Yeah, I Know - Please Answer the Survey!

We got papers, presentations and death by AACR2 staring us in the face but if you could just take a little time out of your day and go to the Job Clinic Survey, you will have done your good deed for the day.

It may come in handy when you are asking the Universe for help when your trying to remember the answer to "the final question."

Book Swim - Will It Sink Your Library?

I think libraries have just met the latest problem. I didn’t see this one coming. I was checking out the latest discussions on BlogHer and one of the post talked about a new membership service called Book Swim.

What if you could order the books you wanted and have them delivered to your door with free shipping? You could keep the books as long as you wanted and when you are finished you would return the materials and get three more?

Now add the possibility of commenting or reviewing that book with other book junkies. You would also get to create a personalized service that is tailored to your needs.

What is the catch? The membership fee starts at $23.99 a month. If the book is lost or damaged you pay the replacement costs.

I see potential alarms with Book Swim. Many small communities are losing libraries due to funding issues. What if a city contracted with Book Swim to provide online library services to that community? There would be no building, no staff, no maintenance issues or those pesky complaining patrons.

And if the city entered into said contract would it put stipulations on what books could or could not be offered to the citizens? Or would Book Swim set that up so that for whatever per membership the city is paying there would only provide a certain level of service?

And since there would be no need for a physical building called a library the land could be sold and more non-affordable housing and parking structures could take the libraries’ place. No, it hasn’t happened yet. But it could.

That would be bad, very bad and a more than a little worrisome.

I don’t dislike the idea of Book Swim. I’m for anything to keep the concept of physical books before the public. But libraries are more than books.

In my opinion, libraries have got to be about services and much more community outreach. They have got to have more tangible connections with their immediate and online communities.

The first line defenders of a library are the patrons. Will the patrons take on City Hall for the library or slip into the (Book) swim? How connected are libraries with twenty and thirty year old people? With speakers of 2nd and 3rd languages? With non-readers?

Who will be trusted to act as information guides to this incredible wave of information that is about to hit all library workers full force? (Yes, there is another wave of change coming.)

If public libraries don’t figure this out quick there will be alternative solutions provided by commercial interests.

LibTech Grad Speak on Job Outlook

It is always good to hear from those that went before us in the program. I asked the question, What would you tell the Library Tech 101 students about the job situation. This is her answer.

This is the Windows Media Video

This is the QuickTime Video

I'm sorry that I can't give you her name. She did tell me and I could see it on the name tag.

However, I zoomed in too close and my brain cells ain't what they use to be. If you know who this is please leave a note in the comments section and I will update the blog post.

I hope that the picture isn't as bleak for Librarians as her answer reflects but I always try to see the positive side. In this case maybe folks are looking in traditional library settings and not realizing that they could find higher paying gigs in the business sector with the exact same skill set.

I'm thinking places that do search engine optimizations, certainly the online directories, corporations and large medical institutions that are not hospital related.

I can also see a need for people to help individuals and companies navigate personal medical and health care issues. I don't know if there is a job for that but there is certainly a need for that type of service.

Belinda Beardt on Resume Content

You don't want to sound like everybody else's resume do you? In order to stand out you must bring your talents forward. In this video Belinda explains what you should be aware of in terms of what you put on your resume.

This is the Windows Media Video

This is the QuickTime Video

For more information on AIM visit http://www.aimusa.com

Other Resources:

• Our friends at Wet Feet have an article on how to do resume makeovers with juicy tips like presenting your experience as achievement statements or how did you solve a problem and what was the solution that your experience provided.
• Net-Temps has a section on the difference between responsibilities of the job and the accomplishments that you performed on the job. http://www.net-temps.com/crossroads/article.htm?op=view&id=595
• The Center for Work and Service at Wellesley College also has information about the quality of the content on a resume. http://www.wellesley.edu/cws/students/content.html
  

Belinda Beardt on Resume Keywords

In this video Belinda talks about how employers are using keywords in a database to locate job candidates.

This is the Windows Media Video

This is the QuickTime Version

For more information on AIM visit http://www.aimusa.com/index.shtml

Other Resume Resources:

• Eastern Illinois University has a great page that reinforces Belinda's points on employers using keywords to locate candidates. http://www.eiu.edu/~careers/students/keywords.php
• Quint Careers has an a detail page on what resume keywords are, how to identify and use them effectively and a few cautions about certain words and phrases. http://www.quintcareers.com/resume_keywords.html
• Wet Feet also has additional tips on strategies on how resume keywords can help to make it to the next round. http://tinyurl.com/2ej67c
  

Mrs. Kim's Job Leads for May 20, 2007

Mrs. Kim has certainly been busy, she has racked up 17, count 'em, 17 potential employment opportunities:

LOS ANGELES COUNTY:

1. Library Assistant, Children's Services at City of Downey 2-5 years experience; $14.72-$18.31/hr.; up to 20 hrs/wk - Apply City of Downey, Human Resources, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, Ca 90241 www.downeyca.org


