BW Guide2 Library Science Doku Wiki

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== 801xs | Week 3 | The Knowledge Industry ======
This week, I want you to get a sense for the kinds of jobs out there, what you can envision yourself doing (at least at this point in time), and how your graduate coursework might relate to the variety of jobs. First, browse the following links according to the kind type of library you are most interested in working in. You are welcome and encouraged to look elsewhere for jobs, but these links should give you a good jumping off point. As a first step, please post the job and job description in your response. 

Academic: https://www.higheredjobs.com/admin/search.cfm?JobCat=34 (Links to an external site.) 

Public/School: https://oregonstatelibraryjobline.com (Links to an external site.) 

Special Collections/Archives: http://rbms.info/blog/category/news-events/jobs-positions/ (Links to an external site.) 

What kinds of skills do these jobs require? What courses do you envision as being important in helping you acquire those skills? Browse the list of current and past courses here (https://www.emporia.edu/slim/studentresources/schedules/). In addition to core classes, what kinds of classes do you think would be most helpful to you in securing the job you selected? Why? Are there skills/qualifications that you think would be helpful to carrying out the job that are not covered in the curriculum? How might you go about gaining those skills? 

Please write a long paragraph in response to the above questions. In addition, I would like you to respond to at least ONE colleague's post to share your ideas/comments on their individual response. Please be sure to make all posts by Sunday, February 4.

--------

I found this job listing on the job link section of the Mid-America Library Alliance website. http://www.mid-americalibraryalliance.org/jobs/index.php (Links to an external site.)  It lists a position available in the Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron, Missouri--which is about 50 miles north of the Kansas City metro area. Depending on the applicant’s educational / work experience the job description varies as either Librarian I or Librarian II. Because the Librarian II position requires a Masters in Library Science, I will use it as the basis for this discussion posting. Note: More detailed information about the job was located and copied from the Office of Administration website - https://oa.mo.gov/personnel/classification-specifications/3021 (Links to an external site.)

JOB LISTING

Job Title:          Librarian II

Employer:        Crossroads Correctional Center

Address:          1115 East Pence Road

City:     Cameron State:           MO ZIP:           64429

 

Description:     This position requires comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, procedures, and techniques of library science. The librarian plans, directs library services and all related operations of library programs. Librarian I: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 15 earned credit hours in Library Science. OR Four or more years of experience as an assistant in a library which involved the cataloging, indexing, classifying, issuing, and care of books and related materials. Librarian II: One or more years of experience as a Librarian I with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System; OR A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Library Science; OR A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 15 earned credit hours in Library Science; AND One or more years of professional experience involving the application of standard library techniques.

 

Responsibilities:         

Full Job description - Librarian II: http://oa.mo.gov/personnel/classification-specifications/3021 (Links to an external site.)

Minimum Qualifications:          See description

Preferred Qualifications:         

Type:   Full Time

Salary & Benefits:        Librarian II - $1386.50/bi-monthly Benefits, Policies and Related Information: http://oa.mo.gov/personnel/resources-state-employees (Links to an external site.)

 

Instructions:     All applicants must apply through the Office of Administration EASE application process to be considered. EASe Online job application is available at http://oa.mo.gov/personnel/ (Links to an external site.) or https://www.ease.mo.gov/Logon/RegisterOrLogon.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f (Links to an external site.)

 

Deadlines:       Open until filled

Contact:           Kimberly Bresnahan- Library Services Coodinator

Phone: 573.526.6540

Fax:     573.526.3009

E-mail: kimberly.bresnahan@doc.mo.gov

Web:   

Date Added:    2016-12-12 16:31:56

 

=== Material below comes from the Office of Administration website ===

What will I be doing?

This is senior-level professional work managing a library in a state facility or agency.

