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Librarians Do Gaga

Community Learning

Libraries help people learn. Take a look at these people participating in a Facebook workshop!

The Troggs - Wild Thing

Transformation Lab

Best job ever

I'm pretty sure I have the best job ever.

My role is to be the person that researches what's going on in Libraries and my community and come up with ways to implement them here in my Library.

I'm currently putting together recommendations for the next 5 - 10 years for services we provide in the Library. That is a pretty big deal. What furture Library staff are doing in 10 years could be a result of something I am doing today. It's pretty full on but exciting at the same time.

I'm also working on our social media presence which is a lot of fun. It's hard work but getting to push the boundaries and come up with new ways of communicating with our community gives me great job satisfaction.

 

Connecting people with information that they otherwise would not have come across can have a big impact on their life. Some things may be small like a book they might enjoy but it can also be huge things like helping them get a job. Plus I found that I learn a lot off my cutstomers too, not just about the questions they ask but how different people are. I think Libraries are one of the few places where you get to meet such a diverse group of people.

The thing I have found about Libraries is that there are roles to suit different personalities. I kind of have that shiny object syndrome where I get bored if I have to do the same thing over and over and as soon as a shinny object appears I'm straight to it (like a kitten is with a bit of floating lint!). This is why working in a role that project manages is great.  I get to create a project, deliver it and then finish it or hand it over to someone else. It means I'm always challenged and learning new things.

The jobs available in Libraries in the next 2 - 3 years is going to be totally differnt to those availbe now. I think there will be a HUGE focus on IT, communications, design and teaching. Speculating what skills will be required in the next 5 - 10 years is a bit mind boggling. Really the sky is the limit and Libraries LOVE creative and inventive people so I think there could be some unique positions come up over the next few years.

Hope to see you in an interview room in the near future :)

Cookie Monster should try one of our modern libraries......

 

Check out Cookie Monster in the Library. I think that he went to the wrong kind of library......We'd let him in.

Some more misconceptions about libraries and librarians in 2012:

It's a book!

I think that the biggest misconception people have about libraries is thinking that they are quiet places. I am particularly referring to Public Libraries.

 
Libraries are hives of activity these days. Children's programs are generally noisy with music and laughter and lots of talking.  

Information Desks are the hub of communication in a library. There are a lot of questions asked and answered there, in person and on the telephone. 

Exhibitions, Adult Programs, Author Talks, Demonstrations, guided tours and many other activities provide "noise". 

Discussion groups, reading groups, film groups, writing groups all require people to communicate.

Libraries are evolving. Many now have coffee shops, drop in centres, etc, and noise is part of the atmosphere of libraries.

Mmmmm.... new book

There are still "quieter" rooms, and State Libraries and Special Libraries may have these areas in larger forms as well as schools and universities, but public libraries are just that.....public.


After working in various libraries for over 20 years, and being a member of a library for about forty eight years, I have seen lots of changes. There are so many different kinds of libraries which offer so many different types of services that you can't toss a blanket over all of them and say that they are all "like this".

City libraries are different from Country libraries, coastal libraries are different from inland libraries. Some areas have more children, others have more teens, adults, mature aged people.  Some libraries have a large multicultural community. Some libraries are in poorer areas, others are in richer ones.

The demographics of a community largely effect what kind of library you have, what kind of services you offer, what building is used, etc.

Library workers are all different. They have different skills, different areas of expertise to which they are assigned.

People places

Everybody has a different approach to their work, not just when it is a different genre that they are working in, but within those genres.

Many work experience students and volunteers who come to help us out are surprised at the variety of jobs that we do and the way that we do them.

The stereotypes are not around anymore.....well, I haven't seen them, maybe because this cool librarian wears shades.

Ten years in the life of a....

Working in Libraries I have:

Want the full story?

 

Libraries are changing

If it has been a while since you have been for a visit to your public library, it is worthwhile to go and have a look. Maybe the library that you see today, is not the one that you remember.

An interesting example of a library that has broken all the rules is the Anythink Library. They don't have fines, they don't use dewey, and library staff have titles such as "Wrangler", "Concierge" or "Guide". The library has a staff manifesto that states that employees are ""part wizard, part genius, part explorer".

