Library Technology and Digital Resources: An Introduction for Support Staff

Library Technology and Digital Resources: An Introduction for Support Staff by Marie Keen Shaw. Rowman & Littlefield, 2016. 978-1-4422-5644-6.

Publisher's Description

In the last decade library collections have rapidly evolved from a predominance of print books and journals to an ever growing mix of digital and print resources. Library patrons are predominately served by support staff that is expected to know how to help patrons select and use digital resources. Yet most library support staff (LSS) has not had training to become proficient in finding, using, and instructing others in the abundance of the digital resources of websites, databases, e-texts, digital libraries and their related technologies.

Library Technology and Digital Resources: An Introduction for Support Staff is both a text for professors who teach in library support staff programs and an introductory reference manual for support staff who work in libraries. This book will guide the LSS to be able to:

• Distinguish key features and enhancements found among vendors and providers of digital libraries, digital collections, databases, and e-texts;
• Plan, budget, fund and write grants for digital resources;
• Understand the complexity and options of licensing and usage agreements for digital resources;
• Know copyright permissions and acceptable use guidelines for digital resources.
• Understand the basic technologies that support library digital resources including network structures, software applications, and protocols;
• Distinguish between directories and search engines as they relate to digital resources as well as be able to employ advance search skills effectively;
• Explore the resources of global, national, and state digital libraries and their collections;
• Use government databases and other digitized systems and information sources;
• Find exemplary digital resources though other agencies such as museums, university collections and other sources that librarians can share with patrons.
• Create local digital resources of primary and historical materials and artifacts with metadata and cataloging for searchable access.
• Interpret meaning from library digital resources using visual literacy skills.
• Promote library digital resources through a variety of means including social media and online options.

More Information

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Foundations of Library Services: An Introduction for Support Staff

Foundations of Library Services: An Introduction for Support Staff by Hali R. Keeler. Rowman & Littlefield, 2016. 978-1-4422-5641-5.

Publisher's Description

Trained library support staff is critical in assisting the user in locating and interpreting the resources available in libraries. To do so requires the knowledge and practice of library missions and roles in different types of libraries and the delivery of that information to an increasingly diverse clientele. The plethora of resources available today requires that support staff understand and implement the basic principles of information services as well as the responsibility and relationships among library departments and functional areas.

Foundations of Library Services is both a text for professors who teach in library support staff programs and an introductory reference manual for support staff who work in libraries. This book will guide the LSS to be able to:

• Understand the mission and role of the library in its community
• Be familiar with the ethics and values of the profession, including those of the Library Bill of Rights, the ALA Code of Ethics, freedom of information, confidentiality of library records and privacy issues
• Know the responsibility and relationships among library departments
• Practice the basic principles of circulation, including interlibrary loan; current cataloging and classification systems; and acquisitions and collection development policies.
• Understand how libraries are governed and funded within their organizations or government structures
• Realize the value of cooperation to enhance services
• Practice quality customer service
• Communicate and promote the library’s values and services
• Recognize and respond to diversity in user needs

More Information

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Working with Library Collections: An Introduction for Support Staff

Working with Library Collections: An Introduction for Support Staff by Hali R. Keeler. Rowman & Littlefield, 2017. 978-1-4422-7489-1.

Publisher's Description

Working with Collections: An Introduction for Support Staff deals with the technical service aspect of library work- the processes that put a book on the shelf or online. It provides an introduction to publishers, vendors, preparing items for use, and caring for items in the collections and is both a text for professors who teach in library support staff programs and their students, and an introductory manual for support staff who work in libraries.

This material is written in clear language with practical examples of how performance can contribute to exemplary library service. It is aligned with the ALA support staff standards and prepares library support staff to:

• Know how to use an integrated library system and other appropriate online tools.
• Know the basic principles of collection development and management.
• Assist with decisions regarding selection, de-selection, retention and replacement of all types of library resources.
• Know the basic principles, and can apply, the appropriate procedures to the processes that provide users with access to a wide variety of content.
• Know the various ways in which content, in multiple formats, is produced and distributed to libraries.
• Understand the value of resource sharing agreements and apply them to collection decisions.
• Know and use the recognized standard evaluative sources to assist with collection development.
• Know the principles and basic practices regarding the preservation of library resources.
• Apply appropriate methods and techniques for accurate preparation of library resources.
• Explain and apply policies regarding library collections.

More Information

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Meeting Community Needs: A Practical Guide for Librarians

Meeting Community Needs: A Practical Guide for Librarians by Pamela H. MacKellar. Rowman & Littlefield, 2016. 978-0-8108-9134-0.

