In the Library with the Lead Pipe is new blog by a few folks I go way back with and some others who I’m sure are similarly sharp. Here’s how they represent:

We are six librarians working in academic, public, and school libraries across the United States. In addition to essays by its founders, In the Library with the Lead Pipe will feature articles by guests representing special libraries and archives, as well as educators, administrators, library support staff, and community members.

In the Library with the Lead Pipe is intended to help improve our communities, our libraries, and our professional organizations. Our goal is to explore new ideas and start conversations; to document our concerns and argue for solutions. Each article is peer-reviewed by at least one external and one internal reviewer.

These kinds of conversations have the potential to go somewhere, so I’m glad for the chance to see this collaboration unfold. Good luck, y’all.

Hats off to K.G. Schneider for helping to expose a painfully popular myth concerning a certain president being “from” a certain state (para. 2). Long live the memory of our true representatives.

Google has partnered with the Internet Archive to celebrate its 10th birthday with a 7 year old search engine, which will be available for a month. It’s an older Google interface that works with the Wayback Machine to provide archived 2001 pages. In case you were curious, Sarah Palin didn’t exist, Barrack Obama barely existed, Joe Biden was all over the place, and John McCain had been riding the Straight Talk Express for some time.

A typically glib FAQ page answers a few questions about how/why they’re making this available. A momentary diversion, but I’m always happy to see the Internet Archive getting a bit of press.

Starting a new job is a crash-course in the art of sussing things out. Making quick and functional assessments of workflows, dynamics, short-/long-term needs, and likely collaborators in an organization as redoubtable as this one is a fascinating process. Despite the range of brand new challenges staring me in the face, whenever I find myself in a situation where I am forming new relationships with a number of library-oriented individuals (workshops, conferences, queer contra dancing,) my commitment to the profession is reaffirmed. That may sound a little naive, but if my Momma taught me anything, it’s that at times it pays to be a bit Pollyanna. There’s a touch of the walking wounded in all librarians - we wear our earnestness, nerdiness, and intelligence on our sleeves, and our desire to contribute to the common good fairly shoots from our eyes. Starting a new job also reminds me that librarians excel at perceiving needs, even if we don’t yet have the tools or processes in place to deliver in the ways we’d like to.

Which brings me to one of the more awesome aspects of my new job, the part where about 90% of it will take place in the zone where wishing meets doing. A process of general and wide-ranging assessment has been going on for years at Berkeley, a partial product of the New Directions Initiative I’ve mentioned in previous posts and its focus on streamlining and overall library service. The outcome of this is that many studies, reports, and recommendations have been written prior to my arrival, and I find myself entering this organization at the early stage of a great many projects - the clash of perceived needs against practical implementation, in other words. Finding a logical, progressive, and productive place in this process is my purpose here. At this point, the possibilities are vast (and the alliteration unintentional).

What I hope will become a central project of mine is the library’s integration with bSpace, a, open source Sakai-based learning management system (LMS) that the campus adopted a few years ago. As I’ve mentioned several times before, I see great promise in LMS and other non-traditional web tool development in terms of usability (and workaroundablility, if you will). This approach isn’t new by any means, but the technology behind open-source LMSs like Sakai as well as some for-profit counterparts is rapidly improving, while their adoption is becoming almost compulsory at institutions of all sizes. Berkeley is an extraordinarily decentralized campus - consensus based, physically spread out, and independently oriented. The same can be said for the library: a number of units serving many constituencies. bSpace is a platform capable of reaching the greatest number of these in a consistent way, and I’m finding that its architecture is both limited and flexible in terms of potential service options (more on this in subsequent posts). This presents a pleasant challenge, to be sure. Close collaboration with the campus Educational Technology Services will be critical to the development process, needless to say.

At this point I’m learning what I can about the system and attending a number of orientation sessions geared towards helping faculty, staff, and graduate student instructors understand the various tools that are available to them in bSpace. Every participant has their own comfort level with, complaints about, and goals for the technology, and I’ve found that, not surprisingly, many are deeply skeptical of LMSs in general. That said, just as many are appreciative and genuinely curious about what it can do for them - last week a math professor explained that the day before his class asked him why they couldn’t just use Facebook for their course site… which of course there are many answers to on both sides, and it was extremely interesting to hear the perspectives of faculty, grad students, and instructional designers on this issue. Security, privacy, and acceptable use of copyrighted material were among the LMS pros discussed, while a general desire for more “2.0ish” functions and better usability within bSpace emerged on the con side. And today, another professor raised the question of streaming digital media and fair use - when, why, and how to integrate clips and films into the LMS.

