[Web4lib] Skillset for new librarians

[Janice Christopher]

Hi Elizabeth --

I'm not a full-time techie, but I'd recommend teaching your students
general troubleshooting skills, whether they're going into systems
themselves or will be dealing with people who did. Not system-specific
stuff, but solid basics: questions to ask, knowing your users, knowing
your systems, etc.

You know the dance:
What's the problem?
Did you clear your cache?/Did you reboot?  ;)
What should be happening, exactly?
What *exact* steps cause the problem?
Can you replicate the problem?
Are other users/logins/computers having the same problem?
Are other users/logins/computers accessing a different part of the
system having a problem?
Is the problem limited to a browser/OS, to a subnet/IP range, a
floor/building/branch/campus, or ...?
If the system is hosted off-campus, is the host generally experiencing
problems?
If the host is OK, are the bills paid?
Can you get to Google? (or whatever your default is)
***
Learning library staff comfort levels with technology: from geeks to "I
know the steps to do my work"
Knowing how library staff think about technology: from geeks to the
staff who don't really understand the difference between their PC, the
library network, and a remote network
Communicating about problems to staff and users
Communicating problems and steps taken to technical staff
Documenting problems
Teaching basic troubleshooting
Developing a "troubleshooting culture" 

Libraries have so many systems, both stand-alone, interconnected, and
integrated -- we seem to spend a growing amount of time identifying
*where the problem is* in the first place, before even addressing the
problem itself.

janice
-------
Janice Christopher
Systems Librarian/Catalog Management Librarian
UConn Libraries
860-486-2636
janice.christopher at uconn.edu



> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-
> bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Beers
> Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 12:37 PM
> To: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: [Web4lib] Skillset for new librarians
> 
> Hello Web4Lib!
> 
> I'm preparing to teach a course entitled Introduction to Technology in
> LIS,
> and I'm looking for some input on what you consider critical tech
skills
> for
> new librarians.  The course is intended to provide an overview of the
> sorts
> of tech systems and capabilities that librarians will be expected to
> have or
> interact with once leaving library school.  Some of these students
will
> be
> taking this class because they want to work with library systems or
> electronic resources - others will be in much less techy roles but
want
> to
> have some tech experience going into their jobs.
> 
> I'm interested in hearing what YOU think are the essential skills for
> new
> librarians - taken as broadly or narrowly as you'd like.  I really
> appreciate your opinions - and your time.
> 
> Elizabeth Beers
> Digital Services Assistant
> Kresge Business Administration Library
> Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan
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