Laura Graff's Video on Closing School Libraries

This is a video by librarian Laura Graff on what could happen if the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is successful on closing all of the school libraries in the district.

The video is open captioned.



By now most folks have heard of the LAUSD's decision to remove library workers and close the school libraries. The focus now changes to the teacher librarians who are duel credential instructors.

The administrative hearing what to determine if those people could be transitioned to a classroom. The sticking point is that the teacher librarian had to be actually teaching within five years.

Over at the Library is Not A Fruit blog there is a detailed account of what the teacher librarians experienced during there two day LAUSD administrative hearing.

You should read as much of it as you can before your anger takes over.

Librarians in the Movies

Huffington Post 8/16/10
Librarians Save The Day! 11 Great Movies In Which They Star

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/16/librarians-save-the-day-1_n_672494.htm l

Group Information Meetings - UCLA MLIS Program

The UCLA Department of Information Studies encourages applicants and prospective MLIS applicants to attend Group Information Meetings. At each meeting, the IS Student Affairs Officer will present an overview of the program and then respond to questions regarding MLIS degree requirements, program structure, the library/information science profession, and the admissions process.
Schedule and location information: http://is.gseis.ucla.edu/admissions/infomtg.htm
Please contact the Student Affairs Officer to indicate which information session you plan on attending by phone (310) 825-5269 or by e-mail at abler@gseis.ucla.edu to indicate which meeting you plan to attend.
All meetings will be held in the GSE&IS building on the north side of the UCLA campus (see address below) -- directions and map.
ABSOLUTE application DEADLINE: November 30, 2010. All items must be received or postmarked by that date.

Haunted Love Librarian Video

There are those people on mission. I'd say the ladies in this video are more a reflection of days gone by but I kinda liked how it ended.



From the band, Haunted Love comes this 2006 music video on trouble in the stacks.

IPL2 - Video Outreach and Services

Back in the day long before I entered the Library Technology program I knew about the Internet Public Library. It was a place to check out if they had a source or two. As the resources on the Internet have change so has the Internet Public Library.



The site has merged with Librarians Internet Index and is now a shared resource partnership among a number of library schools joining in a consortium. Now known as IPL2, it continues to have vetted lists of viable resources.

This means more goodies and zero spam. It is also another way to contact a librarian for questions and research assistance.

The special collections pages target specific areas of interest such as U.S. state information, podcasting, Deaf and hard of hearing resources and more.

Before you Ask.com, Bing or Google take a moment to review IPL2 resources which still use the legacy web address www.ipl.org

CLA Scholarship Available: Reference Service Press Fellowship

Are you a college senior or college graduate who has been accepted into an ALA-accredited Master of Library Science program? Or, have you just started to pursue your MLS?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, and are interested in pursuing a career in reference or information service librarianship, you are encouraged to apply for the CLA Reference Service Press Fellowship, which awards $3,000 to incoming and beginning MLS students (those who have completed 9 credits or less in their programs).

To apply, please visit the CLA website at www.cla-net.org/awards/rspf.php and turn in your application no later than June 30, 2010. The funding for this fellowship is provided by Reference Service Press, a California-based publishing company. The program is administered by the California Library Association, an association of individuals and institutions devoted to the development of library service for all California residents.

Library Routes Project Wiki

The Library Routes project (http://libraryroutesproject.wikkii.com) was created by three Information Professionals: jennie law, thewikiman and Woodsiegirl. It launched at the start of October, 2009, and is aimed at all types of Information Professionals and library workers. This wiki exists to document and link to all those who have blogged or otherwise written about their library roots (how they got into the profession) and their library routes (the jobs they've had and how their career has been shaped). NOTE: many of the librarians are in the UK.

The idea is to document either or both of your library roots
- how you got into the profession in the first place and what made you decide to do so
- and your library routes - the career path which has taken you to wherever you are today.

As well as being interesting of itself, it will also provide much needed information and context for those just entering the profession or wishing to do so.
(From Library and Information Science News http://www.lisnews.org/)

Dispatches From A Public Librarian At McSweeney's

McSweeney's is a literary publisher. Kinda. McSweeney's is a seeker of crafted literary voices. Sort of. McSweeney's is a word lovers warm fuzzy blanket with threads that can take you anywhere. Ok, McSweeney's is very hard to describe. It is a wonderful place for people who love language.

In this case you should check out Scott Douglass and Dispatches from A Public Library. Real librarian with a literary twist. In his dispatches sometimes Scott uses a Twitter format to report the doings in the library.

Here is an example from Dispatch #32

Patron wants to know why our computer won't let him log into e-mail. Ask what his e-mail address is. He can't remember.

