Teaching Paraprofessionals the "Techy" Side of the Library
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Transcript of Teaching Paraprofessionals the "Techy" Side of the Library
Teaching Paraprofessionals the “Techy” Side of the LibraryRita Van Duinen - Lead Instructor, Library and Information Technology Program - Central Carolina Community CollegeMike Crumpton – Asst Dean for Admin Services – The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Challenges• Cataloging evolution• Multiple resource
types• Staff outsourcing of
functions• Collapsing of full time
positions• Convergence
technologies
• Maintaining and repairing equipment
• Search strategies• Employer
expectations• Communication issues• Unlearning the past• Learning new
competencies
Have times changed?• Has the role of paraprofessionals begun to evolve
differently?• Do they need to re-look at their own world and the world
around them differently?• Have customers (readers/users) expectations changed
significantly over the years?• Is this a profession that many find difficult to cope with
changing times and environment? • Can libraries be made as an ideal place to work-despite
the limitations? • What is the role of technology in paraprofessional
duties?
Library Staff
Professional• Librarians
• Info literacy• Lifelong learning• Resource evaluation• Understand and convey
social issues• Administrators
• Provide supervision• Promote vision• Advocate within larger
organization
Para-Professional• Technicians
• Web• AV
• Assistants• Circulation• Periodicals/serials
• Clerks• Collection • Administrative• Public service
Digital Natives• Next generation of people who
have grown up learning “differently”
• Conflicts with digital immigrants who did not grow up on “twitch speed” or everything being instantaneous
• Acceptance or avoidance of digital future?
• Adapting library services to meet digital native’s needs
Who are Library Users?
Students Teachers Parents
College Students Multiple demographics
Visitors from other libraries
Community members
Faculty from universities
People with disabilities
Service people Staff You
What users want to knowIn no particular order:• Library rules• Where are people,
places and things• What you can do for
them• Technology on the
spot• Seamless use of
Internet features
Examples• Technology
• Word processing, spreadsheets, presentation programming skills
• Web navigation and design skills
• Digitization, camera• File management
skills• Videoconferencing• Local network
knowledge• Storage devices
What is Web 2.0?• Library 2.0 is a loosely defined model for a modernized form of
library service that reflects a transition within the library world in the way that services are delivered to users. The focus is on user-centered change and participation in the creation of content and community. [1] The concept of Library 2.0 borrows from that of Business 2.0 and Web 2.0 and follows some of the same underlying philosophies. This includes online services like the use of OPAC systems and an increased flow of information from the user back to the library.
• With Library 2.0, library services are constantly updated and reevaluated to best serve library users. Library 2.0 also attempts to harness the library user in the design and implementation of library services by encouraging feedback and participation. Proponents of this concept expect that the Library 2.0 model for service will ultimately replace traditional, one-directional service offerings that have characterized libraries for centuries.
• From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Web 2.0 classes• 9 week program• 23 Web 2.0
technologies• Based on program from
PLCMC• 20 participants• Managed electronically
thru blogs and email• Certificate for
completion
Proactive Support Strategies• Reviewing books and creating a book review culture• Tracking global trends and technologies impacting the
profession• Learning and teaching foreign languages• Exhibiting various allied areas of interest in the library
like forms of art and culture • Organizing classical film viewing • Career counselling• Enhancing new media access• Encouraging school children to cultivate the habit of
reading• Engaging in a social cause and inspiring others to do the
same
Expectations
Basic knowledge of a personal computer
• Knowledge of file folder structure – how to save and retrieve documents (including how to organize) – how to navigate between folders – knowledge of network folders vs. local folders – how to add a network drive – how to add printers – difference between local printers vs. network printers – knowledge of how to delete items and empty trash – knowledge of different file formats & ability to recognize virus files
Internet knowledge • How to search the web – what
the internet is vs. what the world wide web is – good searching habits – knowledge of spyware and how it can disable a computer – how to use various browsers including IE, Firefox, Mozilla, Opera, Netscape and others – what a URL is – what the format of a URL is – knowledge of domain name structure – knowledge about pop-up blockers & how to disable them – idea of what can and cannot be found on the internet – what the notion of precision vs. recall is.
Software knowledge • Microsoft Office products and other
alternatives, anti-virus software, personal firewall software – ftp – telnet – HTML editors – basic ability to understand your operating system (os) – knowledge of what (os) you have on your computer – knowledge of how to figure out what (os) others have – ability to test & learn new software (librarians are often asked to troubleshoot any program installed on library computers), in depth knowledge of email software – understanding of POP3 vs. imap
Networking knowledge • What is the network? – what do you
need to put a computer on a network? (network interface card & data cable) – wireless networks – how to connect to wireless on PCs with various operating systems & on a mac – how to determine if internet connectivity problems are network problems, computer problems or web site failures – what is an IP address? - some knowledge of the following concepts: DNS (internal & external), NAT (network address translation), VPN (virtual private network) – what is a proxy server & the basics of how it works
Hardware knowledge • Familiarity with your cpu –
understanding where your USB/Firewire port is – understanding of into where your mouse, keyboard & monitor & possibly barcode scanner plug- familiarity with laptops, tablets & PDAs – knowledge of mp3 players & iPods – familiarity with printers & how to troubleshoot printing problems – knowledge of thumb drives/flash drives – knowledge of projectors
Other Computer Concepts • Ability to troubleshoot
basic computer problems – primary computer user is the first line of defense for their own computer – knowledge of how to reboot, soft and hard boots, and when to use them – ability to clearly articulate and define computer problems
Strategies for Keeping Up• Visits – with other libraries, similar organizations, get to know
latest in field, offer to collaborate or do practicums
• Volunteer – for projects and committees in or out of the system to gain exposure to a broader perspective
• Participate – join conversations, listservs, discussion groups or network at conferences to hear new ideas
• Contribute – share you ideas and energy, don’t look for the reason not to
Support Organizations• http://www.nclaonline.org/nclpa/what-nclpa
Would you have it any other way?
Library and Information Technology
• Unique features • Supports staff
development needs across state and nation
• Totally distance education, no seated classes
• Wide variety of degrees and certificates
• Flexible programs
Para-professional Credentials
Library Support Staff Certification Program Competency Sets• Required
• Foundations of Library Services • Communication and Teamwork • Technology
• Electives• Access Services • Adult Readers Advisory Services • Cataloguing and Classification • Collection Management • Reference and Information Services • Supervision and Management • Youth Services
Staff Development• Strategic Planning• Organizational
culture• Needs assessment• Training design• Development
programs• Importance of
assessment• Career management• Sustainability
Giving good service• Respecting Users
• Acknowledgement• Eye contact• Focusing your attention• Following the Golden
Rule• Being a professional• Who you represent• Supporting your
organization
If you enjoy working in a library setting and have an interest in technology, you should consider enrolling in the Library and Information Technology (LIT) program.
The LIT program is suitable for persons seeking entry-level employment in either public or private libraries. The curriculum is also ideal for current paraprofessional and professional library employees who seek specialized training in new technologies.
Suggestions• Be Nimble• Be adaptable• Know the values• Have a plan• Communicate • Be visible• Be transparent• Be positive