The ability to interact with faculty and instructional designers in this practical realm is priceless, because I’m getting at them where they’re actually developing e-learning rather than in the somewhat artificial, library-blindered space of a focus group or survey. If you are working in a similar context or capacity, I highly recommend getting out once in a while.

I’m putting the word out on a new position that just posted for an Undergraduate Instruction and Outreach Librarian in the UC Berkeley Library Instructional Services department, aka my new home:

Undergraduate Instruction and Outreach Librarian
Doe/Moffitt Libraries
Hiring range: Associate Librarian I — III
$48,029-$52,860 per annum, depending on qualifications

The University of California, Berkeley seeks an energetic, creative, and user-oriented instruction librarian to envision, design and implement innovative programming for and marketing to first-year and incoming transfer students. Working collaboratively with library staff and other campus partners, the Undergraduate Instruction and Outreach Librarian will initiate and coordinate services focused on engaging and supporting lower-division undergraduates and other students new to campus. Through traditional in-library encounters and creative outreach methods (such as residence hall visits, social networking forums, and in-library/online exhibit development), this librarian will promote the resources and the services of the library, working towards developing research proficiencies in the undergraduate student population. This librarian will also actively contribute to the planning, development and provision of instruction and reference services.

The Environment

The UC Berkeley Library is an internationally renowned research and teaching facility at one of the nation’s premiere public universities that serves 23,000 undergraduate students, 9,000 graduate students, and 15,000 faculty members. The Library is composed of approximately 20 libraries, including the Doe/Moffitt Libraries. The Doe Library serves as the research library for most of the humanities, social sciences and area studies departments; the Moffitt Library is the central hub for programming and collections for undergraduates and will strengthen this role as it undergoes a major renovation during the next five years. Discover more about the Library through our virtual front door at http://www.lib.berkeley.edu and http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/doemoff.

The Undergraduate Instruction and Outreach Librarian will join the Doe/Moffitt Instructional Services department and collaborate with staff from across the UC Berkeley Library. The Instructional Services department is housed within the Moffitt Library and supports undergraduate education by providing course-integrated and course-related instruction, drop-in sessions, courseware-based instruction, online tutorials and guides, and individual consultations. The instruction is learner-centered and encourages all students to be self-sufficient, lifelong, and technology-proficient learners, who understand how to retrieve, critically evaluate, manage, and use information. The department is particularly interested in individuals with a history of promoting diversity and access in higher education.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Head of Instructional Services in the Doe/Moffitt Libraries, the Undergraduate Instruction and Outreach Librarian will work with colleagues to promote, publicize and implement programs, services, and events for incoming first-year students and transfer students and will engage those populations to become more active and engaged users of the library. This person will also coordinate visits and orientations to the Moffitt Library from off-campus and community groups. The incumbent will develop and coordinate library marketing and outreach materials such as displays, exhibits and blog postings, as well as use social networking conduits, liaison relationships, and cultivated relationships with student groups to promote library services to the target community.

This position will coordinate and facilitate online library-related instruction for Berkeley’s diverse student population through a variety of media. In collaboration with library staff, faculty, and other campus partners, the incumbent will design, develop, promote, and assess the effectiveness of curricular materials, tutorials and other digital learning objects for an array of disciplines. This position will also contribute to training and support of other Library colleagues who are developing online instruction. The incumbent will collaborate with the E-Learning Librarian to encourage the incorporation of Library-developed instructional tools into the campus learning management system.

The Undergraduate Instruction and Outreach Librarian will be expected to provide leadership and vision as the Library investigates and experiments with emerging technologies that could strengthen online instruction efforts. This person will individually and with others explore, develop, test, and promote new independent learning tools.

This librarian is an active contributor to the department’s instruction program, presenting course-related instruction and drop-in workshops and providing up to 10 hours per week of reference services in the Doe/Moffitt Libraries, with some evening and weekend shifts.

Professional contributions beyond the primary job, such as publications, leadership in University and professional organizations, and other research and creative activity, are required for advancement within the Librarian series. Candidates must show evidence of or potential for such contributions.

Qualifications

Required

• MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution, or equivalent.
• Experience teaching library instruction classes in an academic environment, preferably to undergraduate students.
• Demonstrated understanding of information needs of undergraduates.
• Familiarity with concepts and goals of information literacy.
• Familiarity of emerging technologies as they relate to information literacy and library services.
• Knowledge of instructional design principles in an online environment.
• Evidence of experience using web authoring tools.
• Experience creating instructional and information materials such as online tutorials, surveys, and guides.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Evidence of both professional initiative and flexibility.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with a diverse population.

