COLT: Council on Library/Media Technicians

2001 Annual Conference Report
Council on Library/Media Technicians (COLT)
LIBRARY SUPPORT STAFF: STILL MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Written by Susan Bell
Reported by Danielle Aloia, Linda Ballard, Elaine Hernandez, Gene Kinnaly, Rita McGeary,
Linda Owen, Sylvia Skene, Kent Slade, Susan Zaber-Chale

The site for the 2001 Annual COLT Conference was San Francisco. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Embarkadero and as usual enjoyed the conference. Programs covered a wide range of topics and were well attended. The conference was especially well attended. This report tells something about each of the presentations. Visit the COLT home page for more details: http://colt.ucr.edu/

The things that happen outside the actual programs are what make the conferences so much fun! San Francisco has an abundance of all kinds of restaurants, shopping and tourist things to do. Most attendees had time to partake of those things as well as the great meals at the conference. Our offered tours to Chinatown and Muir Woods and visiting the ALA exhibits topped off a wonderful conference and made it an enjoyable one. Also the chance to make new friends and renew old acquaintances combines to make the conference outstanding.

Keynote Address

Frank D’Andraia, Dean of Library Services, University of Montana, Missoula delivered the keynote address: "Library Support Staff: Still Moving in the Right Direction? Or Is It Directions?" The new economy, the impact of deregulation in higher education (and libraries), and the changing nature of library work have moved libraries and those that work in them in many new directions. Our profession, like others, responds to societal, commercial, technological, and legislative developments. He spoke about the prospects for future employment in libraries and the challenges and opportunities that deregulation of higher education will offer library support staff.

Basic/Advanced Web Searching

Workshop presenters Martha Parsons and Kent Slade offered instruction in web searching. They touched on the variety of ways to search the Internet, the different search engines and what they cover. They pointed out that not all information is on the web, it depends on what you want and where you search. Help screens should be consulted as they offer good information to aid you in your search. A number of techniques to help refine your web searching were also given.

The Combined Help Desk: an Update

Valerie VanBilliard, of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA brought an update of her presentation from the Detroit COLT Conference. Lehigh University, while only having 4,700 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, has 33 computer labs, a residential network, and wireless access as well as 26 technology class rooms all available 24 hours a day.

In 1996 library, computing and telecommunications were combined to form an Information Resources Help Desk. At that time, 146 staff were affected by this change, many adversely as they were reassigned to areas outside their expertise. Combine this with the need for timely and accurate information on the latest technologies and many library staff felt the stress. The staff at the Help Desk felt especially vulnerable because their information line was posted in each classroom.

Valerie told us about the changes and upgrades to the university’s computer system. She spoke to the formalizing and increase of training since these upgrades and the various responses to better prepare help desk staff.

Electronic Journals: Libraries Latest 900 Pound Gorilla

Stephanie Wittenbach of University of California at Riverside spoke about the 5,000 electronic journals they have as opposed to 7,500 print journals. She addressed the misconception that online journals are less work because they do not need "processing". She talked about many aspects of this specialized format, starting with selection decisions.

She dealt with technical concerns, archiving, licensing and many other issues. She also invited those interested in the processing of electronic journals to visit the university’s website (available on the COLT website).

Filimentality/Blue web’n

This is a great tool with a strange name. It is free software that allows you to create a web page and keep it on the Pacific Bell Knowledge Network Server at no cost. Linda Uhrenholt of Pacific Bell explained the software and its usage. The example she offered was a teacher who had a topic for her class but the school library did not have enough information for the entire class. She collaborated with the librarian at the public library to build a website with appropriate links to other websites. Students are able to access this from both libraries and home.

Blue Web’n is a searching site monitored by a former teacher and a librarian. It contains over 1000 outstanding Internet learning sites. All pages are checked for content so students can be sent there for good information.

Full Time Supervision of Part Time Staff

Sherryl Robinson of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, gave a well-rounded look at many issues involving the supervision of part-time staff and volunteers. These folks represent a cost savings for libraries and they are usually a major component of many libraries. Unfortunately, they usually fall at the lowest level of the staff hierarchy and require a disproportionate amount of management time.

