Sunday, December 23, 2007

Done

The semester is officially over, my last class was this week. It seems that I have gotten through it with pretty good grades. I have about a three week break until next semester starts and I am already purchasing books for my new classes, since I need nine books it is best to spread out their purchase.

I wish I could say that I have learned a lot about librarianship and that this new knowledge has further confirmed my want to be a librarian. Sadly this is not the case. I still know that I am supposed to be a librarian but the classes did not give me much new knowledge and did not help confirm my desire.

The lack of knowledge given in class has in a way been beneficial, it makes me seek it out in other ways. Conversations with Garrett and looking into things by myself has increased my understanding of librarianship.

There were a few things I learned from classes, although this is probably not what the course objectives were:

  • do not talk or engage with the old lady classmate, she will tell you why she has not been in class, her time in hospital and the tests and diagnosis. She will also ask your help with assignments she has missed and state that she knows nothing about technology.
  • Do not trust your professor to properly explain or even know what you are supposed to include in an assignment. They seem unable to properly convey their wants.
  • Some classmates can be much more informed than professors and can be the best resource.
  • A small university is no better at managing bureaucracy, getting the personal touch, providing a better education than a large university, and it almost makes me miss UIC, at least there was no pretense.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Wrapping up

I was finally able to register for next semester's classes. Luckily I was able to get the classes I wanted especially considering there was a hold on my registration since the school did not have my final transcripts from my previous school. Would have been easier for them to tell me I needed those about 5 months ago since they only gave me a week to get those to the registrar. Oh well I always expected idiocy when it comes to university bureaucracy.

Hopefully I will soon be starting an internship/volunteer type of thing too. There was a point recently when I realized that the problem I was having with my classes is that they didn't make me feel like a librarian. Actually working in a library would help fix that feeling I was having.

I should be working on final assignments right now but I am listening to Smodcast and writing this instead.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

End of the Semester

I still have about a month of this semester left but it definitely feels like I am at the end. My last weekend session was last weekend so I am practically done with my reference class although I still have two assignments left.

The two assignments are the first things I have done that feel relevant to a working librarian. One of the assignments is a subject guide about Geography that I am creating for the university's library. Theoretically this would be used by geography students however there is not a geography major and no actual geography classes offered by the school. Apparently there are geography classes within the Education department but that is as far as geography education goes in this school. While the subject may not be relevant the creation of a subject guide is. It is a list of materials that the school has in its collection as well as websites and suggested materials for purchase.

The second assignment is a proposal for a new reference tool for a library of our choice. We are to chose a library that we would like to work in and hypothetically create a proposal for a new reference tool. Since this is something I could very easily be doing in the future I am pleased to be doing it. It is the assignments that feel irrelevant that I do not like doing.

I also have a paper in my other class that is due in about a month but I haven't started working on it, its only eight pages, I can do that in a day's time.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Getting Close

I am getting close to the end of my first semester. I have less than two months left and the last session of my weekend class is this coming weekend. I will still have assignments due for that class but at least I won't have to go anymore.

I started looking at next semester's schedule. Looks like I will be taking Cataloging and Management during the week and taking another weekend class possibly History of the Printed Word or Preservation/Conservation. It depends on what I can get into.

I am still heavily bored in my Intro class but luckily I found a comrade who is equally bored and appreciates my sarcastic comments. This makes things much easier.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Tired, very tired

I have been meaning to update for about a week and have not had the time or the brain power to do so. Luckily I had a spur of the moment day off of work and have recovered from the past two weeks of business.

In personal news I was the happy surrogate kitten momma to Capote for a few days last week and he and Miso got along quite well. I was doing this because 812 N. Productions was filming another short and Capote lives on the set. The shoot went well and soon we should have a finished product, more later when that happens.

Between being a P.A. on set and having an extra cat at my place I was already tired a bit worn out when I went to my second weekend session of my Reference class. Luckily this one went better than the first weekend. Mostly this is due to my ability to get back into the school groove. The first weekend was my first time in a classroom in four months and I was a bit rusty. Now I am back on track and feeling more comfortable about the subject matter. Having used libraries for so long and dating a librarian I felt pretty confident that I knew quite a bit already. This is still true but I think my knowledge is being enhanced, at least in my reference class.

