Academic Librarian at Algoma University

This job posting is from AcademicWork.ca, an initiative of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)

LIBRARY

Date Posted: December 06, 2010
Region: Ontario
Institution: Algoma University
Discipline: Librarian
Web Link: http://www.algomau.ca

Algoma University invites applications for 3-year, contractually limited appointment, at a junior level, beginning July 1, 2011. The successful candidate must have an MLIS (or recognized equivalent) from an ALA-accredited institution with training and/or course-work in collection development and planning. The position will coordinate and develop strategies for the effective and efficient management for print and electronic collections with emphasis on evaluation, selection and de-selection of information resources to meet the needs of the Algoma University academic community.

Candidates should submit electronically a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, sample publications or relevant, graduate course-work, a statement of their philosophy on the future of collections and collection development in universities, the names of three (3) academic or professional referees and letters of recommendation from said referees to: see job posting on AcademicWork.ca for email address. Application materials should be submitted as a single combined PDF file with the file name identifying the applicant. Applicants must also arrange for three letters of reference to be sent electronically. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The university web site (www.algomau.ca) offers a good introduction to Algoma University, situated in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, at the heart of the Great Lakes on the Canada-US border. The position is open to all qualified applicants, although preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. The University is an inclusive and equitable campus encouraging applications from qualified women and men including persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and Aboriginal persons.

The position is subject to budgetary approval.

Events match students with real world projects

The ESADE business school in Spain matches students with real world projects in a speed dating style of match up. This type of idea could certainly work for other schools, to either get students to projects where they can hone their skills, or for non-profits to find students who have skills that they need to get projects done.

How about that collection development project that library students have to complete--I bet there are some non-profits in the area who could use that help--or marketing or knowledge management...the list goes on.

As as aside, if you're in the New York Area, Catchafire to matches professionals with non-profits that need skilled volunteers. 

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Shouldn't there be a digital expiry date?

The Canadian HR Reporter-Employment Law blog had an interesting post about a UFC fighter who would like to become a police officer. The Toronto Police Service had concerns about his schedule as a professional fighter, but it was a previous persona, as "Pimp Daddy", that led to the revoking of the offer of employment.

The fighter/wannabe police officer makes a good point: he used the alias at the suggestion of a promoter over a decade ago and is not currently using the alias. I think this was kind of a silly reason to retract the job officer--are you going to revoke job offers for every hooligan that used/still uses a stupid browser email address? What if a person's military call sign or other nickname--these digital nicknames can persist for a long time and be attached to their owners in a professional sense--makes them a "bad candidate"? The question, as the blog post asks, is this:

Should a name used early in his career still be held against him? Could the Toronto Police be losing out on someone who could turn out to be a good police officer because of it?

End of checking credit history

I've never understood the purpose of checking a potential employee's credit history--do you want to know if I wear boxers or briefs, too? But Inside Tech is reporting that the days for a credit history check may be numbered, which stems from a suit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Kaplan.

And, yes, many people do have their credit checked before they receive a job offer, usually because they will be in charge of money--a budget, a corporate credit card, supposedly be tempted to steal, or dealing with sensitive documents (which you'll notice they did away with the credit check)--so it is possible that a librarian may also be subjected to a credit check.

For more on the subject, check out the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse's Employment Background Checks: A Job Seekers Guide.

Ten Speed's Phil Wood Dies

Notice on PW site: Ten Speed's Phil Wood Dies

The Hipster Librarian from the Lipstick Librarian

Huh.

I think I need more coffee.

2011 Job Board Directory

AIRS and The Right Thing, companies that provide human resource recruiting solutions and training, have just released their 2011 Job Board Directory. If you maintain a list of job board links for your library or would like to look at some of the available job boards for a wide range of industries (special librarians, hey!) this is a useful resource.

Penguin Business Beat for December 2010

What's Your Calling?

Independent Lens will be showing a four-hour documentary entitled "The Calling" about seven young people who are pursuing professions in religious service. There will be a special livestream screening on the Independent Lens Facebook page on December 9, 2010.

There is also a companion website called What's Your Calling? that invites viewers to participate in an online discussion about what they feel called to do.

Copper theft in libraries

Copper theft isn't necessarily a career issue, but I have been more interested in library facilities lately since I read the book, What they don't teach you in library school, and also because there was a good article about the economic impact of copper theft in a recent edition of Businessweek.

• Botched copper theft causes Freon leak at Concord library
• Copper theft leaves library without power
  Copper thieves strike South Knox library
• Copper Thieves Hit Minneapolis Library
• Philly library thieves ignore computers, take copper piping

Other community centers, high schools, colleges and public service buildings, as well as farms, utilities, broadband services and cell phone towers have been hit. It is also an international problem, with reports of thefts from North America, the UK and Europe, and it is part of a larger problem of metal theft, though the high price of copper makes it extremely attractive.

Some communities are fighting back with surveillance cameras (Copper Theft Caught On Surveillance Camera), proposals to use RFID tags and rewards, not to mention the efforts made by police forces to curb the problem.

I think this would make an excellent capping exercise--possibly including resources on how to report and combat copper theft.

Best Careers for 2011

US News has released their list of the 50 Best Careers in 2011 and because they used unemployment rate, job availability projections and income, librarian isn't on it. Most of the jobs on this list require four or more years of post-secondary to enter the occupation, the list is a good argument for applying to, staying in or returning to  complete a four-year degree.

What they don't teach you in library school by Elisabeth Doucett

There are just some topics that they don't have time to teach in library school, or that were special projects or areas a library student could explore while in library school. Elisabeth Doucett looks at some of the issues a library student will have to face, from selecting a library job to dealing with a library budget and statistics.

What they don't teach you in library school is written in a plain language conversational style with short chapters--each one could be read in about 10 minutes. Topics include career management, communication skills--such as dealing with problem patrons and corporate culture--and onto topics that will help the reader learn some of the issues faced by library management, such as facilities management and budgeting.

I can easily see some of these topics becoming interview questions to see how much you know about these issues, so reading through this book prior to an interview, especially if you have not held a professional level position before, would be a good idea. The book would give you a good idea of the work environment and how to deal practically with issues, not just reporting on these issues. Each chapter also includes a bibliography/further reading, to help you learn more about the issues, so if you were looking to deepen your knowledge in a particular area, the author has suggested where to go next.

