Competency B
Compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice
Introduction
Upon entering into SLIS I was well versed in a few library environments, however I was introduced to a greater variety in coursework throughout the program. I not only learned more about the environments that I was familiar with, but studied about new environments that I was unaware of that where in the library field. In the library environment there are many avenues to choose from. There are Academic, Public, School and Specialized library environments. Each variety of libraries has an association that caters to their special needs as a unique organization. Libraries can be found in many different settings. They can be found in government agencies, universities, elementary and secondary schools, museums and private companies. It was very interesting for me to learn that you could have a passion for libraries, and then discover that you could work in a library associated with that field. For instance if you had a passion for filmmaking, you could be a film librarian or archivists at George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch or Pixar. If you have an interest in the law you can become a law librarian and maybe work for the Supreme Court.
After I was admitted to the SLIS program I went to an admittance day where Dr. Haycock reported that the number one company to employ SJSU SLIS graduates was the Department of Homeland Security. This was an eye opening experience learning that a library or information science degree could take you anywhere you wanted to go and work in whatever field you enjoyed. SLIS offers many courses in the areas of medicine, law, academic and public library environments. This opportunity allowed me to learn about different environments, job opportunities in each area, issues within their specific specialties and how libraries contributed to their organizations. When I entered SLIS they introduced me to different library associations and encouraged me to participate in events and student library organizations. As a result, I have been a member if ALA, SLA, CLA and MLA for the last four years. I have also had the opportunity to attend conferences including; ALA Midwinter 2010 and Annual 2012, CLA 2010 and NCNMLG 2010.
Library Environments
Academic Libraries
Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, students, staff and faculty. Larger institutions may have several libraries on their campuses dedicated to serving particular schools, such as law and science libraries. Many academic librarians become specialists in an area of knowledge and can have faculty status. Their primary goal is to support the school's curriculum and to support the research of the university’s faculty, students and staff. This could be anything from housing/hosting course materials for professors, creating a collection of resources to support a topic of research interests, or instructing its users on resources, services and programs. During my coursework I completed one course, Academic Contemporary Issues and one another, Resources and Information Services in Professions and Disciplines in Medical Librarianship that gave me insight into the academic and medical library environments.
Public Libraries
The most important core value for librarians is "information to the people." Public libraries are a shared intellectual resource maintained at public expense to provide resources that will be shared. They provide access for all persons to a variety of information and ideas. Citizens, therefore, have enhanced opportunities for self-improvement and empowerment. Libraries purchase works and make them available at no charge to any user of that library. Public libraries serve communities of all sizes and types, representing a unique contribution to the dissemination of knowledge to its citizens. They often have departments that focus on areas of service, such as youth, teens and adults. Their mission may reflect the type of community that it serves. It serves a multitude of functions: community center, social center, computer lab, play space, study hall, life time learning center, museum for the community, cultural center and job skills improvement center. With the heavy use of technology, libraries have found themselves as the key component for citizens learning, using, and acquiring computer skills.
School Libraries
School libraries are usually part of a school system, and serve students between Kindergarten and grade 12. Sometimes called media centers, their goal is to ensure that all members of the school community have equitable access to books, information and technology. The school library exists to provide a range of learning opportunities for both large and small groups, as well as individuals with a focus on intellectual content, information literacy, and the learner. They directly support classroom teachers’ efforts in helping students meet state academic standards. In addition to classroom visits with collaborating teachers, the school library also serves as a place for students to do independent work, use computers, equipment, and research materials; to host special events such as author visits and book clubs; and for tutoring and testing.
Special Libraries
Special libraries are developed to support the unique missions of their sponsoring organizations. Their collections and services are more targeted and specific to the needs of their clientele. They offer unique opportunities to work in a specialized environment of interest, such as corporations, hospitals, the military, museums, private businesses, and the government. Special libraries are "special" in their collection, clientele/users and service. All of them provide narrow, precise and rapid service to their users. Special libraries cater to particular populations. Through my studies I have learned that libraries are not only for academia, schools or the public. Libraries can also live in the government, prison, business and entertainment fields. There are libraries in Boeing, NASA, E CNN and the Getty Museum. It was interesting to learn that information science is valued in all these different types of environments.
While libraries all strive to provide cohesive, well-managed collections and outstanding programs and services there are many differences between them. Public libraries clientele are very different than those of a special library. In education, a K-12 school library would function very differently than a higher education academic library. However, as I learned throughout my SLIS instruction, as technology grows all libraries are going to be changing and growing electronically. Today, two factors, technology and budgets are having a major impact on the information environment. Both have impact on how libraries store, disseminate, promote information literacy, instruct, create programs and services, structure personnel, manage physical spaces and advocate for money. Issues related to two factors provide challenges to today’s library leaders. I feel my SLIS program has prepared me well to do this.
