Well, today is a very long day. According to my calculations, I'm rather behind on the hours I need before the end of the semester, so I'll be working a few twelve hour day to make up for them. And today was the first!
My day began much like they always do. I came in and logged on the computers, which were already on for some reason. I checked the ILL mailbox and input those. I had to email another person since the item they requested was too new again. Throughout the day I've been checking the mailbox just for something to do. I did run up against a wall with one request. A patron had requested a particular book that OCLC had designated as an atlas. When I clicked on the link to ILL the book from WorldCat, I got the screen to fill out information for a photocopy request. Puzzling! In the end I asked a couple librarians, Susan and Barb, (I think,) and they suggested I simply input the information manually. I hope the ILL ladies don't get upset if I did something wrong.
I was able to complete a miniature scavenger hunt prepared for me by my site supervisor. It was rather fun! I got to get some experience with a few resources I hadn't used before, (which isn't saying much, to be sure,) but I enjoyed it. I'm hoping for more on a variety of subjects.
I spent a fair amount of time today going through another issue of Library Journal. As I knew I'd have lots of time, I went much more slowly than I have in the past and researched more. I also took a lot of breaks between reading all these reviews by reading some periodicals from the professional room. I read probably five issues of Library Journal, (which isn't a lot, since half of the issue itself are book reviews,) a couple issues of American Libraries, and an issue of Computers in Libraries. Very interesting articles, I must say!
My favorite find was this particular website called "drop.io" Literally, that's all you type in. It's more or less a glorified file hosting service with an added bonus of not requiring user accounts. No user names, nothing! And what a great host of bonus features! For instance, I was able to upload a word document, and then have the website FAX IT to me. Any number in the US is eligible for this!
How cool!
I found out about this from an article in Computers in Libraries that was detailing a selection of library-tech blogs. I found another website from this particular blog, (whose name I now forget,) that will allow one to convert file formats without having to download software. I'm really in love with both of these sites. I would hope that the library could avail itself of the drop.io site, especially for those patrons interested in faxing. We'll see.
I did answer a few questions here and there on the telephone today. Again, mostly telephone numbers. But, I did have a question that actually required me to bust out the microfilm. I have used it before, back when I was in high school, but not since. It took me a while to figure it out, and I still think I did the winding wrong, as I had to manually turn the cartridge with my finger. I doubt I was supposed to do that, but the serials staff was busy, and I wasn't in much of a hurry. Of course, the portion I needed was at the very end!
What I needed was an obituary from the Palm Beach Post from October 1986. This was earlier than the database we have provided. And while I was able to find an obituary for this person from the Miami Herald, it was brief, and I figured the microfilm would give me some good practice. The lady sure was grateful!
I also did a reference simulation for one of our more difficult patrons. I had some trouble with it, as it dealt with industry and strange classifications, but it gave me good practice, which is what I'm looking for above all from this internship.
I really do wonder about the reference materials we purchase. I see that we have the Canadian Postal Code Directory. It certainly seems like it wouldn't be used much, but I suppose that's my youthful inexperience.
Speaking of, I think I browsed three different articles about young workers in libraries. One was exploring the virtues of having an intern, (no joke!) to dealing with the Millennial mindset, to how to engage a nextgen librarian. I guess I'm a hot button issue!
I arrived at 8am and will be leaving at 9pm, totalling 12 hours.
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2 comments:
You never mentioned how you enjoyed doing your Internet presentation on July 2nd. What were your thoughts about that?
Technically any obituary requests that we receive, we're supposed to forward to Bob Davidsson in GRS. However, I'm glad you had the opportunity to dig through the microfilm, so we'll consider it time well spent.
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