How they blew it by Jamie Oliver and Tony Goodwin

Reach back into your memories of your high school English class and remember hubris, that overwhelming, overblown feeling of pride and self-confidences, that the gods enjoy punishing, usually with maiming, sometimes with thunderbolts. How They Blew It: The CEOs and Entrepreneurs Behind Some of the World's Most Catastrophic Business Failures catalogs some of the most astonishing business failures of the past decade and hubris seems to be the principal cause of many of these failures. That and losing track of what business, exactly, their companies were in.

From entrepreneurs that ran afoul of their former business/government allies (Khodorkovsky, Berezovsky and Zhengyi) to CEOs who were eaten for lunch when the banks tanked (Johannesson, Fuld and Cayne), and including the tragic ends of two CEOs (Merckle and Foster) who took their lives--and the lives of his family, in the case of Foster--when their investments fell apart, How They Blew It is an international rogues' gallery of business leaders whose investments just seemed to implode. One of the conclusions that the book reaches is that the failed business leaders were too smart for their own good and tended to overlook what their delegates were doing or to keep their eye on the business bottom line. As a statement about how to stay focused on the core business, How They Blew It lays out a case for looking to the future while also concentrating on the present.

Though most of the cases are laid out in a lurid, breathless fashion, and most of the sources cited are business periodicals with no references to books written about the events, the book does also remind the reader that entrepreneurs can be very successful, and even if they don't achieve dazzling fortunes, entrepreneurs account for a significant number of jobs and create wealth, even on a small scale. This book would be useful to librarians who are trying to get a handle on some of the biggest business scandals and debacles of the past decade but it would also provide a starry-eyed entrepreneur with a warning about reaching too far with one hand while failing to hold on to a firm base with the other. Which is the point about stories about hubris--confidence based in actual achievement is good, but excessive pride is punished. Thankfully only in stories is it punished with thunderbolts.

Ummm, has this guy met any real dogs?

As I was reading the article, Things You Can Learn From a Dog That Will Help Your Career, I wondered, has this guy met any real dogs? Is this Descartes' dog? I have lived with and cared for many dogs and I can tell you, they don't act like this.

A dog doesn't mind when you wake him. This actually refers to another article that the author wrote which espouses some of the virtues that Bill Bennett wanted us to learn through sanctimonious fairy tales--and yeah, we remember how that turned out. Dogs, though not as ornery as cats about disturbed naps, like sleep too; apparently they like to sleep 13 hours a day which puts them on par with most teenagers--and we know where most of them work, don't we?

This is an example of people not knowing how well the dog has trained them. A lesson to us all: teach your employer your schedule so you can spend most of the day outside.

Dogs are not inconvenienced by having to move. I don't know about that--is there a rawhide on the pillow? I have had dogs almost take my hand off to stay in a desired spot, enjoying a cherished activity. And, yes, they have the weapons to make good on that threat. We consider that bad form in the work place.

"He only cares what you say to him, not about him." This depends on relevance and tone. Why do people with dogs constantly spell certain words, coming up with phrases like, "Let's W-A-L-K to the store." Yell at the TV over a particularly bad call during the game and the dog will run for cover. Dogs are probably more aware of our language and behavior than we think--just like we think we are being oh so sly when we close doors to have conversations at work. Posture and tone also convey disdain and condescension in humans, even if our words say something else. I learned that one by watching Lie to Me, because TV is another place to get sound business advice.

Your dog doesn't care what you wear. Bearded men, approach a dog that lives with a woman and see what happens. I would go with option d: mayhem. Wear a ball cap like the kid that tormented the dog through the fence, but when the dog charges, remove the cap quickly to protect your genitals. Dogs are just as fussy about appearances as humans are and they depend on a uniform shape to give them information about what or who is approaching them. They, too, make snap decisions about appearance based on types they have encountered in the past. They may care less about piercings though and many of them have tattoos.

"He’s there for you - not for you to help him self-actualize." Your dog is there because you feed him. Sorta like a salary, but paid in chow. Yes, a dog will feel loyal and do many things for love, usually based on your good behavior in the past, but some dogs, like some employees, will run away if we fail to keep our side of the bargain.

Dogs rely on their senses to make stunningly accurate evaluations and we should use a smell test to evaluate a scenario. Dogs, like humans, can be overstimulated by their senses and information. Have you ever seen a dog luxuriate in a scent, rubbing her whole body in it, only for the unfortunate owner to discover that it is something rancid or decaying? Sort of the like the person who is is approached with a plumy deal that smells like money, only to find it is not as ideal as they had hoped. Dogs will throw themselves enthusiastically into one scent, even if it stinks.

However, his first sentence was accurate, when he wrote, "It seems we’ll go to any lengths these days to find inspiration and guidance, particularly when it comes to the subject of how to behave at work."

NACE Job Outlook 2011

According to the NACE Job Outlook for 2011, the prospects for the graduating class of 2011 is improved, with approximately half of the respondents stating that the job market was "good". This survey focuses on the entry into the job market for undergraduates, so it doesn't have much to say for professional librarians, unless you were looking for a position with a NACE member.

And an increase in GPA screening? What can I say but I wish that you dudes would read Moneyball.

Job Posting - Beaumont Public Library Interim Director

The BEAUMONT PUBLIC LIBRARY is hiring for the full time interim position of Library Manager


Reporting directly to the Library Board, the Library Manager is responsible for the operation and enhancement of the library facility and services provided, the direction of both library and programming staff and support of the Library Board in policy, planning and budgeting.

Qualified applicants will possess:

• Masters of Library Sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 2 or more years relevant experience in a library setting
• Experience leading staff and change management
• Knowledge of the budgetary process
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, board and community partners
• Excellent public relations and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability in the management and use of library technology

Qualified applicants, once contacted, will be provided with a detailed role description.

strategy + business Best Business Books 2010

strategy + business have released their list of the Best Business Books of 2010. The list is arranged categorically and includes an essay analysis of the different books, with suggestions of which books complement one another. I recommend downloading the pdf file, which includes all of the essays and the recommended books.

You will need to create a free profile to access the article.

Originally spotted on the 800ceoread blog.

It's always the quiet ones

Analyzing Effective Leaders: Why Extraverts Are Not Always the Most Successful Bosses summarizes some of the research by Wharton professor Adam Grant which asks, which type of person is the most effective leader, an introvert or an extravert?

