More Job Leads From Mrs. Kim

The first is a part-time position at the American University of Health Sciences Library in Long Beach. It is a twenty hours a week Library Assistant post.

This person is to perform day-to-day functions that support effective library operations. The Assistant is responsible for:

• Managing and processing new books, periodicals, Handling the library mail,
  
• Maintaining the library physical space (shelving, weeding, shifting),
  
• Ordering library supplies and
  
• Interacting with library users as necessary.
  

This position requires knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), and the Internet. The ideal candidate will be personable and well-organized with an attention to detail, have a technical aptitude and more than a year of library experience, and/or education preferably in an academic environment.

If you would like more information please e-mail Pat Taylor, Librarian or Gregory Johnson, You can also call (562) 988-2278, extension 13.

The second position is up north in Santa Clara at Santa Rosa Junior College is recruiting a full-time Library Technician II (Acquisitions). Salary range: $3,576 - $4,349/month plus full fringe benefits.

You can download an Adobe .pdf job description or you can view other employment opportunities at the human resource section of their website.

Creating Tutorials & Demos - Posting Photos #1

Now we get into the practical side of creating tutorials for your library class, presentation on when you are asked to share what you know. Photo tutorials are used every day on the Internet.

Here is an example. The Pioneer Woman Cooks - Beautiful photos and clear instructions. Not to mention she added a link to the recipe at the bottom of the post.

To get started you will need:

• Digital images – these can come from a digital camera, scanned images, screen captures or images you find on the Internet (please respect copyright)
• Image software to editing the photos. You might have the software needed on your computer.
• A Photo web host or a website to host the photos and...
• You need the HTML code to place in your blog to view the photos.
  

I could spend the next ten weeks talking about digital cameras, scanners and related topics. I won't do that to you. If you have either one of those devices you should have the instructions on how to get the images from the device to your computer, I hope.

If not, then I would like to recommend to you the free classes that CNet.com offers in Digital Photo Basics. Lot's of good stuff there.

So you have your images and now you need to make some adjustments to them. You might have to resize the photos to fit the space available on your blog or web site. You might have to remove a portion of the image, that is called "cropping" Or you might have to adjust the color or add a special effect.

You don't need to have Photoshop. or Corel Photo-Paint or any of the fine photography software that is out there. That would be overkill.

On the Windows operating system there is one free program that stands proud and delivers the goodies.

IrfanView. This program is freeware for home, educational and non-profit use. It will run on anything from Windows 98 to XP, has multiple language support not to mention it will open dang near any image format - even by companies that no longer exist. No spyware or gremlins to mess up your system. You can download the current version at the site or at Downlod.com's Irfanview page.

On-Line Photo Editing Options

But you might not be on the Windows operating system. Or you are not allowed to download software. Not a problem. There are a number of web based photo services that will help you adjust your images for free, no charge and el zippo.

• PicNik is for newbies - it has helpful buttons and instruction that will guide you through the process of resizing your photo, cropping the photo or making other types of adjustments. PicNik has other tools for bloggers who want to screen capture an image and then add that image to a blog or web site. http://www.picnik.com
• Pixenate is another online photo editor with a few more features and an option to upload your image to a Flickr account. http://pixenate.com
• Resize Your Image - you say you don't want any of that fancy stuff. You just need to make your image smaller. This is exactly what this website does. You upload the image and you can make it smaller, rotate it or flip it upside down. http://www.resizeyourimage.com
  

This should keep you busy checking out the on-line image editors. Next time we'll look at finding an appropriate web host and how to upload images into blogs and web pages.

"If Libraries Didn't Exists - Freakonomics Article

Interesting post over at Freakonomics about how hard it would be to start libraries in the 21 century. Think about what is happening to music and beginning to happen with video.

Would the book publishers allow it? Would they charge a licensing fee? Would you need a billionaire to jump start the process or could this grow from grass roots organizing and in what communities would there be an interests in a library?

Just as interesting are the 62+ comments that share their sympathies to content publishers, the library's point of view and patrons who needs access to books.

Pueblo Community College Online Library Tech Program

Just got word from Mrs. Kim that there are other schools that have on-line library technology classes. Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, Colorado has a Library Technology (paraprofessional) program.

The program uses WebCT as the method of instruction and class communication. Some of the class offerings include the usual classes as well as:

• Audio Visual Management
• Library Media Center Management and Public Relations
• and elective classes in Teaching, Learning and Technology, Children's Literature and PC Services.

