This weekend I started my Early Books and Manuscripts class. Overall I am really enjoying it, during undergrad I never had a chance to take a Medieval History class and that is essentially what this class, at least this weekend was.
The workload isn't too bad, for each of the three sessions we have a 10 page group paper and the majority of the reading has already been done. Most of the groups are three people, unfortunately someone dropped the class so my group is only two, which makes the part of the paper I am writing longer. Next session we switch groups so hopefully I will be in a group of three.
My only criticism of the class is that we are only focusing on Medieval Europe, I wish we would cover non-Europe texts, I would love to learn about Middle Eastern and Asian texts. I don't believe the school offers a class like that. But to be honest I didn't expect to have a more global coverage.
This is my first non-required class and I am so glad that I finally got to take one this semester. Taking a third class does add a lot of work but this is the only class that is truly enjoyable and should help make the other classes a little easier to take.
Volunteering is also going well. I was able to go in on Friday since I had the day off work. I got some work done and met more of the library staff. They all seem pleased that I am there, although there were moments when I wished they would leave me to my work and stop asking questions, but they were just being friendly. I am looking forward to going back on Sunday when it is quiet. Out of all of my responsibilities this is the one thing I am enjoying the most, sadly it is the one thing that I can only do occasionally and will be the first thing to cut if I don't have the time.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Busy Bee
In order to procrastinate just a bit I thought I would write a bit about last week. The weather here in Chicago has been absolutely insane which has made the commute to class very difficult. In both my classes last week the professor ended an hour early in order for us to take our time getting home.
On Tuesday the day started at 50F but dropped into the single digits by 9pm. Getting into class it was about 40F and raining but when I left it was very cold and snowing. Unfortunately Thursday was even worse, it snowed all day and it took me 90 minutes to get to class, making me half an hour late, then since the professor let us out an hour early I was only there for an hour and a half then repeating the process going home. The only upside to that entire trip was the cheaper suburban gas.
Homework has been getting heavier, I had multiple chapters to read in each class and have started the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, Second Edition. This is insanely boring. There are multiple pages about the different ways to enter a title into a bibliographic record depending on if there is a subtitle, secondary title, title in a non-English language etc. Then the same number of pages for the "statement of responsibility" which is essentially the author.
But on the upside I am starting to feel a bit like a librarian. I began volunteering at the museum library this weekend. While it does take away from the weekend "break" period I have and cut into study time it is well worth it. Just being there reminds me of why I am doing all of this craziness in the first place. I am not doing very interesting work but it is helping out the librarians quite a bit. Mostly I will be processing books - getting them ready for the shelves. They are already cataloged but need to be stamped with the library stamps (along side of the book, if it is reference or non-circulating), mylar covers need to be put on dust jackets, spine labels need to be made, magnetic strips put inside the spine to deter stealing, that sort of thing. I actually really like the process, although my supervisor told me many times that I will soon bore of it and if I want to do something different to let her know.
I know it is a small thing but I feel like I am really helping the overall workings of the library. In a small way I am helping patrons find the information they are looking for. Just by making sure the spine label is correct I am helping someone find the book they are looking for, that is pretty cool.
On Tuesday the day started at 50F but dropped into the single digits by 9pm. Getting into class it was about 40F and raining but when I left it was very cold and snowing. Unfortunately Thursday was even worse, it snowed all day and it took me 90 minutes to get to class, making me half an hour late, then since the professor let us out an hour early I was only there for an hour and a half then repeating the process going home. The only upside to that entire trip was the cheaper suburban gas.
Homework has been getting heavier, I had multiple chapters to read in each class and have started the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, Second Edition. This is insanely boring. There are multiple pages about the different ways to enter a title into a bibliographic record depending on if there is a subtitle, secondary title, title in a non-English language etc. Then the same number of pages for the "statement of responsibility" which is essentially the author.
