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Algonquin Field Placement class - Guest Lecture Oct 31, 2014
The document outlines the career path of Alexandra Yarrow, the manager of alternative services at the Ottawa Public Library, highlighting key experiences and educational milestones. It discusses various roles within the library, their responsibilities, recruitment processes, and the importance of professional development and advocacy. Additionally, it shares anecdotes and insights related to library services and the community.
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Similar to Algonquin Field Placement class - Guest Lecture Oct 31, 2014
Algonquin Field Placement class - Guest Lecture Oct 31, 2014
- 1. Public Libraries AlexandraYarrow, B.A. Hon., M.L.I.S. Manager, Alternative Services Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa Public Library
- 2. Agenda • Mycareer path • Fun facts about OPL • Favourite things • Weird tales for Hallowe’en • Hot tips
- 3. My career path • Atwater, Westmount and Fraser Hickson Library patron • 1997 - Marianopolis College • Westmount Public Library • Nicholas Hoare Books • McGill Health Sciences Library • Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School • Eleanor London Côte-St-Luc Library • Ottawa Public Library since 2006
- 4. OPL by thenumbers
- 5. OPL by thenumbers
- 6. Favourite things •Autonomy • Community-building • Experimenting • Diversity of experiences • Responsibilities
- 7. RFID @ OPL • $1.78M in 2012 (tagging all branches and converting Hazeldean) • $3.785M Total estimated remaining capital costs (5-8 years) • Check out the AMH in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3s-KWPwTU4 • Check out RFID at Hazeldean Branch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g28fV9Z_dk
- 8. #everyonehasastory • Thattime I was serenaded by a toothless man • When the Scientologists came calling • Kids say the darndest things • What to do when Cate Blanchet walks in • Why a kid dressed his teddy bear in a skirt • When an English conversation group gets x-rated • How I learned everything I never wanted to know about dry cleaning chemicals
- 9. So you wantto work at OPL… • Interview questions will relate very closely to the description of the job on the posting • Relate your experience to the job description • Read about us! • Language testing: “designated” vs. “Day 1 ready”
- 10. Page 10 •Reports to supervisor and/or coordinator • Duties and responsibilities – Shelving of materials – Shelf-reading and straightening – Pick-up – Filling/emptying RFID or “grey” bins – Non-public check-out and check-ins – Retrieving items on holds list – Assisting with discards – Emptying book drops • We hire pages once a year either for a part time position or casual hours
- 11. Customer Service Assistant • Reports to supervisor and/or coordinator • Duties and responsibilities – Provides customer service in person, by phone or via email or chat – Assists with membership services – Supports materials and cash handling activities • We hire CSAs on an as-needed basis
- 12. Public Services Assistant/ Children’s Public Services Assistant • Reports to supervisor and/or coordinator • Duties and responsibilities – Provides reference and RA assistance – Provides circulation and page services – Routine collection maintenance duties – Promotes Library services – May be senior person in charge or exercises responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the library branch. • We hire PSAs / CPPSAs on an as-needed basis
- 13. Advice • Youare your own best advocate • Mentor someone and be mentored • Make a name for yourself • Learn from mistakes • Soft skills are more important than hard/technical skills • Get involved in a professional association • Don’t say no!
