[WEB4LIB] "systems librarians"

[Mary Martin]

Alice,

I know several women who are systems librarians, including myself. My actual title,
"Computer/Technical Services Librarian" (I oversee Tech Services as well as a small
Computer Services department) is such a mouthful that when librarians ask what I do,
I just reply "I'm a systems librarian."

I have a master's in Library Science, but while I was in school I took a few courses
on Web page design, networking, information retrieval, that sort of thing. Taking
classes is a good way to get some fundamental knowledge, but I think Wilson is right
to emphasize hands on experience. Not only is hands on experience a great way to
learn new skills, but it also increases your confidence in yourself that you can
handle the computer software (and possibly hardware) problems that invariably occur.
There's no question in my mind that my hands-on work experience has helped me become
a systems librarian.

Part of the mystique of systems librarians and computer administrators is that we
are sometimes seen as having all the answers, being able to solve any problem
instantaneously. This is not true. We don't have all the answers, nor can we solve
any problem in the blink of an eye. What we do have is a willingness to try new
things, to bang around on the computer (and contact people on relevant listservs for
help) until we find or create a workable solution.

I think any librarian can become a systems librarian if you are willing to try new
things, ask lots of questions, read some of the basic computer books, and can accept
that you won't ever be able to have all the answers immediately. You may want to
take a beginning hardware repair class as well -- it can be kind of fun digging
around in the innards of computers.

Mary
--
Mary C. Martin, Computer/Technical Services Librarian
Fort Smith Public Library
61 South 8th Street, Fort Smith, AR  72901
501-783-0229 (phone)   501-782-8571 (fax)
http://www.fspl.lib.ar.us


Alice McNeil wrote:

> I recently read Wilson's book, including the relevant chapter entitled
> "The Education of a Systems Librarian".  I was still left in the dark as
> to how one becomes a "systems librarian."  Wilson emphasizes hands on
> experience as a significant source of "systems" knowledge, but doesn't
> go into any detail as far as educational requirements.
>
> What kind (if any) formal education is recommended to qualify for these
> positions:  a B.A. in computer science?  A minor in computer science?
> Microsoft certification in Novell and NT?  Is there a mentoring
> arrangement where one systems person learns from another more
> experienced technician?
>
> I'd also be curious to know how many women work as systems librarians.
> "Systems", appears to be a male dominated area of librarianship.
>
> Alice McNeil
> Public Services Librarian
> Sr. Madeleine Sophie Cooney Library
> Barat College
> 700 E. Westleigh Road
> Lake Forest, IL 60045