According to the article, it depends on the group the person is leading: introverts do better with a proactive team that needs someone to listen and act on their ideas, whereas as extraverts do better with a less proactive team, firing them up and motivating them.

What I also found interesting was the bias against introverted people as leaders:

Given these conclusions, why does the popular view persist that extraverts are better leaders across the board? The authors point to several possible reasons: One is that extraverts are often perceived as more effective because of a "halo effect." "This may occur because extraverted leaders match the prototypes of charismatic leaders that dominate both [Western and Eastern cultures] and are especially prevalent in business," they write. One online survey of 1,500 senior leaders earning at least six-figure salaries found that 65% actually saw introversion as a negative quality in terms of leadership.

It is also possible that an introverted person could believe that they would not make a great leader because they believe the bias and may not actively seek out opportunities for advancement. If you are an introvert with this belief, reading this article and some of the associated research may help to conquer your self-defeating beliefs.

I think these guys could use some librarians

According to an article in the November 15 edition of Bloomberg's Business Week, banks are losing paperwork, which can lead to a foreclosure even while the person is in a program to stop that very action. Jessica Yellin from CNN suggests, based on feedback from participants in the Making Home Affordable program, believe that banks are deliberately losing paperwork. With all of the problems associated with robosigning, it may be time to hire some trained document managers to get things organized.

Smile or die

Barbara Ehrenreich talks about the perils of positive thinking and encourages realism and vigilance.

Bloomberg's Top Business Book Picks

Bloomberg's Business Week has published a list of their top business books for the past year. 800 CEO Read places them into a subject list.

SimplyHired Job Seeker Report

Last month, SimplyHired released their Today's Job Seeker Report, to explore and explain the behavior of job seekers--which will help HR professionals post jobs.

As far as the assistance for job seekers, the report breathlessly states that 86% of job seekers look for work on the Internet. Not a surprise--we look for everything, including TV, spouses and wart cream--on the Internet. But what most job seekers should get out of this report is that networking still works--with 37% reporting that they got their last job through networking--and so few job seekers do it, with only 32% using networking as a job search strategy. According to the report, more respondents used the newspapers (!) than networking.

But what was really sad about this report: 53% of respondents said that their college major was not relevant to their current career.

Did my tattoos cost me the job offer?

When people are applying for work, especially in a conservative workplace, they may be concerned that their permanent body art--tattoos, piercings--may keep them from getting a job offer. This is especially painful (hah!) when the person got permanent body art that no longer expresses who they are--the new conservatism is a better fit. But do tattoos and piercing really keep someone from getting a job offer?

Body of Work (will need a free sign on to access the article), an article from Workforce Management, looks at tattooing and piercing in the workplace, including the following issues:

• do companies include body art in their dress code?
• do professionals feel that they have not gotten a job because of their body art, or
• have they covered up their body art during the interview process?

I can't speak for all libraries, but most of the ones that I know of are not conservative, and I have seen staff with permanent body mods, but I wonder if any prospective librarian applicant feels they didn't get a job because the person doing the hiring could not see a person with a tattoo sleeve delivering story time? There does seem to be a definite vibe in this article that if you work with the public, that body modifications are not acceptable--though I wonder if they feel the same about breast implants?

In hard to find positions it is more difficult to restrict or discriminate against body art, though not everyone wants to join the military or become a doctor. And many people, including bosses and HR personnel, have body art themselves:

According to a 2010 Pew Research Center study, 12 percent of the 18- to 29-year-olds surveyed have at least one tattoo and 26 percent sport two or more. About 7 percent have six or more tattoos. Generation X is fond of body ink, too. About one-third of those between 30 and 45 said they have at least one tattoo. Only 15 percent of baby boomers between 46 and 64 have one.

With the large number of Boomers, that 15% is a significant percentage, which may even indicate that more Boomers than Ys, definitely than Xs, have tattoos. So the mature professional who is interviewing you whose shirt is crinkling with starch, may have several tattoos up his sleeve.

The article also suggests that there is more acceptance for tattoos if they are tasteful (which can cover a broad range of tacky to tasty and is very much in the eye of the beholder) and do not include any profanity or desecration of religious symbols. If your tattoos fall into those categories, I don't think the tattoo or the piercing is keeping you from employment.

Japanese Studies Librarian

Library: University of Iowa Libraries seeks qualified candidate to provide collection management and public services to students and faculty in Japanese studies, and to serve as adjunct faculty with teaching responsibilities in Center for Asian and Pacific Studies. Requires Master's of Library Science Degree, thirty-six months experience in academic or professional library setting, with demonstrated high level of professional competency in written and spoken Japanese and knowledge of East Asian studies as an academic discipline. http://jobs.uiowa.edu.

Appeared on Chronicle, harvested from SimplyHired, tagged on my twitter feed as #jobs #japanese. Now don't you wish you'd gone on JET?

October Labour Force Survey released

Stat Can has released the October 2010 Labour Force Survey. There is a teeny-weeny improvement in the unemployment rate from 8.0% to 7.9%. CBC is reporting the unemployment rate may have improved "because 4,300 fewer people were in the labour force looking for work."

The Business Beat for November 1, 2010

"Will it get me a job?"

One of University Affairs feature articles in the most recent edition includes the article, Will it get me a job? about the expectations of prospective students at Canadian institutions.

We asked applicants what motivated them to go to university, and the answer we got was that 99 percent of them chose either “career preparation” or “career advancement” as one of their reasons.

The interview subjects also make some assumptions about various programs--how students that enter into environmental studies are not "hippies" but "careerists"--that I can't agree with, though I do think that many humanities programs are trying to explain how a degree program will lead to a viable career and not a permanent berth in a parent's basement.

Labour Force Survey, September data released on October 8, 2010

"Since September 2009, overall employment has risen by 349,000 (+2.1%)."

The CBC describes the results as a stall. According to a employment forecast by TD Economics this week, there should be some small gains made in the Information and Cultural sector, where many librarians find employment, in 2011 and 2012.

FYI: "jobless rate" is same as "unemployment rate."

I'm doing a bad job. Can I still get a raise?

This article from the Evil HR Lady made me think about how many new librarians who may find themselves in this position: they were hired to replace a retiring librarian who had been with the system for a long time. Like an experienced chef, he/she kept all of their recipes in their head and has now departed with them--but the patrons still like the cooking.

Sadly they may not feel like they are doing a good job, when there is nothing they can do about the nostalgia that the patrons had for the old librarian. This is not a feeling that you can fix--you can only make new memories. I hope they are better ones, but some will suck and possibly hurt your feelings.