If you or someone you know is interested visit the Library Technology web page or you can call the school at 719-549-3200

Creating Tutorials & Demos - Storyboards 3

Just a few more words abut storyboards and then we'll dive into the image, animation, screencasting and web based tutorial building tools.

For some of your digital is the way to go. I know that many of you will never touch a pencil and haven't for seven years. I got you covered with two free tools to help you create storyboards.

If you like the idea of 3x5 card there is a web site that can help you organize your thoughts. My Idea Map is an on-line 3x5 card generator. It works with all major browsers. It is easy to use. You type in the idea and the description of the idea.

You can select the pin color and use that as a means of filtering the card that you want to see. It is not perfect. I can't lay the cards out on the board the way I could in real life but it does what is it suppose to do. And it is free. http://www.myideamap.com.

The other option is an application for Mac and Window users. It is Storyboard Pro. You can download the software and install it on your system.

It will take you step by step in setting up a storyboard for your project. You can set the time for each shot and it will keep track of the total time of your project.

But wait, there is more. On the site there are tutorial movies to help you learn how to use the program and how to print out your storyboard. The price is right, the software and the tutorial movies are free for personal and commercial use.
http://www.atomiclearning.com/storyboardpro

Next - Photos, photo web hosts and photo editing software for tutorials.

On-Line Certificate & AS Library Tech at MCTC

Online library classes are a great option for those of us working day jobs and managing our families. Minneapolis Community & Technical College has on-line classes for those who want to get another certificate or Associate degree in Library Technology (Paraprofessional).

You might also be interesting in a class that is not currently offered at PCC. There are a few tasty goodies such as Indexing and Abstracting, Ideas, Censorship and Politics - A History of Libraries and Culture and Alternative Knowledge: How Radical Ideas are Communicated in Society. You can check the schedule for class details and start times.

If you know of a library worker who needs certification or is having a hard time with real world classes please let them know about these courses.

Creating Tutorials & Demos - Storyboard Part 2

I want something more. I'm forgetful. I wanted to remind myself what I was doing, the tools I intended to use and section about alternative formats.

This is what I came up with:

It gives me a structured approach so that I don't stray and get seduced by all the creation goodies. I can decide on a method that fits my time and budget constrains. I have to determine a time length for the tutorial, when it is due and what alternative formats will I have ready for those that will not be able to access the video or audio of the presentation.

The second section allows me to sketch, place photos, audio and notes that I want to make sure that I have covered. Here is an example:

The images are from the symbol font Wingdings. I used MS Word to make the table. You could also use clip art, photos from your digital camera, screen captures or just print it out and use a pencil.

I created two formats for download. The first is the storyboard in a Microsoft Word 2003 document.

I used Open Office Writer to create an Adobe.pdf version of the storyboard.

For educational and non-commercial use only. Sorry to have to say it but there are pirates everywhere and not just in the movies.

Creating Tutorials & Demos - Storyboards

A storyboard is a visual outline of what you want to present to your audience. It is a necessary technique if you are giving step by step instructions to your viewers.

There is not one storyboard style that will meet everyone's needs. There are storyboards for commercials, television, movies, game creation and interactive presentations. You name it there is a tutorial for it.

Except I haven't found a perfect storyboard for tutorial creation. The following are some of my ideas about how to go about it.

Reverse Engineering Tutorial/Demonstration Presentations

I've been watching a lot of tutorials and demonstrations. In fact, I'm turning into a tutorial junkie. I looked at the style of the better tutorials that seemed to present the information clearly, repeated what I needed to know and gave a summary of what was covered.

The format that I observed for brief under five minute tutorials:

• Title Card – the topic of the tutorial,
• Goal Card – written and audio information on the viewer what they will learn,
• Step 1 – an orientation image followed by a demonstrate of the action,
• Step 2 – an orientation image followed by a demonstrate of the action,
• Step 3 – an orientation image followed by a demonstrate of the action,
• Add additional steps as necessary, then close with
  
• Summary Card – repeating the essential information of the tutorial,
• End Title Card – Perhaps with your name/school's name and a license note, i.e. Copyright notice & date, Creative Commons license or Public Domain.
  

Analog Storyboards

You don't need anything more than a pencil/pen and a piece of paper. For those of you that are text based you can write out the above steps. The analog storyboard advantage over digital is that it is truly portable, instantly accessible and a crash does not render your storyboard useless.

For those of you that are visually based you can use the beloved 3 x 5 index cards to draw, doodle or sketch your ideas If it is good enough for Hollywood it is good enough for you.