 

JOB DUTIES

Plans and directs the library services and all related operations of the library program in a state facility or agency.
Evaluates, selects, and orders library materials and equipment.
Conducts computer searches to locate and determine availability of library materials.
Establishes and maintains branch and/or closed-unit libraries.
Classifies, indexes, and catalogs books, pamphlets, magazines, films, records, videotapes, and other related materials.
Instructs and assists patrons in the use of library facilities, locating information, researching various topics, and operating equipment.
Trains and supervises assistants, volunteers, offenders, or client helpers.
Reviews incoming journals, books, and related materials for items of interest to staff members; identifies content and location.
Exchanges library material with other libraries through an interagency loan program.
Prepares displays of books, reading lists, and other materials to promote reading and the use of the library facilities.
Replaces worn or outdated books and selects books for rebinding.
Prepares budget requests for library materials, supplies, and equipment; maintains records of library expenditures and operating statistics and prepares reports based on these records.
Maintains order and security in the library area.
Exercises a high degree of initiative and independent judgment in the operation and management of the library; receives general administrative direction.
Performs other related work as assigned.
 

Areas of Interest: 

Academic, Vocational & Guidance Services

 

Can I be successful?

 

KEY SKILLS - Do you possess the key skills which are considered essential for successful employment in this classification?

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, procedures, and techniques of library science.
Comprehensive knowledge of bibliographic and reference tools used in developing a basic library collection.
Intermediate knowledge of the reading interests of library patrons, and the appropriate library materials to meet their needs.
Ability to plan and sustain the operation of a facility or agency library.
Ability to direct and train others in the operation, maintenance, and utilization of the library.
Ability to use and explain the use of library facilities.
Ability to assist patrons in the selection and use of library materials.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with employees and library patrons.
What kinds of skills do these jobs require?

This is a comprehensive position that combines many librarian roles into a single person. One acts as library manager (planning, budgeting, record keeping, public face, facility maintenance, training. supervision); collection manager (cataloging, ordering, evaluating patron needs), working “floor” librarian (teaching and guiding patrons, creating displays to increase usage); and possible specialist skills (state legal codes).

What courses do you envision as being important in helping you acquire those skills? 

Essential courses for a position like this would include:

LI801 Foundations (Broad overview of the field, what is librarian, what are the areas of Library and Information Science) | LI802 Information-Seeking Behavior and Reference Services (knowledge on how people seek, retrieve and share information; learning styles, and information literacy) | LI804 Organization of Information – learning how different approaches to accessing information impact usefulness of information resource search and delivery | LI805 Management and Information Organizations (library management skills – including planning, organizing, leaderships, and advocacy) | LI810 Research in Library and Information Science (useful for evaluating research literature that could be of benefit to job practice) | LI815 Information Technology (useful for learning the technology skills of librarianship) | LI855 Collection Development and Management (how to evaluate, select, and acquire collection materials)

In addition to core classes, what kinds of classes do you think would be most helpful to you in securing the job you selected? Why?

 

Additional classes that look helpful for fulfilling the requirements of this position include:

 

LI811 Community Analysis Needs (how to evaluate and assess the needs of the community the library serves, including tools of analysis and assessment) |LI814 Cataloging and Classification (Assist in collection development, organization, and management) | LI816 Legal Information Research and Retrieval (sources of law, access to legal information and legal research – beneficial for an incarcerated population) | LI822 Multiple Literacies in Libraries, LI 825 - Multicultural Resources and Services for Librarians, and LI833 Resources and Services for Diverse Populations (these courses would be helpful to learn the varieties of levels of literacies, inculcate cultural sensitivities and nuance, and to design effective collections and library programming) | LI859 Project Management in Information Organizations (helpful for developing the skills of the management element of this job—staffing, workflows, communication, planning).

 

Because of the potentially comprehensive aspects of this position and the diversity of the library population, many courses would apply to address specific areas of skill development. Realistically, it would be best to learn more about the actual real-world operation of a prison library to determine the most helpful classes to take.

Are there skills/qualifications that you think would be helpful to carrying out the job that are not covered in the curriculum? How might you go about gaining those skills? 

Because one of the main goals of the prison library is to reduce recidivism, a course in vocational training and volunteering to teach literacy skills would provide practical real-world experience with adult learners. LiteracyKC provides volunteering opportunities. http://literacykc.org/ (Links to an external site.)

I would also read the blogs and books of former and current prison librarians to gain the benefit of their insights, perspectives, and resources. One blog I skimmed after to choosing this job listing was the following: http://prisonlibrarian.blogspot.com/search/label/Prison%20Librarian (Links to an external site.)