Lucas' advice for getting a raise based on over work seems sound, but it is going to take some gumption to go into the supervisor's office and ask for additional training for something that you were hired to do--and what you feel you need more training for. If this is the case, be sure to ask for something that develops your duties--you learned about general collection development and now you need funds to go to a conference that is specific for YA materials. Maybe you need more training in developing reading skills or reaching newcomer patrons. But make sure you ask for training in something that is step two in the process and not the stuff you should have known.

It is also incorrect to value your salary as the same a person who just departed after 20 years--most people will get raises based on duration of service, if only to keep that person in the position. And it sounds like she worked hard for the money and they needed to keep her. You are not yet entitled to the money to entice a long-term, knowledgeable employee to stay. You are entitled to more pay if you need to assume more duties than you were originally hired to perform.

Symphony Librarian

Symphonies do have librarians and this article about the San Diego Symphony librarian explains how the librarian gets the music to the musicians.

Prison Librarian

Prison Librarian and Resource Manager

Employer	Cambridgeshire County Council	Reference	CT307
Published	Tue 05/10/2010 23:00 PM	Closing Date	Sun 24/10/2010 23:00 PM
Organisation	Cambridgeshire County Councilweb sitelogo image	Coverage	Cambridgeshire, Eastern (inc. Herts and Essex)
Working Pattern	Full Time, Permanent position	Hours	37
Salary	£19,621 - £23,708 per annum (depending on Chartered Status)	CRB Check	No
Location	PE28 0SR

Prison Librarian and Resources Manager

YOI HMP Littlehey, Full-time Post, Ref: CT307

£19,621-23,708

You will be catering for the social, recreational and educational needs of prisoners. You should have an interest in stock selection and promotion with the enthusiasm to develop services and explore new projects. Partnership working, innovative ideas and excellent communication skills will be needed in this challenging but rewarding post.

Salary will be offered from £19,621 – £21,519 without Chartered status. Progression beyond this point is dependant on gaining Chartered status. For an informal discussion, actual job posting included contact information, so you should call them to get more information about the position and employer expectations. They are probably keeping track on the people who bothered to call to get information.

Closing date: 25th October

Go DevMental

Microsoft has launched a Canada-wide academic tour, Go DevMental, to give students access to a wide variety of Microsoft programming tools. Student attendees will also get Dreamspark tokens which gives them access to Microsoft development tools, from Visual C to Windows server. This is a good opportunity for people who build apps or who want to network with other programmers.

Web Development Lead (Librarian)

This job would be a great for a person who is into web design and web communication technologies.

Houston Academy of Medicine - Texas Medical Center Library  Houston, TX

 

The Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC Library) is a major research library serving Texas Medical Center researchers, clinicians and students, including two major medical schools and over 20 member institutions. The Library is also the Regional Medical Library for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region, with responsibility for providing health information to health professionals and consumers in the five state region of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The HAM-TMC Library seeks an energetic, Web Development Lead (Librarian). This individual will be responsible for the development and management of the HAM-TMC Library’s websites both public/Intranet, and ensuring both sites meet accessibility standards. The Web Librarian will create and maintain mobile technologies for the website, chairs the Web Development Committee and conducts regular monthly meetings.

Duties:

• Creates and maintains the Library’s websites, including the Intranet
• Develops mobile and mash up technologies for the Library’s website in mobile formats
• Updates all Library websites in accordance with new technologies
• Chairs the Library’s Web Development Committee
• Conducts annual user satisfaction surveys of the public website
• Works with the Collection Development and Information Technology Departments to ensure that access to electronic resources through the website are dependable
• Maintains current awareness of competing library websites and online services
• Shares new developments and trends with other library staff

Additional Responsibilities:

• Works closely with Digital Projects Librarian and Database Analyst to create usable databases to for clients and to collect usage data
• Participates in the Library’s Public Relations and Marketing Committees
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills):

• Required: BS in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field; Experience will be considered in lieu of degree program;
• Desired: MLS or MIS from an ALA-accredited library science program or equivalent
• Three or more years developing integrated web sites and Internet applications in a business or educational environment
• Understanding of HTML, XHTML, XML, JavaScript, CSS, .NET
• Experience with web design, usability and mobile technologies
• Knowledge of Internet multimedia technologies (Flash, Silverlight, streaming media, HTML5)
• Applied knowledge of web standards
• Experience with database and web integration
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills; excellent technical writing and documentation skills;
• Must be able to perform most programming and analysis tasks independently and with minimal supervision

The HAM-TMC Library offers a complete benefits package which includes health, dental, life and long-term disability insurance. In additional to a comprehensive benefits package, the Library provides paid holidays, vacation accrual, an exceptional retirement plan and a monthly transportation subsidy.

The HAM-TMC Library is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action institution, providing access to employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation, or disability.

Salary Range: $40,000 - 48,000

Job Posting: Agricultural and Biological Sciences Liaison Librarian (Fort Collins)

I found this on Ebay Classifieds. I'm still reeling. Library jobs on Ebay.

Agricultural and Biological Sciences Liaison Librarian (Fort Collins)

Job Type:Full-time

Description Institution: Colorado State University Libraries
Position Title: Agricultural and Biological Sciences Liaison Librarian
Job Location: Fort Collins, CO
Description:
Colorado State University Libraries
Position Description
Science Liaison
Librarian: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

POSITION:
This tenure-track faculty position is the primary liaison between the Colorado State University Libraries
and the selected departments of the College of Agricultural Sciences, and of the College of Natural
Sciences. It is in the College Liaisons unit of the Scholarly Communications Division and reports to
the Coordinator, College Liaisons.

The Colorado State University Libraries is a technologically sophisticated environment designed around an Information Commons concept with extensive electronic resources and services. The Libraries has recently reorganized and is aligned with campus Academic Computing. The Vice President for Information Technology is also the Dean of Libraries. CSU is making a strong and strategic investment to ensure a vital role for our academic libraries that meets the needs of the institution now and in the future. This position presents exciting opportunities for a librarian who is innovative, flexible and adaptable in a rapidly changing environment, technologically literate, and interested in exploring new options for providing proactive services.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
This tenure-track faculty position is responsible for developing, implementing and assessing effective subject-based instructional programs and research services for students, faculty, researchers, and administrators in the assigned departments.