For those that don't draw and want a little more visual cues you can download the following Adobe pdf documents:

• Hal Davidson's Storyboard - http://www.halldavidson.net/Storybd.pdf
• Hal Davidson's Multimedia Planning Sheet http://www.halldavidson.net/plansht.pdf
• College of Micronesia Project Planning Sheet http://www.comfsm.fm/pt3/techhelp/multimedia/planningsheet.pdf

Examples of Demonstrations

Some of the tutorials and demos are for commercial products and services. My intent is to show you the various styles of demonstrations on the Internet, not to advocate for specific products and services.

• Grove Online Art Demonstration
  
• Demo Charge example of CodeCharge Hello World Application
• Blackberry Product Demo Page
• The Vector Cross Product - You must have a Java enabled web browser to interact with the tutorial http://physics.syr.edu/courses/java-suite/crosspro.html
• QEDWiki demonstration by IBM video posted on YouTube

Library Associates Need A Part-Time Cataloger

I got job lead this via the COLT Yahoo group - Library Associates is seeking folks for a temporary part-time 20 hours Cataloger at a Pasadena library.

Responsibilities:

• Copy and original cataloging of adult books, federal and state documents, spoken and music CDs, DVD and serial titles
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Familiarity with DDC, ASCR, SuDoc and/or California document classification or a combination of DDC with one of the specialized classification schemes;
• Experience cataloging sound recordings (music CDs and spoken CDs), serials (travel guides, directory, annuals);
• Experience copy cataloging foreign language books;
• Experience cataloging DVDs

You should have at least two to three years experience in Cataloging and prior experience working in a public library is a plus.

If you are interested you can e-mail Patty De Anda with your resume with a cc to Joanne Schwarz. Please use the job title as the subject. For more information about Library Associates - a library placement firm please visit http://www.libraryassociates.com/index.html

Creating Tutorials & Demos - Planning Stage

I have had one (1) class in Educational Media and that was in the prior century. I'm talking film slides, overhead transparencies and the 3M Wollensack recorder that was connected to a Kodak Carousel projector. You can see one at http://slideprojector.kodak.com/carousel

Back to the future. Instead of developing film and showing slides now I can create video tutorials for clients that have problems understand computer help screens or manuals. For some folks they need to see the software being used before they feel comfortable in performing the tasks.

Whether you are a newbie or a geek prime it always comes back to planning. Part of planning is understanding what your are trying to accomplish. If you can answer most of the following questions you stand a good chance of making a decent tutorial.

At the end of the questions are solid links to resources you can use to help plan your tutorial.

The Who/Why Questions

• Who is your audience?
• Why are you creating the tutorial?
• Do you have the time and resources needed to create the tutorial?

The What Questions?

• What do you want them to know?
• What tools to you have or can afford to obtain?

When Questions?

• When are the going to access the tutorial?
• Will they access it only on school or library property or via their home computers?
• Will they have access to the location you are storing the tutorials

The How Questions?

• Will there be any help available if they get into trouble?
• Will you provide an alternative means of accessing the tutorial information? I'm not just referring to those people with physical disabilities. There are technological factors to consider.
  
• Will they have the correct media player in order to view your content? Will there be a text version that can be accessed if they can't see the tutorial?

There is a wealth of information about planning your tutorial, much better than what I can conjure up. These websites have excellent resources and tips on how to plan your presentations. You don't have to do everything they suggest but you can get ideas on what you need to be aware of as we move forward in the process.

At Your Library The Design Process - http://atyourlibrary.com/presentations/tutorials/create.htm
AACE Journal of Educational Technology - http://www.aace.org/pubs/aacej
Dartmouth Web Teaching Page - http://www.dartmouth.edu/~webteach/index.html
Designing an On-line Tutorial - https://www.medici.bris.ac.uk/staff/elearning/cgtutorial/page_01.htm

Next, storyboarding your tutorial and an introduction to some of the software and tools you will use to make a tutorial.

Edubuntu For Libraries - Recyling Discarded Computers

This is such a good idea I have to help it go viral. What if you could take that old rusty dusty computer that is sitting in the closet or at your local library and give it life. In this video series you can learn to do just that.

You need a few things. First a copy of Edubuntu which is a Linux distribution. It is an operating system. Under the Linux system there are applications that are similar to the Windows/Microsoft office environment that are free to download and install.

You can learn more by visiting http://www.edubuntu.org

Next you need an old computer or maybe a pair to make into one functional server. That is the starting point for this video series on YouTube.

Some of the advantages of doing this is that you keep old computers out of landfills, you lock out most of your problem about user mischief and you get to save a bit of cash on replacing desktop units.