In my readings, many libraries are looking for ways to go purely digital. Some refer to this as the "Google" model. From discussions in my courses this is a major change for the library field. Creating a 24/7 library, with no facility, may appear to be the wave of the future. However, an examination of public library use across the country may refute that. Physical library use is high and increasing at a rapid rate. Many libraries report record use rates. According to the Frederick News Post, the Frederick County Libraries, in Fredrick Maryland, had their busiest year in 2009. The library system reported a 30 percent increase in library cards over the same period last year. Foot traffic at the county's eight branches was up 19 percent. According to the American Library Association's website, Americans visited their libraries nearly 1.3 billion times, checking out more than 2 billion items in the past year, an increase of more than 10 percent in both checked-out items and library visits compared with data from the last economic downturn in 2001. Citizens are making their tax dollars work for them, using public libraries’ free computers, enrolling in programs and services and checking out free books rather then purchasing them. Academic libraries may be a different story due to the harsh economic environment in which they exist today. Their budgets are being cut, while services like subscription cost continue to rise. Students and staff, high users of technology, are used to using and may prefer online resources. Johns Hopkins University is one case where it was determined that digital libraries were more appropriate than physical libraries. In 2012 the medical library shut its doors and went totally digital. For academic, school and special libraries going "fully digital" is becoming consideration to deal with budget cuts and decreasing foot traffic. Many libraries are at a turning point, trying to do more with less. Every library environment is in transition, strategically thinking of ways to meet their unique challenges.
Experience
The SLIS program has opened my eyes to the different varieties of libraries. My career has been unique in that I have served in a wide range of library environments.My first piece of evidence is my My resume including examples of my work in these various organizational settings. My second piece of evidence is presentation I created and gave while participating in LIBR 220, introduction to medical librarianship. In this course I was able to sharpen my medical knowledge base and learned about various consumer, subscription and online resources and was able to present an instructional presentation on a popular medical resource called Up To Date, UpToDate Presentation. This resource is a highly respected, high use, resource that is a quick way for doctors to identify and research patient diagnosis. My last piece of evidence is from LIBR 230 in which I prepared a paper on Academic Library Reference: “Effective Reference: staffing an academic reference desk with librarians, is it cost effective or bad service to users?” It outlines the single service desk trend and its effects on reference in academic libraries. Currently our reference staff has “appointment only reference”, leaving circulation staff answering ready reference questions. It is an interesting topic for any library setting dealing with layoffs and lack of staffing issues.
Conclusion
One of the least understood facts about libraries is the variety of settings in which they exist and the myriad of functions they provide. Librarians can specialize in whatever information profession suits their interests. Each library environment is unique in the information they provide, the clients they serve, and the challenge they must address. At the same time librarians across settings have similar issues related to collection management, technology, staffing, budgets, and politics. I have personally worked in most of the library setting listed above: public, community college, university, oceanography, medical and social science settings. All have been interesting and unique places to work.
Introduction
Upon entering into SLIS I was well versed in a few library environments, however I was introduced to a greater variety in coursework throughout the program. I not only learned more about the environments that I was familiar with, but studied about new environments that I was unaware of that where in the library field. In the library environment there are many avenues to choose from. There are Academic, Public, School and Specialized library environments. Each variety of libraries has an association that caters to their special needs as a unique organization. Libraries can be found in many different settings. They can be found in government agencies, universities, elementary and secondary schools, museums and private companies. It was very interesting for me to learn that you could have a passion for libraries, and then discover that you could work in a library associated with that field. For instance if you had a passion for filmmaking, you could be a film librarian or archivists at George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch or Pixar. If you have an interest in the law you can become a law librarian and maybe work for the Supreme Court.
After I was admitted to the SLIS program I went to an admittance day where Dr. Haycock reported that the number one company to employ SJSU SLIS graduates was the Department of Homeland Security. This was an eye opening experience learning that a library or information science degree could take you anywhere you wanted to go and work in whatever field you enjoyed. SLIS offers many courses in the areas of medicine, law, academic and public library environments. This opportunity allowed me to learn about different environments, job opportunities in each area, issues within their specific specialties and how libraries contributed to their organizations. When I entered SLIS they introduced me to different library associations and encouraged me to participate in events and student library organizations. As a result, I have been a member if ALA, SLA, CLA and MLA for the last four years. I have also had the opportunity to attend conferences including; ALA Midwinter 2010 and Annual 2012, CLA 2010 and NCNMLG 2010.