Preferred

• Familiarity with web accessibility issues and usability testing required to meet ADA accessibility standards.
• Experience creating interactive online experiences.
• Experience assessing student learning.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects.
• Experience or significant coursework in providing reference service, including a broad knowledge of both print and online information sources preferably related to humanities and social sciences in an academic library.
• Experience consulting with instructors and other academic support staff related to course and assignment design.

The Library at the University of California, Berkeley is committed to the support and encouragement of a multicultural environment and seeks candidates who can make positive and imaginative contributions in a context of ethnic and cultural diversity.

Professional librarians at UC are academic appointees and are represented by an exclusive bargaining agent, University Council – American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT). This position is in the bargaining unit.

Librarians are entitled to appropriate professional leave, two days per month of vacation leave, one day per month of sick leave, and all other benefits granted to non-faculty academic personnel. UC has an excellent retirement system and sponsors a variety of group health, dental, vision and life insurance plans in addition to other benefits. Relocation assistance is provided.

DEADLINE : Consideration will be given to applications received by October 31, 2008.

Applicants should apply in writing, including with their letter a complete statement of qualifications, a full resume of their education and relevant experience, and the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three references who are knowledgeable about their qualifications for this position. Send applications to:

Barbara Kornstein
Academic Personnel Specialist
Library Human Resources Department
110 The Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Or FAX to: 510.642.8675
Or EMAIL: librec@library.berkeley.edu

Applications received via email preferred.

I must admit that self-interest motivates my plug for this position - I will work closely with this person, and needless to say I would love to see the job filled by someone who seriously wants to collaborate and get some interesting work done (not to mention live in, ahem, paradise). You also get to teach and do direct reference, and I can virtually guarantee that you will love your coworkers - I already do. This library system is going through a period of interesting change/development, and my sense is there will be a great deal of opportunity for putting good ideas into practice (i.e. why I am here). My early impression of Berkeley students is that they are extremely bright and potentially quite receptive to the type of programming this librarian would develop. Needless to say, this is a powerful combination - this job is for someone who wants to 1) positively impact the learning environments of many students and 2) raise the profile of the library accross campus. Please apply if this is you, or pass it on if you know someone who fits the bill.

from the vaults.

I’m looking forward to David Lee King’s upcoming book on experience design and creating user-centered websites (thanks, Lia). His chapter on the subject in Information Tomorrow was excellent, and from what I understand this book takes the same practical and readable approach.

One aspect of experience/instructional design that I find compelling is its crossover potential - David’s book is obviously not intended for a strictly librarian audience. I love it when librarians bring their insight into the user experience to benefit other fields, and this is an excellent example of the type of work that puts what we do best in better perspective. On the flip side, librarians can and should benefit from the number of fields that have developed effective ways to educate and inform. I’m tackling a design-oriented book project this year that translates ideas in instructional/experience design and visual literacy to education in a library context, which I have found to be of great help in creating a variety of effective learning experiences from classroom instruction to staff training to web tutorials and so on.

As a consummate writer of opaque blog post titles, this article gave me a moment’s pause - it’s interesting to think about the various audiences (human and electronic) of web-based writing and how a title can influence readership. That said, I’m not sure I’m capable of cleaning up my act…

Highlight of the week? Listening to Michael Chabon read from his awesome serialized adventure novel Gentlemen of the Road, which I highly recommend. Where did I do this, you might ask? At my library, that’s where.

Not being a librarian in the professional sense for three weeks has left me a bit terse, compounded by the fact that transitioning to a new job and living space leaves little time for anything but trying to remember a deluge of new names and barrel through residual exhaustion. Suffice to say I’ve learned my bus routes and farmer’s markets, which is all I need to know for now.  Joining a new organization is always a bit of a whirlwind, but thus far I’ve found my coworkers to be everything I expected and more - intelligent, gracious, welcoming, and already forthcoming with beautiful Bay Area produce (thanks, Aija). In other words, they are librarians, and as ever I am glad to be among them. My desk in Moffitt Library looks out a huge window on a nice sunken courtyard (a not uncommon redeeming feature of the pervasive, hulking late 60s/early 70s academic structures of the Brutalist variety). I miss my Ohio University colleagues very much, and the sounds of our cubicle farm still echo in my ears. In all seriousness, their creativity, commitment to service, and general effectiveness will be both inspiration and benchmark in all of my endeavors.

