This is an introductory video, explaining my current work situation and potential career paths I have been considering in the field of library science.
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This video is in the context of my thoughts on the topic of website usability. In it, I review my post analyzing my local library’s website, and respond to other students’ posts.
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I develop programs for children at my local public library, in addition to making collection maintenance decisions. In these programs I choose a story to share, make a snack for the kids, provide crafts for them to create, and develop games which thematically tie in to the story. I also try to emulate Ms. Frizzle by dressing up accordingly. The kids like to guess the theme of the storytime by evaluating my apparel, so in addition to boosting enthusiasm, it helps children to evaluate clues and make predictions.
One of my favorite storytimes we have done recently was Secret Pizza Party. After reading the story, the children investigated a “crime scene” where a pizza had been stolen. The children received detective kits with magnifying glasses, a paw print guide, a cipher, and some clues. They then followed these clues around the library to discover the pizza pilferer.
I have a pretty large puppet and stuffed animal collection which I like to incorporate into programs.
I have found that programs like these really help children to recognize the value in books and stories, and to be motivated to use stories and themes in interactive play, and to use them as learning tools through creative processes.
This is a piece I wrote after researching a code of ethics for the cataloging profession. The ALCTS (technical services’ professional organization) does not have an officially recognized code of ethics, but they have guidelines which catalogers can use to amend the ALA code of ethics to suit uniquely cataloging issues.
The field of cataloging does not have an official code of ethics. The ALCTS (Association for Library Collections and Technical Services) does have guidelines to supplement the ALA Code of Ethics. Highlights from these guidelines include developing collections of materials within collection policies, developing resource sharing programs to extend and enhance information sources, and promoting the development and application of standards and professional guidelines (ALCTS, 1994).
Sheila Bair (2005) proposed a Cataloging Code of Ethics which emphasized honesty in creating records, unbiased application of cataloging rules, and vigilance in avoiding censorship or denying access by inaccuracy, subject headings, or classification schemes. Investigating the ethical dilemmas that catalogers encounter is interesting and challenging. Bair reinforces that “Catalogers decide how to represent subjects and, thus, affect access to and use of information contained in and knowledge derived from the documents we catalog” (2005 5-6). Gretchen L. Hoffman (2009) questions how user’s needs can be met since catalogers often do not know their users (633). She mentions a model called the socio-cognitive approach, which “focuses on domains, or groups of people, to understand things like how the domain searches for information and the words and phrases the domain uses” (637).
Precise cataloging is essential to providing users with access to books and resources, and the potential to inadvertently restrict access is a real possibility. With this in mind, the third value, respect for and/or the search for truth, is especially important to catalogers (Rubin 2016, 540). Ensuring that records accurately reflect holdings is essential. Applying subject headings can help patrons in their search for information. However, incorrectly assigning headings has the potential to prevent people from accessing the information they seek.
Association for Library Collections and Technical Services. 1994. “Guidelines for ALCTS Members to Supplement the American Library Association Code of Ethics.” American Library Association, 2017. http://www.ala.org/alcts/resources/alaethics
Bair, Sheila. 2005. “Toward a Code of Ethics for Cataloging.” Technical Services Quarterly. October 10, 2008. http://www-tandfonline-com.pitt.idm.oclc.org/doi/abs/10.1300/J124v23n01_02
Hoffman, Gretchen. 2009. “Meeting Users’ Needs in Cataloging: What is the Right Thing to Do?” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly. http://www-tandfonline-com.pitt.idm.oclc.org/doi/abs/10.1080/01639370903111999
Rubin, Richard. Foundations of Library and Information Science. Chicago: American Library Association, 2016.
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