After my discussion about my annual evaluation, I have decided that the type of special library which the Library Elf is currently working strives to constrict free thought and strives off of here-say and gossip. These are detrimental to the Library Elf’s mental well being and coherent state of mind.
Coming to this conclusion, the Library Elf has decided to make a strategic exit from this employer.
No…I did not hold my hands up and declare this from on high, but I will be actively looking for a freer thinking working environment.
The straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back as when, during the review, I was told that I play on the internet too much and that internet use should only be conducted on break time.
I have no problem with this policy. I, in fact, have proposed it on my subordinates when I was a supervisor, but only when internet usage hindered their job performance. For instance, I did not allow the shelvers who I supervised to use the internet, due to the high volume of book that needed to be shelved. Conversely, when I supervised students working at a university library’s Information Desk to surf the web while waiting to help a patron.
I work at a special library where little to no direction is given and during a span of 8 hours, I may see 1 maybe two people. Not browsing the internet on down time (which is 90% of the time) could actually cause me to go insane.
No do not get me wrong, I am not spending hours surfing the web. Usually, I take a few minutes to look at our city’s news paper online, or another few minutes to catch up on my blog reading. All other times, internet use had always been on my break times. In addition to this, my onsite supervisor spends several hours a day either on the phone with her family or gossiping with others in the building about the creepy security guard that keeps hitting on her. Where is the justice in that?
Hopefully soon you will be hearing form a happy Library Elf who enjoys his job, but until that day comes, be prepared to hear a lot of complaining.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Has the Supervisor Turned Over A New Leaf?
The sun is shinning and all is bright in the land of this Library Elf.
My on site supervisor has even turned a new corner and barked something at me that was not a command.
Could it be that I am having a meeting with our off-site supervisor in the morning to discuss the “minimally successful” end of year evaluation rating given to me?
Only time will tell.
My on site supervisor has even turned a new corner and barked something at me that was not a command.
Could it be that I am having a meeting with our off-site supervisor in the morning to discuss the “minimally successful” end of year evaluation rating given to me?
Only time will tell.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Assitance/Advice Needed
On New Year's Eve, about an hour before I was schedule to leave work, my on site supervisor handed me a box of microfiche with several hundred dissertations and asked me to find the WorldCat records for each one, stating that if there were more than one, that each one needed to be printed out, eventually sending the OCLC numbers and fiche numbers to be cataloged.
This was not a problem at all, since I am a library technician and it is my job to do so. The first problem is, the company that I work for does not have access to WorldCat records. Once I found a way around that, I get to work.
I opted not to start printing out each individually right away since my on site supervisor was using the copier the copier that we share. Instead, I began searching for each dissertation record in WorldCat and recording the OCLC numbers and fiche numbers in an Access database, knowing that the malleability of Access would be conducive of making a list when we need them.
20 minutes into the project (mind you, supervisor is still using the copier, and there is only about 40mins left in the work day), my supervisor instructs me to start printing out the records immediately.
Just before I leave work that afternoon, I had her 25 WorldCat records and leave.
This is what transpired:
To Library Elf from Supervisor:
On Monday December 31st, for the first time in months, I gave you a special project. I gave you a box of microfiche with dissertations on each. I told you to look up the record in WorldCat. I told you to print out the WorldCat record. If there was more than one record for a title, I told you to print those out too.
You completely ignored my instructions. You did not print out the records, but instead listed the information in an Access database.
After being told again, you printed out one record for each title. I just checked the first print-out. You printed out only one record for this title, although there are four records in WorldCat. Two records are listed as microform format. Two records are not. You printed out one of the records that is not in microform format. This means that someone looking in our online catalog would assume that this dissertation is in print format and not on microfiche.
I expect that you will be able to follow oral instructions. From now on, any instruction I give to you will be in writing.
I expect that you would understand the concept and the elements contained in a cataloging record, and the importance of precise detail.
I expect that I will not have to check every detail of every project to which you are assigned.
Please provide me with a written document with your comments on the above, and actions you plan to take to improve your performance. Include in this document the most important characteristics you feel are necessary for an employee to succeed in the position of Library Technician.
To Supervisor From Library Elf:
I first want to apologize for the mix up.
I had no intention of "ignoring" your instructions to print out the WorldCat records. I did feel that it was in the best interest of my job performance to have an electronic file, which is easily manageable, IN ADDITION TO a paper copy of each record which you requested. Also, since we were both using the same printer at the time, I did not want to tie up the printer and was waiting for a more opportune time to print out the first 25 records which I found.