LibraryCamp NYC - August 19, 2007

LibraryCamp NYC is happening on the campus of Baruch College in New York at the William and Anita Neuman Library.

I always seem to miss "BarCamp" type experiences. Either I'm too far away or have classes or don't have the cash to travel. I'd wish I could have know about this sooner. I would have loved to have go to an unstructured "BarCamp" experience for library folk.

I can't fret too much about it, they were totally booked by June and there is a long waiting list.

The "Camp" experience (Bar, Wine, Pod, Vlogger, etc.) is different from most conferences. The participants deciding what they want to talk or learn about, either on a wiki or on the actual day of the un-conference. It is a peer to peer sharing session. A part of the experience is the transparency of setting it up and the collaborative/volunteer effort that folks put into making it happen.

The reason I'm mentioning this is that often after a Camp experience there are photos, audio and video posted so that those that couldn't go get a taste of the event.

I hope it is true that the next LibraryCamp will be held in Southern California in 2008. I'm ready. Just give me the name of the wiki and I'll be good to go.

Rancho Cucamonga Library Service Positions

The Rancho Cucamonga Public Library has two great positions that they need to fill. The city of Rancho Cucamonga is located in the San Gabriel section heading toward the Inland Empire.

They are looking for a Library Assistant 1 in Children's and Reference Services.

Duties for Library Assistant 1 Children and Reference Services included:

• Planning & presenting story time, educational activities and cultural arts programs,
• Research, answer questions and assist children, teen and adults in the library,
• Conduct educational tours of the library,
• Assist patrons in the use of public access computers,
• Represent the library in a professional and positive manner.
  

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree or
• Six units of college-level technical library courses or
• Two years of library experience or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities

For more information on this position you can download the Children's & Reference Services information sheet.

The are also in need of Library Assistant 1 - Reference and Technology Services

Duties for Library Assistant 1 included:

• Researching and answering questions, assisting patrons,
  
• Answering reference questions, locate and recommend books and other media,
  
• Assist patrons in the use of public access computers,
  
• Assist librarians with PC and server hardware, software maintenance and troubleshooting issues,
  
• Assist with reports in Horizon library automation system
• Assist with web page maintenance and other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree or
• Six units of college-level technical library courses or
• Two years of library experience or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities
• Knowledge of the practice of library work, the use of databases, web sites, indexes, catalogs and basic references sources,
• Excellent customer service skills,
• Strong knowledge of PCs and common library services.

For more information on this position you can download the Reference & Technology Services information sheet.

Salary and Benefits

Hard to ignore this one folks. The salary range is $2,684 - $3,444 a month. There is also

• The city paid retirement contribution to PERS,
  
• Medical, dental and optical insurance,
• Administrative leave, 50 hours per fiscal year,
• Vacation 80 hours in the first year,
• 14 paid holidays + 3 discretionary holidays,
• Sick leave,
• Tuition reimbursement.
  

The deadline to apply is July 19, 2007. If you wish to apply for this position you will need to fill out the City of Rancho Cucamonga's Employment Application form. You can also call to request a copy by calling (909) 477-2700 or via e-mail.

Creating Tutorials & Demos - Introduction

So you think you are in a library technology program huh? And you are thinking the only thing you are going to be doing is shelving books, doing Inter-library loans and keeping the pervs out of the bathroom?

Psst. I hate to break it to you but you might find yourself training a volunteer, a staff person or a patron on how to perform a task. You might find yourself in front of a group of students explaining a technique or concept.

Wait a minute - we do that already! Ok, what if you have to do the explaining on-line? What if you need to create a demonstration that is available 24/7 and you don't have a lot of time or money. Or technical skill?

Or you feel that you are, dare I say it, "not creative"?

So I'm going to try to make my case to you that not only can you create simple tutorials and demonstrations that you can post online, you can do it for free or very little cost.

There are free and low cost alternatives to posting content on the Internet. I want you to have the ability to make a tutorial in a short amount of time. Once you get the basics you will be amazed at what you can do and the resources that are currently at your disposal.

Just to let you know, I am a Windows XP user. However as much as possible I will be looking for platform independent software and tools. Many of the new products are Internet based applications.

I'm not ignoring the Mac'rs and the Linux crowd. I'm really going for concept more so than platform preference. To the extent possible I'll match up Mac and Linux equivalents but I can't vouch for them because I can't test the quality of the program.