My new position at UC Berkeley is a wide-ranging one. As E-Learning Librarian I will be involved in a variety of instructional/interface/technology design projects, including the library’s integration into the campus Sakai-based learning management system, bSpace. Another interesting problem to tackle is collaborating on an information service model for the Library’s subterranean stacks, a space I instinctively like but that (similar to the vast majority of physical collections) has little staff presence. I will also teach and work the reference desk, gladly. The New Directions project is a good indication of the climate of cultural and organizational self-reflection that the Berkeley Library has encouraged over the last few years, and I perceive my purpose here as contributing what I can to this initiative’s stated goal of “understand[ing] and adapt[ing] to the evolving information needs of our faculty and students.”

Of interest: This morning I came across a recently released online festscrift (also available as a LuLu pay-for-print) called Technology in Libraries: Essays in Honor of Anne Grodzins Lipow that flew under my moving chaos radar a little while back. Anne Grodzins was legendary at Berkeley and beyond, and the volume is edited by Roy Tennant with a number of engaging essays by the likes of Karen Schneider and a new colleague I met yesterday, fellow Austinite and apparent bbq aficionado John Kupersmith. Looking forward to this one.

I’m officially on my way to California, and unless I imagined yesterday’s fajitas and rodeo I’m elated to find myself in Texas again. I’m resurfacing briefly to report that Library Journal recently published an article in which past mover/shakers offer a number of insights on how to protect/preserve/improve libraries. I wholeheartedly agree with what Jenna Freedman has to say:

Service
While I’m attracted to technology (2.0 and other), I feel like we need to stick with our strength—service. We are much better at helping people than the tech people with whom we’re competing for money and resources, and we need to keep that up.—Jenna Freedman, ‘03

Helene Blowers and Michael Stephens are also characteristically sharp:

Relevance
In order for libraries to be sustainable, we need to abandon the idea of sustainability. I believe relevancy is the key, not sustainability. And although these two ideas can (and do, in a way) support each other, it can be detrimental to libraries to become too focused on trying to achieve long-term sustainability that we miss out on remaining relevant to our communities’ current, vital (and, yes, even sometimes short-term) needs. —Helene Blowers, ‘07

Openness
Future-proofed libraries will be flatter, more transparent institutions, free of hierarchal organization. They will constantly reevaluate space, service, and user engagement. I watch the Darien Library, CT, very closely as a way to see future ideas put into play now: circulation staff blogging and selecting materials, innovations with reference services, and a new building that will inspire the community as well as the library world. I watch the new spaces at libraries like Loyola, McMaster, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina State to see what the idea of the commons means to students and faculty. The librarians and staff creating these spaces realize the future is more about collaboration and space than rows of stacks.
The future-proof library will encourage my heart—to grow, explore, learn, and experience. It will know me and provide information I didn’t even know I needed. I will experience information in new ways, inside the library or wherever the library happens to be: on my “digital lifestream” device, via my home information/entertainment devices, and via the cloud of data that will be available to me wherever I go.—Michael Stephens, ‘05

I put my two cents in about halfway through:

Social Capital
The best way to future-proof libraries is not by electronically reimagining our most valuable attributes in a collective attempt to cheat obsolescence. Our insurance is going to come from a much more basic place—we have to turn inward, understand why libraries have been such fabulously lasting cultural institutions, and reflect on how best to transfer this to the modern information climate.
Libraries represent thoughtfulness, peace, and possibility, and we should strive to keep them as transparent and accessible as possible. The profit imperative increasingly shapes the way that information is organized and accessed, but libraries can thrivesimply because we exist in opposition to this model. A truly national and effective libraries-are-viable-and-valuable advertising campaign that takes on grassroots and major media tactics would be incredibly worthwhile.
It’s easy to recognize the tone this message might take when you consider the movements that are creating change on a broad scale. The social capital of libraries speaks to the same populist, sustainable spirit that drives the open source, open access, slow food, local, DIY, and green movements, the only difference being that we’ve been at it for millennia. Libraries are the quintessence of the sustainable information movement, and we create community spaces that simultaneously validate the universal human need for the social, the intellectual, and the thrifty. We also have an unbelievable wealth of dedicated staff for whom libraries are symbolic of the greatest good, drawn together in a vocational community of practitioners that could hardly be more enthusiastic or protective of the services we provide. It’s critical that we teach our users that they can believe in libraries like they can believe in any other good cause, because library sustainability is essentially in their hands. It is our responsibility to make sure that they have enough reasons to understand, appreciate, and advocate for us.—Char Booth, ‘08

Just so you don’t write this off as yet another dead blog, during August I’m taking a brief “vacation” from posting in order to a) transition out of my position and into a new E-Learning Librarian job at UC Berkeley and b) finish up my degree, hopefully with sanity intact. I’ll reflect on the amazingly positive experience I had as a new librarian at Ohio University when the dust settles.