Lots of libraries are changing and creating new spaces with passionate people. Take a look at the job descriptions and see what you think...

Wrangler

Where you are part product placement, part inventory control, part display technician

 

 

Guide

Part customer education, part reference advocate, part event planning

 

 

Who wouldn't want to use their knowledge and experience to enable transformations every day?

TTake A Walk on The Wild Side - A wander through the maze that is your library ......

Get lost in the maze.....

Once upon a time......

Once upon a time there was a four year old who wanted to work in a library. Many detours and many years later, at the ripe old age of twenty-nine, that four year old started living out her dream.

Librarian

She was not an overnight sensation, however. With the words in her head that "from little things, big things grow", she started out library life as a casual shelver, then a casual library assistant, then a permanent part-time library assistant. After a bit of travelling, she worked as a permanent fulltime library assistant, then as a casual and part-time library assistant in another couple of libraries. Showing a bit of a talent for Children's related activities in libraries, it was suggested that she get another qualification, as a Library Technician. After two years study while she worked every day off at the library, on paper, she was officially a Library Technician. "If you want to be a fulltime employee at our library, it maybe a good idea to become a Librarian," it was suggested.

So, already armed with two degrees and two diplomas, she started studying by correspondence to be a Librarian. During the day, mostly working 6 days a week, she continued in her pursuit to work in the Children's Library and spent whatever spare time she had preparing elaborate children's programs and working on ideas.

Finally, she became a librarian, and she was able to show off some of her talents in the coastal library, but it was time to move on when opportunities were limited. The first opportunity outside didn't work out. The second went from being a Young Adult Library Technician in a Maternity Leave position to a caretaker role as Children's Librarian, to finally the ultimate....THE Children's Librarian.....and it only took forty odd years! 

To be honest, that little four year old probably thought that it would NEVER happen. However, it did. It was worth all of the sacrifices, the hard work and the study....it is the best job in the world, and I get to spend my days with kids and books....what more could a nearly 50 year old girl ask for?

Libraries and Social Networking

Social networking engenders strong affiliations between libraries and the communities they service.  Richard McManus highlights American Library Association (ALA) findings that:

"Social networking is used to publicise library events such as gaming nights; to alert users to additions to collections; to provide links to articles, videos, or Web content that might prove relevant or helpful to patrons; and to provide a conduit for community information”.

The (ALA) report also states that "Facebook and Twitter in particular have proven themselves useful tools not only in publicising the availability of online collections, but also in building trusted relationships with users."



Social Media in Libraries

Open source cataloguing (allowing patrons direct input) is increasingly being utilised. This feature allows the facility for patron driven book reviews and collection suggestions.

What does this mean for you?

You could have a job where one of your main roles is being the social media guru! You could spend your day on FB, Twitter, Pinterest and whatever the next big thing is.

Here is a library using social media and another. Think you can build on what they are doing?

Want to find out more?

Interview With The Librarian

We asked Library staff  "What would you say to young people considering a career in libraries?"

"You have to like people and be interested and comfortable with technology.  You need to be inquisitive and open to change – it’s an industry that is redesigning itself."
 

"Do it. But only do it if you like people. There are less back room roles and more need for people that enjoy working with other people. If you don’t want to deal with the public, find a job doing something else."

"The profession is constantly changing and if you have a love of learning, this is an excellent career choice."

"Go for it!! You will gain so much experience in customer service, organisational, projects, learning Etechnologies and IT skills etc."

"Library careers are diverse, there are many roles within the library environment - find which one is most attractive to you and think about how you can marry your skills and interests to that role."

"That they should have the right reason for considering this career."

"Go for it as a career in libraries is so much more than sitting at a desk stamping books, become well rounded, have technology skills, people skills, research skills, be prepared to start at the bottom and learn the basics and be good at them first as those skills never change…..you will never be bored."

"I would say that libraries are not what they used to be, and that they are fun, active and educational places to work.

 

Librarian

Stylish Shushing in the Library

I Want To Work With People!

 There are many jobs in a library that involve working with people:

Children's Librarian

You can get paid to sing, dance and generally be silly in the Library. 

Customer Service

You can help people do anything from finding a book to finding a job in the library.

