Library Catalogs

I've been spending a lot of time looking at and thinking about our library catalog recently. We're nearing the end of a large (dare I say huge?) construction/renovation project. Right now, most of the adult books (that aren't in storage) are crammed together in one main area (young adult and biography share a space that is not their final resting spot). The children's books are crammed into one square of space.

Eventually, the space where all the fiction/nonfiction adult books currently reside will be only fiction, while nonfiction, biography, and a few other areas will be moved into the new nonfiction/reference area. The children's book will spread from one square of space to three. And the young adult collection will be moved into its own room.

In addition to physically getting the books in place, we need to make changes to the catalog so that patrons can find the books (they'll be lost for weeks with just the physical move, but we'd like to give some sort of chance to find their books...more thoughts on this in a future post). Some of that is simple. We just need to change the description of the location in the catalog so that it'll refer to the new location. Some are more difficult.

We have a few collections that are currently in their location that will be incorporated into other collections (i.e., our non-reference LAW books are being integrated into nonfiction). So, we're taking part of this separate LAW collection and moving it into nonfiction, but some of it is staying separate. So, we need to move the books in the catalog from one location to another. Right now, we have LAW, BUSINESS, CAREER, FDC, and a few miscellaneous collections that are being split like this.

We also have a few collections that will need to be split because we are physically moving them to different parts of the library (the library used to be a children's section and then everything else; now we'll have three main sections: children's, fiction, and nonfiction). For example, we have educational videos, (as opposed to entertainment videos like Star Wars and The Sopranos) that include things like the BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice," but also things like "8-minute Abs." Right now, they are in the same room. BY the end of the year, they will be in separate rooms. Right now, they are in the same location in the catalog. By the end of the year, they will need to be in separate locations in the catalog.

As I investigated this issue earlier this fall, I learned that this was no way for me to do this on my own without scanning each book manually. I find it hard to believe that moving collections from one place to another is not standard in an ILS. We have a workaround that we're building right now, but I can't believe I had to get a workaround made. In a multi-library system, you would have the ability to 'move' the books in the catalog from one library to another and then back again, but changing locations along the way. I don't know why I can't do this for a standalone library; they're creating a fake library for me to use for this exact purpose.

How many libraries out there shift books from one location in the library to another? What if you wanted a separate travel section? Or you wanted to combine two existing collections?

Don't even get me started on close dates for loan periods while we're closed. :)

Tags: libraries

Logorrhea

So I was ordering books for the library when I decided to see if Logorrhea was listed in Baker & Taylor. You can tell I'm not really an author since it hadn't occured to me before to look. Well, lo and behold, there is was. With an ISBN and everything. (it's 978-0-553-38433-8 [or 0-553-38433-3 for you pre-ISBN-13 phillistines]) And, it's obviously available at Amazon, so that's cool. If you don't know, Logorrhea is an anthology of original fiction that I'm editing for Bantam. The stories are all based on spelling-bee winning words. It's due to come out next May in time for the National Spelling Bee.

I've been on the other side of things hundreds of times. But this is the first time that I've been responsible for the content of a book that's being published. I'm somewhere between excited and a nervous wreck.

I'm honestly overwhelmed. I have to thank my editor, Juliet Ulman, for making this all possible. And of course, you should all go out and pre-order your copies today. :)

Here is the final line-up, in order:

Hal Duncan - "The Chiaroscurist"
Liz Williams - "Lyceum"
David Prill - "Vivisepulture"
Clare Dudman - "Eczema"
Alex Irvine - "Semaphore"
Marly Youmans - "The Smaragdine Knot"
Michael Moorcock - "A Portrait in Ivory"
Daniel Abraham - "The Cambist and Lord Iron: A Fairy Tale of Economics"
Michelle Richmond - "Logorrhea"
Anna Tambour - "Pococurante"
Tim Pratt - "From Around Here"
Elizabeth Hand - "Vignette"
Alan DeNiro - "Plight of the Sycophant"
Matthew Cheney - "The Last Elegy"
Jay Caselberg - "Eudaemonic"
Paolo Bacigalupi - "Softer"
Jay Lake - "Crossing the Seven"
Leslie What - "Tsuris"
Neil Williamson - "The Euonymist"
Theodora Goss - "Singing of Mount Abora"
Jeff VanderMeer - "Appoggiatura"

Tags: libraries

Feeling Green (but not like Kermit)

American Libraries magazine is reporting that the newly constructed public library in Bozeman Montana will reserve its prime parking spots for hybrids, car pools, "low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles." This is one of the requirements that the library must deliver in order to comply with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Why comply? Well, apart from the obvious reasons, a private donor has promised to contribute $500,000 to the library if they do.

