November 22, 2008
Reflections…
I’ve been home for a month now and I have had plenty of time to reflect on my experience. I had a wonderful time and I was fortunate enough to make many new friends. And a few very important lessons learned during my trip to San Miguel de Allende have provided a foundation for my educational and professional development.
First, I learned that it is necessary to help whenever possible. Many libraries in the United States and abroad lack the needed resources to provide services to their communities. As an information professional who is lucky enough to work in a well funded organization, it is easy to take for granted all the things libraries need to operate effectively and efficiently. Librarians should network to find ways to share resources. A French speaker might volunteer to catalog a small libraries French collection. A few staff members might volunteer their time to help shelf shift, or with a relabeling project. There are countless ways to share expertise within the field and many libraries would greatly benefit even from just a few hours of volunteering. But time is not our only resource. Donating resources that are no longer usable in your institution could be another great way to help. Everything from books to computers to furniture could probably find a new home at a library in need. By networking with other libraries we can share resources and provide better services for all communities.
Next, I learned that while cataloging with MARC and AACR2 will rarely stray from well known standards, the functions that libraries utilize to meet those standards can vary widely. Additionally, sometimes standards take a back seat in order to quickly move materials through the system. While this is understandable in institutions where resources are lacking, it can create problems in the future. Libraries transitioning to an integrated system might experience display and usability issues if records have been imported with mistakes or incomplete information. While speed is always important, as a cataloger, I recognize the greater importance of accuracy. And until a better system is developed, accurate coding is essential for the long term success and usability of the library catalog.
Lastly, I learned that no matter what community you serve, all public libraries share common goals. All public libraries strive to provide excellent services and to exceed the expectations of their communities. Even with very few resources, libraries are able to allocate funds in ways that most benefit their costumers. Librarians are able to develop programs that educate and entertain their patrons based on local needs and trends. All libraries want to be well used and relevant to their communities.
I had a wonderful time in San Miguel de Allende. Everyone, was warm and welcoming. I am thankful for the opportunity and I hope the work we accomplished will leave a mark on the community, because the community certainly left a mark on me.
October 29, 2008
In the news…
While we were in San Miguel de Allende the local newspaper did a story on our group. They interviewed me personally.. but I guess I didn’t say anything especially enlightening because I didn’t make the final edit. Oh well. It’s still cool. I can’t link directly to the page but here is the link to the local newspaper:
http://www.atencionsanmiguel.org/index.php?enghome
And here is the story copied in full:
Library students volunteer at Biblioteca
By Krishna Villena
| During the week of October 13, eight MSL (Master of Library Science) students visited the Biblioteca Pública to work as volunteers editing online catalog records. |  |
Gwen Alexander, dean of the School of Library Information Management, said that Hawthorne “arranged these activities in coordination with Robin Velte, a retired MLS librarian who volunteers as the English book collection librarian here.” Alexander visited the Biblioteca last spring and met Velte, and the two discussed the possibility of an October week of volunteerism. Travel expenses for the Emporia State visitors have been covered by a generous endowment left by a former Emporia State student in the MLS program.
Velte said that she and the chief librarians, Juan Manuel Fajardo and Rosario Muñoz listed the main needs of the Biblioteca collections: upgrading the cataloging, adding the entire musical score collection to the catalog and editing the authority file of authors and subject headings. The software company Baratz, which provides service to the library, assigned temporary passwords and access to the system, making extra administrative computer use possible.
Kathleen Ellsworth, who volunteers as a cataloging technician for the English book collection, spent the entire week teaching and guiding the visitors in the use of the Absys7 system. The visiting librarian candidates gave all their attention to upgrading the catalog, checking for errors and completing descriptions of individual items. The volunteers electronically downloaded up-to-date records on top of old, incorrect ones. By adding specific information such as contents and summaries of books, the volunteers enhanced over 600 existing cataloging records. The end result of their labor will make it easier for library patrons to execute meaningful searches in the catalog.
The visiting librarians left behind not only marked improvements in the catalog, but also their tools: six laptops that they brought with them and used during their week of volunteering. The much-needed computers are now library property. The Biblioteca librarians learned a great deal about procedures that can be used in the future to train volunteers who will continue to enhance the catalog.
October 13, 2008
Finally in San Miguel de Allende!
We arrived in San Miguel de Allende today without (much of) a hitch.
Our flights were all on time and customs was a breeze in Leon. The only problem came up when we went out to find that our pre-arranged transport was no where to be found. After a call to the company we found they had no record of our arrangements. Luckily one of the girls in our group speaks fluent Spanish and she was able to negotiate a reasonable deal with a transporter at the airport.
So.. after a long day of flying and driving, we finally arrived in SMA around 7:30 PM.
6 of us are staying in a vacation rental house we found on the www.vrbo.com website. The house is beautiful, like an old Spanish villa. It’s huge with lots of wood and tile work.
After we arrived at our house we took a taxi to La Jardine to meet the rest of our group for dinner. We dined on fabulous Mexican fare and of course we had a margartia to celebrate our arrival. After dinner we walked to the town square just in time to see the crowd exiting from a fireworks display. We were able to use our bank cards to withdrawl pesos at an ATM on the square with no problems.
Tomorrow we will start our work at the biblioteca. I am looking forward to helping the library in this amazing town. I just hope I can sleep through the barking neighborhood dogs!
