Librarians' Forum: SkillShare @ MLibrary Archives

November 06, 2008

SkillShare: Paul Barrow and Molly Kleinman

Molly Kleinman

I answer questions about copyright and publishing, via email, over the phone, and in person. I teach workshops about copyright for faculty, staff, and students. I help authors understand their publishing agreements. The skills unique to my position mostly involve specialized knowledge about copyright and publishing, which I apply in ways similar to a regular reference librarian.

I would like to do Skillshare in something to do with access services, like circulation. I really don't understand the processes that make the collecting, lending and shelving of books run smoothly, and I would really like to. I've never even seen Aleph. I don't have much more detail than that, partly because I don't have a good understanding of what the various jobs are, and I don't know many of my colleagues in that department, which is another reason I would like to do a Skillshare there. I hope to develop a better understanding of the processes that keep the library running smoothly.

Paul Barrow

I can offer observations involving interactions with patrons, problem-solving patron records and Aleph troubleshooting. Working with situations as they need attention.

I expect to step outside of the walls created by routine attention to daily duties. I hope to gain a larger perspective of the Library system. And, above all, I am sure I will learn something that I never expected to learn. Then I expect to bring a more holistic approach to my job responsibilities.

Posted by dlhodge at 02:29 PM | Comments (4)

October 27, 2008

Skillshare: Darlene Nichols, Jennifer Exum and Mei Wang

Mei Wang:

I perform technical processing of Chinese language materials in all formats and subject fields. In line with Asian Library procedures and cataloging rules, assign access points and classification numbers; provide bibliographical description and heading forms; perform editing of usable bibliographic records found on the Connexion database.

I wish to match with a colleague who may share her/his working knowledge of doing Original Cataloging. I am interested in the following: 1. Print (Original)Cataloging Unit 2. Electronic cataloging Unit 3. Description Unit.

I am looking forward to enrich my knowledge of Original Cataloging from a skilled cataloger, which will definitely bring a positive impact on my work.

Jennifer Exum

I do mostly original cataloging for rare materials from Special Collections. Some work is done at my desk, but I also will be starting to go up to Spec and catalog large and fragile items on the spot. Generally the items I handle are pre-19th century books and ephemera. In a typical day I use Aleph to catalog, OCLC connexion to search records, and a variety of print and online sources. I would like to share with a colleague the complexity of the work of a cataloger, and the access I have to rare and unusual materials.

I would like to observe a colleague in public services, as that is an area I have very little experience. Ideally I'd like to work with a reference specialist and get an idea of the type of how they use the records we create in tech services, as well as how library users see them and what sort of questions they might ask.

I would expect to gain a greater understanding of how the very specific work I do is used in the library at large, and just what a typical day is like for a public services librarian. Because I have very little interaction with my colleagues in public services, and next to none with libary users, it can be easy to forget the role of the end user in our work. At the same time, I would love for someone in public services to get a closer look at cataloging and start to understand the process and the work that goes into creating a record. I think we would come out of the experience with a greater understanding for the interconnectedness of public and tech services in the library, which often can seem like two completely different and unrelated worlds.

Darlene Nichols

My first interest would be to observe in cataloging with any cataloging position. I know that cataloging is a complex process and I would be interested in knowing more about how it's done as well as unique activities that go on here at U-M.

I would like to have a deeper understanding of cataloging processes and procedures. I am certain it will broaden my understanding of the library as a whole and give me something to share with users and colleagues.

Posted by dueberb at 09:05 AM | Comments (6)

March 28, 2008

Deb DeGeorge / Kevin Hawkins

Deb DeGeorge, Rare- and Non-Book Cataloger, TECHNICAL SERVICES
Kevin Hawkins, Electronic Publishing Librarian, SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING OFFICE

Deb: I would like to share both the wonderful materials with which I work, so that more staff are aware that we have such things, and the detail that goes into accurately describing rare materials (both as a representation of cataloging in general, and of rare-books cataloging specifically).

I would like to observe in DLPS, preferably with staff involved in metadata creation.

I would simply like to be part of increasing awareness of the duties of staff outside of my unit, and to show outside staff that cataloging happens for a reason.

Kevin: I oversee SPO's routine publishing operations and develop procedures for ingestion of content from source formats we haven't worked with before. I am prepared to discuss the digital library infrastructure used and developed by SPO, plus our local metadata practices.

I would like to learn more about cataloging, in particular cataloging of serials and electronic resources.

I hope that we can establish a better workflow between SPO and Technical Services for the creation of metadata for SPO content.

Posted by dlhodge at 01:49 PM | Comments (11)

Jennifer Nardine / Catherine Soehner

Catherine Soehner, Director, ART, ARCHITECTURE, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
Jennifer Nardine, Public Services Librarian, UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARY

Jennifer: Working at the UGL requires flexibility. I spend time designing and delivering instruction sessions, working at the reference desk and in online reference, selecting materials and organizing several special projects. I'd be happy to share any of these with someone if they'd be interested.

I would like to observe someone in administration - the higher up the better. I'd like to get an idea of what is possible to advance towards; what duties are entailed, what skills are needed, what I would no longer do that I do now if I went into administration.

I hope that, by observing someone already in administration, I can a) decide if it's something I'm interested in pursuing and b) tailor my current activities as stepping stones for advancement.

