renee's blog

Today was the first day of school! I am teaching a high school media studies class this year. In it, we will produce the school news program in addition to daily digital displays featuring school announcements. The class went ok. The students seem excited about the potential to create a news program, especially as I have left it open for them to create their own content. I did make the mistake, however, of allowing too much time for class conversation without a developing enough discussion points. My mistake was in my assumption that students would contribute more then they actually did. My solution will be to create a more structured lesson for next time.

Today I experienced teaching a lesson on a lesson plan to a room full of teachers. Let me explain - My school is adapting a program based on personality types. Students will be given Myers-Briggs personality tests and grouped together based on their results. Those groups - whom we are calling culture groups - will meet every two weeks during a block schedule. Part of the agenda during those meetings is a reading seminar. Our goal is to encourage our students to read for pleasure more often, and we're hoping that by discussing reading with peers that share the same inclinations toward reading they'll discover better reading habits and/or new book genres that appeal to their tastes. So, my lesson today was to introduce the idea to the teachers and to share a lesson plan I developed for the culture group reading seminar. This particular lesson delves into whether or not we read for pleasure, why or why not, and what the class may collectively have in common pertaining to read...

In my last post, I brought up some lessons I learned from my failed attempt at a summer reading program. For this post, I bring to you lesson number two - Programming and Promotion. Programming In relation to last week's post on planning, programming will take a lot of time and, hopefully, collaboration. You will need to think about themes, topics, classes, outreach and more. I would have liked to have my summer reading program based on a theme with a book selection that promoted the theme. From that, it would have been cool to offer special programs on open library days. Say the theme was graphic novels - I could have held a session on design, animation, or character development. Again, this all goes back to planning ...and starting early. At least I have a start for next year! ALA has many great ideas on Summer Reading Programs Promotion I feel I really dropped the ball, too, when it came to promoting my summer library hours. I did make a really neat poster which I wi...

My observations included an elementary and a middle school librarian, and academic librarians in the IT, reference, and circulation departments. I have been working in some capacity in a library setting for some time now – 10 years – so, I approached my observations as both a student and a colleague. The questions I asked were from a position of someone who is in and knows the profession, but is curious about other perceptions of the job. Additionally, I took this opportunity to learn from my colleagues, focusing on areas in which I know I need a polishing up. My first question to all librarians was, ‘do you feel your job is rewarding?’ I have found this question to open up conversation as to whether or not people like their jobs, what they do and don’t like about them, and so forth. Of the five librarians I worked with during my observation, four found their work to be rewarding. I found that to be very affirming. When pressed on what they found rewarding about their jobs, most m...

My experiment with opening the library to students over the summer has been ... not so great. I am sad to report that not a single student came to visit the library this summer. Keep in mind, the idea to open up the library during the summer was definitely a last minute one. In fact, there were only two weeks of school remaining when I we first approached the subject. The last two weeks of school . Even my most avid library visitors barley feigned interest, and I know they only did that to appease me (they're so good). Even still, who can blame them for not being excited to come back to school during the summer? This is the first time our school has done something like this (at least that I know of). For the students, summer meant vacation from school. Not more school. Oh well. So, while I was able to complete a lot of needed work around the library, and plan for the year ahead, I did not check any books out to my students. However, I am taking this to be a learning experience. ...

For my first observation, I visited a small, public elementary school library. I knew I was going to assist the librarian in developing curriculum for her gifted students. As I have been working with the gifted teacher in my own school, I took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions specific to working with gifted students. 1. How does teaching gifted students in the library differ from other students? 2. What are some ways in which the library can best support gifted students? 3. Does the library host resources especially for the gifted students? The librarian had answers for all three questions, but I did do a little research on my own after the visit to follow-up on my own professional curiosity. Much of my research backed up the actions and beliefs of the librarian. For instance, when addressing differences between gifted students and other students, the library pointed to the seemingly endless curiosity of the child. She also said that they typically like to read muc...

Since I started taking this course, I've been checking out professional catalogers' blogs. It's been new to me as I've never really paid attention to the cataloging world and really didn't know much about catalogers - except that they love mahjong. Anyway, I recently started reading this blog written by a Canadian cataloger. It's clever and interesting and actually makes cataloging interesting - but, that's not why I'm bringing it up. I read one of her older posts about what makes a good cataloger and within the discussion a British colleague wrote something about job candidates shooting themselves in the foot by mentioning that they catalog with Dewey. So, I've been thinking about that. What gives? I get that larger libraries use LOC, but this librarian is British, so that can't be it. Maybe England uses a different cataloging standard? I could look it up, but I'm too exhausted (more on that later). Or, is Dewey just an antiquated system ...

There comes a point during a semester where everything kind of clicks. The “aha” moment, I believe Oprah calls it. I think I’ve finally achieved that clarity in cataloging. I guess it has something to do with the way I learn. I almost need to see the bigger picture before I can start to understand the details – or appreciate why they matter. Approached the other way around and I get hung up on little things, not understanding how it all fits. Now I see the bigger picture. And, thank the library gods because I was starting to go a little bonkers. I’m still hitting snags with the details – I’m not sure how great I did on the access points quiz I just took- and I foresee having to tote along my AACR guide when cataloging, but at least I understand how it all fits together. Now I’m starting to think more about cataloging in the library world. What does it mean to be a cataloger? Are they simply recorders of bibliographic information - preoccupied with spelling, punctuation, and Dewey’s dec...