September 20, 2008
Subject headings for Spanish language materials
In her article, “Subject Access to Fiction: a Case Study Based on the Works of Pat Mora”, by Elaine Yontz, the author discusses the lack of effective subject headings to relate the presences (or absence, in some cases) of Spanish Language materials in public libraries. Yontz states that after searching a number of nationally recognized databases used by libraries in the United States there is no one single subject heading that librarians can use to signify appropriate materials for the Spanish speaking audience.
Library of Congress identifies two subject headings that may be the most effective, if used consistently;
Hispanic-Americans, and
Spanish Language Materials.
But again, cataloging librarians have to use these subject headings diligently, if they are to be an effective tool for material identification and location.
Yontz makes a strong argument for the appropriate use of subject headings for these kinds of materials. She even suggests the use of 690’s (local subject headings) that can be used by individual libraries to identify collections by using terms that may be better suited for their collections, and their populations. But is that really enough?
Will a non-English speaking customer, who may not be comfortable asking for assistance, know to search for “Spanish Language Materials” on his library catalog? Even if every single book in this collection has this subject heading, what good will it do if Spanish speakers are not familiar with this terminology?
I’m not especially keen on the idea of adding subject headings in Spanish. That would be a huge project. But there has to be a way for native Spanish speakers to find the materials they are looking for, without asking a librarian.
Tagging would allow library users to identify and locate the materials they seek, using the terminology they are most familiar and comfortable with. While most libraries are not set up to allow tagging, some LIS systems do make it available. In my mind, this is the most comprehensive solution to this problem.
Public responsibility and Spanish Language Materials
The article, “Spanish Spoken Here”, by Todd Douglas Quesada, published in the journal, American Libraries, the November 2007 issue discusses the frightening trend being imposed on many public libraries across the United States. Their governing boards are demanding that books in Spanish be eliminated from their collections.
Why would anyone want to do that?
Quesada states that because of current political trends and problems with illegal immigration, library board members maybe responding to community pressures by eliminating books in Spanish because of the fear that taxpayer funds are being used to support illegal immigrants.
In the article, the author provides strong arguments for why this horrendous idea will only cause greater problems for libraries and communities. Quesada states first, that eliminating an entire collection of materials is contrary to the American Library Associations code of ethics. The ALA code of ethicsexpects all libaries to respond in an ethical manner and the first code listed is:
I. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and curteous responses to all requests.
In communities across the country Spanish speaking populations are on the rise. Yes, some of them are illegal immigrants, but the vast majority have jobs and pay taxes. Many are legal US citizens who have completed all requirements for naturalization. It would be unethical to deny these persons access to the kinds of materials they seek at their public library.
Public libraries should strive to be a place where people from all walks of life can gather together and feel part of a community. By providing a wide variety of materials that will appeal to all members of the community, the library will promote the inclusive atmosphere that is outlined by the ALA code of ethics.
Authority control.. what is it good for?
Having read the article, “Got Authorities? Why Authority Control is Good for your Library”, by Kathleen L. Wells, I am reminded of a recent account that occurred at my library.
One of our collection development librarians got an e-mail from an angry patron who was unable to locate any books on “crochet” in our online database. The user stated that she searched both in subject browse and subject keywords, and was unable to locate a single book on this subject. She was further exasperated when she did a search on the keyword “knitting” and found more than 400 available titles to choose from.
The collection development librarian approached me (a cataloger) and asked why a subject search for the word “crochet” did not list any of the many books she knows she has ordered on the topic. The answer is simple if you are familiar with the Library of Congress Subject Headings. The correct search term is “crocheting”.
One might think that searching for crocheting would be obvious. After all, you don’t search for “knit” do you? But there was nothing in the online database that could point this customer in the right direction, and the fact that this user was accessing the catalog from her home computer meant that she didn’t have many opportunities to ask for help. Even doing a title keyword search on “crochet” yielded only a few results.
To resolve this issues I added a “see” entry for the word “crochet” that would direct users to the appropriate subject heading, “crocheting”. While there are some problems with this approach I think it is the best effort I can make as a cataloger who faces the limitations of my library’s LIS. And hopefully in the future, other users will be able to find the crocheting materials they are seeking.
While working in SMA, my fellow library students and I will be doing a great deal of authority work. Authorities can be a challenge, but they can also provide some of the greatest services to library users.
As Ms. Wells indicated in her article, this is why authority work is so necessary. In a time when its easier to search Google and Amazon.com, libraries must make sure that their databases are clean and efficient and that they deliver the information users want, when they need it.
September 3, 2008
Mexico or bust.
40 Day countdown!
This blog will give insight to my upcoming trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I will be traveling with eight other library school students. During this trip we will work in a biblioteca publica for seven days. Our work will include cataloging and collection development. In preparation for this excursion we have been assigned readings from Serving Latino Communities, by Camila Alire and Orlando Archibeque, along with a number of journal articles. Upcoming posts will provide reflection for how these readings may influence the philosophies and service methodologies practiced during our stay in SMA.
I am excited to have been given the opportunity to put into practice the skills and experiences I have acquired during the last two years as a canadidate for a Master of Library Science degree. I know this experience will help me build a strong service foundation as a library professional.
San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful colonial town in the mountains of Mexico. The temperature stays around 76 degrees all year long. A large number of American and Canadian expatriates reside in SMA, and tourism is on the rise. In the center of town is the Jardin. It is bordered by a huge pink church, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, built in 1683. It looks like a pretty big deal, and I can’t wait to see it in person!
By PhotoDevWest
The Traveling Librarian 