*Work with Seniors and Home Library Service.
(click here to know more and see the video)

 

Food for thought!

Evolution

From this

to

this!

Some of the cool stuff that happens in libraries....

Yes! It's where all the action is.

Check out the latest information on what's happening at your local Library today & tomorrow

 

 

Baby Bounce   Wiggle and Jiggle Storytime   Craft Classes  Books School Holiday Programs  Author Talks  Cooking Demonstrations Art Classes  Displays  Music Appreciation Classes  Film Clubs Special Morning Teas  Theatre Sports  Computer Classes E Books  Christmas & Easter Special Events  Art Exhibition  Book Sales Book Selection Days Data Bases Fax Services Writing Groups Games

 

Never a dull moment and that's why working in a Library is exhilarating and exciting.
 

Librarians bring you closer to the written word

We don't just sit around and read books! We do lots of stuff!

 

Check out these cool libraries...boring not!

You won't find dust gathering in any of these Libraries.

Prepare to have you socks knocked off!

Let's Explore: The Role of Public Libraries

Think you know Libraries?

Have a look at The Little Book of Public Libraries and see how Libraries are community centres catering to everyone.

 

Will I Enjoy Working In A Library?

So you're thinking about a career in libraries but you don't know if it's really for you?

Have a look at the checklist below to see some of the traits needed by library staff regardless of their position:

Do you love working with people?

Library work is about people. Library staff need to have the confidence to interact  with people of all walks of life.

Do you love working with technology?
Library staff need to adapt to new technology.  Library patrons ask staff to help with computer issues on a whole range of technologies. Library staff also use technology to promote and deliver their services.

What do you want to be when you gorw up?
 

Do you love learning new things?
Libraries change all the time. Do you like to learning new computer programs or new ways of doing things?

Do you like working in a constantly changing environment?
Libraries need to change as the community changes so you need to be able to respond to change.

Can you "think outside the square"?
Are you a creative thinker? Can you come up with new ideas to a problem? Do you like problem solving?
 
Best of luck!

Misconception: You must be an introverted intellectual type

The Incredible Librarian

In 1985 American psychologist John Holland further developed his occupational themes theory, asserting that there are 6 personality types which influence a person’s tendency to suit certain jobs.

According to Holland’s premise, those predisposed to Librarianship roles tend to be “Social, Artistic & Investigative” .

Holland states that socially inclined people are: "Kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly. They excel at socializing, helping others, and teaching”.

 

They also like tasks that involve teamwork, social interaction, relationship building, and improvement of society”.

Does this sound like you?

You can find out more here and here.

 

Library Work Misconceptions: My job is easy, you don’t need any qualifications

Library employees are professional, there are three traditional levels within the library workforce hierarchy:

1. Librarian/Teacher Librarian   2. Library Technician   3. Library Assistant

Librarians and Teacher Librarians generally manage a library and/or a significant aspect of service delivery and are university trained.  Most act in supervisory roles and are responsible for strategic planning. Librarians require an Australian equivalent bachelor's degree.

Teacher Librarians require recognised teaching qualifications (typically a four-year teaching qualification e.g. Bachelor of Education) proceeded by qualifications in librarianship.

Libraries are for everyone

Library Technicians work under the direction of a librarian and concentrate on the “operational and technical aspects of library and information.”  Library Technicians need the equivalent of a two-year full time (Tafe) Diploma in Library and Information Studies.

Library Assistants as the name implies, assist Librarians and Technicians in service provision and in implementing procedures.  Unlike senior colleagues, Assistants do not need formal qualifications as a condition of employment but are encouraged to complete a (12 month) Tafe Certificate III in Library & Information Studies.  There is a strong focus on customer service in this role.

You can find out more about qualifications from ALIA the Australian Library and Informatin Association.

 

Travel while you work? Come & Join Us....

Libraries are "Where the wild Things Are" and where we will take you for an adventure of a life time!  If you are thinking of working in a library or even thinking about your next career move Libraries could be the answer.

Visit your local Library or take a look at our blog to find out all you wanted to know about working in a library environment....you'll never look back!!

London, Buenos Aires, New York, Toyko, Helsinki, Jakarta, Paris. Libraries are everywhere.

If you choose to work overseas there are industry groups and assoications to help you get there.