This is my first post for LIBS 6120 Cataloging & Classification. First thoughts: In the beginning, I hated it. That sounds horrible. But, hear me out. This is my first online course. I'm a very hands-on type of learner - and embarrassingly traditional. I need people around to teach and learn and motivate. This, I suppose, is normal. Anyway, this all online thing has been new and trying, but I'm getting there. Mostly it’s about creating a schedule and sticking to it. Still, I'd like to have a few study pals. About cataloging, I'm thinking this may not have been the best course to start out with. I feel this way for two reasons; a) because tackling the whole first-online-course thing on top of all of the details(!) of cataloging has been extremely time consuming, and b) because it's so demoralizing. I guess reason b is because of reason a, so maybe there is only one reason. Anyway, it's hard to stay motivated about a new career path by starting out tackling th...

For my final week of interning, I inspected four more films on the rewind. The findings were much the same as previous weeks. The following is a breakdown of the four inspected films: Film 13, Chemistry of Iron and Steel An Eastman color safety film Optical audio The biggest issue with this film was that it was a little dirty otherwise, it is in good condition. There is one cement splice in this film - also in good condition. This film also features an animated segment. Film 21, Pouring Babbit Bearings, A Marshal Maintenance Production Eastman color film…possibly nitrate? Optical audio Film is soft and a little wavy. There is one tear in the perforation, but is otherwise in good shape. Film 22, The Carbon - Oxygen Reaction in the Open-Hearth Bath Kodak B&W safety film The can was stuck together, the lid had to be pried off. Additionally, the real was a little too snug in the can. This film smells like vinegar but, in descent shape. Film 23, Where’s Joe?, A Cinecraft, Inc....

Continuing the condition report from last week, I inspected four more films on the rewind this week. The following is a quick report of my findings: Film 24, Untitled Training Film This is a short film in a really small metal can (maybe 4 or 5 inches across). The film was Kodak safety B&W, with optical audio. The film suffered from a little buckling, a few torn perforations, and fading image (at least I think its fading- some frames look cloudy.) The film is soft and, like most of the film I have looked at, the damage is at the beginning of the reel. As far as the context of the film, it’s difficult to say what this was a training film for. Many of the frames portrayed what looked like a man’s uniform, wrapped in cables, hanging from a building. Hmmmm…. Film ? (didn’t write the number in my notes), The Heating of Capped Steel Another Wilding Picture Production Kodak safety B&W film, audio optical This film did not have leader so suffered from residue adhesive on the film f...

I started assessing the actual film from the collection this week. Like Sean, I was able to view the film by using a pair of Moviola rewinds and a light table. Because I do not foresee having enough time to view all of the footage, I’ve selected films that were stored differently to be viewed. In hopes of comparing differences in composition or deterioration, I selected films from a metal can with a metal spool; a plastic can with a metal spool; and a plastic can with a plastic spool. My findings are as follows: Film 9 The Hot Rolling of Steel Sheets A Jam Handy Production Old metal can, metal spool Positive print, Eastman Color Film Variable Area Soundtrack There are cement splices Film was soft and did not indicate shrinkage Few scratches Film was faded and tinted Film was dirty Film 8 Yeah A Wilding Production New metal can, metal spool Positive reversal stock, Eastman Color film Audio same as film 9 The film was dirty, but otherwise in great condition Film 6 The Search for a ...

This week started as last left off. I continued assessing the film from the Gaughan collection. Like last week, I was only able to assess the “exterior” condition of the film- the can, the spools, the look of the film. My findings were similar to the first half I had inspected last week. Most of the cans were metal and all of the film was wound on metal reels, including on that was stored in a plastic can. A few of the cans were new and in good condition, the others were older, some were rusty and worn, all were dusty. Most of the reels appear to be in good condition. A point I forgot to address last week was that many of the films lacked leader, so the end of the film was taped to itself. This causes a sticky residue on some of the film where the tape had been applied. I made a note to attach leader…hopefully I’ll have a chance to do sol Other points I did not address last week include information about the film. For instance, they all optical audio, they are duplicate pos...

I began assessing the preservation of the films in the Gaughan Collection this week. First off, the storage conditions are pretty ideal. Temperature is kept at 60 degrees and the humidity around 30%. The films are kept on (relatively) dust-free shelving above ground level and are in the dark the majority of the time. I was able to do a preliminary assessment of half of the film in the collection. By preliminary assessment I mean: evaluating the exterior content of the film -the cans they are stored in, their spools or cores, the type of film it is, basically anything I can do without actually viewing the footage. So far, my findings are as follows: Almost all of the films are stored in metal canisters, probably the ones they were originally set in. A few are kept in plastic containers. Most of the metal cans are worn, dusty, and a few are rusting. A couple of the metal cans are new and are in good condition. All of the plastic containers are in good condition and are most lik...

My internship will be fulfilled at the University Archives at Thomas Blvd. with Miriam Meislik. For my first (and possibly only) task, I've been handed over the films from the collection of William J. Gaughan. The collection contains print records, photographic negatives, photographic prints, architectural drawings and blue prints, maps, and ephemera, along with 24 motion picture films. Here is a bit from the collection's finding aid abstract: "...chronicle operations and institutional history of the Homestead Steel Works, a mill owned by The Carnegie Steel Company and later the U.S. Steel Corporation. An employee of the Homestead Works for 36 years, William J. Gaughan, assembled the collection." The finding aid is written to the item level and has short descriptions for most films including title, producer, copyright, size, and other details such as color and optical audio. My first task was to locate all of the films and group them together in the archive's m...