Technological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Gerry O. Laroza,April 18, 2012. Divine Word College of Legazpi, Legazpi City

THANK YOU!

• Bicol Region Librarians Council (PLAI-BRLC)

• Ms. Edna San Buenaventura, BRLC President

• Mrs. Lourdes T. David, Director, Rizal Library, ADMU

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and do not constitute an endorsement by Ateneo de Manila University or its library.

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Technology in the library

Technology has fundamentally changed the ways in which libraries provide access to materials and information for their users.

Anne M. Prestamo, "A Comprehensive inventory of Technology and Computer Skills for

Academic Reference Librarian”

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

General I.T. Competencies

Confidently knowing your way around a PC

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Knowledge and able to navigate the university/library website and Blog

A working knowledge of desktop applications available at the library (Microsoft Office, Anti-virus, browsers etc.)

The staff should know the general trends and developments of appropriate technology in all library functions and services, whether offered in the library or through remote access

Core I.T. competencies

Knowledge of Information Discovery Tools

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Basic printing and copying support

Knowledge of Client services Web (e.g. Student registration, Wifi)

The staff should know the IT facilities available to clients

Know how to create a technical flowchart

KNOW WHERE TO FIND HELP. Perform basic troubleshooting of technical problems, and resolve or appropriately refer those problems.

Core I.T. competencies (cont)

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Knowledge of Basic Network Technologies

The staff should know the IT facilities available to clients

TYPES of NETWORKS•Local Area Network (LANs)•Wide Area Network (WANs)•Internet•Intranet•MANs•Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

Core I.T. competencies (cont)

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Knowledge of Basic Network Technologies

The staff should know the IT facilities available to clients

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW•NICs - used to connect a PC to a network•Hubs/Repeaters - used to connect together two or more Ethernet segments•Network Switches – use to link four, six, ten or more networks together•Network Firewall - a system or group of systems that enforces an access control policy between two networks

Core I.T. competencies (cont)

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Knowledge of Basic Network Technologies

The staff should know the IT facilities available to clients

SOME NETWORK COMMANDS•PING - used to check for a response from another computer on the network•NSLOOKUP - an application that facilitates looking up hostnames on the network. It can reveal the IP address of a host or, using the IP address, return the host name•NETSTAT– used to look up the various active connections within a computer•IPCONFIG - a command when used with the /all switch, reveal enormous amounts of troubleshooting information within the system•TRACEROUTE - on Unix and Linux (or tracert in the Microsoft ) attempts to trace the current network path to a destination

Assisting Patrons with Technology

Ability to create a brochure to provide patrons with information about how to utilize

various library software applications, online databases, the library website, reference

desk service, and web-based library services.

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Ability to create signage which can be placed near library computers to show patrons how to operate library equipment and connect to the internet. In the signage, use photos; screen shots; and appropriate graphics symbols, such as lines, arrows, and bullets to clarify the message

Staff should know how to create signage and a brochure to inform patrons how to operate library equipment, connect to the internet, utilize library software applications, and access library services from remote locations

Library 2.0 - BEYOND THE BASICS

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

User-centered. Users participate in the creation of the content and services they view within the library's web-presence

“It applies beyond technological innovation and service”. -- Michael Casey

provides a multi-media experience. Both the collections and services of Library 2.0 contain video and audio components.

socially rich. The library's web-presence includes users' presences. (ex. IM and Wikis)

communally innovative.. It seeks to continually change its services, to find new ways to allow communities, not just individuals to seek, find, and utilize information.

ELEMENTS OF LIBRARY 2.0

Library 2.0 - BEYOND THE BASICS

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Knowledge of Web 2.0 tools including social networking tools (LibraryThing,Facebook)

“It applies beyond technological innovation and service”. -- Michael Casey

Knowledge of Basic HTML (Tutorial : http://www.w3schools.com/html/)

Knowledge of Podcasting, Video-casting, Screencasting (ex. NewYorker Podcast www.newyorker.com/online/podcasts/fiction; JING)

Knowledge of Cloud computing

ELEMENTS OF LIBRARY 2.0

In writing competency descriptions,Consider the MUST HAVE AREAS:

Technology Terms Glossary

Planning and Evaluating

Helping Remote Users - Focus on the User: Incorporate competencies about evaluating technologies to enhance services and resources for the end user and being able to help users use these technologies because that is, after all, what all of this is about.

Dealing with Change

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

In writing competency descriptions,Consider the Competency statements:

Assesses, selects, and applies current and emerging information tools and creates information access and delivery solutions

Applies expertise in databases, indexing, metadata, and information analysis and synthesis to improve information retrieval and use in the organization.

Protects the information privacy of clients and maintains awareness of, and responses to, new challenges to privacy.

Maintains current awareness of emerging technologies that may not be currently relevant but may become relevant tools of future information resources, services, or applications

Technological Competencies for Librarians and StaffTechnological Competencies for Librarians and Staff

Sample Technology Competency Categories

References

• Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries http://

www.webology.org/2006/v3n2/a25.html

• Writing the Competency Descriptions http://

ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=4ecc555f-a467-44ba-afff-94f8d62acdce%40sessionmgr

110&vid=1&hid=102

• Core Technology Competencies for Librarians and Library Staff:A LITA Guide. Edited by Susan M.

Thompson.

• The Hidden Costs of Keeping Current: Technology and Libraries. Cunningham, Kay

Summary

Every position in the library is different that requires different technological competencies, but it is better to have a good list of what you need from your library staff members.