In regards to the specific WorldCat record that you mentioned, I entered the WorldCat Database via the website of my county's library and searched this record by its author. I again searched this record by its complete title. In both cases, only one record appeared which the one that I printed.
I did notice that search done by you was conducted via a different public library's WorldCat database, so the difference record matches may lie in that aspect, but I could be wrong.
Actions I Plan to Take To Improve My Performance
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express some of ways in which I would like to improve my performance. There are as followed:
1-Take steps to insure that all instructions are understood by me and that all aspects which are not clear are questioned, making it clear not to question effectiveness of the specific directive, but to gain a better understanding of it.
2-Explain, in more detail, steps that I will take to complete the directive so that compliance with the directive is understood by my supervisor. Since out company has no way of searching WorldCat records, I should have mentioned that I would be using my public library's database so there may be some discrepancy in the records. In addition to this, I should have mentioned that I would be using my training in Microsoft Access to make a list of this records so that they could be easily managed at a later time (if need be).
Important Characteristics for Success as a Library Technician
The following are listed in order of importance, "1" being the most important.
1-Communication.
The best and most effective way to solve a problem is by communication, and identifying areas where problems/solutions may arise.
2-Attention to Detail
Being an employee of a library for the greater part of the past 11 years, I value the importance of attention to detail. When instructions are not clear or problems/solutions are not properly identified, perception of directive details are more difficult to decipher.
3-Compliance with Supervisor's Directives
When there are too many people directing the course of action, that actual course of action may be difficult complete. So listening to the directive of the supervisor is paramount.
Thanks again for this open dialogue and I hope that this will foster a better working relationship.
Now, I know that was a lot to digest, I would love to hear different ways that either myself or my supervisor could have handled this situation. Thanks in advance.
This was not a problem at all, since I am a library technician and it is my job to do so. The first problem is, the company that I work for does not have access to WorldCat records. Once I found a way around that, I get to work.
I opted not to start printing out each individually right away since my on site supervisor was using the copier the copier that we share. Instead, I began searching for each dissertation record in WorldCat and recording the OCLC numbers and fiche numbers in an Access database, knowing that the malleability of Access would be conducive of making a list when we need them.
20 minutes into the project (mind you, supervisor is still using the copier, and there is only about 40mins left in the work day), my supervisor instructs me to start printing out the records immediately.
Just before I leave work that afternoon, I had her 25 WorldCat records and leave.
This is what transpired:
To Library Elf from Supervisor:
On Monday December 31st, for the first time in months, I gave you a special project. I gave you a box of microfiche with dissertations on each. I told you to look up the record in WorldCat. I told you to print out the WorldCat record. If there was more than one record for a title, I told you to print those out too.
You completely ignored my instructions. You did not print out the records, but instead listed the information in an Access database.
After being told again, you printed out one record for each title. I just checked the first print-out. You printed out only one record for this title, although there are four records in WorldCat. Two records are listed as microform format. Two records are not. You printed out one of the records that is not in microform format. This means that someone looking in our online catalog would assume that this dissertation is in print format and not on microfiche.
I expect that you will be able to follow oral instructions. From now on, any instruction I give to you will be in writing.
I expect that you would understand the concept and the elements contained in a cataloging record, and the importance of precise detail.
I expect that I will not have to check every detail of every project to which you are assigned.
Please provide me with a written document with your comments on the above, and actions you plan to take to improve your performance. Include in this document the most important characteristics you feel are necessary for an employee to succeed in the position of Library Technician.
To Supervisor From Library Elf:
I first want to apologize for the mix up.
I had no intention of "ignoring" your instructions to print out the WorldCat records. I did feel that it was in the best interest of my job performance to have an electronic file, which is easily manageable, IN ADDITION TO a paper copy of each record which you requested. Also, since we were both using the same printer at the time, I did not want to tie up the printer and was waiting for a more opportune time to print out the first 25 records which I found.
In regards to the specific WorldCat record that you mentioned, I entered the WorldCat Database via the website of my county's library and searched this record by its author. I again searched this record by its complete title. In both cases, only one record appeared which the one that I printed.
I did notice that search done by you was conducted via a different public library's WorldCat database, so the difference record matches may lie in that aspect, but I could be wrong.
Actions I Plan to Take To Improve My Performance
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express some of ways in which I would like to improve my performance. There are as followed:
1-Take steps to insure that all instructions are understood by me and that all aspects which are not clear are questioned, making it clear not to question effectiveness of the specific directive, but to gain a better understanding of it.
