|
|
Are you 'IT' at your library?
1:41 PM EDT 9/8/04
This month we're focusing on "Systems Librarianship" at WJ. Rachel Singer Gordon has called us "Accidental" Systems Librarians. Others call us "librarygeeks." Whatever your pleasure, we all keep our library's systems running strong.
Just for fun, tell us: how did it happen that you're 'IT' in your library?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
4:21 PM EDT 9/14/04
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
This is Bobbie Chapman from Alamosa, Colorado, and I got into technology when I was hired as a para for a high school library. When computers broke the tech person "walked me through" any repairs over the phone. Do you know the commercials by Sally Struthers of All in the Family to get a degree in bartending, mechanics, and PC repair? Well, I signed up and learned PC repair by correspondence course! It was really great, books, tools, meters all for a nominal sum. At the high school library I learned the Spectrum automated catalog system, so when the local public library was granted four Gates computers they created a Tech Mgr position and needed someone with Spectrum experience and the willingness to learn how to fix computers and teach classes. I applied and got the job. So this "Techno-Granny" is learning and working in a whole new career field. Having Gates Support team was a blessing for me as I had so many questions when I was first hired. Boy, I miss them still.
Now I'm trying to learn FrontPage to maintain our website or maybe get brave enough to learn Dreamweaver online!
That's my story - how about others?
Bobbie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
12:59 PM EDT 9/22/04
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
I'm not only IT for the library, but for City Hall as well. Not long ago, the City Hall folks couldn't understand why they had a virus, even though they had an anti-virus program. I had to explain about AV updates, Windows updates, etc. They now pay a company to come in once a month to do all the "basic" stuff for them, but if something goes down, they call me first, because they consider me "pre-paid support." 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
3:48 PM EDT 9/22/04
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
This is Ben Weeks, I am 'IT' not only for our township library, but all township facilities. Those of us who are a 'one person IT department' are also 'an army of one' and we have to do the best we can with what we have. I wish anyone who is in this type of situation the best of luck since I know what you're going through.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
7:17 PM EDT 9/28/04
as a reply to Ben Weeks.
sounds a bit stressful. how do you cope?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
10:07 AM EDT 9/29/04
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
Our county has it's own IT department.
But our library system is lucky enough to have a 2 person staff named Automation Services to handle the needs of all of our locations (2 counties, 13 sites).
I am fortunate enough to be half of that motley crew of two.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
2:01 PM EDT 9/29/04
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
I am impressed with folks who are going it alone. The Coop that our library belongs to has a two- person IT Team, but they support over 40 libraries spread out over several counties. So as our library grew, I started dealing with more and more computer issues. I was the one who worried most about Y2k and antivirus protection and eventually the Director introduced me as the Technology Coordinator. Who knew!
Now we have 2 servers and 100 computers, and I joke that staff calls me when anything with a plug has a problem. Thank goodness for the Gates support and Web Junction. A couple years ago, I was able to hire a computer science student attending the local college. He works part-time at a wage we can afford. It is a win-win situation.
This is not the first time computers snuck up on me. Years ago, as an undergrad English Teaching major, I was placed as a student teacher with two English classes and four Computer Science classes. I had never touched a computer, and neither had my Supervising Teacher. We stayed a breath ahead of the students all semester.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
3:35 PM EDT 9/29/04
as a reply to Claire Rose.
You'd be surprised how many techy people started out in literature, or the arts. We were just recently joking about how Microsoft Corp seems to be full of MFAs! I think our own DaleM has an arts background, and I myself was once a bio/psyc major - with more school in history (of all things!). Our content manager (current member spotlight) has nothing less than a degree in russian literature! Funny how technology ends up touching all of that. When I went to LIB school, I thought it was going to be to learn about how to be a better scholar/researcher in the liberal arts. I became enamoured/side-tracked (depending on how you look at it) by all the cool techy stuff happening, and, well, here I am!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
1:19 PM EDT 10/4/04
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
I guess it was inevitable, since I was substituting as a school librarian just when catalog systems were starting to automate. Then games arrived and we had to be a step ahead of the 4th and 5th graders! Since one of those 4th graders was my son, I learned quickly. Now he's a big help with all my technical questions. We have two of us in the library for techie stuff (although I get called on first) and two IT guys in the city for all departments. They are quick to point out that the county has 8 IT folks for fewer computers, so we try to handle as much as we can and save them for big problems.
I had no idea my anthropology degree would lead me here!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
2:26 PM EDT 10/4/04
as a reply to Pam Henley.
I'm not IT at my library, but I guess you can say I'm a reason Rachel was at my previous library -- though I wouldn't call it an "accident." The need was there and she's damned competent.
And willing to learn what she didn't already know. :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
8:15 PM EDT 10/4/04
as a reply to Bob Watson.
I love it when real worlds come together online! It's so cool! Thanks to everyone for sharing their "I'm IT (or not)" stories during our "Systems Librarianship" focus. It was great to hear from some of you about how you got roped into some of this stuff in the first place! Don't let the end of September keep you from posting here, though. Keep those stories and connections coming. I love it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
1:03 PM EST 1/11/05
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
I started out as a literacy tutor working thru Americorps for our library in 1995. had never seen a computer and I suddenly fell in love with technology... I used most of my educational grant from Americorps to take several computer related classes thru LSU's continuing Ed department. everything from Microsoft Access to Macromedia Flash, all the webdesign classes, repair and troubleshooting...and some training classes as well... now I am never far away from something electronic, carry my laptop with me everywhere! I love a computer challenge... I get absorbed in any software I can get my hands on and I love to teach others what I have learned... here at work I help maintain all the computers in our three branches and I am currently working on our website soon to be published. wonders if that relates to Techie..lol
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
1:43 PM EST 1/11/05
as a reply to Caroline Landry.
It sounds like you went way beyond "accidental" into total immersion! Let us know when your website goes live.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
1:28 PM EST 1/28/05
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
> This month we're focusing on "Systems Librarianship"
> at WJ. Rachel Singer Gordon has called us
> "Accidental" Systems Librarians. Others call us
> "librarygeeks." Whatever your pleasure, we all keep
> our library's systems running strong.
>
> Just for fun, tell us: how did it happen that you're
> 'IT' in your library?
I am an IT at the library. I got MLIS and worked in libraries for a few years and then I switched to IT field for several year in industries and I found a job in library IT now. So I am strong in both library and IT skills. I am wondering if any one work in the library has similar experience?
Lingzhen Zhao
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
6:20 PM EST 1/31/05
as a reply to Lingzhen Zhao.
Hi there, I know that some of our members at WJ are both IT at their library, and have an MLIS. You're in good company!! I notice that you have a Chinese name (right?). Have you lived in China? I spent 6 months in there (Chengdu, Sichcuan) in 1993-1994. I had a marvelous time in China, discovering the language, history and culture. Of course, pretty much all I remember how to say now is 'ni hao'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Are you 'IT' at your library?
11:13 AM EST 2/1/05
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
This is Susan G from VT.
I have an MLS from Wayne State University in Detroit. I've done reference in public libraries, instruction in academic libraries and now find myself the IT/Reference librarian in a small town library serving a population of 8,000+
|
|
|
|
