Library Technicians: The Swiss Army Knives of Academic Libraries

1. Library Technicians: The Swiss Army Knives of Academic Libraries The Evolving Role of the Library Technician From 35 Years Ago to the Present Carol Campbell Senior Library Technician, Humber College ITAL Denise Rooney, Library Technician University of Guelph-Humber Adam Weissengruber Library Technician Humber College ITAL

2. Bio Carol Campbell 35+ years service with the Humber College ITAL Libraries 1973 – Graduated from Sheridan College from the Library Technician Program 1973 – 1976 was the first Library Technician hired at Osler Campus 1976 – Present – Humber College ITAL – North Campus - Senior Reference Technician providing instruction to classes of students on the research processes and on the use of library research tools including online databases, reference materials and the Internet

3. Swiss Army Knife - Metaphor • What is a Swiss Army Knife and how would it define the roles, opportunities & challenges of a library technician? • Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Army_knife • “Swiss Army Knife is a brand of multi-functional pocket knife or multi-tool” • “The term “Swiss Army Knife” is sometimes used metaphorically to describe usefulness? • Wisegeek http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-swiss-army-knife.htm • “The Swiss Army Knife is a marvel of economic design & ingenuity. The very name “Swiss Army Knife” has fallen into popular use as a metaphor for successful multitasking.”

4. Metaphorically

5. Additional Metaphors? Suggestions…

6. Overview • Observations From the Past • A Library Technician focused on Instruction • Booking Classes • Working With Faculty • Preparing & Giving a Class • Evolving Tools from Pathfinders to LibGuides

7. Observations From the PastOsler Campus (Osler School of Nursing), Humber College • Osler Campus, Humber College (Weston) • 1973 – 1976 • Branch Library • 1 Librarian & 1 Library Assistant • Operating all aspects of a Health Sciences Library • Circulation of library materials • Reference services to faculty & students • Maintained periodicals collection • In-house indexing of nursing & medical journals • Acquisitions/Technical services for books & A.V. software • Original cataloguing using NLM – W Schedule & cutter tables • Operating A.V. equipment – 16mm. Film projector, DuKane Slide Projector & Caramate • Supervise IMC Co-op Student • Worked 3 evenings a week

8. Way Back When – Osler Campus (Nursing) - Humber College

9. Technology From the Past

10. North Campus Library – 1976 - Present

11. Highlights – North Campus1976 - Periodicals Government Documents Circulation Statistics Canada Annual Reports Special Needs Services Vertical Files Internet Classes Fashion File Audio Visual Reference Services Career Classes Bookroom/Study Hall Media/Screening Rms.

12. The Present – Library Classes • Provides in-depth library instruction classes, usually subject specific & demonstrates the research process of various library resources including the library website, catalogue, databases, reference materials & selected internet sites. • Sessions are interactive/ engaging & can include a learning activity. • Classes are requested by faculty, either an individual session or multiple sessions given over week.

13. Booking Classes • Most sessions are booked in advance by the faculty, usually be e-mail, by phone, in person, or the Library Website > Just For Faculty > Request for Instruction sent automatic request “ga Nclass” • Classes are booked into the North Library Instruction Calendar & includes detailed information – Course; Date; Time; Faculty name; # of students, databases, etc. • Assigns classes to the appropriate library technician.

14. Book Class into North Library Instruction Calendar • Details of class noted into North Library Instruction Calendar (First Class) • Confirmation – emailed to faculty • Classes booked into Library Instruction Classroom • More faculty requesting library sessions in computer labs • Bookings for computer labs are booked through the ITS online booking calendar.

15. Working With Faculty • Work with the faculty to interpret/review the research assignment & the faculty’s expectations for the class • Develop outlines of information resources to be included in the class instruction (Subject Guides) • Liaise with faculty with revision of the library research assignment & update them on new information resources that are relevant to their course • Special Projects

16. Preparing & Giving a Class • Library website, logging in, Library 24/7, Ask ON • Information Literacy (Writing a Paper) • Review assignment • Print resources required • Subject databases tailored to the class • Subject Guide reviewed & updated if necessary • PowerPoint prepared for the session & given out to students as a handout. • Students are encouraged to participate in the session by searching a topic using a database that was demonstrated in class. • Faculty & students like having the library class in the computer lab, students can follow along with demonstration; more interactive & encourages participation. • Students can get a head start on their assignment with the help of the library staff

17. Variety of Classes

18. LibGuides: Subject Guides Web 2.0 • Subject Guide Committee formed Feb./08 to look at other formats to showcase the subject guides that would be more visual & interactive (Web 2.0) • Looked at using a blog, wiki, or subject guide software packages • Viewed various subject guides from other academic libraries and the software available • Criteria – less static, less time consuming to update & maintain & pricing • Computers & Libraries 2008 – promising vendor Springshare LibGuides http://www.springshare.com/libguides/ • Committee Selected Springshare LibGuides software for Humber Libraries subject guides

19. Springshare LibGuideshttp://www.springshare.com/libguides

20. Humber LibGuides

21. Humber LibGuides Roll Out

22. Questions? Thank You Contact: Carol Campbell Humber Libraries Humber College ITAL e-mail: carol.campbell@humber.ca