Sometimes it is a narrative on the Patron on the Week:

Some patrons you can just tell are going to be crazy. Clemens, a homeless man in drag who came into the library this week, saved me from guessing and told me right when he walked in: "My name's Clemens. I'm crazy and want to use a computer." To seal the deal, he extended his hand to shake.

It is the stories, the challenges and how he sees his patrons as a source of never ending material defining the human experience. He doesn't necessarily make fun of these folks but the humor of the situations he faces is amazing.

For me there is Ms. Haskell. I can think of several older patrons I get a kick out of, but I knew Ms. Haskell was special the first day I met her; she asked for the dictionary ... on audiotape. Not an abridged version, or a "500 Power Words Everyone Should Know"—not even a collegiate dictionary would do. She had it all scribbled out on a stained napkin, which she proudly dangled in front of my eyes: "OED Dictionary on audiotape." When I said no, we did not have that, she said, "Well, compact disc will have to do then." That was my first encounter with her, and all the encounters that followed were also about audiotapes.

When you finish with Scott make a little time to visit the rest of McSweeney's.

UNT/CSUN Information Meeting At Pasadena Library

You might recall Jared gave a recap of his experience attending a information session about the University of North Texas conducting a School of Library and Information Science program on the campus of California State University, Northridge. Dr. Philip Turner will give the presentation.


This is a distance learning program. Most of the classes and communication will be conducted via the Internet. The classroom meetings and exams will take place on the campus of CSUN. This program is restricted to Los Angeles/Southern California area students who can attended the CSUN class sessions. You can view the program flyer for more details.

This is a reminder for those of you considering an online library school program that they will be a information meeting March 9, 2009 at Pasadena Central Library, Pasadena, CA at 3 p.m. The address is:

Pasadena Central Library
285 E. Walnut Street
Pasadena, CA

There will be also be an information meeting the same day Buena Vista Library in Burbank, CA. The starting time for the Burbank information meeting is 7 p.m.

Buena Vista Library
300 N. Buena Vista
Burbank, CA

For more information about the Los Angeles area specific distance learning program you can visit the University of North Texas information page. You can also visit the main library school program site.

Reflections - Part 3

I was enjoying my first class, LIB 101, while learning a great deal in a short time as we covered what seemed a vast amount of information about the library field. Through many guest speakers from various libraries, field trips, homework, and multiple projects, I felt I was getting a solid grasp of what opportunities were out there for the taking. But questions were still haunting me.

• Could I really get a job in the library field with my hearing loss?
• Would someone be willing to hire me for Circulation since that's heavy customer service?
• Should I stay in the PCC program or just go on to Graduate school?

Bravely, I shared my questions and fears with our instructor, Ann Dallavalle. She was quite patient in answering my questions and calming my fears. She told me that she didn't think my hearing loss would be a hindrance in getting a job in the field, even in an entry level job such as working at a Circulation desk. As for staying in the program, I wondered if it would be like double work and time wasted if I decided to go on to get a MLIS later. While she said the decision was ultimately mine, she did say going through the Library Tech Program at PCC would make the journey through grad school easier.

In addition, I got some additional inspiration from Jan Sanders, Library Director of Pasadena Public Library, on our field trip to their library. We were lucky enough to have her come and take some time from her busy schedule to speak with us. During our short break, she spoke with me and told me of a wonderful deaf librarian she had known years ago. This was the third deaf librarian I had heard of. Those numbers along with my confidence was growing.

I will admit even though I knew the journey was probably not going to be an easy one by any means, I decided to keep going. One thing I mentioned briefly in Part 2 was the many friends and acquaintances I have made while being in the program. Ann Dallavalle had encouraged us from day one to get to know our classmates as it may be very likely that in the future, we'd be working with each other whether on school projects or in actual jobs. In cultivating friendships with my classmates, I came to see that I wasn't so alone with my fears and everything else that came along with being back in school. And hopefully, others who go through the program will see that as well, no matter what you feel your shortcomings are or the fears you have.

Uncontrolled Vocabulary Library Podcasts

Uncontrolled Vocabulary is a library podcast by and for librarians and the people that hope to work for them.


The podcast covers a wide range of topics such as:

• Episode #62 Library students bill of rights that was generated by a Tame The Web guest post by Char Booth,
• Episode #63 What Happening to Library Blogs in reference to Pegasus Library's concern that folks are burning out or Tweet happy,
• Episode #66 On how a parent was concerned when he noticed that the new public school plans being did not include space for an actual school library.

There is plenty in the archives to feast on and you can listen on-line or download the program into your media players that accept the .mp3 format.

The Los Angeles Young Librarians Meet-up Group

Looking for a library related group to socialize and network with?

If so, check out The Los Angeles Young Librarians Meet-up Group.