Sherryl’s presentation offered discussion of a supervisor’s functions. Clarifying the nature of the job, monitoring performance, being a go-between, and reducing roadblocks are just a few of the functions that were presented.

In Your Write Mind: Creative Methods for Expressing Library Life

Charlie Fox and Ed Martinez, editors of Library Mosaics gave a presentation on writing for publication. Dressed as refugees from the 70’s , they gave a colorful, entertaining and informative presentation on marketing articles to publications. This presentation is always a favorite with conference attendees and hopefully reaps results for those who attended. They offered some techniques to enhance creativity and memory. They also had some suggestions to overcome writer’s block and various techniques to get you started.

The Library of California Project

Diana Paque, Director of the Library of California, gave a presentation on the electronic network of California libraries designed to make it possible for any Californian to use any library anywhere in the state. This project, while still under development now includes seven regional library networks with 574 library systems, districts and agencies comprising 1,737 participating libraries. Participants agree to share resources, including databases, facilitate use of collections, and provide increased training for staff.

Library of Congress Cataloging

Gene Kinnaly, a former officer of COLT and a senior cataloger at the Library of Congress gave a behind the scenes look at the Library of Congress. He examined levels of cataloging; who does what, tools of the trade, as well as offering statistics. He gave us a good list of website resources to consult when we have specific questions.

Library Paraprofessional Bibliography: an Opportunity for Research

Rita Gibson of the State Law Library of Montana described her work in developing a comprehensive bibliography for library support staff. She addressed how it can be used to initiate research into library support staff issues.

Rita described how she came to do the research, how she became involved in organizing paraprofessionals in Montana, and how she has become an activist for support staff issues. She stressed the importance of keeping informed and "getting outside the box".

Looking Ahead: The California State Library for the 21st Century

Dean Misczynski, Dean of the California Research Bureau at the California State Library and John Jewell, Chief of State Library Services at the California State Library described how the clients they serve now need more timely and convenient delivery of information. They are focused less on the content of the information. This requires the library staff to be more responsible to ensure that the information being used is not only delivered to the user’s desk, but that it is accurate, useful and delivered in a timely manner.

Marketing Yourself in the Job Hunt

You need to have your personal life in order before you can pursue or enjoy a professional life. Presenters Kathleen Smith of AIM, and Katherine Richards, a consultant in the field of library executive recruitment, talked about where your time is being spent. Are you getting what you need from your job? Evaluate what it is you want or are looking for. Is getting along with colleagues more important than money? Think about whether you are really doing what you want to do. Really think about these and other questions. Spend time alone and question what kinds of things you like about your work and where you want to be. There are lateral, forward, and backward moves. Decide what you need from your work environment. Find a personal mentor. Ask them what they think and get some good advice.

Find a job that meets your need. Don’t change jobs for the wrong reasons. Be careful. Do you see someone doing a job you want? Talk to them; follow your own path. The ideal job is looking at you, a reality check—what are you good at? Make expectations realistic. You have to sell yourself and make yourself valuable to your current or future employer. Expand your circle of professional development. Take advantage of opportunities and try new things. Continue to learn. Make your own choices.

Patents and Trademarks: What are They and Where Can I Go for Help with Questions About Them?

Carol Giles, a reference librarian at the Patent and Trademark Depository Library at the St. Louis Public Library spoke about the differences between patents and trademarks. The terms are incorrectly used to mean the same thing. She talked about the features of each and defined them. She spoke about how to get answers about both, how to register both and how to search for information on the subject of patents and trademarks.

Problem Patrons, Patrons with Problems

Susan Zuber-Chall, Circulation Manager of the Mabee Library at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, spoke about the two main categories of problem patrons, the solvable and the unsolvable. The solvable include the everyday, the predictable, the unreasonable, and the technos. The unsolvable include the homeless, the criminal, and the molester.