Publisher's Description

Librarians must know how to provide essential programs and services that make a difference for the people they serve if libraries are going to survive. It is no longer realistic for librarians to rely on the idea that “people love libraries, so they will fund them” in this economic climate. Librarians must be able to prove that their programs and services are making a difference if they want to compete for funding in their municipalities, schools, corporations, colleges, institutions and organizations.

Meeting Community Needs: A Practical Guide for Librarians presents a process that librarians of all kinds can use to provide effective programs and services. This requires being in close touch with your community, whether it is a city, town, or village; college or university; public or private school; or corporation, hospital, or business. Understanding what information people need, how they access it, how they use it, how it benefits them, and how they share it is paramount. The process in this book covers community assessment, designing programs and services to meet needs, implementing and evaluating programs and services, and funding options.

Providing library programs and services for your entire population - not just library users - is more important than ever. Librarians working in libraries of all types must provide programs and services that meet community needs if libraries are to stay relevant and survive in the long run. Librarians must be able to measure their success and demonstrate the library’s worth with verifiable proof if they are going to be competitive for available funds in the future. Meeting Community Needs will make you take a serious look at how well your library programs and services are meeting your community’s needs, and it will show you the way to success.

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Cosplay in Libraries: How to Embrace Costume Play in Your Library

Cosplay in Libraries: How to Embrace Costume Play in Your Library by Ellyssa Kroski. Rowman & Littlefield, 2015. 978-1-4422-5648-4.

Publisher's Description

Cosplay, comics, anime, and geek culture have exploded into the mainstream over recent years and have resulted in a thriving community of costume enthusiasts and pop culture fans. Today’s cosplayers find inspiration on the pages of comics, classic literature, and even history, as well as film, television, and video games to inform their creative and oftentimes elaborate ensembles. They utilize all manner of materials and techniques including 3D printers, thermoplastics, craft foam, fabric and more to design their costumes and props.

Libraries on the leading edge are already embracing this new worldwide sensation by integrating cosplay into their programming and events. Learn all about the world of cosplay and how you can host cosplay events, workshops, makerspaces, clubs, and more in your library!

This one-stop guide includes quotes and interviews with librarians who are incorporating cosplay into their programming as well as with cosplayers. You’ll also find 32 full-color photographs of cosplay in action to give you both ideas and inspiration for getting started!

Table of Contents

• Preface 
• Chapter One: What is Cosplay? 
• Chapter Two: Getting Started: Tools of the Trade
• Chapter Three: Places to Go, People to See 
• Chapter Four: Cosfamous
• Chapter Five: Libraries Embracing Cosplay
• Chapter Six: Cosplay Programming for Libraries
• Project 1: Host a Comic or Anime Con in your Library! 
• Project 2: How to Host a Cosplay Contest
• Project 3: How to Form a Cosplay Club in Your Library 
• Project 4: How to Host a Cosplay Props 3D Printing Event 
• Project 5: How to Host a Create Your Own Armor with Worbla Event
• Project 6: How to Host an Armor Painting Event 
• Project 7: Budget Cosplay Event: How to Create an Infinity Gauntlet with Craft Foam
• Project 8: Budget Cosplay Event: How to Create Cardboard Superhero Helmets
• Project 9: Budget Cosplay Event: How to Create Papier Mache Minions
• Project 10: How to Host a Cosplay Cards Workshop
• Project 11: Host a Cosplay Web Presence Workshop
• Project 12: Plan a Themed Cosplay Lock-In
• Chapter Seven: Cosplay Issues, Tips, and Tricks
• Chapter Eight: Must-Have Cosplay Resources
• Appendix A: Cosplay Event Activities
• Appendix B: Suppliers Directory
• Appendix C: Cosplayers Directory
• Appendix D: Photographers Directory
• Appendix E: Cosplay Websites & Blogs Directory

About the Author

Ellyssa Kroski is the Director of Information Technology at the New York Law Institute as well as an award-winning editor and author of 34 books including Law Librarianship in the Digital Age for which she won the AALL's 2014 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award. Her ten-book technology series, The Tech Set won the ALA's Best Book in Library Literature Award in 2011. She is a librarian, an adjunct faculty member at Pratt Institute, and an international conference speaker. She blogs at Cosplay, Comics, and Geek Culture in Libraries. Her professional portfolio is located at: http://www.ellyssakroski.com 

Ellyssa is also an avid cosplayer and has appeared on TLC's Cake Boss TV show as well as in the official music video for New York Comic Con and many other events. Her cosplay portfolio can be found at http://giallogirl.com. Contact her at ellyssakroski@yahoo.com.