2-Explain, in more detail, steps that I will take to complete the directive so that compliance with the directive is understood by my supervisor. Since out company has no way of searching WorldCat records, I should have mentioned that I would be using my public library's database so there may be some discrepancy in the records. In addition to this, I should have mentioned that I would be using my training in Microsoft Access to make a list of this records so that they could be easily managed at a later time (if need be).
Important Characteristics for Success as a Library Technician
The following are listed in order of importance, "1" being the most important.
1-Communication.
The best and most effective way to solve a problem is by communication, and identifying areas where problems/solutions may arise.
2-Attention to Detail
Being an employee of a library for the greater part of the past 11 years, I value the importance of attention to detail. When instructions are not clear or problems/solutions are not properly identified, perception of directive details are more difficult to decipher.
3-Compliance with Supervisor's Directives
When there are too many people directing the course of action, that actual course of action may be difficult complete. So listening to the directive of the supervisor is paramount.
Thanks again for this open dialogue and I hope that this will foster a better working relationship.
Now, I know that was a lot to digest, I would love to hear different ways that either myself or my supervisor could have handled this situation. Thanks in advance.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Censorship: Yea of Nay
Public libraries have faced many types of issues concerning censorship since early in its history. With the rise in popularity in electronic technology, the most recent target of censorship has been the internet, moving past the age old medium of printed material.
The internet has grown in popularity from a private government program that connected elite scholars and scientist in the wake of nuclear attack to a very public medium where one is able to obtain information if any kind. Since one of the purpose of a public library is to grant free access of information to it’s patrons, it was inevitable that public libraries would move to bring the internet into their buildings so that their patrons would have access. With the internet each person can choose the type of information that they would like to access without having the “hand of the library” to choose for them.
Many think that the instant access to the insurmountable amount of information that is stored on the internet may not be used solely for intellectual purposes. Many think that access to certain parts of the internet should not be accessible to the general public.
By reviewing the following:
1. How the Government Tried to Censor the Internet
2. Arguments for Censorship of the Internet
3. Arguments against Censorship of the Internet
it will be shown that a broad censorship ruling by the government is not necessary and is detrimental to free speech and free access to information.
How the Government Tried to Censor the Internet
The government has attempted to control access to material that is deemed “not suitable for public viewing”. One of the governments first attempts to do this was with the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Many parts of this act was deemed unconstitutional so the act failed. Two years later, Congress tried another attempt to censor the internet with the Child Online Protection Act of 1998 (Fourie & Dowell p.216) This act posed a narrower view of censorship of the internet:
“Child Online Protection Act makes it a crime for anyone, by means of the World Wide Web, to make any communication for commercial purposes that is harmful to minors…”(Center for Democracy and Technology. Available: http://www.cdt.org/speech/cda/ (Accessed August 4, 2000))
Arguments For Censorship of the Internet
The main reason why so many have campaigned for the censorship of the internet in public libraries is to protect the interest of children. With the internet having such a broad range of information, which includes pornography along with many educational materials, many have wanted to restrict children’s access to some of those websites that many have deemed inappropriate. Gary Glenn, president of the Michigan branch of the American Family Association (AFA) made a valiant push for censorship of the internet of the public library in Holland, Michigan. Glenn argued;
“Libraries need filters because children may accidentally stumble across pornography on the internet and become permanently scarred by it.”(Church & State April, 2000, p.18)
This same sentiment has been voiced by concerned parents, wanting to make sure that their children did not have full access to the “unacceptable” websites on the internet. Linda McCulloch of Colorado Springs, Colorado dislikes letting her fourteen year old son visit the local public library in fear that her son will become susceptible to the whims of the internet. McCulloch stated that;
“We need some kind of filtering system. The internet has things that are holy and it has things that are horrific.”(Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service August 4, 1999, p.8)
Arguments Against the Censorship of the Internet
As said before, the claim protecting children has been the basis of most of the arguments for censorship of the internet. Many opponents of the censorship of the internet say that these claims are overblown and exaggerated. In a viewpoint submitted to the National Commission on Library and Information Science on December 14, 1998, it clearly stated that there was not a distinct connection with public library internet access and the “predation by pedophiles”.(Libraries Should Not Filter Internet Pornography, p.1)
Many opponents of the censorship of the internet continue to say that current internet restrictions may hinder the legitimate use of the internet and does it discriminatory way.
