Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Library Technician (Classified AFSCME)

Responsibilities:
  • Check-out/check-in library materials and other circulation functions
  • Assist clientele in finding needed library materials and performing on-line database searches
  • Create, process, and track purchase orders
  • Maintain and update inventory records for periodical and serial materials
  • Provide clerical support for library

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Working knowledge of library classification system(s) and standard library reference tools sufficient to assist clients in locating materials and conducting research.
  • Ability to apply and support detailed coding or cataloging systems sufficient to create tracking for new print and non-print library acquisitions and locate and replace existing materials.
  • Ability to operate personal computers, use various software and web-based applications, and other office equipment sufficient to locate catalog information, word-process documents, complete forms and prepare reports.
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing sufficient to determine and respond to the informational needs of clients of varied educational levels and backgrounds; to train, direct and evaluate work of student clerical staff; and to assist the professional library staff to maintain the library collection according to library policy and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Two year degree. Library technician degree
  • One year of library work experience.

Application Procedure:
TO APPLY: Submit your resume on-line to Requisition #09MNSC000215 at www.careers.state.mn.us. This position will be open for application on the Minnesota Management and Budget site from June 21, 2009, through July 6, 2009.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Branch Out 2009 – Beyond Your Comfort Zone

This conference is consistently one of the best conferences for library support staff and paraprofessionals. I strongly encourage you to attend if possible.



Branch Out 2009 – Beyond Your Comfort Zone


August 4-5, 2009
Willmar, MN

Branch Out is a conference designed by and for library paraprofessionals, support staff, and media specialists. Its purpose is to bring library staff from all around Minnesota and the surrounding region together for career development and networking opportunities.

Visit www.branchoutmn.org for registration form, registration/payment instruction, and program descriptions.

Friday, May 15, 2009

ALA Copy Cataloging Interest Group

All kinds of conference info is coming out from ALA right now. Again, to make a point: the full ALA conference doesn't come any closer to Minnesota than Chicago - if you can at all afford it, please go! You will not regret it!

~~~

The ALCTS CCS Copy Cataloging Interest Group will meet during the ALA Meeting in Chicago on Saturday, July 11, from 10:30 AM to 12 noon. We're interested in all things copy cataloging, but for our next meeting we're particularly interested in the following topics:

* Copy cataloging for Special Collections.
* How to train copy catalogers in FRBR and RDA, FRBR being here already and RDA on its way.
* Copy cataloging for special formats, such as electronic resources.
* Copy cataloging and vendor records.

Are you doing something in any of these areas that you'd like to share with an eager audience? Would you like to help us explore any of these topics? If so, the Copy Cataloging Interest Group is the place for you! We're looking for people to speak to the group about any of these topics. If you would like to speak to the group, please contact Gene Dickerson, Chair, or Tatiana Barr, Vice-Chair/Chair Elect with your interest. We're looking for people to speak for about 15-20 minutes on any of the topics listed above. If you'd like to propose another topic you're interested in, let us know that, too. Tell us who you are and what topic you'd like to speak about. Don't be shy! Give us a try! If you want to nominate someone else to speak, let us know who he or she is, along with contact information, and we'll take it from there.

Gene Dickerson
Lead Librarian for Cataloging
Ralph J. Bunche Library
U.S. Dept. of State
Washington, DC
DickersonEH@state.gov

Tatiana Barr
Catalog Librarian
Sterling Memorial Library
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Tatiana.barr@yale.edu

Thursday, May 14, 2009

A Thousand Words: Taking Better Photos for Telling Stories in Your Library

Going to ALA in Chicago this summer? Consider this session:

*A Thousand Words: Taking Better Photos for Telling Stories in Your Library*

Presented by: Helene Blowers, Michael Porter, and Cindi Trainor, Friday, July 10, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in Chicago

If you want to learn how to capture library events more effectively and artistically, don’t miss this hands-on workshop in Chicago this July. Learn the Who, What and Why of shooting, sharing and reusing your library photos, and see how to use widgets and other tools to tell stories and engage your users in your digital space. Learn techniques for shooting and editing better photos, camera settings that make for the best photos, and the basics of editing an image. Privacy policies and Creative Commons will also be covered. The hands-on portion of this workshop will involve using flickr, getting to know your camera, and using desktop and online image editing tools.

Participants should bring a camera and laptop. Be sure to bring your camera's cable or a card reader for downloading photos to your computer.

More information is available at the LITA Web site: http://www.lita.org

You do NOT need to attend Annual Conference to register for a LITA preconference. Visit the 2009 ALA Annual Conference registration page to register for these events.
http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/annual/2009/registration.cfm

To add a workshop to your existing Annual Conference registration:
Call ALA Registration at 1-800-974-3084
OR
use your log in and password to access your existing registration using the online registration form: http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/annual/2009/registration.cfm
Add events in the “Your Events” section; check out and pay for the events you’ve added.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Internships and Updating Skills

On the most recent post on Career Q & A with the Library Career People, they address two questions that come up frequently in our Library Information Technology program: using internships to gain experience, and to update skills.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

North Carolina Happenings

For North Carolina Library Paraprofessionals: Scholarship and Membership Information:

1. The North Carolina Library Paraprofessional Association is again offering the Meralyn M. Meadows Conference Scholarship for NCLA's biennial conference in October (Greenville, NC).

For information, eligibility requirements, and an application, please go to http://www.nclaonline.org/nclpa/index.html .

If you are the winner of this scholarship, you will receive one night's lodging in a conference hotel, a complimentary meal at the NCLPA business meeting luncheon, the cost of a NCLPA membership for two years, and an opportunity to serve fellow support staff.

NCLPA is a roundtable of the North Carolina Library Association.

2. Also, please join NCLA/NCLPA! Membership information is available at www.nclaonline.org .

Ellen Dickey
NCLPA Scholarship Chair