[Web4lib] Skillset for new librarians

[Jesse Ephraim]

By the same token, library schools cannot hope to teach librarians all the tech skills they will ever need.  As I indicated in an earlier post, the students need to have the drive to educate themselves, typically on their own time (and without compensation).  

However, they should have to demonstrate a certain amount of technological proficiency before being awarded a Masters degree.

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 Brian Gray
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 6:32 PM
To: Roy Tennant
Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Skillset for new librarians

Not everyone enters library school with a technology background. It is a
late career choice for many people, which have had others careers or have
been out of the workplace for years (maybe decades). We also use it as an
opportunity to teach about open source choices such as Open Office or Google
Docs.

No every one comes to library school knowing how an OPAC works on the
frontside or behind the scenes, the history of OPAC development, or the
newer features that are being added. The same can be said with databases
with the variety of possible interfaces. If librarians are assisting with
and teaching e-resources, they must be experts themselves. Library schools
cannot assume everyone comes into library school an expert in technologies,
just because they already have some undergraduate degree.

Brian Gray
mindspiral at gmail.com
bcg8 at case.edu


On Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 6:26 PM, Roy Tennant <tennantr at oclc.org> wrote:

> 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
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> >>
> >>
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