My introduction to library and information science class is not so enlightening. I wish it was since I go to it every week instead of once a month but sadly it all feels like a waste of time. The hour long drive in rush hour traffic there, the three hours in class and the half hour it takes to get home are just a misuse of my time. Especially when the instructor does not seem to know what he is doing. We were supposed to construct an annotated bibliography about a given subject and he posted information on blackboard about what we needed to include in the assignment but he forgot to tell us how long it needed to be. I emailed him at this point and responded on the day it was due to check the information posted. By this point it was far too late and I had already done the assignment. I had eight entries, hopefully that will be enough. I would have made it an even ten but some of my sources were from the same publication and I didn't want to repeat myself too much.

And now my rant is done. I am just tired of the disorganization.

Speaking of organization I am looking into what classes I need to take next semester. This includes Organization of Knowledge and Management. Organization of Knowledge is a big phrase for cataloging. Cataloging for non-catalogers is not fun, again like most classes it needs to be separated from those that do want to catalog and those that don't. It would be much easier for all involved. Management I am not too worried about, perhaps if I have the right instructor it could even be useful. I am also going to take a second class next semester. Hopefully something fun that will balance out the two dull classes. Perhaps storytelling...that could definitely help improve this blog. There are also some children's lit and young adult lit classes that would be interesting. It all depends on what fits in my schedule which looks like it might be busy because a special/academic library wants me to volunteer at the beginning of the year. I am very excited.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Bored

I was severely bored in class this week. As my instructor was going through a powerpoint presentation that was also available on blackboard I decided not to listen and instead write my service report that is due tomorrow for my other class. I was particularly irritated because it was Garrett's birthday and I felt my time was being wasted when I could have been celebrating the day of my boyfriend's birth, by far the more important event of the day. At least I was able to manage my time so it wasn't a complete waste. Having a computer that picks up the school's wifi is a fantastic thing.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Disorganized

It always amazes me when librarians are disorganized. Part of the job is a certain level of organization at least in their professional life in order to be good at their job, for instance, being able to find a book because it is in the correct place. It seems my Intro to Library Science instructor missed that piece of information when getting his MLIS. The class this week was all over the place, he was randomly searching the internet to find examples of things for us (the computer being hooked up to a projector so we could all see his meandering), and the lecture -- what little of it there was confused more than enlightened me. Perhaps he is the opposite of if you can't do, teach; he can't teach maybe he can do but I really don't know. Right now I am learning what not to do.

I am just going to do what I have to do and remind myself that I just have to get through it and its only 12 classes before graduation.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

First Week

I have officially finished my first week of library school and I feel I am off to a good start. I have to say after doing my undergrad work this actually seems kind of easy. In my Intro to Library Science class we are assigned an 8 page final paper. My professor called it a "big paper" and I couldn't help but laugh. My first history term paper four years ago was 20 pages, and the semester after that I had three 10 page papers all due within days of each other. Eight pages for this paper and 6 for my other class is really easy.

I was nervous before I started but now I can say with relative confidence that I will do just fine. Also I may be getting an internship/volunteer position soon, more on that when I know more.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

First Day

This weekend was my first day of class. My bizarre weekend class meets three weekends throughout the semester for 8 hours at a time. It was an intense weekend and now my brain is mushy.

The class is a reference class that covers both print and online sources. While sitting in class and being instructed on how to search the library's online catalog for books as well as using online databases I grew frustrated because these were systems I had already learned to use during my undergrad career. I realized that there really needs to be two separate classes for reference services. One for the "mature" student is going back to school after many years away and one for the student who recently finished their undergrad or another master's program. Having two separate classes that better fit the needs of the students would be more beneficial to our studies. To be honest there is little I know about print resources because of the emphasis of online sources during my high school and college education. It would be more advantageous if I were spending time learning about these instead of reviewing information about online resources that I have known about for a long time.

It is not a bad class on a whole but I think when it is presented in this format the days are very long and you just get bored and antsy. Yet at the same time this is a great option for people with tight schedules.

More updates in a few days after my Intro to Library and Information Science class

Friday, September 7, 2007

Day Before Class

Tomorrow is my first day of class, today I went to campus to get i.d. card, parking permit and last textbook that I need. Roaming around campus and getting lost made me appreciate the simplicity of my undergraduate campus for the first time. It was an ugly campus, very industrial but it had a symmetry that made it easy to find where you needed to go with clearly marked buildings. The new campus is much smaller but less organized and I got a bit turned around while there. But this was good because I now know where my classes are and where the parking lot is which will make tomorrow all the easier.