2. Library/Media Assistant at Montebello Unified School Dist. (K-12) 123 S. Montebello Blvd, Rm #6, Montebello, CA 90640 (323) 887-7900, x2207; Full-time & part-time; $13.07-$17.19/hr. http://www.montebello.k12.ca.us/default.asp


3. Assistant Archivist: The Walt Disney Company Full-time; 5-10 years Experience; BA degree


4. Library Assistant - Union at Norris Medical Library/Health Libraries; Full-time; $12.82-$14.36; Inquire at: Employee Recruitment Services, 3535 S. Figueroa St., Suite #100, Los Angeles, CA 90089; (213) 740-7252


5. Senior Library Assistant - Union at USC; Inquire at the same address & phone no. above.


6. Supervising Library Assistant at USC; Inquire at the same address & Phone no. on #4.


7. Library Information Technology Manager, Library Associate III at Claremont University Consortium (Libraries of the Claremont Colleges) ; Full-time; BA degree required; Send resume with cover letter and the names, telephone numbers and email addresses of three references who are knowledgeable about your qualification for the position to: CUC Office of Human Resources, 101 South Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.


8. Library Assistant-Annex at the Palos Verdes Library District Full-time; work with young adults; www.pvld.org; (310) 377-9584, ext. 604 for more info.


9. Library Assistant-Annex at the Palos Verdes Library District Part-time; $17.06 - $20.77/hr. Address: 701 Silver Spur Rd., Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274; (310) 377-9584, ext.248 www.pvld.org Email: DMillican@pvld.org


10. 10. Library Assistant II at Loyola Marymount Univ. (Previously announced by me) Full-time/12 mos.; in Document Delivery Serviceshttp://jobs.lmu.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails.jsp?time=1179355167697

ORANGE COUNTY POSITIONS:

1. Library Assistant I - Circulation at Chapman University Part-time, 20 hr./wk; Inquire at: Human Resources, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866


2. Library Technical Services Assistant at Western State University, College of Law; Full-time; Contact: Peg Savala, Director of Human Resources 1111 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831 Phone: (714) 459-1124; FAX (714) 871-5037 Email: staffing@wsulaw.edu


3. Library Assistant (Part-time) at Newport Beach Public Library $17.86 - $25.12/hr. Contact: City of Newport Beach, 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663; (949) 644-3300http://www.city.newport-beach.ca.us/jobs.html Email: bbennett@city.newport-beach.ca.us
   

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY & ETC.:

1. Library Assistant I at California State University, San Marcos Full-time (Cataloging); $2,588 -$3,527/mo. with benefits www.csusm.edu/jobs.htm; (760) 750-4410, Job#1041.


2. Library Assistant #476 at San Bernadino City Unified Sch. Dist. Full-time; 40 hrs./week; $11.03 - $13.42/hr.; Contact: San Bernardino City Unified School District, SanBernardino, CA 92411


3. Bilingual Library Assistant at San Bernardino City Unified School District. Part-time 20 hrs/wk; $11.03 - $13.42/hr. Inquire at the above address.


4. Library Media Specialist at Desert Sands Unified School Full-time; Inquire at: Desert Sands Unified School District Office of Classified Personnell Services 47-950 Dune Palms Rd., La Quinta, CA 92253 (760) 771-8695 www.dsusd.k12.ca.us

Belinda Beardt - Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

In this video, Belinda Beardt from Advanced Information Management (AIM USA) gives tips on how to incorporate your volunteer and internship experiences into your resume.

This is the Windows Media Video

This is the QuickTime Video

On the AIM USA web site there is a guide to help you construct an effective resume. If you are interested in short term or permanent employments you should visit her website at http://www.aimusa.com.

Other Resources:

• Net-Temps has an interesting article on how resume mistakes can cost you a job.
• Resume-Help.org has a free list of tips, such as using action words, highlight your strengths and being positive.
• OWL at Purdue has more information on how to demonstrate your paid and unpaid job experience.

Job Search Clinic Survey - Please Participate

If you did or did not attend this years Job search Clinic please participate in helping to shape next years event.

Use this link to access the evaluation of the Job Search Clinic
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=294533876403

What you you want to see in a job clinic that is specific to the needs of students in the program?

Pasadena Public Library Needs A Technical Specialist

This is a bit more information on the City of Pasadena Library job position. It is 20 hours a week part time position and the salary range is $17.93 - $23.48 an hour

• Serves library patrons at the library's public service desk using a wide variety of library electronic and print reference sources;
  
• responds to library customer needs on the phone, in person, and in writing;
• locates books for patrons; assists with or provides orientations, programs and outreach activities for all ages, including class visits and preschool story times; assists in collection development;
• may be responsible for branch operations in the absence of a librarian, including opening and closing facilities;
  
• creates and maintains computerized files, databases and directories; inputs data into databases;
  
• interprets and applies policies, practices and procedures;may assign,direct and review the work of other staff and/or train and supervise staff.

The closing date is Friday, May 25, 2007 5:30 PM so apply as soon as possible. For more information visit http://agency.governmentjobs.com/pasadena/default.cfm

USC Health Sciences - Library Assisitant Position

From Mrs. Kim,

This job information came from Terri Fresques, one of your colleagues. The University of Southern California (USC), Health Sciences Campus, located in northeast Los Angeles, is recruiting a library assistant for their Lending /Assess Services team.

http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=57137954

Thanks Terri!

