Algonquin Field Placement class - Guest Lecture Oct 31, 2014
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Public Libraries Alexandra Yarrow, B.A. Hon., M.L.I.S. Manager, Alternative Services Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa Public Library
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The course is designed to ready students for the library work world. Since the environment is so varied, the instructor asked people from different spheres to come in and talk about their specific experiences: eg. what are public libraries like to work in? What kind of work could LTs expect to do? What are the customers like? Working conditions? What would be a good way to prepare for an interview? What attributes/behaviours are most important? Tell some funny stories about experiences in the public library...odd questions, challenges, patrons, etc.
Transcript of Algonquin Field Placement class - Guest Lecture Oct 31, 2014
Public Libraries
Alexandra Yarrow, B.A. Hon., M.L.I.S.Manager, Alternative Services
Bibliothèque publique d'Ottawa Public Library
Agenda
• My career path• Fun facts about OPL• Favourite things • Weird tales for Hallowe’en• Hot tips
My career path• Atwater, Westmount and Fraser Hickson Library patron• 1997 - Marianopolis College• Westmount Public Library• Nicholas Hoare Books• McGill Health Sciences Library• Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School• Eleanor London Côte-St-Luc Library• Ottawa Public Library since 2006
OPL by the numbers
OPL by the numbers
Favourite things
• Autonomy• Community-building• Experimenting• Diversity of experiences• Responsibilities
RFID @ OPL
• $1.78M in 2012 (tagging all branches and converting Hazeldean)
• $3.785M Total estimated remaining capital costs (5-8 years)
• Check out the AMH in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3s-KWPwTU4
• Check out RFID at Hazeldean Branch:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g28fV9Z_dk
#everyonehasastory
• That time I was serenaded by a toothless man• When the Scientologists came calling• Kids say the darndest things• What to do when Cate Blanchet walks in• Why a kid dressed his teddy bear in a skirt• When an English conversation group gets x-rated• How I learned everything I never wanted to
know about dry cleaning chemicals
So you want to work at OPL…• Interview questions will relate very closely to
the description of the job on the posting • Relate your experience to the job description• Read about us!• Language testing:
“designated” vs. “Day 1 ready”
Page
10
• Reports to supervisor and/or coordinator• Duties and responsibilities
– Shelving of materials– Shelf-reading and straightening– Pick-up– Filling/emptying RFID or “grey” bins– Non-public check-out and check-ins– Retrieving items on holds list– Assisting with discards– Emptying book drops
• We hire pages once a year either for a part time position or casual hours
Customer Service Assistant• Reports to supervisor and/or coordinator• Duties and responsibilities
– Provides customer service in person, by phone or via email or chat
– Assists with membership services
– Supports materials and cash handling activities
• We hire CSAs on an as-needed basis
Public Services Assistant/Children’s Public Services Assistant• Reports to supervisor and/or coordinator• Duties and responsibilities
– Provides reference and RA assistance– Provides circulation and page services – Routine collection maintenance duties– Promotes Library services– May be senior person in charge or
exercises responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the library branch.
• We hire PSAs / CPPSAs on an as-needed basis
Advice
• You are your own best advocate• Mentor someone and be mentored• Make a name for yourself• Learn from mistakes• Soft skills are more important than
hard/technical skills• Get involved in a professional association• Don’t say no!