All of this talk of low-emitting vehicles is really starting to make me wonder. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for hybrid vehicles and car pooling, but those of us who ride motorcycles are starting to feel a little unappreciated. Our machines have been low-emitting before the practice was formally sanctioned by actor Leonardo DiCaprio when he granted it his "official blessing of cool" by driving around Hollywood (and, more importunately, being seen) in his precious Prius. "What about cycling or walking," you ask? Well, that's just down-right uncivilized; I might break a sweat.

Anyway, I just hope the local parking authority in Bozeman doesn't ticket any innocent motorcyclists who park in the good spots. Incidentally, just in case you're wondering, motorcyclists do use libraries. But I'm not sure about DiCaprio.

Tags: libraries

Je vous presente...

Operating under the sound advice of The Editor, I'd like to take a moment to briefly introduce myself. The Editor and I met in graduate school where we soon discovered the uncanny similarities that exist among our respective professional backgrounds and future aspirations as librarians. Like the Editor, I am a career-changing 30-something who is new to the LIS field. My previous career was in the corporate world where I worked in corporate communications, advertising, entertainment marketing (a.k.a., "product placement") and media relations. Despite my brief tenure as a practicing librarian, I can report with complete certainty that I have never been happier. Some of us are just made to be librarians. It's in our DNA. I suppose this makes me one of the lucky ones; many people spend their lives in search of the same level of professional satisfaction that I have been fortunate enough to find in the LIS field. Lastly, I think you'll find that my take on things is fairly non-traditional. Of course, that stands to reason; I'm new to the profession and have yet to become captivated by the status quo. With any luck, I never will. I sincerely hope that my contributions to this blog will provide both entertainment and educational value--all the while maintaining your interest.

Tags: libraries

2007 NJLA Salary Guidelines

The New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) Executive Board has adopted new recommended salary guidelines for 2007.

The new recommended minimum salary for a librarian starts at $45,787.

See: http://www.njla.org/resources/salaries.html

Sadly, these are only recommended salary guidelines.

Tags: libraries

...you need a degree to do this?

True story:
As I was wrapping up a reference interaction with a patron a couple of months ago, she asked, "By the way, how did you get a job working here? I love this library and I'm here all the time. Maybe I should start working here too." I said, "Well, I started off by first going to graduate school...." She interrupted me there and said, "Oh, you need a degree to do this?"

Tags: libraries

Pop Goes the Library

So here's some news. I've been invited to be a contributor to the way cool Pop Goes the Library blog. I've very excited about this and looking forward to posting.

This will likely mean that this blog will slow down in its posting regularity, and it may well mean that this blog will stop having posts. I don't know what will happen and it depends on my schedule.

There are things about librarianship that I would post here that wouldn't necessarily fit under PGTL's umbrella. We'll have to see!

Tags: libraries

School Library Journal October 2006

I received a few copies of the issue today (I mentioned my podcast previously here, here, and here; hmmm, I think I need to mention something else here...) and was able to see my name in print. How cool. (see below for my mash-up of my name and the cover of the issue)

I'm very proud (obviously!) of getting the chance to do something like this so early in my career. I hope I continue to get chances. There are some other projects I am working on along these lines that I think are very cool. I'll unleash them here as they come to fruition.



Next week is Teen Read Week, and I'm excited that I will be hosting a reading/Q&A session with the awesome Libba Bray, and following that up with an event wherein the teens and I will make an 8-page zine out of one sheet of paper. I'm excited and a little nervous that this stuff is happening next week already! Got to get prepared!

Tags: libraries, Libba Bray, zines, podcasts, School Library Journal

Podcast

Here it is. My first ever podcast. For now you can access it at:

http://www.slj.com/podcasts

I don't know how long the podcast will stay up there, but go listen to me blather on about Library Thing and how I'm using it in the library. You can also see a cheesy picture of me:



Tags: libraries, podcasts

Library Thing

Not only did I record a podcast about Library Thing, but Library Thing blogged about me!

Tags: libraries

A Couple Things

First, I've recently recorded a podcast for School Library Journal about technology uses in the library. In my case, specifically Library Thing. I'll post a link when it's up and available.

Second, I've added my name to the people who will be discussing Summer Reading 2008 for New Jersey. I thought I should get involved and help shape what happens.

Third, I'm going to start reading for the Garden State Book Awards. I don't know exactly what this will involve. I know books will start coming my way and I'll have to read them. This is part of NJLA's young adult section (correct me if I'm wrong).

