Comments on: What exactly makes a systems librarian?

By: mohd

mohd — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:36:50 +0000

i think it is very good to application it
so nice this website…can you tech me how to change the right hand side colour”

hybrids tech

By: Corey Wallis

Corey Wallis — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 04:52:41 +0000

Andrew,

It appears to me that the title “Systems Librarianship” covers a wide range of tasks and skill levels. Would a knowledge of computer science be necessary to be a “Systems Librarian”? Of that I’m not sure.

Would a degree in Information Systems / Information Technology be beneficial? I think it would most certainly be helpful.

The one main thing I would say though is a willingness to learn, an interest in computing, and an adventurous spirit ware necessary.

It really depends on what the organisation you’re working for expects of you.

By: Librarians Matter » Blog Archive » Systems Librarianship - some lowbrow thoughts

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 03:36:57 +0000

[...] Also Corey Wallis recently raised the issue on librariesinteract.info of “What exactly makes a Systems Librarian“, referring to the excellent Dorothea Salo post on TechEssence about “Hiring a Systems Librarian“. [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:17:08 +0000

This article I think is timely.There are quite a number of fresh Library graduates that actually wish to measure up systems librarianship.However,they lack the required information.Mine is rather a question and not a comment per say.Is a knowledge of computer science necessary for systems librarianship.

By: Dorothea

Dorothea — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:45:47 +0000

My sense is that the job you accept after you’re through your MLS will be more important to you than what you take during it. If you have the tech skills, which you obviously do, the thing is not to let them rust.

One reference course won’t kill you and may make you stronger. Not a few techie jobs are hybrids — tech plus desk shifts. Plus, libraries (at least in the States) are pretty hidebound about librarian certifications, so check the appropriate accreditation for any program you’re considering.

By: Being the bridge between two worlds « Tech Explorer

Being the bridge between two worlds « Tech Explorer — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 08:59:19 +0000

[...] I applied for the course after discussion with various people at my place of work, including senior level management. I also asked the question of the visitors to the librariesinteract.info blog to which I contribute. I learnt through this consultation process that my place of work was highly interested in my undertaking this type of study, which is fortunate because it interests me, and have been very supportive. [...]

By: What makes a systems librarian? « Systems

What makes a systems librarian? « Systems — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 15:11:29 +0000

[...] In our systems class we have been grappling with the “what is a systems librarian” issue. Recent blog postings by Jennifer Macaulay and Corey Wallis have pondered similar issues. [...]

By: The Education Of A Systems Librarian « Life as I Know It

The Education Of A Systems Librarian « Life as I Know It — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:54:59 +0000

[...] In a recent blog post What exactly makes a systems librarian?, Corey Wallis reflects about what makes a systems librarian and what type of education would be best. Corey writes: “the big question in my mind then is obviously what course would help me in becoming the systems librarian I oughtto be.” I struggle with the same questions. Personally, I don’t think my current course of study (MLS program) will make me a better systems librarian in the practical sense. However, I do think it is providing me with valuable insights into the world of librarianship and is helping to make me more aware of library issues. This will make me a better librarian – and this is a critical piece of the puzzle I am trying to put together. So, I am looking at my MLS as part of the foundation of systems librarianship (I guess I would have to consider my 8 years of experience in library systems as the other major part of the the foundation). In my mind, this also means that the process of becoming a better systems librarian will never really be over. It is a lifelong process. Right now, I’m concentrating on my masters. However, when I am done, there will be other, more technical skills that I will need to develop. I’m not sure that I will enter another graduate program – at this point, I can feel myself getting a bit tired of school (I need to find a way to reinvigorate myself and my attitude), so I can’t stomach the thought of another formal program. But, I do think that I may find certificate programs, go to conferences, take classes on specific technical subjects, read current literature on important topics, etc. Ultimately, I very much enjoy learning, and I believe it is a key to personal growth and development. I hope never to stop – and often comfort myself with the belief that we can learn just as much from bad educational experiences as from good ones (which means every educational effort is worth something). [...]

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 02:26:14 +0000

I agree with snail that one of the most important skills is to be a translator. I’ve been working as a “systems_librarian_by_another_name” for a number of years, and I think if I were employing someone in this role, I would look for
-a good communicator
-someone who is keen to embrace and investigate change
-a good “people” person
-someone who doesn’t mind working alone
-someone who has a deep fundamental understanding of technology and how to apply it in the library environment, and is prepared to be a leader in investigating new possibilities, even when it means getting shouted down a lot of the time
-someone who has a deep fundamental understanding of library culture and ethos
-someone who can cope with putting heart and soul into a project only to hand it over to others once it becomes operational
-someone who thrives on a steep learning curve

I’m a bit concerned about your comment that “My main responsibility is to ensure that users of the Library can use the systems that the Library provides”, as I think your role “should” and is likely to be, much wider than that. Whether we like it or not, and whether it is in our job description or not, we are probably not doing our job very well unless it includes most of what I have said above.

I don’t think any course of study will teach you all those things, but something that covers a fundamental understanding of library data would be useful. So the best would be Information Archtecture in a Library context – and I’d love to hear about such a course when you find one! Better still find some way to work in all those areas of the library you mentioned – nothing like hands on!

But if I had to choose, I think as long as you are immersed in the library culture and ethos (which you probably aren’t going to get in a programme of study anyway), I would lean towards the technology stuff.

On the other hand, if you want to advance in a career in the library sector, get out of systems. Sounds contradictory, but it isn’t where the power resides, at least in my experience (and the systems knowledge/experience will always give you an edge). Get solid library quals, and maybe back it up with an MBA.

By: snail

snail — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 01:50:23 +0000

It continues to strike me as a “bitsa” job. Covering bits of this and bits of that and bits of something else. Anything remotely technical that regular library folk don’t want to touch. One very important skill for systems librarians that I’ve found over the years is the ability to be bi-lingual. Able to talk tech speak and library speak, often at the same time I’ve got a library degree and I did a compsci major many years ago. My current job, for a vendor, is mostly technical, though actual programming tends more along the lines of script maintenance. Suits me fine at the moment.