Current internet filters filter websites on the basis of certain words so that those looking for information on breast cancer, for instance, would be denied access to that information. In the court case Mainstream Loudoun vs. Loudoun County Library Board, the Mainstream Loudoun opinion (written by a judge who was a former librarian), wrote that the current filters on their libraries computers were unconstitutional. This opinion also stated that there was little or no evidence that unfiltered internet access was harmful.
“The only evidence to which defendant can point in support of it’s argument that the Policy is necessary consists of a record of a single complaint arising from internet use in another Virginia library and reports of isolated incidents in three other libraries across the county.”(Free Speech, p.2)
In taking in both sides of the argument of internet censorship, one could come to the conclusion that although there is evidence to suggest that children should not be privy to some material that is contained on the internet, there is not enough evidence to create a federal mandate that would require all public libraries to introduce filters in their libraries. To deal with this conflict, public libraries should be free to determine the amount censorship in their own libraries. The amount of censorship should be consistent with the values of the community that they serve, much like the way that it chooses the books, magazines, and newspapers that it places on it’s shelves.
References
(April 2000). Michigan Town Rejects Censorship Plan For Public Library. Church & State. p.18
Barbour, S. (2000) Free Speech Retrieved 11/19/03 Gale Viewpoints Resource Center: http://www.galenet.galegroup.com/
Fourie, D. & Dowell, D. (2002) Libraries in the Information Age. Colorado: Libraries Unlimited.
Sampson, O. (1999). Censoring the Internet; a technological twist on an age old debate. Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. p. K6731
The internet has grown in popularity from a private government program that connected elite scholars and scientist in the wake of nuclear attack to a very public medium where one is able to obtain information if any kind. Since one of the purpose of a public library is to grant free access of information to it’s patrons, it was inevitable that public libraries would move to bring the internet into their buildings so that their patrons would have access. With the internet each person can choose the type of information that they would like to access without having the “hand of the library” to choose for them.
Many think that the instant access to the insurmountable amount of information that is stored on the internet may not be used solely for intellectual purposes. Many think that access to certain parts of the internet should not be accessible to the general public.
By reviewing the following:
1. How the Government Tried to Censor the Internet
2. Arguments for Censorship of the Internet
3. Arguments against Censorship of the Internet
it will be shown that a broad censorship ruling by the government is not necessary and is detrimental to free speech and free access to information.
How the Government Tried to Censor the Internet
The government has attempted to control access to material that is deemed “not suitable for public viewing”. One of the governments first attempts to do this was with the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Many parts of this act was deemed unconstitutional so the act failed. Two years later, Congress tried another attempt to censor the internet with the Child Online Protection Act of 1998 (Fourie & Dowell p.216) This act posed a narrower view of censorship of the internet:
“Child Online Protection Act makes it a crime for anyone, by means of the World Wide Web, to make any communication for commercial purposes that is harmful to minors…”(Center for Democracy and Technology. Available: http://www.cdt.org/speech/cda/ (Accessed August 4, 2000))
Arguments For Censorship of the Internet
The main reason why so many have campaigned for the censorship of the internet in public libraries is to protect the interest of children. With the internet having such a broad range of information, which includes pornography along with many educational materials, many have wanted to restrict children’s access to some of those websites that many have deemed inappropriate. Gary Glenn, president of the Michigan branch of the American Family Association (AFA) made a valiant push for censorship of the internet of the public library in Holland, Michigan. Glenn argued;
“Libraries need filters because children may accidentally stumble across pornography on the internet and become permanently scarred by it.”(Church & State April, 2000, p.18)
This same sentiment has been voiced by concerned parents, wanting to make sure that their children did not have full access to the “unacceptable” websites on the internet. Linda McCulloch of Colorado Springs, Colorado dislikes letting her fourteen year old son visit the local public library in fear that her son will become susceptible to the whims of the internet. McCulloch stated that;
“We need some kind of filtering system. The internet has things that are holy and it has things that are horrific.”(Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service August 4, 1999, p.8)
Arguments Against the Censorship of the Internet
As said before, the claim protecting children has been the basis of most of the arguments for censorship of the internet. Many opponents of the censorship of the internet say that these claims are overblown and exaggerated. In a viewpoint submitted to the National Commission on Library and Information Science on December 14, 1998, it clearly stated that there was not a distinct connection with public library internet access and the “predation by pedophiles”.(Libraries Should Not Filter Internet Pornography, p.1)
Many opponents of the censorship of the internet continue to say that current internet restrictions may hinder the legitimate use of the internet and does it discriminatory way.
