EndNote is probably the single greatest thing I've learned about in graduate school so far. I heard about it hear and there and now I'm using it. I love it. People say that they can't figure it out, although I don't really understand what there is to figure out. You just plop your information into the provided blank spaces and let EndNote do all the magic. Plus, it seems to integrate practically seamlessly with MS Word.
This semester has been kind of rough for me because I haven't had a lot of writing assignements. This is sort of frustrating because I'm really craving writing right now. Looks like the summer will be a great time for scholarly publication.
I learned how to use EndNote in Advanced Online Searching this semester. Hence, I'm not doing any writing for the class, but using the program as a way to organize my research. It's been very effective, but I'm really anxious to write a paper with it. I mean, it friggin' does IN-TEXT CITATION! Ugh! Maybe this is just what I need to get my butt in scholarly publication gear.
3/9/06
Creating a Training Manual for Incoming GSAs
When I was hired at the end of last summer to be a Graduate Student Assistant, the training was very limited. Two of my coworkers and I sat in on a incoming regular student assistant training, but it wasn't particularly helpful.
It came time to (wo)man the reference desk. Brian, the other new GSA, and I just jumped right into the work. Everything was hands on experience. I was new to the campus, so it was a bit difficult when the directional questions came up. Yet, we got those so much that I quickly learned. This type of "training" if you want to call it that, is bad form.
Now, Brian and I are going to be the only GSAs left and we have to develop a training manual for the three newbies coming in the summer. It will be easier to show them the ropes in the quieter spring/summer semesters (Brian and I were thrown in the fire of fall semester - eeek!)
One of my biggest problems with libraries sometimes is the atrocious communication. For example, three campus police cars were present yesterday in front of the building and no one at the checkout counter would tell me what was going on. They asked, does it have anything to do with your desk? I'm the f***ing INFORMATION desk and people were asking me about what was going on, which is still considered information. It was ridiculous.
Anyway, the only way to get stuff done around here is to do it yourself. Hence, Brian and I are going to try to make the transition of three rookies a bit easier.
Some of the important parts of the manual would include:
- important phone numbers
- what each GSA job consists of (desk manager, statistics manager, schedule maker, exhibit designer and there's one more I'm not clear on)
- security measures, what DO you do when the gate alarm goes off or there are rowdy patrons.
- layout of the library
- frequently asked questions
- taking breaks
- making up and trading hours
- what services are offered (get this button, ILL, MEL, remote access databases)
There are more, but for now, that is all.
It came time to (wo)man the reference desk. Brian, the other new GSA, and I just jumped right into the work. Everything was hands on experience. I was new to the campus, so it was a bit difficult when the directional questions came up. Yet, we got those so much that I quickly learned. This type of "training" if you want to call it that, is bad form.
Now, Brian and I are going to be the only GSAs left and we have to develop a training manual for the three newbies coming in the summer. It will be easier to show them the ropes in the quieter spring/summer semesters (Brian and I were thrown in the fire of fall semester - eeek!)
One of my biggest problems with libraries sometimes is the atrocious communication. For example, three campus police cars were present yesterday in front of the building and no one at the checkout counter would tell me what was going on. They asked, does it have anything to do with your desk? I'm the f***ing INFORMATION desk and people were asking me about what was going on, which is still considered information. It was ridiculous.
Anyway, the only way to get stuff done around here is to do it yourself. Hence, Brian and I are going to try to make the transition of three rookies a bit easier.
Some of the important parts of the manual would include:
- important phone numbers
- what each GSA job consists of (desk manager, statistics manager, schedule maker, exhibit designer and there's one more I'm not clear on)
- security measures, what DO you do when the gate alarm goes off or there are rowdy patrons.
- layout of the library
- frequently asked questions
- taking breaks
- making up and trading hours
- what services are offered (get this button, ILL, MEL, remote access databases)
There are more, but for now, that is all.
3/8/06
Electronic Records Archives - It's kind of a big deal.
Today I stray from my theme of podcasts and welcome my readers to the land of archives. This is an incredible and rather terrifying time to be entering the profession. Back in the day, people became archivists to go to a room, be alone and process collections.
Nowadays, there's a demand for online services in the realm of information in the form of digital collections, chat and email reference, online finding aids, etc. The archival profession has a big problem - preserving electronic records. Almost 90% of records produced are electronic nowadays and the problem lies in how to preserve these records. Example, if you save your journal on a disk, will your grandchildren be able to access that disk in 50 years? Will the technology be obsolete? This is just a tiny, tiny example of what concerns us. How do you preserve powerpoint presentation, interactive online displays, various email formats....it's enough to make you crazy!
I'm particularly interested in government archives and how they'll handle these records. They took a first step on Sept. 8, 2005 when the United States Archivist, Allen Weinstein, announced that Lockheed Martin (yes, the same that produces weapons, etc) would build the archives of the future. Weinstein said, "The Electronic Records Archives' goal is clear and simple: a system that accepts, preserves, and makes accessible -- far into the future -- any type of electronic document."
I am thrilled to see what will happen. This is HUUUUUUUUUUGE in archives right now. It's time for my generation to take over and figure out a solution to this problem. Game on!
Nowadays, there's a demand for online services in the realm of information in the form of digital collections, chat and email reference, online finding aids, etc. The archival profession has a big problem - preserving electronic records. Almost 90% of records produced are electronic nowadays and the problem lies in how to preserve these records. Example, if you save your journal on a disk, will your grandchildren be able to access that disk in 50 years? Will the technology be obsolete? This is just a tiny, tiny example of what concerns us. How do you preserve powerpoint presentation, interactive online displays, various email formats....it's enough to make you crazy!
I'm particularly interested in government archives and how they'll handle these records. They took a first step on Sept. 8, 2005 when the United States Archivist, Allen Weinstein, announced that Lockheed Martin (yes, the same that produces weapons, etc) would build the archives of the future. Weinstein said, "The Electronic Records Archives' goal is clear and simple: a system that accepts, preserves, and makes accessible -- far into the future -- any type of electronic document."
I am thrilled to see what will happen. This is HUUUUUUUUUUGE in archives right now. It's time for my generation to take over and figure out a solution to this problem. Game on!
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