Teaching Paraprofessionals the "Techy" Side of the Library

Teaching Paraprofessionals the “Techy” Side of the LibraryRita Van Duinen - Lead Instructor, Library and Information Technology Program - Central Carolina Community CollegeMike Crumpton – Asst Dean for Admin Services – The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Challenges• Cataloging evolution• Multiple resource

types• Staff outsourcing of

functions• Collapsing of full time

positions• Convergence

technologies

• Maintaining and repairing equipment

• Search strategies• Employer

expectations• Communication issues• Unlearning the past• Learning new

competencies

Have times changed?• Has the role of paraprofessionals begun to evolve

differently?• Do they need to re-look at their own world and the world

around them differently?• Have customers (readers/users) expectations changed

significantly over the years?• Is this a profession that many find difficult to cope with

changing times and environment? • Can libraries be made as an ideal place to work-despite

the limitations? • What is the role of technology in paraprofessional

duties?

Library Staff

Professional• Librarians

• Info literacy• Lifelong learning• Resource evaluation• Understand and convey

social issues• Administrators

• Provide supervision• Promote vision• Advocate within larger

organization

Para-Professional• Technicians

• Web• AV

• Assistants• Circulation• Periodicals/serials

• Clerks• Collection • Administrative• Public service

Digital Natives• Next generation of people who

have grown up learning “differently”

• Conflicts with digital immigrants who did not grow up on “twitch speed” or everything being instantaneous

• Acceptance or avoidance of digital future?

• Adapting library services to meet digital native’s needs

Who are Library Users?

Students Teachers Parents

College Students Multiple demographics

Visitors from other libraries

Community members

Faculty from universities

People with disabilities

Service people Staff You

What users want to knowIn no particular order:• Library rules• Where are people,

places and things• What you can do for

them• Technology on the

spot• Seamless use of

Internet features

Examples• Technology

• Word processing, spreadsheets, presentation programming skills

• Web navigation and design skills

• Digitization, camera• File management

skills• Videoconferencing• Local network

knowledge• Storage devices

What is Web 2.0?• Library 2.0 is a loosely defined model for a modernized form of

library service that reflects a transition within the library world in the way that services are delivered to users. The focus is on user-centered change and participation in the creation of content and community. [1] The concept of Library 2.0 borrows from that of Business 2.0 and Web 2.0 and follows some of the same underlying philosophies. This includes online services like the use of OPAC systems and an increased flow of information from the user back to the library.

• With Library 2.0, library services are constantly updated and reevaluated to best serve library users. Library 2.0 also attempts to harness the library user in the design and implementation of library services by encouraging feedback and participation. Proponents of this concept expect that the Library 2.0 model for service will ultimately replace traditional, one-directional service offerings that have characterized libraries for centuries.

• From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Web 2.0 classes• 9 week program• 23 Web 2.0

technologies• Based on program from

PLCMC• 20 participants• Managed electronically

thru blogs and email• Certificate for

completion

Proactive Support Strategies• Reviewing books and creating a book review culture• Tracking global trends and technologies impacting the

profession• Learning and teaching foreign languages• Exhibiting various allied areas of interest in the library

like forms of art and culture • Organizing classical film viewing • Career counselling• Enhancing new media access• Encouraging school children to cultivate the habit of

reading• Engaging in a social cause and inspiring others to do the

same

Expectations

Basic knowledge of a personal computer 

• Knowledge of file folder structure – how to save and retrieve documents (including how to organize) – how to navigate between folders – knowledge of network folders vs. local folders – how to add a network drive – how to add printers – difference between local printers vs. network printers – knowledge of how to delete items and empty trash – knowledge of different file formats & ability to recognize virus files

Internet knowledge • How to search the web – what

the internet is vs. what the world wide web is – good searching habits – knowledge of spyware and how it can disable a computer – how to use various browsers including IE, Firefox, Mozilla, Opera, Netscape and others – what a URL is – what the format of a URL is – knowledge of domain name structure – knowledge about pop-up blockers & how to disable them – idea of what can and cannot be found on the internet – what the notion of precision vs. recall is.

Software knowledge • Microsoft Office products and other

alternatives, anti-virus software, personal firewall software – ftp – telnet – HTML editors – basic ability to understand your operating system (os) – knowledge of what (os) you have on your computer – knowledge of how to figure out what (os) others have – ability to test & learn new software (librarians are often asked to troubleshoot any program installed on library computers), in depth knowledge of email software – understanding of POP3 vs. imap

Networking knowledge • What is the network? – what do you

need to put a computer on a network? (network interface card & data cable) – wireless networks – how to connect to wireless on PCs with various operating systems & on a mac – how to determine if internet connectivity problems are network problems, computer problems or web site failures – what is an IP address? - some knowledge of the following concepts: DNS (internal & external), NAT (network address translation), VPN (virtual private network) – what is a proxy server & the basics of how it works

Hardware knowledge • Familiarity with your cpu –

understanding where your USB/Firewire port is – understanding of into where your mouse, keyboard & monitor & possibly barcode scanner plug- familiarity with laptops, tablets & PDAs – knowledge of mp3 players & iPods – familiarity with printers & how to troubleshoot printing problems – knowledge of thumb drives/flash drives – knowledge of projectors

Other Computer Concepts • Ability to troubleshoot

basic computer problems – primary computer user is the first line of defense for their own computer – knowledge of how to reboot, soft and hard boots, and when to use them – ability to clearly articulate and define computer problems

Strategies for Keeping Up• Visits – with other libraries, similar organizations, get to know

latest in field, offer to collaborate or do practicums

• Volunteer – for projects and committees in or out of the system to gain exposure to a broader perspective

• Participate – join conversations, listservs, discussion groups or network at conferences to hear new ideas

• Contribute – share you ideas and energy, don’t look for the reason not to

Support Organizations• http://www.nclaonline.org/nclpa/what-nclpa

Would you have it any other way?

Library and Information Technology

• Unique features • Supports staff

development needs across state and nation

• Totally distance education, no seated classes

• Wide variety of degrees and certificates

• Flexible programs

Para-professional Credentials

Library Support Staff Certification Program Competency Sets• Required

• Foundations of Library Services • Communication and Teamwork • Technology

• Electives• Access Services • Adult Readers Advisory Services • Cataloguing and Classification • Collection Management • Reference and Information Services • Supervision and Management • Youth Services

Staff Development• Strategic Planning• Organizational

culture• Needs assessment• Training design• Development

programs• Importance of

assessment• Career management• Sustainability

Giving good service• Respecting Users

• Acknowledgement• Eye contact• Focusing your attention• Following the Golden

Rule• Being a professional• Who you represent• Supporting your

organization

If you enjoy working in a library setting and have an interest in technology, you should consider enrolling in the Library and Information Technology (LIT) program.

The LIT program is suitable for persons seeking entry-level employment in either public or private libraries. The curriculum is also ideal for current paraprofessional and professional library employees who seek specialized training in new technologies.

Suggestions• Be Nimble• Be adaptable• Know the values• Have a plan• Communicate • Be visible• Be transparent• Be positive