Current internet filters filter websites on the basis of certain words so that those looking for information on breast cancer, for instance, would be denied access to that information. In the court case Mainstream Loudoun vs. Loudoun County Library Board, the Mainstream Loudoun opinion (written by a judge who was a former librarian), wrote that the current filters on their libraries computers were unconstitutional. This opinion also stated that there was little or no evidence that unfiltered internet access was harmful.
“The only evidence to which defendant can point in support of it’s argument that the Policy is necessary consists of a record of a single complaint arising from internet use in another Virginia library and reports of isolated incidents in three other libraries across the county.”(Free Speech, p.2)
In taking in both sides of the argument of internet censorship, one could come to the conclusion that although there is evidence to suggest that children should not be privy to some material that is contained on the internet, there is not enough evidence to create a federal mandate that would require all public libraries to introduce filters in their libraries. To deal with this conflict, public libraries should be free to determine the amount censorship in their own libraries. The amount of censorship should be consistent with the values of the community that they serve, much like the way that it chooses the books, magazines, and newspapers that it places on it’s shelves.
References
(April 2000). Michigan Town Rejects Censorship Plan For Public Library. Church & State. p.18
Barbour, S. (2000) Free Speech Retrieved 11/19/03 Gale Viewpoints Resource Center: http://www.galenet.galegroup.com/
Fourie, D. & Dowell, D. (2002) Libraries in the Information Age. Colorado: Libraries Unlimited.
Sampson, O. (1999). Censoring the Internet; a technological twist on an age old debate. Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. p. K6731
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Is Mentoring A Good Idea?
I came across this add on the local library listserve and wondered if it would be a good idea:
The members of both organizations (special libraries and all other libraries? often express the desire to have someone outside their organization work with them as they develop professional and management skills.
In addition, many more experienced members tell us that they want to give back to the profession. The Mentor Program helps out both sides of the equation!
The Program is accepting applications from individuals wishing to become proteges as well as those who would like to mentor others. All mentors will be asked to attend a training session about the program. Every effort will be made to match mentors and proteges based on their previous experience and needs. We keep a pool of mentors at all stages of career (from director-level veterans, down to fairly recent graduates who want to assist students), so that appropriate matches can be made.
Why is this program different from "phoning a friend"? All of the mentors in the program will be trained and certified;there is a formal evaluation of the program; and, every mentor will have their own lifeline to call with larger concerns or to find additional assistance.
I know that I have been in the library system a few years, but with the recent events that have turned my library experience upside down, I think this may be a good thing for me. I will let you know how it turns out.
The members of both organizations (special libraries and all other libraries? often express the desire to have someone outside their organization work with them as they develop professional and management skills.
In addition, many more experienced members tell us that they want to give back to the profession. The Mentor Program helps out both sides of the equation!
The Program is accepting applications from individuals wishing to become proteges as well as those who would like to mentor others. All mentors will be asked to attend a training session about the program. Every effort will be made to match mentors and proteges based on their previous experience and needs. We keep a pool of mentors at all stages of career (from director-level veterans, down to fairly recent graduates who want to assist students), so that appropriate matches can be made.
Why is this program different from "phoning a friend"? All of the mentors in the program will be trained and certified;there is a formal evaluation of the program; and, every mentor will have their own lifeline to call with larger concerns or to find additional assistance.
I know that I have been in the library system a few years, but with the recent events that have turned my library experience upside down, I think this may be a good thing for me. I will let you know how it turns out.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Walls Are Falling
Well, not exactly, but something like it.
In the library that I work, there are only 3 rooms, one which I work side by side with the librarian (when she decides to show up).
Last week we had a gang of contractors come and do some asbestos removal in one room. Thank the Library God that no one currently works in that room, but there is a pic from that frightful day.
If that was not enough, I came in this morning to find this in a the ceiling of a different library room.
Only one room left.
I will be wearing a raincoat from now on.
In the library that I work, there are only 3 rooms, one which I work side by side with the librarian (when she decides to show up).
Last week we had a gang of contractors come and do some asbestos removal in one room. Thank the Library God that no one currently works in that room, but there is a pic from that frightful day.
If that was not enough, I came in this morning to find this in a the ceiling of a different library room.
Only one room left.
I will be wearing a raincoat from now on.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Welcomed Day Off
Working in a special library, where direction and purpose is next to nil, Today was a welcomed day off.
The nation set aside today to celebrate the life and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who wanted more for our country and gave his life so that his dream could be fulfilled.
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