This assignment includes collection development and faculty liaison responsibilities for academic departments with an emphasis on expanding access to digital resources.

This position serves as the liaison to the academic departments of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Soil and Crop Sciences, the Colorado State University Extension, and the Agricultural Experimentation Station within the College of Agricultural Sciences; and as liaison to the academic departments of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, and Biology within the College of Natural Sciences. Liaison Librarians at Colorado State University work collaboratively as a group to increase visibility of library services at the college level. Collaborating with academic faculty in the design of innovative library and classroom instruction and creating expanded programs for library services is emphasized. Outreach activities to the campus are a major emphasis for college liaisons, and this position involves working closely with a variety of campus constituencies to promote research services, digital projects, institutional repositories, and grant activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required: Graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited degree program. Experience working with scientific resources; demonstrated public service or customer service experience; excellent oral and written communication skills; knowledge of and the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies for libraries; experience or interest in exploring innovative options for new services; experience working effectively in a team or collaborative environment as well as managing priorities and projects independently; excellent presentation skills; and ability to meet tenure and promotion requirements.

Preferred: Degree major or minor in a science area; instruction experience; research/reference services experience, experience with databases, collections, and other information resources in the agricultural or biological sciences; experience with the application of technology in libraries; experience working cooperatively and effectively with library constituents.

RANK AND SALARY: Faculty status and responsibilities. Twelve-month tenure-track appointment with contract reviewed annually until tenure is granted. Rank is dependent upon qualifications. Insurance benefits are available. Faculty may select from several options for medical, dental, life, and personal disability insurance, as well as retirement plans. Full-time faculty earn 24 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave annually.

Optional deferred compensation. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and
qualifications.

UNIVERSITY DESCRIPTION: Colorado State University was established as the land-grant institution of the State of Colorado in 1870. Student enrollment is approximately 25,000, and the University employs 1,400 academic faculty, 1,900 administrative professionals, and 2,000 classified staff. Colorado State University is located in Fort Collins, a dynamic community with a population of approximately 135,000, and situated 65 miles north of Denver, at the western edge of the Great Plains and at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Averaging 300 days of sunshine per year, with low humidity and moderate winters, Fort Collins is ideally located for a variety of recreational, cultural, and family activities. The University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and has a comprehensive online presence at
http://lib.colostate.edu.

TO APPLY: To apply, send a letter of application addressing your qualifications for the position, plus a current resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references, to Sande Slack, Colorado State University Libraries, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1019
Application and nominations will be considered until the position is filled; however, to ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by November 1, 2010, at 5:00pm. The search may be extended if a suitable candidate is not identified.

Read more

Business Beat for September 2010

Making college degrees easier to read from the Chronicle Blog

I don't believe that surveying industry to determine the types of courses a student should take to clarify a transcript's arcane notation is a solution to the problem. This proposal sounds like a one-size-fits all degree which may make it hard for people to transfer their skills into other related positions.

And just who will be surveyed to determine the necessary skills? What if you can't get them in your current school (i.e. no classroom management/student herding seminars, so you can't become a children's librarian?) this sounds like a bigger headache than a person learning how to articulate their skills on their resume or during an interview.

Cleavage career guides

I have a weird tag for some of the business/career books that I come across that are written for women, but seem to have more to do with how much cleavage we show (toe or otherwise) than our skills and capabilities. Reading these books make me all nostalgic for the day the the boys discovered bra straps and a new way to bully girls. Next up, slut shaming, in which all participate.

I want to say no one depends on their boobs to get ahead, but Pamela Anderson springs to mind. And not all boobs (or biceps, for that matter) mesmerize equally: there is usually some cunning and social engineering involved on the part of the person attached to the sexy flesh.


Some of these books may have some good advice interspersed with Wonder Bra and cosmetic surgery ads. So, I call them cleavage career guides and let you make up your own mind.

Recently, there was a some chatter about a tip sheet that was supposed distributed within Citibank, adopted from a book called Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office. Jezebel spurned it. Cynical Girl (former Punk Rock HR) wrote a sorta defense of Citibank and the book.

The problem is this: masculine and feminine behaviors are perceptions, which means they exist in our minds, either as we project them or receive them. This doesn't mean that we turn off our biological sex, but people project some of their perceptions on to us and we roleplay back. These behaviors are also dependent on culture. You might think you are a feminine cheesecake in North America, but you may seem pretty beefy beyond these borders.

My hearty handshake and aggressive humor do not make me a male--but some people perceive these behaviors as masculine. If they are really smart, they will skip the category. The brisk handshaking does come with bored hair twirling.

Do we really need rules about how to behave and where to put our eyeballs? Sometimes, because we are creatures that need rules. But they should be applied fairly to individuals, not to categories.

Hiring Outlook Positive (for graduating class) according to NACE

According to NACE the outlook for new college grads is better than last year, based on the data for their 2011 survey. Their numbers of survey respondents are low, but the amount of hiring that these respondents do is impressive, so it is good news, if only a forecast.

Young, childless women make more than men

This came my way via BNET, but that article had a weird analysis with suggesting how to appeal to these young womens' wallets.

The firm that conducted the research, Reach Advisors, provides more of the popular press reaction to their study.

Gallery of Best Resumes for People Without a Four-Year Degree by David F. Noble

Part of a series of Gallery of...resume and cover letter resume writing advice, Gallery of Best Resumes for People Without a Four-Year Degree is written for people who have extensive industry experience, who have an associate or two-year degree, or who are competing for a position where a four-year degree isn't necessary and they may have some other type of certification. Students who are transitioning from high school to college or if they are looking for an internship will also find useful advice in this book. There are plenty of jobs, as Noble rightly points out, where a four-year degree is not necessary (such as paralegal) and the assumption shouldn't be made that everyone who uses this book is a college drop out. Samples include senior and mid- level administrators, law enforcement and emergency services professionals, real estate and construction professionals to name only a few of the industries represented in this book.

The book also includes unusual examples, such as the sample resume for a two-person team that worked as apartment managers. This is the first of this type of resume that I have ever seen, but I am sure that in this industry there are many "teams" of managers that could advertise their services on the same document.

There is also basic resume formatting and grammar advice for cover letters presented in a simple point-by -point style. The resume writers that submitted resumes are all identified in the back of the book so the reader can check them out for additional information or to engage their resume writing services if they wished.

