Library Grrrls!

....on the story of a pair of library workers losing their jobs by refusing to check out The League of Extraordinary Gentleman: The Black Dossier to a patron as per their employer’s policy.

http://www.kentucky.com/latest_news/story/1011029.html
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/18/library-workers-fire.html
http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/11/09/alan-moore-destroyer-of-librarians/

While it is an adult graphic novel and not a child's comic book, it was wrong HOW the book was witheld (against policy and on personal whims). The circulation clerks should have conferred with and deferred to a supervisor/director/library board about policy concerning challenged materials (even when challenged by staff).

Later Edit: Turns out the public library where I work has also had patron complaints about sexual content in LEG graphic novels (different volume, ours in #2 and has a couple of "racy" pages of Alan Quartermain and Mina Harker being intimate. Shows boobs and butts, sexual poses, but no genitalia in view). The book is still in circulation, shelved in our Graphic Novel Section.

Part of me wants to roll my eyes and say "good grief", it wouldn't take you long at all to go grab a mystery, contemporary fiction or even a classic to find something with just as or more explicit content..is the difference just because of the format and this being visual?

IMO, it comes down to freedom of information and of choice; I'm glad a wide variety of books are available in our public libraries.

Hi everyone,

First of all, I'd like to say that I know there have been a lot of school related questions lately, and I really appreciate this group as a resource. Many of the professors that I've encountered so far either have never worked as a librarian, or haven't done so in decades. So, thank you all for your input!

And onto my question: Which course do you think would be more valuable, one on information seeking behavior or digital collection development? My career goals are children's or young adult librarianship, some sort of youth services, and I'm also interested in digital media (youth related, in particular.) Any recommendations?

Thanks very much :)

How do you become a subject specialist?

And can you be a subject specialist in say, American history or European history,or does it need to be more specific? For example American history after reconstruction or American history: WWI. TIA

I think that I would prefer to work in an academic setting as opposed to a public setting. For those of you that are academic librarians,do you have a second masters in addition to the MLS? What is your second masters?

I am thinking about a second masters in history,with a concentration on American history. In your experience,is that enough to become a subject specialist or do you need expertise in a more limited area? For example: American history after WWII or the Civil War.

I am planning to double major in history and French,so I might also be interested in a masters in French. For your second masters,does it really matter what subject? Thank you for all of your input.

Hi all, Guess this is my intro post along with a question for those who have gone or are going to San Jose State U...
First my Intro:
My name is Katrina, I graduated in 08 with a BA in history and another major in anthropology. I wanted to take a year off between going back to school (Also to decide which kind of graduate school I wanted, history, Forensic Anthropology, or Library). I want to focus on references and archives.

In my off time, I do a variety of activities but my big one is ballroom dance but I also am thoroughly obsessed with musical theatre as well.

My question to those of you who are going or have gone to SJSU:

Who are some good professors and who are some I should watch out for?

x-posted to libraryschool

Hey girls,

I am expected to graduate in the next March, and I am wondering if I need to start applying for jobs now, or I have to wait until I get my degree. I am interested in working at both public libraries and academic libraries.

I have applied for two jobs about a month ago, but haven't heard anything from them. I don't know they didn't consider my application because I am not eligible, or I just applied too early.

So I am applying to UIUC for fall 2010, got told that I have to take the GRE because of my GPA... has anyone gotten into UIUC after being told they have to take the GRE? Any advice would be wonderful. I am really nervous and would live to here from anyone that has gotten into UIUC, or my second choice Dominican U. How hard is it to get into either? And get a job after? I would really like to stay in IL after the MLIS. Thanks!

Alright, I'm applying to an MLS program soon and am trying to explore a couple different career paths.

I'm looking for experiences, typical days, if the job is actually in demand, etc. with the following:

Public (any of the following:)
*YA/Childrens
*Adult Services/ Reference



Academic
*Archives



School Media:
*K-12



Any help would be appreciated!

As for some info on me, I'm 22, my favorite genre is YA lit., I don't particularly like children but am devoted to getting more kids reading and not made fun of, and I'm interested in archives because of the solitude, and I enjoy what little I know of preservation (I make phase boxes often at my current job for rare/decaying books), buuut I'm terrible at Access and databases. Like, terrible. I'm not actually that good at computer stuff. :/

Has anyone else had strangers from other cities call and ask if they can tape your library's story time for an audio recording? I am just uncomfortable allowing strangers to record our story teller and the kids who are attending and not be able to tell me exactly for  what they will use this said recording. Has anyone else had this type of request? If so did you try to notify your regular story time groups ahead of time? Was it very distracting to the kids? Thanks!

Hello! This question is prompted by a class assignmint, but I'm hoping that any answers I get will be useful to many people.

Is anyone aware of any blogs or websites that recommend books in languages other than English? I'm especially interested in sites that recommend fiction, but anything will do. I don't have any particular user group in mind in terms of age or reading ability.

I don't have an interest in any particular language as a result of my assignment, although I'd certainly prefer sites that are in English or are bilingual so that I can understand what I'm looking at. If you do have a good source that's not in English, please describe the contents a little bit. Even if I can't use it, someone else might!

Thanks in advance!

Hi!

I am very interested in becoming a library technician. I don't want to work in a public library,however,I want to work in an academic or research library.

What would I need to do to persue this career? I might would eventually like to become a librarian,but that would be many years down the road.

I have no college. I was thinking about volunteering to get some "hands on experience". Would this be enough to prepare me or would they prefer someone that already has a degree (at least a bachelors).

