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I want to be in the Spotlight!
Non-librarian Librarian
Another Path to Professionalism
By Martha Parsons, Library Specialist II, Washington State University Extension Energy Program Library, Olympia
When I first heard about the theme for the March 2004 issue of Alki, I knew I needed to write something about my experience as a library support staff worker doing the job of a librarian, but I was worried about how I could tactfully tell the story. After talking with both the editor and my boss, we came up with an idea—I’d share my personal perspective, and Angela Santamaria, my boss, and manager of the Washington State University Extension Energy Program Library, would share her perspective on having an employee who works as a librarian without an MLS. We have a mutually enjoyable working relationship, with the ultimate goal of providing outstanding library services to our clients. We hope that our story will give others ideas on dealing with what might be considered an alternative path into the profession. MORE
My Non-Degreed Librarian
By Angela Santamaria, M.Ln., Library Manager, Washington State University Extension Energy Program Library, Olympia
When I was a graduate student in a Directed Fieldwork internship at a local college library, I worked with a member of the reference staff who was a specialist in film. Though she had a master’s in English Literature and a formidable background in film, she had no graduate degree in library/information science. Nonetheless, she functioned as and was considered a librarian. It may have been felt that during the course of her schooling and library work experience, she had absorbed the skills, knowledge-base, and library overview that sum up librarianship. When I learned about her lack of an MLS, I also learned that the Library staff and Dean considered her a librarian and, if pressed, would refer to her as a "non-degreed librarian." As far as I could tell, she was treated no differently from any other librarian on staff. MORE
I want to write about Career Advancement!
Things Making Libraries Look Stupid
By Chris Rippel, Central Kansas Library System
Chris Rippel compiled this informal survey after he realized that the front staff did not know where library policies could be found. He figured that things like this happen all the time, and decided to make a list of things that all library staff should know to publish in his newsletter, the CKLS POST. He asked members of two electronic discussion lists, Publib-L and Kanlib-L for help. In his request, he asked which "things" may not get done or may fall through the cracks and could make the librarian, the library staff and the library look incompetent and stupid. He received contributions from across the nation. Not only is it important for staff to know the answers, the people who ask these questions may be the allies you need as you make a case for improving your compensation. Chris was notified that one librarian was going to use this list for training staff. MORE
I want to write about Certification!
Core Competencies for Library Practitioners
The Western Council of State Libraries (WCSL) asked the entire library community to rate the core competencies that non-MLS directors of small, usually rural, public libraries need to manage the daily operations of the library. Responses were due by August 6, 2004. These competencies address "administration and management, philosophy, ethics, history, and trends in public librarianship, services to the public, collection development and management, technical and support services, technologies in libraries and generally, basic workplace skills and personal competencies." MORE
I want to write about HR Law & Regulation!
When State HR Laws Change
One source for finding out, on a monthly basis, whether your state has added or amended Human Resource Related Laws is www.hrcomply.com/index.law.html. MORE
I want to write about HR Practice!
Planning for Retirement
"The Times They Are A-Changin’"
By Paula Singer, Ph.D., and Linda Goldberg, SPHR, CCP
With a population bulge of baby boomers approaching the prototypical "retirement" years, millions of people are asking themselves how to plan for retirement. A better question to consider: What is retirement? MORE
Library Disparity Shows up in Salary
Workers at Small Sites Struggle with Benefits
By Victor Greto
06/29/2004, www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2004/06/29librarydisparit.html
As director of the Frankford Public Library, Joan Loewenstein gets to talk to patrons regularly about their lives, the weather, their kids and their interests. MORE
Educator’s Reference Desk Seeks Volunteers
"The Educator’s Reference Desk [a project of the Information Institute of Syracuse] is looking for librarians to help maintain the online resource collection available at this Web site. The collection focuses specifically on the practice and theory of education. Interested volunteers should be familiar with sources of education information on the Internet, have experience with Internet search tools and evaluation of online information sources, and have a basic knowledge of html or web-editing software (e.g. FrontPage)." MORE
No Room for Poverty Rally
The Community Action Partnership is holding the "No Room for Poverty" National Rally September 4, 2004, on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. to unify the nation around the need to end poverty. Focus on five key areas: health care, jobs, housing, education, and the Digital Divide. The Partnership is calling for a White House Conference on American Poverty because they believe that only the White House can assemble expert theorists, practitioners, and policymakers needed to address this issue. They also feel it is of utmost importance for the nation to tackle fundamental issues that particularly impact low-income Americans. www.povertyrally.org MORE
Special Library Association’s Diversity Leadership Development Program
www.sla.org/content/SLA/awardsrecognition/awardsdescriptions/dlpnomform.cfm
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table Changes Dues
GLBTRT now has the following categories of membership and dues, beginning in September 2004:
- $15.00 regular member
- $5.00 student member
- $20.00 corporate/organization member
As Political Conventions Hit Headlines, Libraries Help Citizens "Register to Vote @ your library®"
Libraries can register online for free program materials through September
With the Democratic National Convention wrapping up in Boston this week and the Republican National Convention poised to begin in just one month, the upcoming Presidential election is dominating the headlines. Among all of the growing chatter, libraries across the country are helping their communities be prepared to make an informed decision when they head to the polls in November. MORE
ALA-APA establishes a Union Electronic Discussion List
ALA-APA has established an electronic discussion list for those who are interested in and participating in unions. It is an open forum for asking questions, sharing news and carrying on discussions. To subscribe, send an e-mail to apa-union-subscribe@ala-apa.org.
Orange County Library System Union Contract Renewal Update
Submitted by John Henkle
Negotiations continue at the Orange County Library System in Orlando for the professional unit contract renewal. The previous contract expired June 14, but all provisions remain in force except pay raises and COPE deductions which management refused to continue withholding. The last 2 sessions have yielded some progress with agreement reached on most non-economic issues. MORE
I want to write about Salaries & Pay Equity!
Library Workers: Facts & Figures
 Everything you need in one sheet! The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, has compiled this fact sheet on demographics, salaries and union participation for library workers. Note: This does not include statistics collected by the American Library Association’s Annual Librarian Salary Survey—www.ala.org/ala/ors/reports/alasalarysurveysummary.htm. MORE
Commentary on the Wage Gap
By Warren Gray, Southeast Community College, Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Back in May, ALA-APA included in its newsletter a short article about what is called “Equal Pay Day,” April 20, 2004. Allegedly, this is the day upon which a woman who started working Jan. 1, 2003, catches up with what a man who started to work that same day had earned within the calendar year 2003. The article included a statement about the “wage gap,” saying that women earn 77 cents to mens’ dollar. MORE
I want to write about Statistics!
Comments on West Virginia Public Libraries Salary Survey 2004
By Steve Fesenmaier, State Data Coordinator, WV Library Commission
Every two years The West Virginia Library Commission surveys salaries for its 97 main libraries. This is only the second time that the results have been posted to the agency’s Web site. MORE
2004 Library Staff Salaries
Bibliography of Selected Sources
Compiled by Steve Fesenmaier, WVLC State Data Coordinator, July 1, 2004 MORE
I want to write about Support Staff!
The Institute for Museum and Library Services to Survey Training Programs for Library Staff
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) conducted a study to identify and analyze education and training programs for non-MLS-degreed library staff in the United States (e.g., pre-professional, paraprofessional, library technicians, media specialists). MORE
I want to write about Work/Life!
Did You Know That October Is National Work and Family Month?
In September 2003, the US Senate passed Resolution 210 to declare October as National Work and Family Month, sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). With the passage of the resolution, a multiyear initiative grew, called the National Work-Life Initiative. MORE
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