I can't believe it is already around that middle time of the second semester! Time is really flying by this semester. I am currently busy with 3 classes, with a 4th being added next Monday. I am really enjoying everything I have been able to do this semester.
I am attempting my very first Independent Study (or Directed Readings as it is called at SLIS) and embracing what I have encountered so far. This course has really challenged my ability to manage my time well and also my creativity in finding a way to present what I am learning to the best of my ability to my instructor, Cherry Williams. I feel that this is going to be really helpful for when I am in a real library environment where I will be responsible for myself.
I also have been taking instruction from Joel Silver in his Reference Sources for Rare Books. I knew that this would be a very unique class, but it never occurred to me how unbelievably useful this class is. I am being a lot more confident with working with rare materials now that I am gaining the ability to identify different elements important in the book trade and rare book world.
Joel's course also is a great compliment next to my History of the Book (1450-Present) course. Instructor Erika Dowell attempts to get us to envelop ourselves with intensive readings each week followed by hands-on time with the books in discussion. I also enjoy the fact that the class is small (10 students) so we have a lot more time with the materials in class.
I also taught for the first time ever for my Instructional Assistant Job!!! It was a very stressful time, but I am very happy to say I succeeded. I may have embarrassed myself but, the information was given to the class. They were able to walk away learning something-which is the ultimate goal. I don't know when I will be teaching again, but I will be giving tours of the Herman B Wells Library to potential students and their families. I am excited to become a minor Wells Library expert!
And... I am excited to announce I have a new job! I am the new Collection Development/Management Library Assistant at the Herman B Wells Library. I interviewed on Tuesday last week and found out by Friday. I have to go in to get a schedule worked out but, I know I will be putting a lot of time into the position. I hope to add my experience from that to the blog sooner than later.
I wanted to keep this short and sweet. But I'll be back to talk more soon!
Courtney Brombosz
Showing posts with label collection development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collection development. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, September 22, 2011
collection development anxiety
As I had mentioned in my last post, I am in the Collection Development and Management course. For this class, we were given the assignment to pick materials for an already existing collection with a budget of "$1,000."
When I first heard this was our job, it sounded simple enough: pick books that would best fit the libraries users. Little did I know that there is so much more than that to be aware of. I've been stressed out about picking the right books for this project. But I keep trying to remember this: there is no right or wrong book to pick. If you are choosing a book, there must be a reason as to why YOU chose it. If you can give a creative and thoughtful reasoning to a book, then it is "right." But this is probably the first time I've been able to do something like this where I am the one making the "rules." I feel that even though I'm worried about my choices and ideas not being fully developed, I am learning a lot about myself and how I work. I find myself having an easier time completing this project by doing a few things
1. Look at other collections
I have looked through other collections that are similar to the one I'm trying to build up. Now, after being told never to copy your colleges work, it did feel a little wrong at first to look at other collections. But that is what is beautiful about the Library World! We are all working together as librarians to be able to make the best resources and information available to library users. That is probably what I love most about the field. You can always have someone to turn to for advice and knowledge.
2. Book Reviews
This may seem like the obvious thing to do when trying to find a good book, but there is more to it than you think. With book review databases like Books in Print, you get to compare books through their reviews (or lack there of) and their content. Sometimes the best books that I've found are the ones without reviews, making the book choice that much more personal to me :)
3. You! The Librarian!
Yes, you! You are a librarian for a reason, you have some sort of eye for books and the content in them. Now is the time that you can apply that. Explore books that YOU feel are right. That is what you'll be hired for so why not start now?!
Well, after reading this, I feel that much more motivated to create a collection that I am proud of. That I will be able to put my name on and know that I made what I feel are the best additions to a collection.
When I first heard this was our job, it sounded simple enough: pick books that would best fit the libraries users. Little did I know that there is so much more than that to be aware of. I've been stressed out about picking the right books for this project. But I keep trying to remember this: there is no right or wrong book to pick. If you are choosing a book, there must be a reason as to why YOU chose it. If you can give a creative and thoughtful reasoning to a book, then it is "right." But this is probably the first time I've been able to do something like this where I am the one making the "rules." I feel that even though I'm worried about my choices and ideas not being fully developed, I am learning a lot about myself and how I work. I find myself having an easier time completing this project by doing a few things
1. Look at other collections
I have looked through other collections that are similar to the one I'm trying to build up. Now, after being told never to copy your colleges work, it did feel a little wrong at first to look at other collections. But that is what is beautiful about the Library World! We are all working together as librarians to be able to make the best resources and information available to library users. That is probably what I love most about the field. You can always have someone to turn to for advice and knowledge.
2. Book Reviews
This may seem like the obvious thing to do when trying to find a good book, but there is more to it than you think. With book review databases like Books in Print, you get to compare books through their reviews (or lack there of) and their content. Sometimes the best books that I've found are the ones without reviews, making the book choice that much more personal to me :)
3. You! The Librarian!
Yes, you! You are a librarian for a reason, you have some sort of eye for books and the content in them. Now is the time that you can apply that. Explore books that YOU feel are right. That is what you'll be hired for so why not start now?!
Well, after reading this, I feel that much more motivated to create a collection that I am proud of. That I will be able to put my name on and know that I made what I feel are the best additions to a collection.
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