Braille Instittue Job Lead and A Reminder From Mrs. Kim

The Braille Institute in downtown LA is looking for a library assistant.  The contact person is Edith Gavino and FAX number is (323) 662-2440.

Hi Everyone,

Please join the Job Search/Mock Interview Clinic that will be held on May 12, 2007 (Saturday), 12:00 -- 3:00 pm at the Shatford Library.

Although the deadline for reservation is over, send an e-mail to Jennifer Cooper by May 9, 2007 (Wed.)Students who participated in last year's event are also welcome.  You can brush up your interview skills once more.

All the best,

Joanne Kim, Coordinator
Library Technology Program

Cuesta College LT On-Line Classes

It seemed that I am constantly being involved in questions of copyright, ethics and issues of fair use. The blogging and vlogging communities are fighting conflicting battles about what they can and can't use in their posts, podcasts and vlogs.

This issue extends beyond blogging to music and the right to play purchase commercial music without the problems of digital rights management gunking up your computer system or media player, issues of personal safety such as identity theft and the ethics of "just because you can technologically do something, should you?

Last September I took an on-line class at Cuesta College on Ethics in the Information Age with Dr. David Dowell. We started with a brief overview of what ethics is and guidelines that would help us evaluate the information presented in the class.

From that point on we proceeded to learn about the ethical consideration that library workers would need to be aware of in a modern library. It was an interesting class because we all came to it from various perspectives. I highly recommend the Ethics class.

Cuesta College has other on-line classes that might interest you:

For Fall 2007 you might want to check out:

Classes with no prerequisite and no on-campus orientation:

• ONLINE 1 - Introduction to Online Courses
• LIBINF 2 - Introduction to Web Technologies and Concepts
• LIBINF 6 - Introduction to the Internet
• LIBINF 7 - Web Page Development with HTML
• LIBINF 17 - Ethics in the Information Age
  

Class with prerequisites but no on-campus orientation:

• CIS 10 - Introduction to Computer Applications (prerequisite: ENGL 56)
• ENGL 1A - English Composition (prerequisite: ENGL 50, ENGL 56 or ENGL 65)
• LIBINF 8 - Library Supervision (prerequisites ONLINE 1 & LIBINF 1)
• LIBINF 9 - Library Public Services (prerequisites ONLINE 1 & LIBINF 1)
• LIBINF 10 - School Libraries (prerequisites ONLINE 1 & LIBINF 1)
• LIBINF 11 - JavaScript Fundamentals (prerequisite LIBINF 7)
• LIBINF 13 - Advanced Internet Searching (prerequisite LIBINF 6)

I know we are time crunched but if you can consider taking on of the above classes to supplement your library technology learning experience.

Pitching You - Market Yourself in 15 Seconds

Those of you that can should have made your reservations for the Job and Career Mock Interview session that will happen May 12, 2007. Even if you went to the event last year you should stop by to find out the new stuff or meet and greet with the folks.

One of the skills we need is the ability to tell folks who we are and the value we bring to their company. The best way is to present yourself and your skills as briefly as possible.

15 Second Pitch might be able to help you make your introduction a bit smother.

http://www.15secondpitch.com

The first thing that you do is type your name in the Google search wizard. This is not a bad idea, even if you don't have a web page or blog.

Many employers are now doing Internet checks to see if you have public posts or photos that could be embarrassing in a professional setting. I tend to forget that I've done interviews or my posts on my other blog can be listed.

I haven't done anything that I'm worried or ashamed about yet. I have made a few comments about traditional news and mainstream media that might prevent me from being considered for a news librarian assistant or news researcher position. That and a certain music video could keep me out of a number jobs.

Or those comments could be the thing that gets me hired. You never know. (Hey, don't do the “Girls Gone Wild” thing ok? And if you have, you might want to reel back those photos and videos or replace them.)

Next you use the wizard to construct your pitch. There are very simple questions that maybe hard for you to answer. You need to respond in one sentence for each question asked.

When you are finished the wizard will create your pitch and display it on the screen. You can also view a collection of pitches such as the examples below:

Sophie:
My name is Sophie O'Gorman and I am an Artist specializing in Adventure for the Spirit. I write screenplays, direct short digital films, sometimes shoot them, edit and organise for their distribution. I'm a crazy Australian girl who can't get enough of the world. Take a look at my website and let me know what you think.

David:
My name is David Watkins and I am a Professional Speaker specializing in humorous and motivational presentations. I provide professional quality speeches that are entertaining, informative, and motivational and which may also make you think a bit. My creativity enables me to craft humorous speeches and tall tales that can entertain a wide variety of audiences. Call me to find out what I can do to entertain and motivate you and your group.

Carol:
My name is Carol Abbott and I am a researcher specializing in business and financial news. I read and scan business journals from more than 30 metropolitan areas. With 18 years of experience at the largest newsclipping service I can help you stay informed.

So check it out at http://www.15secondpitch.com