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Editor's Notes
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- #15 I asked on FB: If you could tell a class full of library technicians one thing about working in public libraries, what would it be? All responses will go in my PPT unedited, but also uncredited (to protect the guilty). You need to know where the stapler is at all time and you have to be able to politely decline requests for envelopes. Every now and again, you help someone who changes your life. Value your people in all their stripes ... Technician jobs vary A LOT in public libraries. Expect the unexpected. There is a technician job for every personality, from those you like cubicle work to those who like storytelling. You will need tons of patience because the most annoying people frequent the public library. Take a plumbing course. Expect the unexpected. Never expect to be paid a librarian's salary ! Have patience; patrons are not as familiar with your library's polices or collection as you are. all sorts of people walk through the doors. that what makes every day so interesting. Get involved with your union. Be open to change Never underestimate the help you provide - you could be changing a life! Rapid pace of change. I don't work in a public library, but to all library workers/managers/librarians/technicians: be prepared to become obsolete - keep learning everything you can. Be prepared to learn very private, or very obscure, things about people you barely know. All of the requirements in a job description are important, but a cheerful attitude toward the "other duties as required" (which can, upon occasion, require gloves ) will take you far. once in a while you will know with absolute certainty that you made a difference in somebody's life. And that can keep you going through all the - where's the washroom?, can I use the stapler?, make a phone call?, eat my fast food/coke/coffee? or anything that involves having to wear rubber gloves. Whenever I get frustrated or fed up, I look up library mission statements. We are out to change the world and that always makes me feel ready to tackle what's next.
- #16 You may have to play role of listener to those in the community who don't have anyone else to talk to. That and kids who may pee on the carpet in the toys section. For programming. Take time to get to know your patrons before you start programming. This may seem obvious but cater to the clientele you have!.. don't run programs where only one person comes. Also adults need more programming and will come to it if you provide. So far I have had adults interested in book club, genealogy research, computer lessons, and more! Be ready to adapt and change - libraries are never static. And do it with a positive attitude! You will love your chosen career!! Get to know publishers reps! They have a wealth of information and can supply you with copious amounts of posters, bookmarks, galleys (sp?), stickers, and loads of promo materials. Always have stickers and bookmarks available for children! You WILL have to deal with difficult and stressful situations that try your patience. They can bring you down or they can be funny anecdotes, the choice is yours. You may never know how important the question is to the person who is asking so always treat each question with respect even if the client you are serving is making you absoluletely bonkers. The impact you have can never be underestimated! and what the other person said... get involved in the union. From a high school library tech "just cause they are older children never doubt the simple programs from decorating for the holidays (dancing zombie hand on circ desk) to just sticking a puzzle on a table it will make their day" also you must become MacGyver when answering question to finding program material. Be curious. Always have lots of Purell. The 3 most inaccurate assumptions and questions will be: 1. Oh, that must be a quiet, calm place to work? 2. You must get to read a lot at work? 3. You had to go to school for that?. Ok, to leave on a positive note: storytimes will make you feel like a rockstar! Oh and 1- Pick your time and place but never be afraid to challenge the status quo. 2- find a mentor (or many). They truly are invaluable. There will be days when it is quiet. Embrace those days because the next day the stupidity of the human race will never cease to amaze you and make you cry. There's still time to change your mind! The library is located where you start the conversation.
- #17 The smile on a child's face when you give him or her the perfect book to read Be welcoming of everyone. You're being trusted with a question, or several, so put on your Free Information Wizarding Cape and wear it with curiosity, open-mindedness, and pride. The public library is a big equalizer. Who ever come through the door treaded equally. Your co-workers will be your most valuable resource. Everybody has baggage. Don't let the baggage - yours or theirs - get in the way. Do your work with empathy and care. What you do will make a difference in the lives of others - for better or worse you are making an impact. You will be amazed by how much time you will spend moving furniture. Never judge a question. Answer each one to the best of your ability. What sounds silly or trite may be more important than first thought. Probe to find the real information need. Try to forget everything you've learned at school, so you can see the library through your customers' eyes. Anticipate what they will need, and provide it before they ask. Some people will never ask - but you can still answer. You can be the difference between a patron having a crappy experience or a really awesome one. Try your best - it goes a long way. about how wonderfully diverse libraries locally are... Find out what they actually want as opposed to what they just asked you. Always keep up with the latest technology, the impact it has on the public and your place in its introduction and use. What a role libraries play!! Don't believe everything your union or association tells you. how rewarding it is to see gratitude when you truly help Try turning it off and on again.