What could I do to make myself stand out when applying for this type of position? Thank you in advance.

I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon (book mobile?) and ask for advice regarding my last elective. Next quarter is my last and I have only one elective left. My MLS focus has shifted a couple of times during my time in school, and it is evident by the classes I've taken. However, I'll be graduating with a focus on Youth Services and I'm very excited about working in this field. I'd like my last elective to be relevant to this focus.

( Here are the courses I've taken so far )

and ( Here are some of the courses offered next quarter )

Thanks for sharing your insight with me!!

Hi!

I need some help.  I got my MLS in 1998 but have not worked in libraries since graduation.  I did, however, work a lot in libraries prior to getting my MLS but I do not think my experience qualifies me for any job since the experience is so outdated.

I really want to pursue children's librarianship.  I am planning on taking some online courses to get me up to speed in children's services.  I think I should also take some reference/database searching courses.

All the library professional websites say that if you don't have experience, then volunteer.  I have signed up at the big library in town as a storytime assistant.  I am also reading to children at the Head Start school near by my home.  And I am volunteering at a hospital in their medical library.  The last volunteer job I know is not really related to children's services but I thought I might pick up some needed skills and experience. 

I would appreciate any advice about my ideas on making me more marketable.  Also if you have any recommendations for online classes.  I am considering U of Pitt for SPring 2010.

Thanks!

Hey girls,

I have a silly question about working with your boss at the reference desk. Do you always talk with your boss when things are going slow? If so, what kind of topic do you talk about? I am not good at making friends or talking, but feel awkward if keeping silence all the time.

Also, how do you know how your boss thinks about your work? If your boss doesn't give you an assessment, do you think it's good to ask directly?

Many thanks!

I emailed the Library of Congress about speaking to a current librarian or someone that could give me advice about being employed there.

Now that I am seeing exactly how educated most of the librarians are,I am starting to understand how much more school I still have to go. Especially with my age (just turned 37)and the fact that I have to work enough to pay rent,ect;it would be perfect if I could start at a lower level job.

I would love to try to work as a library technician as I continue my education (especially the masters degrees). You have all been so helpful with information. Does anyone have any thoughts on getting a job as a library technician at the LOC?

I live in the DC area. Since I want to eventually work there as a librarian,I think it would be extremely beneficial if I could start at a lower level job and be able to network and really have hands on experience of how they do things. TIA

Thank you all for your earlier responses.

If I were to get a second masters does it matter where it is from or only that it is from an accredited school? I would love to eventually work at the Library of Congress,if that makes a difference.


Also,same question for undergrad. I am currently at a community college working on my gen ed requirements and then will transfer to a 4 year university. I would probably not be going to an "ivy". I have a 4.0 right now,but they are just way to expensive for me.

For example: I could complete my degrees on-line (both undergrad and grad,history major) through a regionally accredited school. It is regionally accredited,however it is an on-line only school.

This isn't about being lazy or trying to find the easy way out. I just know that with on-line when I can take my classes at 3 in the morning if need be;that would free up my schedule for volunteering in a library,ect.

Does it matter where your degrees are from or just that you have them? Especially,if I were to have other things. For example language skills,tech skills. I would love to work in any library,but my ultimate goal is to work at the LOC.

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Does it matter what your undergrad degree is in when applying to grad school? And later when applying for jobs?

I have found an on-line bachelor degree for library science through the University of Maine. Their grads have been accepted into master library science programs at Syracuse,FSU,SJSU,Drexel,Clarion and more. You must complete an internship (min 120 hours)as part of the degree.

I am really leaning toward this because I can compelete on-line as I am volunteering to get some hands on experience and then of course have the internship.

I eventually want to work at the Library of Congress as a librarian. However,I would love to there as a library technician as I am completing my masters. I will have to do an on-line masters as there are no schools in my state (Va).
Do you think that having this bachelors and "work experience" (through volunteering) will be enough to get a job as a library technician,especially at the LOC?

Also,does it really matter where you get your masters as long as it is ALA approved? Sorry this got a little long. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I just had a patron phone call that made my day!!!! :)

Remember that Gay Pride book display I did a while back, and the spot of cotroversy it caused? A patron called, apologizing for being "better late than never" but to let me know how much he APPRECIATED the display, how wonderful he thought it was, and what it meant to him as a gay man and what it could mean young local gays. He called me his "favorite radical librarian." Awwww...

It was nice to feel a genuine click and connection with a patron, and to feel appreciated for who I am and how I am at work.

I have decided to attend the SJSU special session program because I really like how their online school is organized.

Anyone else?

Hi All,

I was wondering how many of you work full-time while attending library school and what sort of tips/advice you would have for someone who is looking to do so?

I just finished my undergrad in May, and then applied to library school.  I've been accepted to Simmons (hooray!!), however in order to pay for said schooling, I decided to search for a full time job.  I was able to land a full time position (in a library! after only 4 months of searching!) so now I want to start planning how to juggle work and school. 

I hope to be able to take two classes a semester while remaining working full time, however I have absolutely no idea what sort of courseload graduate library school entails.  If anyone could give me some rough estimates of how many hours a night they spend on their course-work that would be greatly appreciated!!

I am very excited to start school, and I want to finish this program as soon as possible, partially because I'd like to move (the area I want to move to does not have any ALA accredited library schools).  However, right now earning money and doing well in my current full time position is a top priority for me.  And I'd like to see my boyfriend sometimes as well. :)

thanks in advance!!