Yes lionel 'unclear role', it's funny that in this discussion, and many
more that i could mention on this forum, it's often senior managers that
don't see what the problem is and front line staff who do!
I would also like to say that i'm too say the least disappointed by some
of the unhelpful responses amanda has received to her perfectly
reasonable and topical question!
Alan Wylie
Librarian
Islington
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Aldridge, Lionel
Sent: 21 March 2012 08:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: IT in the library
Unclear role?
"At all stages of his career a librarian has the immense pleasure of
acquiring knowledge and the personal satisfaction of making it available
to others Does this appeal to you?"
From Becoming a librarian (The Library Association, 1967).
Apart from the 'he/his' throughout they had it spot on then & it applies
today even though IT knowledge was not envisaged then & is a large part
of why I chose this profession.
Lionel Aldridge
Performance Manager, Libraries Arts & Heritage
0113 395 2350
Have recently finished Deborah Harkness's A Discovery of Witches which I
can thoughly recommend (& not just because a large chunk is set in the
Bodlean library). I am looking forward to part 2 later this year.
Currently reading Shadow Chaser by Aleksei Pekhov which is translated
from Russian & a Tanith Lee short story on my new Kobo.
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frances Hendrix
Sent: 20 March 2012 19:35
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: IT in the library
Don't worry Amanda
Occasionally some topic sets us all off. I think your comment has
alerted a lot of us to what librarians are not doing, and how unclear
the role is. Also what little progress has been made in the last 10 plus
years.
In every profession there are those who won't do, or have an excuse not
to do.,. their lives and job must be very dull and unrewarding.
Seems to me you should be looking for a more challenging environment.
Good luck in the future.
f
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Riddick, Amanda
Sent: 20 March 2012 18:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: IT in the library
Little did I think that I'd set off such a long discussion. I obviously
should have made it clearer where I stand. As Phil Jones and a couple of
other people have kindly pointed out, I never said that I resented
helping library users with IT issues, and in fact I don't resent it at
all. I was really happy to help that woman get her travel details sorted
out, just like I like helping kids with sorting out their homework. Like
all of you, I see that as part of my job. However, I have come across a
colleague or two who did feel resentful, grumbling about having to do
something that wasn't in their job descriptions (and don't tell me
you've never met anyone like that) and why didn't these people go to
computer classes etc etc etc. Whether that's a cover under which to hide
their own lack of confidence in dealing with an IT issue, or something
else, I don't know.
Along with that I've been told a couple of times that I really should be
at the counter/issue desk, and that the level of IT work I should do is
showing people how to sign in, but not take it any further, like
assisting someone in setting up an email account, showing them how to
put bullet points into their CV, or whatever. Of course this also
relates to staffing shortages, and I totally understand that there are
times when I really can't leave the counter when there's noone else
there. Even so, there's clearly a gap between the official version of
What Libraries Do and what library staff actually do.
And yes, it is actually depressing or sad (a couple of people used those
words in their replies) that I wanted to ask that question in the first
place. In an ideal world, that sort of issue wouldn't even come up.
Anyway, thanks for all your replies, and I'm glad to know that there's a
lot of like-minded people out there.
Amanda
Library Assistant
MA student in Library and Information Studies UCL
________________________________________
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [[log in to unmask]] on
behalf of Pete Walker [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 20 March 2012 16:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: IT in the library
Yes Lynne. If we do not know the answer, we know how to find it.
That's why I love the Enquire service so much. If we are stuck with a
question from the public we can circulate it round the Enquire list and
hey presto, usually within a few minutes, we have an answer. Also, when
we are shut, the public can still use the Enquire service with it's 24
hour access, so help is always there. Its just another string to our
bows. And that's why I love the profession. Who can ever say its
boring!!!
Pete Walker
DO - Digital Services
Bradford Libraries
________________________________________________________________________
The information in this email (and any attachment) may be for the
intended recipient only. If you know you are not the intended recipient,
please do not use or disclose the information in any way and please
delete this email (and any attachment) from your system.
The Council does not accept service of legal documents by e-mail.
________________________________________________________________________
This e-mail is intended for the addressee only. If you have received it in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from your computer. Please be aware that information in this email may be confidential, legally privileged and/or copyright protected.
|