Transcript No Slide Title

What Came First - Pocket Savers or
Sensible Shoes?
The Skills Sets of a Systems
Librarian
Su Cleyle
Systems Librarian
Memorial University of Newfoundland
NLLA May 5, 2000
http://scamper.library.mun.ca/pocket_saver
Difficult to Define
• Although there hve been Systems
librarians for quite sometime - it is not
an area of the profession that is as
easily defined as others
If I say:“I work on the Reference
desk”,what immediately comes to mind ?
• Serving the public
• Providing reference services
– desk
– telephone
– email
• Bibliographic instruction
If I say : “ I am a Systems
Librarian”, what comes to mind?
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Dismantling hardware
Ordering equipment, software
Installing hardware & software
Troubleshooting/crisis management
• Could be these things - plus a lot more!
Diversity of Organizational Needs
• Each library has different technical
requirements because of differences
in :
– org. structure
– technical assistance within the org but
outside the library
– budget for technology
• Diverse systems skills sets
Libraries Have a Long
History of Forging New
Technologies
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Punch cards
Mainframes
Personal computers
CD/ROMs
• Someone needs to take care of these
machines
Libraries Have Looked Within
• Administration happy
– easier to create in-house specialists
• try finding a CS who is a librarian
• Easy to move staff already within the
organization
• Staff acquire experience via exposure
A Rose by Any Other Name
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Network Administration
Systems Administrator/Manager
Webmaster
Automation Librarian
Desktop Engineer
Project Manager
Head of Automation ….
Systems Staff Play Many Roles
Within the Organization
• Troubleshooter
• Buyer
• Translator “Techno-Speak to LibrarySpeak”
• Consultant/Advisor
• Planner / Visionary
• Teacher
Large Skills sets are needed
Many Skills Are Required
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Library
Computer
Service
Communication
Problem Solving
“Grab Bag”
Library Skills Set
• Organizational structure
– Workflow
• Strategic plan
• Integrated library systems
– Module basics
– MARC
Computer Skills Set
• Technical - parts of a PC
• Networking (management, server,
OS,protocols, wiring)
• Troubleshooting
• Internet technologies
• Database design
• Operations (Backup/Power)
Service Skills Set
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Client services
Product delivery skills
Project management
Communication (verbal,
telephone,email)
• Ethics
– Access to information
– Filtering
Problem-Solving Skills Set
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A + B = C thinking
Where to go to get the answer
Lock - jaw dedication
Question formation
Flight attendant eyes
Grab Bag of Skills
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Creativity
Skepticism
Fire in the belly
Resiliency
Firmness and cooperation
Non judgmental approach
A Day in the Life …
Thursday May 4, 2000
• URLchecker for OPAC
– PERL & UNIX scripting
• ILL software testing
– reviewing logs, troubleshooting problems
• Prepare for ILS upgrade on weekend
– information, preparation with vendor
• Global edits of Serial records
• Getting quotes for budget
• Consult with IBM about machine lease
• “I Love You” Virus
Many of these Skills are
Communication-Based
• Ability to translate techno-babble to
library-eze
• If someone with a library background
were in the systems office, all would be
explained.
Everyone Needs to be a Systems
Librarian
• Ten years ago, systems librarians were
touted as the “someone” who could
bridge the technological gap
• Today libraries are on fire with
technological change
– ILS
– WEB
– ejournals, eBooks
Everyone Needs to be a
Systems Librarian - Con’t
• Clientele are computer savvy
• The tools of every library staff member
have changed
• Can no longer rely on “translators”
• It is essential that we all know the
fundamentals of these tools to serve
this clientele
Eric Lease Morgan Says it Best
• "In today's world, why would
anybody trust a librarian, whose
profession is about information
and knowledge, who hasn't
mastered a computer?”
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Eric Lease Morgan, "Computer Literacy for Librarians,"Computers in Libraries
18, no. 1 (January 1998): 39.
In Essence ...
• Remove the role of translator from
systems office
• Acquire the skills to master the tools
• All become Systems Librarians of a sort
Skills
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Basics of a PC
Operating Systems
Database structures
Internet Concepts
How to Get the SkillsSystems Librarians
• Systems Librarians as Teachers
• Mystique must be removed
• Explanations
– sessions
– troubleshooting
How to Get the Skills
Basics of a PC, Network
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Be inquisitive
Reference Text (MUN Reserve)
The Web
Manuals
– Technical manuals outline basics of
software and hardware
– Terminology
How to Get the Skills - Web Journals
• Biblio Tech Review at http://www.gadgetserver.com/bibliotech/
• Computers in Libraries at
http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/ciltop.htm
• D-Lib Magazine (Digital Library) at http://www.dlib.org/dlib.html
• Integrated Library Systems Review (ILSR) at http://www.ilsr.com/
• Library Hi Tech at http://www.lib.msu.edu/hi-tech/
How to Get the Skills - Listservs
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WEB4LIB
SYSLIB-L
EBOOKS-L
ILS specific lists
Software specific lists
How to Get the SkillsAssociations / Conferences
• Certification ?
• Conferences
– NLLA
– APLA
– CLA
• CACUL workshops
• ETIG http://nofish.library.mun.ca/etig
http://nofish.library.mun.ca/accessy2k
Chances are -You Already
Have the Pocket Saver
• 1998 - 45% of Cdn households have a
computer*
• Knowledge base acquired outside of
work needs to be applied and
enhanced in work
• Requires a change in thinking
• Computer literacy is a requirement not
an asset
* Stats Can 1998 Survey of Household Spending (Dec. 1999 Daily)
What Came First - Pocket Savers or
Sensible Shoes?
The Skills Sets of a Systems
Librarian
Su Cleyle
Systems Librarian
Memorial University of Newfoundland
NLLA May 5, 2000
http://scamper.library.mun.ca/pocket_saver