The Current Outline:

1. Planning the Tutorial/Demonstrations
2. Storyboarding
3. Tools for Creating Tutorials/Demonstrations
4. Photos on Web Pages/Blogs
5. Photos with Audio Narration with a side order of Public Domain/Copyleft music
   
6. Slide and Animated Presentations (Not necessarily PowerPoint)
7. Screencasting
   

I'll try to stick to the order but I'm finding so much great stuff I might have leap back and forth.

Tutorial Examples

To start with I want you to get a sense of what folks are doing with tutorial and demonstration presentations. There is a range of options. Here are a few to get you started:

• Beginner's Latin http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/latin/beginners/lesson01/default.htm
  
• How To Search PubMed for An Author http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/viewlet/search/author/author.html
• How To Search MeSh http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/viewlet/mesh/searching/mesh1.html
• Mark Ott Web Learning - http://www.higheredblogcon.com/teaching/ott/HEBC_Talk.html
  
• Montana State University - How To Find A Journal http://www.lib.montana.edu/instruct/tutorials/jl/jl.html
• Recognizing Web 2.0 - A Plain English Guide http://media.sitepoint.com/videos/recognizingweb20
• Shift Happens - http://www.slideshare.net/jbrenman/shift-happens-33834

Private School Needs Full-Time Library Assistant

Mayfield Junior School is seeking a full-time Library Assistant (10-Months) for a K-8th grade private school in Pasadena, CA. The school has a student population of 480 students and 80 faculty and staff members.

Selected Duties:

Perform general clerical work such as typing, duplicating, entering information into a computer and maintaining various files and records; compile, prepare and type correspondence, lists, reports, records and a variety of other materials; maintain database information related to library materials, students, staff, and other related information.

Provide general and reference assistance to students and teachers; instruct and aid students in the use of various library equipment; assist students in finding suitable reading materials; assist students in the use of computer indexes; answer reference and directional questions; present library and book care lessons as assigned.

Operate a variety of office and library equipment including a copier, computer, bar scanner, fax machine, VCR, DVD player, television and laminator.

Requirements:

• Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and completion of Library Technology Certificate Program. Relevant library work experience also preferred.
• Operation of a variety of office equipment including a computer.
• Children's literature, books and class curriculum.
• Math skills and record-keeping techniques.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
  

The schedule would be August 29, 2007 through June 28, 2008, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The deadline to e-mail your resume will be Friday, July 13, 2007.

You must have completed the Library Technology Certificate Program, or will complete the Program no later than December 2007 – no exceptions. In addition, candidates with applicable library work experience will be given preference. Salary will commensurate with relevant library education and work experience.

PCC LibTech students - please check your June 3rd e-mail for Mrs. Kim's information about this position. There is a MS Word attachment that has the full details and expected duties about this opportunity.

If you are interested, please e-mail your resume to Ms. Guyer. No phone calls will be returned at this time until all resumes are reviewed. Selected candidates will be contacted immediately.

More Hot Leads from Mrs Kim - Charles R. Drew University

The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is looking for a library technician. The university is located and services the population of the Watt-Willowbrook section of South Los Angeles.

The King-Drew Health Sciences library is looking for a library technician interest in handling the both public and technicals services aspects of the position. Duties include:

• Journal processing both online and physical materials
• Cataloging and retrieval of bibliographic data from OCLC
• Interlibrary Loan functions
• Assist patrons and other related library duties.
  

The requirements of the position are that you have an AA degree, two years of related experience and college course in Library Science or equivalent work experience. Proficiency in the EOS GLAS system or familiarity with other library systems required.

The pay range is $1,841 to $2,494. If you are interested in this position or want more information you can visit the Charles R. Drew Employment page http://www.cdrewu.edu/_022/_about/_staff/jobs.asp

Infopeople

Some of us work in libraries and encounter the need for translating frequently used library phrases into other languages. Recently, we encountered a situation at the Shatford Library Circulation Desk in which we needed to give directions to the Bookstore in Spanish. Fortunately for us, Raquel was able to help. Since then, she has typed up the directions so that we can hand them out as needed to our patrons. We also keep a booklet at the desk that was prepared by Joanne Kim with some common phrases in various languages.

For those of you who may need help with Spanish, here's a link to an Infopeople document that has some helpful phrases:

http://www.infopeople.org/training/special/ssls_script.pdf

In fact, the Infopeople website has a lot of useful information for those of us working in libaries. For example, you can check out some of their podcasts here:

http://www.infopeople.org/resources/podcasts.html

There's a great search tools chart at this link:

http://www.infopeople.org/search/chart.html

Check out the Infopeople site for lots of really great information!