[Web4lib] Skillset for new librarians

[Jesse Ephraim]

The real issue at hand is the lack of drive that many librarians have when it comes to educating themselves about technology.  It isn't unusual for professionals in various fields to have to spend a certain amount of personal time each week keeping up with changes and discoveries in their fields.  For some reason, librarians as a whole seem to be less inclined to do this than folks in other professions.   Many seem to think that they shouldn't have to keep learning after graduate school, or that graduate school should teach them every single skill they would ever need.  That's just not realistic.

>As for teaching "OPACs" and "databases," 
>that sounds as almost as anachronistic as teaching MS Office.

Database theory and design principles are important things to learn.  The concepts are more important than the actual database software used in class.   

To me, the value of the sort of introductory class being discussed in this thread is to point out to library students the array of skills they need to obtain, with very basic instruction in each.  The students themselves have to be motivated to learn all the skills on their own, though, or any knowledge they gain won't "stick."

Jesse Ephraim

Director, Roanoke Public Library
308 S. Walnut
Roanoke, Texas 76262
(817) 491-2691
jephraim at roanoketexas.com



-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Roy Tennant
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 5:26 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Skillset for new librarians

Uh...does everyone realize this is 2011? If we're taking time to teach MS
Office to masters students, then we may as well just pack it in right now.
My kids aren't out of high school yet and they know as much Powerpoint,
Word, etc. as they would need to know to be a librarian. Probably more,
especially given Google Docs.

What they _would_ need, in my opinion, is a firm grounding in some of the
other technologies mentioned. Things like XML and XSLT, HTML5 and CSS3,
basic programming (NOT programming in BASIC!), etc. As for teaching "OPACs"
and "databases," that sounds as almost as anachronistic as teaching MS
Office.

I decided to go to library school in the early 80s. Even then it was
apparent to me that computers would be essential to librarianship, and that
therefore facility with computers would also be essential. I realize that
someone who spends their time putting together story times for kids may not
need to write software, but they still need to be proficient in various
technologies that may make him the best children's librarian around.
Roy


On 1/3/11 1/3/11 € 2:08 PM, "Brian Gray" <mindspiral at gmail.com> wrote:

> I am one of several instructors for Kent State University School of Library
> and Information Science course called: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR LIBRARY
> AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS. It is designed to make sure all new SLIS
> students have an overview of the technologies needed to complete their
> degree and work in libraries. After the course, they should understand their
> personal weaknesses and be able to select other workshops and classes to
> fulfill their personal needs.
> 
> It covers Blackboard, basic computer terminology, file management,
> networking issues, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, basic html, OPACs, databases,
> searching skills, web 2.0 tools, etc.
> 
> Brian Gray
> mindspiral at gmail.com
> bcg8 at case.edu
> 
> 
> On Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 12:36 PM, Elizabeth Beers <brixton at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> 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
>> _______________________________________________
>> Web4lib mailing list
>> Web4lib at webjunction.org
>> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>> 
>> 
> _______________________________________________
> Web4lib mailing list
> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> 


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