Fourth, I have offered my services in helping write a manual for YALSA (I was asked if I would be interested in authoring or co-authoring and I said yes). Whether my help is needed is not known at this point, but there you are.

Fifth, not library related, but I turned in the manuscript that I edited of short stories based on spelling-bee winning words to my editor at Bantam. More later as I know more (there is a acceptance portion that needs to happen).

Sixth, this will be vague.... I've been asked to be a regular contributor to another blog. For now I'm keeping it under wraps until it officially happens. That will most likely spell the end of this blog since I won't have time to keep it up and maintain all my other projects.

Seventh, more non-library stuff, I'm currently editing issue #11 of my science fiction, Electric Velocipede, as well as putting together a chapbook, both of which I hope to have ready for World Fantasy at the beginning of November. Which is why posting here will be slow and vague.

And there are no more numbers as I had WAY more than I thought I would.

Tags: libraries

Help!

UPDATE: I have what I need to create this podcast. However, I've been thinking it would be nice to be able to create podcasts at some point in the future.

I need to make a podcast, ASAP. I don't know what I need for equipment, etc. I've been asked by a library trade magazine to record a podcast talking about some technology-oriented stuff I've been doing. Sorry about being vague, but if I can't record the podcast I don't want people to be looking for it. The magazine will be hosting the the audio, so I don't need to worry about server space, etc.

Anyone local (central NJ) to me have equipment I could borrow or use?

Tags: libraries, podcasting

Floppy Disks

So here's a question for those of you out there in library land. What do you do with floppy disks that get left behind by patrons? In theory, we hold them for a few months, then dispose of them. However, we have no system in place to do this. They build up until there's a stack of 30 or 40 and then we go through them. Many of our patrons are switching over to flash drives (we have a mix of machines, some are not USB capable), but there are a lot (mostly younger people) that still use floppy disks.

We're thinking of getting an official floppy disk holder with month separators to slot the found disks in. But until we do this, we just have a stack.

Anyone do something different? Does anyone reformat the disks for patron use?

Tags: libraries, floppy disks

Library Appreciation Days

Many of you (particularly in the state of NJ) already know about this, but this next weekend--Friday September 8 and Saturday September 9--is Library Appreciation Days in NJ. This event is a partnership between NJLA and Barnes & Noble.

Patrons bring vouchers into B&N this weekend and have them filled out with the dollar total of their purchase. A percentage of sales from each store goes to NJLA, which in turn is returned to the libraries for Summer Reading.

Part of me is always surprised when B&N teams up with libraries for things like this as I always think that the two are opposed to each other. However, conversations with the manager of the Princeton B&N lead me to believe that the people at B&N understand that bookstores and libraries provide different services and that there is plenty of room for both of us. Now we just need to educate the public.

You can find a PDF here that explains the program and the voucher is available here.

I will be at the North Brunswick B&N on Saturday from 2:30 to 6:30 to talk to people about services the library offers. Any suggestions on what I should talk about? We have downloadable audiobooks, great Summer Reading, historical township information, etc. But what's something I might be overlooking?

Tags: libraries

Is it just me?

Or has everyone else's library gone crazy in the past week and a half?

Did summer camp let out or something? (e.g., I need to finish this summer reading now!)

Tags: libraries

Reference Desk

So, what exactly are you supposed to do with the woman who wants you to put her floppy disk into your reference computer and make some changes on her resume for her?

I first explained that I could set her up on a computer and get her file open, but that I wouldn't have time to sit with her. That was ok, she didn't want me to sit with her.

She wanted me to do it for her.

There were at least four people behind her (this was after I went back and forth trying to find the mailing address for Lego [hint: limit search to CT] for about five minutes and let the line build up). She said that I could see if all they wanted was to work on a computer and then I could help her.

In some ways I feel bad because we don't have tech people, we don't have a tech room, we don't have a good way to help this lady out if I don't help her.

However, I am the only person on the desk, and I don't necessarily have the time and freedom to help someone like this. If the phone rings, if someone has a computer question, if someone else has a reference question, I need to help them. And in my mind, those needs take priority over someone who obviously doesn't want to learn to use the computer herself.

I did help her, because I think it's my duty, but also because it was easier than arguing with her over it.

Tags: libraries

Summer Reading

(yes, you are seeing olives in Jell-o)

Summer Reading is over. We wrapped up with a pizza party last night. I had no guidance from previous teen summer reading organizers to have any idea of how many teens would show up. I got: "get the number of pizzas you need" to "lots of kids show up for free pizza."

