Glacial Librarian

Opinionated Minnesota academic librarian. Said opinions are my own. @glacialibrarian

[glaciallibrarian]

Checkout history redux

The results are in. Okay, I got a few replies. Thanks for those of you with input! Most responders said that there is some kind of circulation record kept: linked to the item instead of the patron account, as an opt-in feature, or full-on kept, which seemed to be an academic library thing. 

We keep a full record at our wee academic library, linked to the account and the item.

Why are public libraries more cautious about privacy than academic libraries? And why are libraries in general less careful about privacy than I was taught in library school?

[glaciallibrarian]

Checkout history?

Does your library (system) retain circulation records for patrons? Followup: Are you in an academic or public library (system)? 

It seems to be a battle between privacy/Patriot Act and patron convenience.

[denyinghipster]

It’s often easy for us to slip into librarian jargon when explaining something to a student but sometimes the most effective way to increase their comprehension of a subject is to abandon the technical terminology. This does not mean talking down to them but, instead, reframe it in terms that better fit their own life experiences.

Orange is the new academia: How my experience as a prison librarian enriches my approach as an academic librarian (via healthscireflib

This was/is a great article. I may or may not have immediately bugged the author about it. 

[glaciallibrarian]

Article redrafting is finally happening today. The goal: get it out the door to two friendly peer reviewers before I leave work. Go!

[iworkatapubliclibrary]

Acceptance, Total

I’m a woman and I work at a public library. I’m slowly working on feeling better about myself with changes to my physical appearance (short hair, working out, etc.) and so far so good. I’m starting to become more androgynous and I’m really happy with that! The other day at the library, a kid approached me with a concerned look.

Kid: “Are you a boy or a girl?”

Me: “I’m a girl…mostly.”

Kid [without missing a beat]: “Oh, okay. Can you help me find a book?” 

[glaciallibrarian]

Kids rock that way. 

[glaciallibrarian]

Today, from a student: "Did anyone ever tell you that you have a wonderful smile? Every time I see it, it warms me." That one was okay, but what is going on this week, Tumblarians?

[megreadsblog]

Found this in an art book for kids. Apparently someone has been crafting with sticky notes.

[glaciallibrarian]

I once found a book on Africa in my library with women's bare breasts covered with Post-Its. And someone turns our copy of Beyoncé's latest album around, so you can't see the BUTT on it. 

[caligarianzuparadzay-deactivate]

[glaciallibrarian]

Truth. 

[kateebrarian]

[glaciallibrarian]

OMG.

[glaciallibrarian]

My body. Mine.

I was just checking an item out to a male student. As I scanned his card, he said, "Losing weight? You getting skinny on me?" 

It is not okay to police my body, comment on it, or "compliment" it. Period.

But I still have trouble taking up that space. I froze in the moment, responding just with a fake-incredulous, "Whaaaat?" When he leaves, I'm going to pull him aside and let him know it's not okay. But I'm uncomfortable and scared to do so.

Have other librarians had this experience? How do you deal with it?

[ramona1992]

“In order to be really good as a librarian, everything counts towards your work, every play you go see, every concert you hear, every trip you take, everything you read, everything you know. I don’t know of another occupation like that. The more you know, the better you’re going to be.” ― Allen Smith

[librarydlemm-deactivated2017120]

#librarian #librarianquote

[glaciallibrarian]

I'm trying something new this week, in the midst of the summer academic doldrums: I have one goal every day. They're reasonable, sometimes even small, but give me a deadline and a centering task. Come on, motivation!

[glaciallibrarian]

“Do You Have a Plan to Harm Yourself or Anyone Else?”

Let's keep everyone safe, eh?

[glaciallibrarian]

at community college in central illinois, our campus security is an independent police department; it generally takes them less than 10 seconds to arrive and they are fantastic; whether it is a medical condition lilke seizure or a computer porn "offender" or a disruptive/volatile patron. same situation at the university right next door. the officers are not your typical munie police in my experience however, rather more educated more compassionate more service rather than enforcement oriented.

Thanks for responding! This seems in line with what colleges generally do in my experience, whatever the size. Anyone else?

[glaciallibrarian]

What does your security look like?

Academic librarians: What's the security situation on your campus and at your library? We have no staffing whatsoever, and depend solely on 9-1-1. 

Modified to clarify: There is no campus security at my college. The whole college relies on 9-1-1. 

[librarymoments]

When I am out of ideas and the patron is just standing there waiting...

[glaciallibrarian]

I've now received complete feedback from both mentors for my article draft. I'm 2/2 with them liking it! Of course, being that they care (right?), they did a bit of tearing apart in their comments. It's so awesome to have engaged, smart people helping me with my work, but it means there's more for me to do before I'm ready to send this thing off. 

My plan is to sit on it temporarily while I work on an application, then return for draft 2. 

Excited. And nursing a bit of impending impostor syndrome.