The Library Team

I understand that the faculty status of librarians is important to them but I am not sure why yet. Is it that they want the status of educators or is it just that they want the nine month contract and the same pay as other university faculty?

I completely agree that librarians are educators but I am not sure that faculty status for all makes sense. There is the issue of the job of being a librarian, responsible for a library – collection and services. This is not a nine month job and for some it can be very time intensive. It also requires a team mentality when working with others in the library, especially the staff. Unlike other departments where the staff may include only the department secretary, we must work together with a large staff integral to the successful management of the library.

Conflict NR 1

NR stands for “not resolved.” It means that an issue exists that needs to be resolved but no one wants to work through the discussion or do some research or vote or anything. Library has no system or process for making informed decisions. Conflicts arise, those with strong opinions may or may not express them (depending on what they have to lose) and then nothing is done. Conflict NR 1 is:

Should all reference computers have Microsoft tools on them?

Yes, these tools are integral to the research process.

OR

No, then we will be asked questions about them and that’s not our job!

Faculty Meetings are Sacred?

In an attempt to foster communication between faculty and staff, I proposed a cross-representation at our individual meetings. I was surprised to learn that library staff would not be welcome at any library faculty meetings or any part of a faculty meeting.

Blondie declared “Faculty meetings are sacred.” Wow, I didn’t see that coming!! It was not part of my orientation.

There also seems to be some concern about other university faculty knowing that we even talk to the staff. Apparently when standing next to library staff it is of utmost importance to embody your faculty sacredness and move away from the riff-raff.

Teaching Library-Web

Much of the resources Library offers are Internet accessible which means that when we teach, we need to demonstrate using our Candy Land web site. And it is really hard!

I want to show the students and their professors how easy it is for them to find what they need on our site. I want to show them that the text labels are obvious and that we anticipate what the students will be looking for – everything is super easy and time saving and thoughtful. BUT IT IS NOT!!!!

I’ll have to settle for handing out a paper resource to lead them through their information searching process.