The first comment is perplexing because it would be helpful to know that in the past they typically ordered four pizzas, or twenty, or six, or something.... I tried to be mathematical and use the number of kids who had signed up for Summer Reading (~80) versus the number of kids who actually in turned in hours and took part during the course of the summer (>45) and I ended up with the idea of 8 pizzas.

It was at least twice as much pizza as I needed. But, some of the girls were having a sleepover, so they took pizza with them, and another had a brother (who's a big reader and active in the program) who couldn't make it so she took a pizza, and another had some younger brothers who thought they were coming to pizza until I told them they had to be signed up for the Teen Program (this was my stipulation for the pizza party since June) so she took a pizza. And the rest went to the staff. And they didn't complain.

The photo above gives you a small insight into the madness and fun that was Fear Factor. Some weird things happened at the end of the night to almost sour the event for me, so I won't post about it at length. Needless to say, I'm keeping in mind that all the events worked better than I thought they would. You can see more photos here, alongwith other photos from library events and so on.

Tags: libraries, Summer Reading

Yet Another Post on Summer Reading Programming

So today I had a conversation with a patron about a Summer Reading Program I have coming up. It's the event for next Monday, where an editor from Bantam Spectra is coming in to talk to the teens. She wanted to know if she could come to the event.

I told her no and that the event was only open to teens. When she asked why that decision was made, I told her it was my decision. That it was part of the Summer Reading program I developed for teens and that I didn't want to open to the rest of the library patrons.

She then asked to talk to a supervisor. While this request normally makes my skin crawl, today it was even worse since my supervisor is out through next week. I knew that she would not be happy to hear that. The next person in line is the director, who has more important issues to deal with than this. I told her I was not able to connect her directly to the director and that she would have to call back to get through to her. The woman was in a rush for time and said she couldn't wait for that.

I tried to get out of her the reason for wanting to talk to a supervisor. She first claimed that it was not my concern (not exactly true since I assume she wanted to complain about me, but perhaps there was some issue she wanted to discuss that I could help her with), but then she said that she wanted to suggest that we have a program for adults on this topic.

I've had a lot of interest from adults in my two publishing programs, and I suggested to adult programming person that we run an adult program on publishing. Right now we don't have the space or means for that, but once the library's construction is done, we will.

She seemed surprised that I would not let her into my teen program. First, I have no idea who this woman is and I need to protect my younger patrons. This concept may surprise her, but I have to be distrustful of adults who want to take part in teen programming. What is their purpose behind wanting to be around the teens? Is it truly interest in the program, or is it something else? Second, as soon as I let adults into the program--as one of my colleagues correctly pointed out--the teens would be overwhelmed by the adult presence and get nothing out of the program. The adults would have questions and concerns that would be different from those of the teens and the adults wouldn't be shy about asking questions.

I was almost going to suggest she come by on the day of the event and I could see how busy it was going to be, but then I decided not to. I planned the Summer Reading program events for my teens. The events are not geared towards adults and not intended for adults.

I do think we need to hold a program for adults about publishing, especially based on the interest people have shown.

I'm curious to see what happens on Monday and if this person shows up.

Tags: libraries, programming, Summer Reading

Summer Reading Programming #3

Sorry to post these so fast on top of each other, but I'm a little behind in getting this stuff online. I had a career speaker in to talk to the teens about publishing. I was originally going to have two editors come in and talk together about publishing and have an author come in to do a reading another week. I started my Summer Reading planning so late that I was not able to get an author in (although I have many promises from people to help out at future dates...) so I asked the editors to come in on different days.

This is the first editor, Jim Minz from Del Rey, who came in to talk. Unfortunately for Juliet Ulman--the next speaker--Jim covered a wide variety of things publishing. But, Juliet is very resourceful and I'm sure she'll have something to talk about when she comes in.

Here are some photos of Jim talking:







The numbers of teens showing up at my events is slowly dropping. I don't know if it's due to the fact that the teens have other committments or that my events are no fun. :)

I know that some of my teen patrons are doing different sports camps, or like this last week, several of them share a birthday and they opted to do something other than come into the library.

I don't have a post for Programming #4 as there were only three teens and I took no pictures. Next week is my second editor, and then I have Fear Factor in the Library and the wrap-up pizza party.

Tags: libraries

Summer Reading Programming #2

We made Gocks (Goth Sock Puppets) except for me. I made a Pock (Punk Sock Puppet) since there were no Goths when I went to High School, I had to go with what I knew.

Here's some photos:













It was pretty fun, but it was quick. I wish I had known that the craft was only going to take about 40 minutes; I would have planned something else. As it was, I just had the teens make more Gocks. They really liked the concept, so they had fun making them.

Tags: libraries, gocks