But on the upside I am starting to feel a bit like a librarian. I began volunteering at the museum library this weekend. While it does take away from the weekend "break" period I have and cut into study time it is well worth it. Just being there reminds me of why I am doing all of this craziness in the first place. I am not doing very interesting work but it is helping out the librarians quite a bit. Mostly I will be processing books - getting them ready for the shelves. They are already cataloged but need to be stamped with the library stamps (along side of the book, if it is reference or non-circulating), mylar covers need to be put on dust jackets, spine labels need to be made, magnetic strips put inside the spine to deter stealing, that sort of thing. I actually really like the process, although my supervisor told me many times that I will soon bore of it and if I want to do something different to let her know.
I know it is a small thing but I feel like I am really helping the overall workings of the library. In a small way I am helping patrons find the information they are looking for. Just by making sure the spine label is correct I am helping someone find the book they are looking for, that is pretty cool.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Bit of an update
I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with everything. Homework is starting to get more involved and to make matters worse I caught a cold from the wee redhead. I was able to write a paper today that is due early next week so I am somewhat caught up but I still have one assignment and a lot of reading to do.
My cataloging class is going better than expected, I did well on the first paper (the standard library visit paper). And I do seem to be understanding the topics presented although our first real assignment is this week so we shall see.
Also to add to my responsibilities I am starting to volunteer at the library next weekend. I am really excited about this because I feel the need to be working in a library but I am worried about how much time this will take up.
My cataloging class is going better than expected, I did well on the first paper (the standard library visit paper). And I do seem to be understanding the topics presented although our first real assignment is this week so we shall see.
Also to add to my responsibilities I am starting to volunteer at the library next weekend. I am really excited about this because I feel the need to be working in a library but I am worried about how much time this will take up.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Lots of new
I began my first two classes of the semester in the last week. My third class doesn't start until February but I am already doing assigned reading.
Cataloging is going to be a lot of work, which I was expecting, but luckily the professor seems to understand that cataloging is not for everyone. It is the only class that we can really be tested on material because like math there is a correct and incorrect answer without any room for discussion, luckily the exams are take-home, that eases my nerves considerably.
Today I started my Library Management class, this professor's ego is so large that I am surprised that we fit into the room. And he did one of the things I cannot stand in professors, he assigned his own articles as assigned reading. It is better than assigning one's own book (since we then have to purchase said book) but it is still very frustrating. We are already getting his opinions during the lecture we do not need to read his opinions as well.
I also found a new route to class that seems to be a much better and faster way of getting there. Instead of taking the expressway I take a side street that is large enough to have proper traffic lights but small enough that it isn't used much during rush hour. Hopefully it will stay that way.
I went on my "interview" at the museum library that I want to volunteer. I don't really want to call it an interview because they are very happy to be getting free help from a library student and when I went to talk to them it wasn't a matter of if I could volunteer but what would I like to do. Assuming that the background check they did on me goes through, which should unless I committed a crime while sleepwalking, then I should be starting to volunteer on weekends soon. Most of what I will be doing is getting new books ready to be shelved but I am happy for the experience and ready to feel part of a library.
Cataloging is going to be a lot of work, which I was expecting, but luckily the professor seems to understand that cataloging is not for everyone. It is the only class that we can really be tested on material because like math there is a correct and incorrect answer without any room for discussion, luckily the exams are take-home, that eases my nerves considerably.
Today I started my Library Management class, this professor's ego is so large that I am surprised that we fit into the room. And he did one of the things I cannot stand in professors, he assigned his own articles as assigned reading. It is better than assigning one's own book (since we then have to purchase said book) but it is still very frustrating. We are already getting his opinions during the lecture we do not need to read his opinions as well.
I also found a new route to class that seems to be a much better and faster way of getting there. Instead of taking the expressway I take a side street that is large enough to have proper traffic lights but small enough that it isn't used much during rush hour. Hopefully it will stay that way.
I went on my "interview" at the museum library that I want to volunteer. I don't really want to call it an interview because they are very happy to be getting free help from a library student and when I went to talk to them it wasn't a matter of if I could volunteer but what would I like to do. Assuming that the background check they did on me goes through, which should unless I committed a crime while sleepwalking, then I should be starting to volunteer on weekends soon. Most of what I will be doing is getting new books ready to be shelved but I am happy for the experience and ready to feel part of a library.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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