Catherine: I would be able to share any of the following activities with a colleague: Leading and participating in group meetings; Specific skills and personal attributes necessary to guide individuals and groups to success; Juggling a wide variety and number of tasks; Skills necessary to move forward in a library career, such as networking, resume building, interviewing, taking initiative, understanding the culture of an institution, setting goals, etc.

I would like to observe a different reference desk beyond AAEL or Science and I would like to observe an active Ask Us session.

I would hope to clarify similarities and differences to approaching reference services in different library settings. I would hope to create a mentoring relationship with the person observing me.

Posted by dlhodge at 01:47 PM | Comments (0)

Shevon Desai/David Fulmer

David Fulmer, Electronic Access Specialist, TECHNICAL SERVICES
Shevon Desai, Social Sciences/Humanities Librarian, GRADUATE LIBRARY

David: I’m interested in observing the reference desk of the Graduate Library, chat reference etc. I expect to learn more about public services so I can improve our collaboration when helping patrons access e-resources.

Shevon: I would like to become more familiar with the working of the technical services division - any and all aspects. A particular area of interest is the new Electronic Access Unit and how they now deal with outages, along with their other duties.

I hope that I would have a better general understanding of the daily processes that occur in the library. I would hope that I would be able to anticipate correctly which library unit would address particular issues. This would definitely help me in providing better reference services to our patrons in general and more specifically, to faculty members from my department (Comm Studies).

Posted by dlhodge at 01:45 PM | Comments (34)

March 11, 2008

SkillShare Partnerships Formed!

I'm happy to announce that SkillShare partnerships have been formed. Unfortunately we were unable to match everyone who was interested in participating, but we hope to give others the opportunity in the future if the program proves successful.

David Fulmer, Electronic Access Specialist, TECHNICAL SERVICES
Shevon Desai, Social Sciences/Humanities Librarian, GRADUATE LIBRARY

Catherine Soehner, Director, ART, ARCHITECTURE, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
Jennifer Nardine, Public Services Librarian, UNDERGRADUATE LIBRARY

Deb DeGeorge, Rare- and Non-Book Cataloger, TECHNICAL SERVICES
Kevin Hawkins, Electronic Publishing Librarian, SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING OFFICE

Merle Rosenzweig, InfoPoint Librarian, TAUBMAN MEDICAL LIBRARY
Anna Schnitzer, InfoPoint Librarian, TAUBMAN MEDICAL LIBRARY
Sue Wortman, Women's Studies Librarian, GRADUATE LIBRARY REFERENCE
Sally Lawler, Public Services Librarian, SOCIAL WORK LIBRARY

Karen Downing, Foundations and Grants Librarian, GRADUATE LIBRARY
Margie McKinley, Development Office, MLIBRARY

Posted by dlhodge at 02:46 PM | Comments (0)

Merle Rosenzweig / Anna Schnitzer

Merle: [I’d like learn more about] outreach, teaching various open classes, attending meetings. I would like to get a better understanding of the operations and activities of the Health Sciences Libraries.

Anna: [I’d like to share some of my experiences with] outreach, teaching open classes, attending meetings about disability issues. I’m interested in seeing how this system of SkillShare works and whether it leads to broader understanding of what colleagues do.

Posted by dlhodge at 01:50 PM | Comments (5)

Karen Downing / Margie McKinley

This is a stub.

Posted by dlhodge at 01:48 PM | Comments (0)

February 15, 2008

SkillShare Library Newsletter Announcement

SKILLSHARE PROGRAM - SEEKING ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPANTS
--Donna Hayward

Librarians' Forum is sponsoring a pilot cross-division skills sharing program to foster understanding, communication and cross-pollination between library departments and staff. Volunteer pairs will spend time learning about other areas of the library by observing each other engaged in everyday work activities. The pilot will start with six to eight participants for the first iteration of the program from March to May 2008.

Participants will spend between four and twelve hours with their paired colleague, participate in a recorded panel discussion at the May Librarians' Forum, and complete an exit survey. They will also be encouraged to share their experience with library staff on the Librarians' Forum blog.

ALL library staff from ALL divisions and departments are welcome and encouraged to volunteer. If you are interested, please fill out the very brief survey of interest via the link below. In the survey, volunteers are asked to indicate their preferred level of involvement and describe briefly what they'd most like to share or learn more about.

The deadline for submission of the volunteer survey of interest is Wednesday, February 27th.

https://lessons.ummu.umich.edu/2k/librarians_forum/skillshare

Questions about the SkillShare Program should be directed to the program facilitator, Donna Hayward. (dhayward@umich,.edu or via Facebook)

Posted by dlhodge at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)

SkillShare @ MLibrary

Would you like to see what it's like to:

- conduct a usability test?
- catalog a rare book?
- answer questions at a reference desk?
- teach a group of Undergrads how to begin their research?

Would you like to see how a book gets onto the shelf after it arrives on the loading dock?

Are the activities of SPO (the Scholarly publishing Office) a mystery you'd like to explore?

Do you feel like you work in a vacuum around some area of your work, and think it would be useful to know more about a department with which you have some limited contact?

Then the SkillShare @ MLibrary Program is for you! Volunteer by filling out the following survey of interest:

https://lessons.ummu.umich.edu/2k/librarians_forum/skillshare

For more information, take a look at the SkillShare Library Newsletter Announcement on this blog.

Posted by dlhodge at 11:46 AM | Comments (1)