergraduates and their approach to academic research assignments (procrastination is borne out of a place of confusion and the unknown, not social distraction as common belief asserts).

Michelle Leigh Jacobs, Emerging Technologies and Web Coordinator of College Library at the University of California, Los Angeles, shared her experience and discussed how libraries and librarians must re-evaluate their methods of providing services in order to meet the information needs of this new generation using the library (using communication tools like: instant messaging; text messaging; online chat, and email, reference services increased; while in-person reference interviews continue to lag).

And finally, Stephen Abram, current Special Library Association president and Vice President Innovation for SirsiDynix and Chief Strategist for SyrsiDinix Institute, shared his insight on the challenges the professional field faces, and how librarians and libraries can utilize current and emerging technolgies (open source; pilot programs; social graph platforms; and of course, Google, My Space, and Facebook) to continue being “present” in the minds of the library user when navigating the explosion of information.

The workshop was absolutely inspiring and provided much food for thought. I hope that others felt the same!

I’ll close with a link to a video created by Dr. Michael Wesch, Digital Ethnography professor at Kansas State University, “A Vision of Students Today.” Linda Smith, one of the facilitators of this workshop, opened the session with this video. It set the tone, not only for the workshop, but for the field as it faces the challenges of remaining a presence in the minds of the millennial student.

Librarian + Censorship = Not!

While challenges to library materials are common, even expected, it’s interesting that the materials challenges that I have faced so far have come from library staff members. The first was a book challenge where a library staff member was offended by a book’s cover art and not the content, and felt strongly enough to remove the title from the shelves without following appropriate protocol. At the time, the collection development policy did not address reconsideration of library materials, and as a result of this incident, the policy was revised to include this much-needed procedure (the item was also retained in the collection, go Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement!)

This most recent challenge comes from another library staff member, who has asked that the library consider revising its viewing policy for DVDs in the library’s audiovisual room (which includes a large flat screen monitor) to address the potential for “questionable content” (i.e., sexual content and/or profanity) being broadcast in full view of library tours of potential students and their families. Their inquiry stems from the concern that screening such controversial content may not project the most flattering image of our educational institution (private creative arts college) to those outside of our campus community.

A library’s collection is available for use at any time by anyone using any method that they choose to access it. I think it’s interesting that this access continues to be a “hot button” even for those working in the very institution which is known for it’s passionate defense of such rights.

YouTube surprises (again)

As a social networking tool, YouTube (http://youtube.com/) has an interesting and colorful reputation. PC World refers to it as, “Our number one favorite place to waste time on the Web.” There is some truth to that statement; however, along with the bad there is the inevitable, not so bad. I enjoy surfing YouTube. It has actually helped me locate instructional videos on library-focused activities like: information literacy; social networking; and more recently, children’s storytelling. Sure the site includes some questionable content; but let those that are interested in that content decide whether or not it is appropriate for their needs. Like other options for information-seeking: the venue, the method, and the choice is up to the information seeker. For my purposes, I don’t mind including YouTube among my other reference options. Plus, I get a big kick seeing what other libraries and librarians are posting to the site. Where else can I see great demonstrations of librarian stereotype eradications?

Learning Curve

As is undoubtedly common in one’s professional life, I am changing jobs — from working in a special library to a public library. The two environments are defined by, amongst other things, the community and the resources. At the moment, it’s difficult to even speculate how I will adjust; however, as with all change, there will be adjustments and “the learning curve.”

For now, I study the city’s demographic statistics; read the local newspaper; browse the library’s website; visit the library at different times, and observe the library environment in action. It’s interesting to see, at least from this perspective, how different this (public) library environment is, and in some ways the same, as the special library from where I am coming. For now, I’m nervous, but also excitedly anticipating this new challenge. So many ideas on what to do with this new collection; how to develop programming, and working with the community. It’s both a scary and exciting time. The neat thing about working in the library world: there are things to be learned whether a library user or staff member. It’s all in the interaction.

Promoting your library

There was a recent question posted to one of the library reference listservs which asked this two-fold question, paraphrasing, “what is the best way to promote one’s library? Have blogs, wikis, etc. superseded the value of the library website?” This may sound old-fashioned; however, I believe that the best way to promote your library’s resources and services is through face-to-face interaction. Attend appropriate events like: community meetings; local school events like back-to-school nights, open house, or PTA meetings; or, host an event at the library and advertise the heck out of it.

Yes, an online presence (e.g., MySpace, Facebook, blogs, wikis, etc.) is great because of the increasingly techno-savvy population, and it will definitely catch the eye of the online browser/visitor; however, these and other social networking tools are transient energy. What I mean is that I believe that it’s (technology’s) very nature make it more valuable as a companionto the more traditional method of in-person library promotion. Call me old-fashioned, but in my experience, a kind gesture (a smile, handshake, conversation) or other social (in-person) interaction will leave a longer-lasting impression than something seen online.

Reference Interview is key

The Reference Interview is one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy asking questions of the user that will help them to focus on the information that they really need. Often a student will approach the desk and start with, “I need books on Art Deco.” Finding this topic a bit broad and covered in many classification areas in the collection, I can then ask them questions like, “Art Deco in interior design?” “Art Deco in Fashion?” You get the idea. From there it becomes a collaborative effort, and joint adventure, in finding the appropriate resources that would best fit their particular information need.

Asking questions is tough when searching for answers — for both sides of the Reference Interview — but the results can far outweigh the consequences of not knowing.

Online databases

I work at an academic/special library which offers students, instructors, and staff access to a selection of online databases — Ebscohost, Lexis-Nexis, Proquest, Hoover’s, among others. It’s interesting that although these resources are promoted, not only by library staff, but instructors as well, students continue to “google,” “yahoo,” and “MSN” their way to information that they have to work (evaluating and assessing) through to find what they need. This seems to also be true at the public library. Library research instruction is available, and provided as often as possible; however, acceptance of these credible and authoritative resources is slow to come. Well, there has to be a better way to promote these resources. At this point this is one way to have job security.

Book Challenge

Several weeks back, I read a post on the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association www..ala.org/yalsa) electronic list regarding the recent book challenge to Brent Runyon’s, “The Burn Journals.” One school library had received complaints from parents (of 14-year old students) regarding their children’s teacher’s selection of this book for a class reading assignment. The teacher sent home a permission slip with the students informing parents of this book’s slection. Conseqently, some parents objected citing the book’s content as too mature and controversial. It was taken a step further and it was demanded that the book be removed from the school library shelves. Being a parent and librarian, I wanted to know what the fuss was about.  Okay, the book is a bit tough to take; however, if faced with this same situation, I would not have objected. The book is a tough read (it is a true experience of Mr. Runyon’s personal life); however, many of the issues Mr. Runyon shares with readers (feelings of loneliness, helplessness, isolation, self-destruction) are not unlike what many teens and young adults experience today. Also, the language and thoughts of sex seem a fair depiction without gratuitous elaboration. I’m not understanding how parents would object to the content, and forbid their child’s access to it. Why not use this opportunity to talk with their child about some of these issues? Kudos to the librarians for seeing the value of this and other “controversial” books and keeping them available for the benefit of all readers’.