She listed several things to remember in problem situations, including the fact that your position of authority can be one reason a patron can become defensive. The patron is hot, meaning they have had lots of time to prepare their argument, and you are usually cold, unprepared because you have no idea what problem they will present.

Some things to remember when dealing with these problem patrons are:

Professional Development for Support Staff

Barry Harvey, Software Support Technician, College Center for Library Automation in Tallahassee, Florida spoke about professional development—anything that increases your effectiveness in your job.

He stressed why professional development is important:

He offered an extensive list of what he refers to as "tools of the trade." He listed several websites, including the Library Support Staff Resource Center, LibrarySupportStaff.com, SSIRT, and COLT.

He spoke about the importance of keeping current with issues through reading the professional journals, including LIBRARY MOSIACS, LIBRARY JOURNAL, AMERICAN LIBRARIES, and the e-journal ASSOCIATES, Other sources mentioned were newsgroups and listservs, local, state, and national associations, conferences and workshops.

He encouraged participants to take a proactive role in getting recognition for the development they participate in. He urged us to make written reports of conferences and workshops we attend and submit them to our supervisors, and to make sure we mention that attendance in our evaluations, and create goals for ourselves for future professional development.

The Role of Support Staff in Today’s Libraries

Brad Eden, Head of Cataloging at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas was the speaker for this session. There are opportunities and you need to go out and find them. How do we change the perception of what we do? Support staff is doing more of what professional staff used to be doing. Salaries are not increasing and there is less staff to do the work. We can stay this way or we can change, adapt, invigorate, liberate and invigorate. The support staff can make their own future because of the changes in librarianship itself. This is a good time to get involved and be involved. ALA/SSIRT has task forces on compensation, career ladders, and continuing education (www.ala.org/ssirt). Another useful resource is

the Library Support Staff Resource Center (www.lib.rochester.edu/ssp/).

Take the time to become informed about the issues. Trends to watch include:

If we stay with the way things are we will be overworked, underpaid, and won’t play a role in the future of libraries. If we place ourselves strategically, we can work on continuing education and training, have a role in the future of libraries—we can be recognized for what we are—Professionals. You need to take risks of new opportunities and job assignments. Don’t be afraid to fail. Change job titles such as knowledge management assistant. Get interested in learning new things. Get your libraries to encourage and help you to continue improving and expanding your skill level.

Roles, Goals and Other Interesting Things on the Way to Becoming a Virtual Library

Shirley Heismann’s role as copyright compliance officer and "scavenger" expanded exponentially in the last year. When Procter and Gamble, her employer, decided to have a Virtual Library, Shirley became coordinator of activities. This session was a personal narrative of how this process is working at her library. She breaks the progress of this project down into six steps:

  1. Getting support and a budget from the company’s Information Officer (computers with Internet capability are needed for all staff)
  2. Assembling a team of staff with expertise in various areas to help
  3. Benchmarking—Studying what other companies have done with the same set of circumstances. A decision to consolidate 22 locations into 2 is one result of this study.
  4. Four components to the Website that will drive the Virtual Library:
    1. Infoweb—Content
    2. Infodesk—Specialist to man the desk when the library is open
    3. Infoexpert—Advanced degree experts to handle complex reference
    4. Infolearn—Training site for staff
  5. The How-to's (this process is still ongoing)
    1. Eliminate duplicates
    2. Consolidate space—22 locations down to 2 (2 locations have already closed)
    3. Consolidate holdings to core areas
    4. Elimination of excess staff (attrition and voluntary separation)
  6. Key Roles for the Virtual Library
    1. Library Operations
    2. Contract Managers
    3. Information Technologists
    4. Reference Specialists
    5. Research Analysts
    6. Trainers

Shirley’s roles in this process so far have included:
    1. Placement of materials outside the Company
    2. Space for consolidation materials (linear feet of shelf space)
    3. Daily journal management
    4. Copyright compliance
    5. Encourager

In her role as general encourager, Shirley uses humor and comic strip characters Dilbert and Kathy to help her staff cope. The bottom line to this: Shirley doesn’t know if she will have a job after this upheaval is over!!!!!