Library Environments
Academic Libraries
Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, students, staff and faculty. Larger institutions may have several libraries on their campuses dedicated to serving particular schools, such as law and science libraries. Many academic librarians become specialists in an area of knowledge and can have faculty status. Their primary goal is to support the school's curriculum and to support the research of the university’s faculty, students and staff. This could be anything from housing/hosting course materials for professors, creating a collection of resources to support a topic of research interests, or instructing its users on resources, services and programs. During my coursework I completed one course, Academic Contemporary Issues and one another, Resources and Information Services in Professions and Disciplines in Medical Librarianship that gave me insight into the academic and medical library environments.
Public Libraries
The most important core value for librarians is "information to the people." Public libraries are a shared intellectual resource maintained at public expense to provide resources that will be shared. They provide access for all persons to a variety of information and ideas. Citizens, therefore, have enhanced opportunities for self-improvement and empowerment. Libraries purchase works and make them available at no charge to any user of that library. Public libraries serve communities of all sizes and types, representing a unique contribution to the dissemination of knowledge to its citizens. They often have departments that focus on areas of service, such as youth, teens and adults. Their mission may reflect the type of community that it serves. It serves a multitude of functions: community center, social center, computer lab, play space, study hall, life time learning center, museum for the community, cultural center and job skills improvement center. With the heavy use of technology, libraries have found themselves as the key component for citizens learning, using, and acquiring computer skills.
School Libraries
School libraries are usually part of a school system, and serve students between Kindergarten and grade 12. Sometimes called media centers, their goal is to ensure that all members of the school community have equitable access to books, information and technology. The school library exists to provide a range of learning opportunities for both large and small groups, as well as individuals with a focus on intellectual content, information literacy, and the learner. They directly support classroom teachers’ efforts in helping students meet state academic standards. In addition to classroom visits with collaborating teachers, the school library also serves as a place for students to do independent work, use computers, equipment, and research materials; to host special events such as author visits and book clubs; and for tutoring and testing.
Special Libraries
Special libraries are developed to support the unique missions of their sponsoring organizations. Their collections and services are more targeted and specific to the needs of their clientele. They offer unique opportunities to work in a specialized environment of interest, such as corporations, hospitals, the military, museums, private businesses, and the government. Special libraries are "special" in their collection, clientele/users and service. All of them provide narrow, precise and rapid service to their users. Special libraries cater to particular populations. Through my studies I have learned that libraries are not only for academia, schools or the public. Libraries can also live in the government, prison, business and entertainment fields. There are libraries in Boeing, NASA, E CNN and the Getty Museum. It was interesting to learn that information science is valued in all these different types of environments.
While libraries all strive to provide cohesive, well-managed collections and outstanding programs and services there are many differences between them. Public libraries clientele are very different than those of a special library. In education, a K-12 school library would function very differently than a higher education academic library. However, as I learned throughout my SLIS instruction, as technology grows all libraries are going to be changing and growing electronically. Today, two factors, technology and budgets are having a major impact on the information environment. Both have impact on how libraries store, disseminate, promote information literacy, instruct, create programs and services, structure personnel, manage physical spaces and advocate for money. Issues related to two factors provide challenges to today’s library leaders. I feel my SLIS program has prepared me well to do this.
In my readings, many libraries are looking for ways to go purely digital. Some refer to this as the "Google" model. From discussions in my courses this is a major change for the library field. Creating a 24/7 library, with no facility, may appear to be the wave of the future. However, an examination of public library use across the country may refute that. Physical library use is high and increasing at a rapid rate. Many libraries report record use rates. According to the Frederick News Post, the Frederick County Libraries, in Fredrick Maryland, had their busiest year in 2009. The library system reported a 30 percent increase in library cards over the same period last year. Foot traffic at the county's eight branches was up 19 percent. According to the American Library Association's website, Americans visited their libraries nearly 1.3 billion times, checking out more than 2 billion items in the past year, an increase of more than 10 percent in both checked-out items and library visits compared with data from the last economic downturn in 2001. Citizens are making their tax dollars work for them, using public libraries’ free computers, enrolling in programs and services and checking out free books rather then purchasing them. Academic libraries may be a different story due to the harsh economic environment in which they exist today. Their budgets are being cut, while services like subscription cost continue to rise. Students and staff, high users of technology, are used to using and may prefer online resources. Johns Hopkins University is one case where it was determined that digital libraries were more appropriate than physical libraries. In 2012 the medical library shut its doors and went totally digital. For academic, school and special libraries going "fully digital" is becoming consideration to deal with budget cuts and decreasing foot traffic. Many libraries are at a turning point, trying to do more with less. Every library environment is in transition, strategically thinking of ways to meet their unique challenges.
