Linking Our Libraries

Earlier this season we talked about the three required courses in this certification program. This week we are talking about one of the competencies that is optional: Reference and Information Services. 

You can find our show notes page here, with links to everything we discuss today.

“These services support library users as they seek access to information in all formats, wherever these resources are located. These competencies require an understanding of basic information resources and of the user’s information seeking behavior and expectations.”

You can check our full show notes page for all the links we share today.

“Library Support Staff who work in cataloging and classification support library users’ access to resources in a library. They do this by assisting with the processes that enable multiple ways of searching to identify what is in a library; to identify and select particular items; to locate these items in the library or in other libraries and in general to support the intellectual and organizational coherence of the library’s collections. 

Cataloging and classification require a high level of computer skills, knowledge of standard systems of classification, cataloging, and subject headings. This work also requires the ability to apply these standards to diverse types of materials.”

Earlier this season we talked about the three required courses in this certification program. This week we are talking about one of the competencies that is optional: Readers Advisory.  We feel very qualified to discuss this, as we have been recording an RA podcast for years now: Reading With Libraries. Subscribe today!

Check out our full show notes page here, with all our links and information from today's episode!

In recent years, Readers’ Advisory Services have expanded from assisting library users with identifying books to read, to assisting users with identifying materials for viewing and listening. These services consist of recommending titles of potential interest to the user to match the user’s interests and experience as well as promoting the collection.

We have talked about the three required courses in this certification program. This week we are talking about one of the competencies that is optional: Access Services. “Access Services include on-site use and the routine circulation of resources in all formats, special circulation of course-reserved or other restricted-use materials, on-site and remote reciprocal circulation with users of partner libraries, interlibrary loan, and document delivery.”

Check out our full show notes page here!

This week we are talking about the third of the competencies that is required in the LSSC program: Technology. “These competencies address the skills and knowledge about technology necessary for library work. This competency set also addresses the role of providing access to and educating the user in the use of technologies and equipment relevant to information seeking, access, and use.”

Check out our full show notes page here, with links to everything we are discussing today!

We have talked about a variety of different technology topics in our archives, including Episode 507 Answering Tech Questions and Episode 508 Web Design. Browse around our website for more information about other topics.

This week we are talking about another one of the competencies that is required in the LSSC program: Communication and Teamwork. “Library Support Staff need to communicate effectively with library users, library staff, and others in a variety of situations to offer high-quality customer service.”

You can check out our full show notes page here!

Being able to communicate and to work together as part of a team is critical for good library service. Even when you are the only person working in your library, there are people across your parent organization you need to work in harmony with every day. Communication and teamwork will help you to get there effectively.

This week we will start with one of the required topics in the series of ten offered by ALA: Foundations of Library Services. “These competencies are fundamental to understanding the mission and roles of libraries. These competencies cover the ethics, values, and governance of libraries, and the basic knowledge needed for all positions in a library.”

Check out our full show notes here, for all the information, links, and other ideas.

It doesn’t matter what you do in a library - it all contributes to the overall mission of service. Understanding a few fundamentals will help you to be clear on not only what you are doing, but why it is important and how it fits into the work all the libraries do to serve their communities.

Let’s take a look at each of the twelve different components the ALA has identified as important here, and talk about a little information on each one.

This season we are moving through the state of Minnesota, looking at an interesting fact about each county and giving you a book prompt from that fact. We will share six book suggestions to meet that prompt, to get you started on reading new books. You can also take that prompt and find any other book to meet the challenge!

Ramsey County is the smallest and most densely populated county in Minnesota, as well as one of the most densely populated counties in the United States. Read a book with crowds. We are looking at books set in some of the largest cities in the world.

We give you links to each of these books on our show notes page, taking you to Amazon.com. If you click on any of them, and buy anything at all - including a nice book - Amazon will send us a small percent of the profits they made on these sales. Thank you for supporting CMLE!

This season we are moving through the state of Minnesota, looking at an interesting fact about each county and giving you a book prompt from that fact. We will share six book suggestions to meet that prompt, to get you started on reading new books. You can also take that prompt and find any other book to meet the challenge!

This is another county inside the CMLE system! All the libraries in this county are members, and we are so happy to have them. Another interesting thing about this county is that the 1998 thriller A Simple Plan was set in Wright County. So we suggest you read a book made into a movie.

We give you links to each of these books on our show notes page, taking you to Amazon.com. If you click on any of them, and buy anything at all - including a nice book - Amazon will send us a small percent of the profits they made on these sales. Thank you for supporting CMLE!

This season we are moving through the state of Minnesota, looking at an interesting fact about each county and giving you a book prompt from that fact. We will share six book suggestions to meet that prompt, to get you started on reading new books. You can also take that prompt and find any other book to meet the challenge!

The county of Wilkin contains Breckenridge Lake; read a book set in Colorado or about skiing to celebrate another Breckenridge! 

We give you links to each of these books on our show notes page, taking you to Amazon.com. If you click on any of them, and buy anything at all - including a nice book - Amazon will send us a small percent of the profits they made on these sales. Thank you for supporting CMLE!