|
Good News
Better Pay at Live Oak Public Libraries in Savannah, Ga.
By Candy Frawley, HR Director, Live Oak Public Libraries, Savannah, Ga.
Editor’s Note: One of the employees of Live Oak Public Libraries passed by the ALA-APA exhibit booth at Annual Conference. I told her about the mission and asked if she had any questions. She told me, “We’re doing just fine with our salaries!” Of course, I had to know more and share it with you. It’s rare that I meet a library worker who has this response! MORE
Libraries & Culture Seeking Reviewers
Libraries & Culture is a peer-reviewed academic journal edited by the School of Information of the University of Texas at Austin and published by University of Texas Press. The journal focuses on library history and all aspects of cultural heritage. Maria E. Gonzalez, online coordinator of the book list and book reviews, has several books on library management and administration issues that await review. The Book Review section is used as a teaching and learning tool for students and young professionals interested in getting their work published in an academic journal. MORE
WebJunction
Assisting Library Staff with Technology and Training
WebJunction is an online community dedicated to emerging technology and training needs of library staff. It's the place where peers share insights on timely issues such as Internet privacy, filtering software, accessibility compliance, and more. The articles, handouts, courses, and discussions on WebJunction are practical and down-to-earth, and they address the real problems that librarians and library staff face every day. MORE
Legal Interview Questions
by Dr. Wendell Williams, Monster Contributing Writer, from Monster: HR
QUESTION: I’m trying to assist some new managers with appropriate interviewing skills, but I’m not sure which interview questions are considered illegal. Is there some sort of a standard list to use as a guide? MORE
Attending to Details
Quick Fixes to Nagging Problems
By Paula Singer, Ph.D. and Linda Goldberg, SPHR, CCP
A walk through a library will generally show the great care given to design of the public spaces. Like having company for dinner, we always ensure that the spaces our guests see are totally up to snuff. What’s hidden in the back bedrooms, however, is another matter and may resemble Fibber McGee’s closet. MORE
Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Intern/Trainee Program
By Elise Levy Kennedy, Branch Administrator, Miami-Dade Public Library System
"A decade ago, when I drove from library to library making the daily delivery run, I never dreamed I would one day aspire to be boss of one of those libraries"—Jeffrey Smith, current Librarian Trainee
That dream got off the ground in 1999, when Miami-Dade Public Library System initiated its Intern/Trainee recruitment program. After promoting to Library Security Guard, Mr. Smith began working on his undergraduate degree. Now in 2004, he is completing his MLS while working as a Trainee at one of our regional libraries. The opportunity to learn about library service from the inside out was what inspired him to make it his career. MORE
The History of Labor Day
Two Perspectives
Views on Labor Day from the U.S. Department of Labor and Online NewsHour. MORE
Library Funding Stories
It’s no secret that libraries are suffering budget cuts. How has your library been affected by budget cuts? The American Library Association is collecting personal stories about how your library is responding to cuts. The ALA-APA is interested in how the budgets are affecting salaries and professional development and what inventive ways you are finding to circumvent the cuts. If you have good news—budget increases—let us know! MORE
Highlights from the 37 th Annual COLT Conference in Orlando, FL
The Council on Library/Media Technicians (COLT) held its 37th Annual Conference in Orlando, FL, at the Sheraton World Resort, June 23-26th. The theme was “Library Support Staff: Gaining Recognition in a Changing Time.” The session leaders and keynote speakers, Dr. Derrie Perez and Lorelle Swader, were well-versed in encouraging both new support staff and “old timers” to showcase the value they provide to their patrons and colleagues. MORE
Featured Commentary—Sally in Libraryland
A Surreal Library Experience
By Sally Decker Smith, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling IL
I lost my voice last week, and it turned into one of the more surreal experiences of my life.
If we’ve met, you know that I enjoy talking. Kind of a lot. And fairly fast most of the time. On some levels, I may be compensating for a childhood where I was very, very, very quiet. Not necessarily shy, I think, but not very vocal. Then I had a job in college that involved leading literally hundreds of people a day through a WWII German submarine, while telling them all about it, cautioning them to watch their heads, and answering questions that completely derailed my train of thought, among other guide-lecturer related responsibilities, and I got over it. Once you’ve explained Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle to a group of visitors from Guatemala, you can pretty much talk to anybody about anything. So I do. MORE
|