Systems and Digital Resources Librarian

This one is from the American Association of Law Libraries Career Center. It popped up in my Tweetdeck auto search for librarian AND job

Systems and Digital Resources Librarian
Department: Law Library Center (208)
Department Number: 208
Location: Morningside
Summary Description: The Arthur W. Diamond Law Library of Columbia University invites applications and nominations for the position of Systems and Digital Resources Librarian.This position has primary responsibility for leading the selection, migration and implementation of a new, preferably open source, library system while managing the effective use of the library's current electronic resources, services and systems.

Reporting to the Head of Technical Services, the Systems and Digital Resources Librarian will:

• Lead the selection, migration and implementation of a new library system.
• Ensure the effective administration, coordination and provision of support for all aspects of existing library automation and operating technology.
• Continue development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure accurate acquisitions and monitoring of electronic resources.
• Coordinate the continued development and maintenance of a library website that responds to the needs of library patrons for the dynamic delivery of library content and services.
• Educate and assist the Law Library staff in implementing appropriate technology to enhance fulfillment of its mission.

One of the world's leading research universities, Columbia provides outstanding opportunities to work and grow in a unique intellectual community. Set in the Morningside Heights academic village, Columbia also presents the unmatched dynamism, diversity and cultural richness of New York City. The University Libraries, grounded in collections of remarkable depth and breadth, are also building extensive electronic resources and services. The Libraries at Columbia are committed to collegiality, professionalism, innovation and leadership.

We offer a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience and excellent benefits including 100% Columbia tuition exemption for self and family and assistance with University housing. Columbia will also pay 50% tuition for your dependent child who is a candidate for an undergraduate degree at another accredited college or university.
School/Institute/Unit: Libraries
Minimum Degree Required: MLS or PhD or equivalent

Minimum Qualifications:

All applicants MUST meet these minimum qualifications to be considered for the position. The ideal candidate for this position will be an enthusiastic, well-organized librarian with the experience and ability to work in a large, academic law library environment with staff at many different levels of technical capability. In addition, he or she will have an ALA-accredited MLS, or equivalent combination of education & experience; knowledge of electronic legal information sources; the ability to manage an ILS migration and the library's electronic resources services; strong background with technology including experience with scripting languages such as Python, Perl or Ruby; knowledge of library metadata , including harvesting and repurposing of existing data; excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional work experience in an academic law library;
• experience building web applications;
• familiarity with open source content management such as Drupal;
• knowledge of electronic resources management and its integration into workflow;
• JD or equivalent experience with the unique content and research needs of the law school community.

Additional Information:
Posting Date: 09-13-2010
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Great Myth of the Librarian Grays

The Guardienne of the Tomes has a great post on the myth of the librarian grays, or how the graying of the profession would lead to new and exciting (and many) jobs for new library school grads.

I also really appreciated her comment that librarians can leave the library--you can come back later or you can look for work that isn't in public or academic libraries. IMHO library schools give short shrift to librarians that work outside of these two realms, outright ignoring special librarians or self-employed librarians. I think library schools should place more emphasis on "non-traditional" library jobs or self-employment options.

New Spice: Study like a scholar

And...welcome to September.

ALA-APA Salary Survey: Librarian - Public and Academic released

ALA-APA Salary Survey: Librarian - Public and Academic released and the ALA press release about the data.

Yeah, so I missed it. It's September; sue me.

Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

Rework is a business inspiration book by the founders of 37signals. Rework examines some of the basic tenets of entrepreneurship and running a business and the authors give their own suggestions about why some of these tenets don't work or why the assumptions are false. Some of their ideas include starting a business while keeping your day job, starting a business with your own capital and not turning to the bank or outside funders, and committing to your idea, rather than building a company with the expectation that the sale of the company will allow you to retire--and someone else will profit immensely, or dismantle, your idea.

I really enjoyed the essays in the book, since they were short, punchy and not filled with data and numbers. The essays are about what they feel worked for them and their company, and what they think will help entrepreneurs (ahem, starters) in building their own business. The book is also free of jargon and about using common sense and less hierarchy and delegation to get tasks done. It also about trying new things, learning how to revise and not second guessing every possible outcome without even testing a hypothesis or new technique.

I think I will employ some of their ideas. For example, I love their idea about lists where they suggest that long lists and/or prioritization does not help a list get done. They suggest breaking down lists into much smaller digestible parts, such as a list of one hundred into a list of ten--so when you cross off one item on the list, 10% is completed. And you also get the charge out of completing a major portion which encourages you to tackle the rest. I also liked the "hire great writers" since you know that they can think and communicate clearly--though we know great thinking, like great writing, may need more than one draft or some time to reflect. Putting the back office on the front lines is also another extremely good idea since it can decrease miscommunications and help the "management" understand the clients and their concerns.

This is a good book for a person who needs the courage to start or sustain their own sideline work or for a new manager who just wants some ideas about how to run their ship, especially if they believe that less management is better.

Rework

Why business books are bad for you from BNET

"Most business books are air sandwiches". I like that and sadly it is sometimes true. I also avoid any business book that includes "inspirational" in a cover blurb.

What's your job geography IQ?

This is a cool little quiz from HRPeople that asks where, by state, major companies like GM, Whole Foods and Marriot maintain their headquarters. If you have someone who is stalking the Fortune 500 for a job (yes, they really get that fixated) this might be something fun to test their and your knowledge.

Caveat: You have to sign in to have access to the results, which completely annoyed the heck out of me. They sent me a temporary password with a blank password field. Since they issued it, I kinda need that info. No, entering my email and pressing "enter" without a password didn't work. So, cute but dumb.

Knockout job interview presentations by Rebecca Cornfield

So, you've been asked to do a presentation as part of your interview, but you have no idea how to prepare. Or you have done some presentations at interviews and think they are the reason why you have not gotten the job offer. Knockout job interview presentations will explain how to prepare for interview presentations, even if the presentation topic isn't presented to you in advance, what employers are looking for in presentations and how to get feedback on your presentation and your delivery.

For librarians that are preparing for an interview that has a presentation component (usually academic library positions), this book will probably help if you have never given a presentation before or if your presentation experience is limited. If you are already a great presenter or instructor, but you are not quite sure why an employer would want you to present at an interview, this book will help you understand how an employer mindset might be different from a student mindset.

This book is also a very quick read, since I was through it within an afternoon, so you could easily include this book as part of your interview "homework".