Experience
The SLIS program has opened my eyes to the different varieties of libraries. My career has been unique in that I have served in a wide range of library environments.My first piece of evidence is my My resume including examples of my work in these various organizational settings. My second piece of evidence is presentation I created and gave while participating in LIBR 220, introduction to medical librarianship. In this course I was able to sharpen my medical knowledge base and learned about various consumer, subscription and online resources and was able to present an instructional presentation on a popular medical resource called Up To Date, UpToDate Presentation. This resource is a highly respected, high use, resource that is a quick way for doctors to identify and research patient diagnosis. My last piece of evidence is from LIBR 230 in which I prepared a paper on Academic Library Reference: “Effective Reference: staffing an academic reference desk with librarians, is it cost effective or bad service to users?” It outlines the single service desk trend and its effects on reference in academic libraries. Currently our reference staff has “appointment only reference”, leaving circulation staff answering ready reference questions. It is an interesting topic for any library setting dealing with layoffs and lack of staffing issues.
Conclusion
One of the least understood facts about libraries is the variety of settings in which they exist and the myriad of functions they provide. Librarians can specialize in whatever information profession suits their interests. Each library environment is unique in the information they provide, the clients they serve, and the challenge they must address. At the same time librarians across settings have similar issues related to collection management, technology, staffing, budgets, and politics. I have personally worked in most of the library setting listed above: public, community college, university, oceanography, medical and social science settings. All have been interesting and unique places to work.
Evidence Summary and Artifacts
#1 My Resume
I have worked in a variety of academic, public and specialized. This resume represents my dynamic background in a number of library environments, learning through each of them how different library environments work and how unique each is to their specialty.
https://sites.google.com/site/shanners/
# 2 LIBR 220 Medical Libraries
Up To Date Presentation
In this course I was given the task to develop a presentation on a medical library resource that we had touched on or we have research and created an online PowerPoint presentation. My Resource was on Up To Date, a highly valued resource that helps doctors diagnose and treat patients. Instruction on” Up To Date” with tips and tricks on how to use the resource.
http://videos.ibibo.com/videos/viewvideo/shanners/446982
#3 LIBR 230 Issues in Academic Libraries
With layoffs, hiring freezes and turnover, librarians’ jobs are becoming increasingly complex and time compacted. Librarians and staff must develop new ways for reference help to be available to users who are not only in the library, but also online. Reference staffing models using untrained and inexperienced staff in single service desks raises many issues. These issues include how libraries can provide these staff with the knowledge and support to provide a high level of service to clients. This paper compiled literature on this topic and divulged some interesting findings into academic library reference.
I have worked in a variety of academic, public and specialized. This resume represents my dynamic background in a number of library environments, learning through each of them how different library environments work and how unique each is to their specialty.
https://sites.google.com/site/shanners/
# 2 LIBR 220 Medical Libraries
Up To Date Presentation
In this course I was given the task to develop a presentation on a medical library resource that we had touched on or we have research and created an online PowerPoint presentation. My Resource was on Up To Date, a highly valued resource that helps doctors diagnose and treat patients. Instruction on” Up To Date” with tips and tricks on how to use the resource.
http://videos.ibibo.com/videos/viewvideo/shanners/446982
#3 LIBR 230 Issues in Academic Libraries
With layoffs, hiring freezes and turnover, librarians’ jobs are becoming increasingly complex and time compacted. Librarians and staff must develop new ways for reference help to be available to users who are not only in the library, but also online. Reference staffing models using untrained and inexperienced staff in single service desks raises many issues. These issues include how libraries can provide these staff with the knowledge and support to provide a high level of service to clients. This paper compiled literature on this topic and divulged some interesting findings into academic library reference.
effective_reference_in_academic_libraries_libr230-01_assignment1_09_14_2009.docx | |
File Size: | 22 kb |
File Type: | docx |
References
Johns Hopkins University. (2009, December 6). The Welch Goes Digital. Retrieved Feburary 22, 2012, from Johns Hopkins Unveristy: http://magazine.jhu.edu/2010/12/the-welch-goes-digital/
The Federick News Post. (2009, January 7). Economic downturn boosts library use. Retrieved Feburary 22nd, 2012, from The Federick News Post: http://magazine.jhu.edu/2010/12/the-welch-goes-digital/
Rubin, R. (2004). Foundations of Library and Information Science. New York: Neal-Schuman.
The Federick News Post. (2009, January 7). Economic downturn boosts library use. Retrieved Feburary 22nd, 2012, from The Federick News Post: http://magazine.jhu.edu/2010/12/the-welch-goes-digital/
Rubin, R. (2004). Foundations of Library and Information Science. New York: Neal-Schuman.