I got home and finally accessed my campus email address which was good because I have five chapters to read for this weekend and two handouts. I was also able to access the powerpoint presentations and syllabus. I am feeling prepared, slightly excited and a little nervous.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Visit to Special Library

Today I visited a special library. These tend to fall into two categories small and organized or completely disorganized and scary, sadly this was the latter.

I had high hopes for this library, I had wanted to volunteer there since it's interests and mine match well and they run on an entirely volunteer staff. I figured this would be a good way for me to get some additional experience in a library without the hassle of having "experience". So I decided to check it out and see if it would fit my needs.

I am very glad I did this instead of immediately deciding to volunteer without checking it out. Here is what I observed:

  • the smell, there was a distinct odor of rotting books and a need to clean
  • the man eating behind the desk, this could have contributed to the smell
  • clutter and disorganization, there were piles of books everywhere and the ones on the shelves were difficult to get to, also many computers that had no purpose
  • volunteers were not properly identified as staff
  • book sale being organized while open, random books that were not for public use and not properly labeled
  • scary and outdated displays
  • expensive benefit tickets starting at $250
All of this contributed to my not wanting to volunteer there. In reality they could benefit from my help but I feel that they would not be receptive to it.

If I were running the library this is what I would do
  • get dehumidifier and cleaning crew in to fix smell problem
  • no eating at the desk, that is what a break room is for
  • reorganize material so it is accessible, also get rid of multiple copies of books, no need to have three copies of same text
  • volunteers should have name tags or buttons saying "I work here" or something like that
  • organize book sale after hours so that patrons are not confused
  • displays must be reorganized to promote community in a positive and up to date way, posters from the 1980's while having a historical value should be put into perspective of the current issues
  • library benefit tickets should be affordable for all those in the community and should have a starting donation of $50 or $100 instead of $250 and up
I believe I will write to this library and let them know how I feel. I think they need to be awakened to the possibility that even though they have been around for 20 years they need to update.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Library Internship

I applied for a library internship at a suburban library. The position was for a children's literacy aid, developing programs and storytimes for children. Realistically I knew that I didn't have time for it but thought I should at least apply and maybe interview.

Sadly I was informed by this library that as a Certified Professional Governess and as a library school student I did not have enough experience for the internship. There were other applicants that had more experience in libraries and with groups of children. The funny part is that if I need experience to get the internship how am I supposed to get the experience. That is the whole point of internships.

I am not entirely bothered by this, there is a volunteer based library in the city that I am going to try to work at in my spare time. I have a feeling they will be more receptive.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Orientation

Today was orientation at library school. I am still not entirely sure why I bothered going. We received a packet of information, some of it helpful some of it useless and were talked at for two hours.

We were told we were the librarians of the future, librarians of the 21st Century that had to be technologically proficient in all areas, why then were we given a powerpoint presentation? I thought that was technology of the 20th Century.

It was acknowledged that most of us were commuter students and many coming back to school after time away, that we had busy schedules outside of school. Yet at the same time we were told that there were student organizations we should be a part of and that we should attend seminars that were given. The seminars are always held at the same time of day on weekdays, those of us with busy schedules don't really have time to drive out to school another day during the week.

We were also given stuff. This is what I really went for, if I am paying them thousands in tuition per semester they better be giving me things. We got a planner, a children's book, and a t-shirt. I will never wear the t-shirt, the planner is slightly useful and the book, well it was a pathetic selection, but I think I picked the best one possible.

I suppose it was useful to go, I met a few people and it helped me get into the school zone, but mostly I felt that it was only useful so I could take a trip out there at roughly the same time I will be going to class to see if I can get there on time after work. Which I am happy to say I will be able to do.

I was happy to see that many of my classmates were on the younger side and that there was a good sized group of men -- now if we can only get men positions in libraries, we will be in good shape.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

First Post

The suggestion that I start a blog about my experiences as a grad student began this experiment. I have had blogs in the past but never one devoted to something. So here it goes....

I was accepted into library school over the summer and will be starting classes in September. Orientation is next week, it is not mandatory but they are providing food and considering the amount I pay in tuition I should take full advantage of my contribution.

One of my books for class arrived in the mail yesterday, Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century. I looked through it a bit and am preparing for boredom.