Two postings from Red Deer Public Library

The postings with the contact information appear on the Red Deer Public Library Employment Opportunities. They both close on September 17, 2010.

Teen Services Librarian (Librarian 1)
Full-time , Permanent (35 hours per week, varied schedules)


Red Deer Public Library is looking for an outgoing and enthusiastic Teen Services Librarian who has a passion for making a difference in our community!

Do you thrive on working with teens and delivering excellent customer service? Are you excited about planning and delivering services in collaboration with diverse communities? Are you comfortable with serving teens in the mezz, our teen space at Red Deer Public Library's Downtown Branch, as well as meeting new people outside traditional library settings? Are you a team player?

Under the direction of the Youth Services Librarian, you will be actively involved in planning, promoting and delivering library services to teens with the help of Library Assistants from the Youth Services Department. You will be responsible for front-line customer service, within and beyond the walls of the library, to customers from a wide range of cultural, economic, social and educational backgrounds. You will be active in community engagement (including outreach and community consultation), staff training and coaching, and collection promotion. You will also be a member of the Library's Management Team and have the opportunity to attend and present at library conferences.

Qualifications

Minimum academic requirement is a Masters of Library Science degree from an ALA accredited library school with two years of related experience, ideally in a public library, serving a diverse clientele (preferably teens). A passion for community and customer service is essential, along with the ability to work effectively outside of traditional library activities and settings, and the capacity to adapt readily to shifting priorities and new service directions. Superior interpersonal, communication, presentation and collaboration skills are essential. Personal commitment to the Canadian Library Association Position Statements on Intellectual Freedom and on Diversity and Inclusion is essential. A working knowledge of a language other than English is an asset. Must have the ability to travel throughout the community and to work varied shifts including evenings and weekends.

Salary for the position ranges from $53,472 to $63,955 per year, with an excellent benefits package. 

Information Technology Librarian (Librarian 1)Full Time, Permanent

Red Deer Public Library is inviting applications for an Information Technology (I.T. ) Librarian.

Winner of the 2005 Canadian Library Association Information Today Award for Innovative Technology, the Library is an innovative organization committed to ensuring community access to the universe of information, experience, and ideas through the creative use of technology. A revitalization of the Dawe Branch library has just been completed, including the conversion of the collection to RFID technology, as well as the implementation of 2 self-checkout units on site. Plans are currently underway to upgrade several key components of the library's technological infrastructure, including the network switching fabric, e-mail system, Office 2007 migration, ILS and OPAC software, and VOIP telephone system.

The I.T. Department at Red Deer Public Library is responsible for ensuring the reliable operation of all Library systems, including the library catalog, IP telephony system, security camera system, web and mail servers, network security, and public Internet gateway service. All members of the I.T. department provide technical support and troubleshooting for the Library's hardware, network, operating system and applications software support.

Reporting to the Assistant Director, the I.T. Librarian will be an integral member of the I.T. team at Red Deer Public Library. He/she will have the responsibility for managing the library's SirsiDynix Unicorn/Symphony integrated library system, as well as the library's web site content management system (Drupal). As well, the I.T. Librarian will take a lead role in staff and customer training. The IT Librarian is a member of the Library's Management Team.

The ideal candidate has

• Experience and interest in library automation, the Internet and the World-Wide Web, network development and network security.
• Excellent communication, problem solving, decision making, and time management skills
• Strong customer service orientation.
• MLS/MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited Library School.

Salary for the position ranges from $53,472 to $63,955 per year, with an excellent benefits package.

An open letter to new graduate students, from Prof Hacker

In today's Chronicle Blog, ProfHacker writes an open letter to new graduate students, giving them advice and suggestions about how to deal with the transition to graduate school. Advice includes work graduate school like a job, meet your subject specialist librarian (I want to say that they want to meet you too, but they may be a bit overwhelmed themselves at first, but they will still be happy to meet you) and network, amongst other suggestions and some advice that was crowdsourced via Twitter.

Welcome (and follow at least some of the advice in the letter).

Job Posting Chemical Reference Librarian

Wow: Chemical Reference

Found on SLA via a TweetDeck search

Librarian IV - Chemical Reference Librarian
Requisition #: 4836 # Positions: 1
Location: US-DC- Experience (Years): ..
Posted Date: 8/13/2010 Category: Library Services and Research - Reference
Security Clearance: Trustworthy Determination (there are links and resources in the External Links section of the Wikipedia article on Security clearance that will help you understand the requirements for security clearances)

As a federal government contractor, ASRC Federal and its subsidiary companies participate in the electronic eligibility verification system (E-verify). This system is used to validate that all of our employees are legally eligible to work in the United States.

More information about this job:

Job Description:

ASRC Management Services (ASRCMS), a Subsidiary of ASRC Federal is currently seeking a Librarian IV - Chemical Reference Librarian in Washington, DC.


Responsibilities:


Roles/Responsibilities:

• Providing professional-level library services that include, but are not limited to, reference support, collection development, collection maintenance, and user access support for both client staff and members of the public.
• The librarian will also coordinate and facilitate the use of additional library services for Headquarters staff that may be provided by the Lead Service Center or through other network libraries.
• Tracking usage statistics; preparing weekly and monthly reports as determined by supervisory staff and the client; participating in Library Network collaborative activities, including monthly conference calls, providing input for information product evaluations, providing professional input on network procedures and practices, etc.

Experience/Education:

Requirements:

• Minimum education level: MLS or equivalent from an ALA accredited institution.
• Minimum two years experience providing professional librarian services in the field of chemistry or allied fields such as toxicology, medical science, etc.
• Strong background working with chemical and toxicological reference materials and electronic resources.
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communications abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, and office applications.
• Proficiency with WWW searching and research.
• Experience in preparing analytic reports and statistics, use of applications such as Excel, and development of logical expressions and database queries.

EOE

Report: Unemployment High Because People Keep Blowing Their Job Interviews (from the Onion)

The Onion has it right in their satire about why people can't find work, Report: Unemployment High Because People Keep Blowing Their Job Interviews, that employers are fickle and persnickety over tiny issues during the interview.

In some cases, they can afford to be fickle and persnickety.

From Workforce Management: Illinois Bars Job Discrimination Based on Credit History

Illinois Bars Job Discrimination Based on Credit History, though some workers, such as those in the financial services and law enforcement, or for "bondable" positions, will still be subject to credit checks and they may miss out on a job due to poor credit.