They're a relatively new group and have had 2 meet-ups so far. The third meet-up is this Saturday in Glendale, CA at The Americana Barnes and Noble bookstore at 2pm. Even though it says on their website that it's for young librarians in their 20s and 30s, the group is actually more diverse than that in ages, experience, and etc. Toni Rodriguez, a student in the PCC Technology program, is currently the organizer of this group. I am planning to stop by so it would be great to see some more familiar faces!

Quick ALA Memory

I just pop in for a day and was overwhelmed with the amount of stuff just on the exhibitor's floor. I didn't even get a chance to stop in on some of the other types of activities.



There was so much to see, do and question I've got stuff for the next three months at least. Anyway for those of you in the Colorado and Chicago areas start saving those pennies for next year's ALA convention because even you are not a librarian you can discover interesting things at the event.

ALA Conference-First Day

Nothing can prepare you for the reality of just how big ALA's conference is. At least, for me, as a first time attendee. Even though I had an idea that it would be a huge event, just seeing the exhibits area alone was amazing. I didn't even cover 1/10 of the exhibits area today. I had been advised to bring a huge bag to conference for all you can get but I soon realized that was not sufficient. I ended up filling up about 3 bags and I had to finally say, no more! Well, that's what my shoulders said. At least, till tomorrow. One really needs a huge shopping cart for the exhibits area, in my opinion. I attended the small but incredible Diversity and Outreach Fair which was being held this afternoon located in the back of the main exhibits in the afternoon as well.

In addition, I attended two workshops. In the morning, I headed to, "We The People Picturing America: Presenting Programs in Your School or Public Library," which is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities. This workshop I felt was quite worthwhile. For a glimpse into this program, check out Picturing America. There was even a local school librarian from Pasadena presenting at this workshop, showing how this program had been successful at her school. The second workshop that I attended in the afternoon called "New Minds, New Approaches" wasn't what I expected so I have to admit I ended up leaving after the second presenter. Ironically, quite a few people left before I did. Luckily, I had been advised in a welcoming e-mail from an assigned conference ambassador that this was okay to do and even recommended if one found the workshop wasn't meeting your expectations.


Some other highlights for today were lunching with Mary Ann Laun, her father-in-law, Daniel Haley, Eric Hansen, Jared Burton, and Diana Lopez while discussing this morning's events we had attended. I briefly saw Krista Goguen before heading to my second workshop. Classmates, Toni Rodriguez and Susan Tockgo, were also sighted today.

I'm looking forward to tonight's event, Stories for a Saturday Evening. Mary Ann mentioned that's really a wonderful event and it's not just children's stories which happens to be a yearly event.


If you're still debating whether to come down to conference, you still can register to attend workshops and/or exhibits in person. If you need more information, you can go to ALA.

Pat's Asterisk - A Woman's Life In Library Time

If you ask most people what is in a library the first word is books. That is understandable because yes, libraries tend to have a lot of books. But the books are the physical container of ideas of the people that wrote them.

The people inside of a library are the caretakers of thoughts, information and connections to people around the world. Sometimes we forget about how the books change us.

Pat's Asterisk is a relatively new blog. Pat writes about what happens in her day at the library, how the current flooding in Cedar Rapids is causing her to reflect on just how much she loves "the library" and the elusiveness of common sense at some of the hotels in Washington, D.C.

Pat also writes about what day or week it is. May 24 was National Tiara day. There are days when things don't go so well and other days seem like a blessing to her.

I enjoyed reading her blog and hope that she continues to write her thoughts about how her life and library intertwine.

JPL Summer Internship - Librarian

This one is very cool folks - it is a summer internship position at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena. This is an extract from the JPL website:

As a Summer Intern in the Library, Archives, & Records Section, will review and select Cassini material of interest to the public from websites and news releases as well as from project personnel. Under supervision, prepare and organize the material per the Planetary Data System (PDS) standards, verify the content of the archive with assistance from PDS personnel, and deliver it to the PDS. Will input data using a variety of applications. Assist with photocopying, scanning, and digitization projects. Perform other clerical duties in support of records, archives, and library activities.

Required Skills:

BA/BS degree with 0-5 years experience. Current enrollment in library, archives, or records graduate program. Minimum 3.0 GPA. Excellent computer-based skills and good judgment. Good oral and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Interest in archives and/or records management. Ability to work effectively in team environment.

Desired Skills: Knowledge of information architecture and retrieval practices, records retention and archival practices. Familiarity with the Cassini mission and with the Planetary Data System (PDS) standards. Experience with and understanding of electronic document management systems.

If you are interested you can submit your resume at the career section of the JPL website.

Specific Job Info:
Date Posted: 5/27/08
Job Code: N401
Category: College Internships
Job Family: Student Support
Requisition Number: 7636