Shelf Management and Moving the Collection

Joyce Nielsen of Hope College in Holland Michigan was the presenter for this workshop. She has been in charge of their circulation department since 1977. She spoke about hiring and training stacks management students. She covered the planning, measuring and the actual move of the stacks.

Sisters in Crime

This session was a panel discussion in which three mystery writers: Lora Roberts, Jonnie Jacobs, and Rhys Bowen discussed their works and writing experience as well as shared insight about where they get some of their ideas.

Each presenter shared things about the series they have written, how they got started writing these novels, and gave tips on how to market them once they are written. This workshop gave attendees an opportunity to get personally acquainted with the authors, get some ideas to write themselves, and some specific tips. These ladies are part of a group of writers that present this same type of program at other conferences. After the workshop they were willing to sign copies of their books.

Stress Busters

Linda Slusar, last year’s winner of the Supporter of Support Staff award, presented this workshop. Linda is Coordinator of the Library Technical Assistant Program at the College Of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. In this presentation, she showed the participants how to use laughter, movement, yoga and moving to beat stress. She defined stress and talked about stressors.

You are in the driver’s seat by way of your reaction to stress. Your response dictates the amount of stress a given situation causes. There are many simple things that can be done to relieve stress. Linda got participants moving, laughing, and relaxing. There were videos to help recognize stressors and ones to show how to do simple exercises to give small breaks at different times of the day. We need a certain amount of stress in our lives to live well. It is the balance that we need to strive for.

Linda also discussed a Steven Covey principle where you learn to focus on only the things that you have control over. Participants were asked to write events that cause them stress and the group discussed whether the even was under the control of the person or not. She also asked participants to practice thinking about their response to stress, how they react, how they could have done better. This will help them to control the situation the next time.

The Year of Living Dangerously: Our First Year of

Web-Based Library Technology Courses

John Burke and Lisa Barnett of the University of Cincinnati – Raymond Walters College presented this program about their experiences in teaching library technology courses over the Web. It represents the new direction for Library Technology courses. What if people are too far away from school? What if classes are offered when students are unable to attend? These questions are answered by a web-based approach to setting up a course.

Lisa and John took over the program, which had been discontinued from 1995-1999 because of lack of interest. The two librarians realized that the students for these courses would come from the current population of their school and from the people who worked in the school libraries in the area. They attended some training on technology-based applications, and decided to design a program based on those applications. The software they selected is called Blackboard, which uses streaming video, chat for discussions, and e-mail. After trying a pilot program, they designed the course called Technology in Libraries, which was offered last year at Raymond Walters College.

They also discussed the pros and cons of such a program:

PROS

CONS

They both admit that the title of the workshop means that they really didn’t know if this was going to work. They have future plans to expand the program and offer a certificate. They hope to be able to market to students outside of the area. Their program is an example of how web based library education can work; this presentation is a look at the future.

General Membership Meeting

The General Membership meeting was presided over by Margaret Barron, President. Margaret called the meeting to order and the minutes of the last meeting were approved as corrected. Geri Nynas’ name was misspelled.

Reports were given and Margaret introduced Patricia McQuitty, the Vice President/President-elect and 2002 Conference chair. Next year’s conference will be held in Atlanta, June 12,13,14. The Conference theme will be Celebrate the Past, Embrace the Future. Pat asked for volunteers and asked that they contact her. There was no new business.

Banquet Speaker

The banquet was held at the Gabbiano’s Restaurant and Oyster Café right at the Port of San Francisco. Cindy Mediavilla, President of the California Library Association was the speaker. Ray Roney presented Rita Gibson with the Support Staff of the Year award, and Sue Mahmoodi with the Supporter of Support Staff of the Year. Linda Owen and Julia Ree, Conference Chairs for this conference presented thank you gifts to conference committee members. Margaret thanked everyone for their attendance at this year’s conference. See you in Atlanta!

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