Whew, it's been quite the week, I've been working away.
Instruction
I had my first teaching experience on Tuesday, I did an instructional session about the library, the catalogue and our databases, for 1st year English students.
It was a bit nerve wracking but I made it through just fine, some of them looked a little tired and/or bored but I had to remind myself that not Everyone gets jazzed about keyword searching and it was 4pm. :P
The prof had positive feedback for me and I think there were definitely quite a few students who were going to follow up with what I had taught them.
My powerpoint went off without a hitch, the projector worked and my live searching was quick and painless (I had nightmares of slow or non-functioning internet, even though I of course, had back-ups).
I've got lots of requests for more sessions from other profs in all my subjects, with one class asking for 12 sessions. I'll be keeping busy and I think it will be easier to put together presentations now that I can adapt the one I've already made.
Collection Development
I've been ordering books! I've already ordered on three special/Rush requests, I am looking at a limited edition print of a well-known Canadian author tomorrow and I ordered books to complete our collection of Giller Prize short listed books for the last 4 years.
It's a strange feeling being able to order with my 'discretion', this responsibility thing can be kinda fun from time to time.
Reference
I haven't been on the desk much, I am shadowing right now, and once I do get out there, in a month or so, it will be quite different, simply because Carleton has one library with Every discipline, where Mac had 4. There are also a few subject areas I've never dealt with before, like Architecture and Industrial Design.
Things I'm learning:
I sit funny at my desk and my back kinda hurts.
Collection Development is a lot about instinct.
Kids today, they want everything to be searchable, with tags and possibly tag clouds.
Librarying, means a lot of paper work and emailing.
Buses are always the same, in every university town.
No one knows what to call the librarian "um...miss librarian...um."
*
The housing hunt is still ongoing, will update when there is more to tell.
~ Michelle
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6 comments:
Librarying also means meetings galore. Do you have any scheduled yet?
Collection development is TOTALLY about instinct. The one collections class I took taught me NOTHING. I think you know the one I am talking about...
Hi Rachel, yes I do have many meetings to attend in the very near future.
Yeah Matt, I have an inkling I know what you're referring too :P
I wanted to comment like the other cool kids, but i don't have much input on the library side of things.
As an outsider though:
-Yes, we do think we're bothering you by approaching a desk
-Libraries are a little scary because i always think I will be too loud, or that something will set of security devices and they will think i'm stealing books...and tackle me.
-My sister is a Librarian and i still don't know how to properly perform a database search, why do they have to be so confusing? We DO need tags and tag clouds...and maybe an easy button.
Lastly: I need a job. I am not getting up, but rather STILL up at 6:20am. Unemployment leads to watching Ronco knife adds and being genuinely convinced by them whilst checking blogs and commenting...
Karen -
I always try to have my most welcoming face on when someone approaches the desk.
Most, if not all libraries these days are pretty noisy, there are 'silent areas' but otherwise, you're cool to talk, type, whatever, and no one will ever tackle you, they'll just politely ask if you are stealing.
I am horrified, I shall gave you a powerpoint presentation about how to search databases as soon I as come home next! Are you excited!?
Don't buy anything from Ronco.
i like you to find things for me, instead of searching for myself....but i GUESS the powerpoint might be useful someday...like when i have to teach it to students. No wait!! I know someone i can ask to be my guest speaker ;)
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