The first step is to get your credit report--you can get a free one each year--and be aware that there may be discrepancies between reports. For example, on my report, a store credit card I had closed out with 0 on the balance was still showing 3 years later on a credit report with one agency and the other agency was still showing an outstanding balance on a separate student loan that I had also paid off and closed out. And the two credit reports had two different home addresses. The two agencies didn't have the same mistakes in common.

Cleaning up errors and looking for discrepancies is the first thing a person can do if they are worried that an employer may hold a bad credit history against them. You may also want to go through the process for yourself, since you will need to have it updated if you plan to buy a house and some apartment management companies will also ask to view your credit report before approving you as a renter.

Get your credit report:

• Equifax
• TransUnion
• Experian (no longer has consumer credit services in Canada)

Business Beat for August

Careers after the armed forces by Jon Mitchell

Transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce is a question that some librarians will have to assist their clients with. Careers After the Armed Forces is written specifically for Forces personnel that are considering leaving the Forces or who are in the process of leaving and who need to find work to support themselves and their families. In brisk, short chapters, the book covers making the decision to leave the Forces, selecting a career, writing a resume, interviewing and salary negotiation.

This book does cover some of the unique problems faced by military personnel, such as why leave the Forces during a recession and translating military experience into the civilian workforce, but most of the topics covered will need to be supplemented with a book or additional resources about a specific part of the work search. For example, the section on resumes should probably be read in conjunction with Best Canadian Resumes and the assistance of a counselor or resume review at the very least.

Both the publisher and the author are from the UK, so some of the terminology—“CV”, as opposed to “resume”, and “pay rise” instead of “raise”— and resources do favour Forces leavers from the UK, but the author does make an effort to write for soldiers in developed, English-speaking nations in general. Canadian Forces members will need to look for resources specific to the Canadian civilian labour force, and the one Canadian website reference in the book generated a 404 Page Not Found error.

On the whole, this book would not be enough for any current military member planning a transition from the military, but supplemented with additional resources specific to the person’s current situation, it would be a good book to get the person thinking about career planning and the steps involved in the process.

Careers After the Armed Forces: How to Decide on the Right Career and Make a Successful Transition

Voice of Careers Webinar

My bad news last week: Laurie Ruettiman will no longer be writing Punk Rock HR. And if you have no read Punk Rock HR, you will not know that that is really bad news. I could have cried--but I wouldn't since it only felt like someone had kicked a puppy but it wasn't my puppy.

She is, however, moving on to other stuff, which includes the Voice of HR and their upcoming webinar, Getting the Job You Want: Accelerate Your Career Search with a Sales and Marketing Strategy on August 18, 2010. Since this is the first one, anything could really happen--I'm hoping successful things, so we keep hearing more from Laurie.

JobPrize and other Job Referral Networks

Adding a financial incentive to job seeking and rewarding a connection is not new--there are plenty of companies that offer bonuses to employees that find a candidate that they can match to a currently open job, but JobPrize allows a job seeker to post a profile and offer a reward for finding the matching job.

The job seeker registers on JobPrize and offers a reward for the person who can find the job that they want. According to the About Us section of the JobPrize website, the job yenta should just be employed in the industry. Ideally, what I think they hope will happen is that an accountant at a hospital will make connections with nurses on the site because both work in the healthcare industry. They recommend the person to the position and if the match is made, the matchmaker can claim the prize.

I'm already detecting some problems with this: you don't know these people. This means they aren't in your network and you really shouldn't trust them.

• What if you end up recommending someone who lied about their education or ends up needing some serious anger management training? 
• Do you have to disclose your relationship to this person if HR calls you to find out why you recommended them? 
• What if the job seekers discloses how she found out about this position and it turns out you will be double-dipping: getting prize money from the job seeker and claiming the recommendation bonus from your employer? 
• How do you know that the job seeker, once they secure an interview, is going to be good for the bounty? The site states that the job seeker needs to put the prize into an escrow account, but how do you know if she really got the job--and owes you some money?
• What happens if the site is taken over by people who have better research skills (*cough* librarians) who spend their day finding job ads to match the people on the site, hoping to score prize money?

I don't mean to be a party-pooper but part of a network means you should trust and be trusted--which requires building a relationship, even if it is online. I won't undermine online networking, especially if you have done work for the person at a distance, but a referee should have some idea of your skills or personality and not put you forward because you offered them cash.

And guess what I found when I was searching on the topic? A patent filed for a job referral network system.

Other peer-to-peer job finding services:

• LinkedIn (via the referral system on their job board) 
• Ntroduction
  
• ReferYes
  
• TugLink

Spotted on Springwise.

Basic French Reference and Information Services Librarian

This job popped up in my TweetDeck search for librarian and jobs.

Basic French Reference and Information Services Librarian

• LN3 Librarian 3
• Term/full-time
• Renegotiated yearly

Manitoba Education, Bureau de l'éducation française Division
Winnipeg MB

Advertisement Number: 22898

Salary(s):  LN3 $49,287.00 - $60,427.00

Closing Date: September 6, 2010


An eligibility list may be created for similar positions and will remain in effect for 12 months.


The successful candidate will be working within the Direction des ressources éducatives françaises branch located in Collège St. Boniface , 200 avenue de la Cathédrale, under the supervision of the Director.

Qualifications:


The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills in French and in English. The incumbent will hold a valid teaching certificate. Experience teaching French as a second language is desirable. Experience in the use of information and communication technologies (word processing, electronic mail, automated library system) is essential. The successful candidate must possess school library experience which includes answering information requests, selecting new resources, organizing book displays, meeting and speaking to groups of students/teachers regarding their search for information, and promoting resources/services. The ability to support other personnel  in the delivery of workshops is desirable.  Ability to work both as a  team member and independently is essential. Excellent organizational skills are essential.

Duties:
The incumbent will be responsible for:

• answering information requests;
• performing circulation functions and other related services for the clients;
• researching appropriate new resources;
• promoting resources and services;
• supporting other personnel (i.e. in the delivery of workshops);
• provide consultation related to services and resources.

Apply to:
Advertisement #22898

July's Labour Force Survey

Statistics Canada has released the Labour Force Survey for July 2010, and though there are job losses, there is some good news for students in the 15-24 year age bracket, with increases that meant it was at least better than this time last year. The analysis also indicated that college/university age students did better finding employment than roughly high school age job seekers.

If you go to the bottom of the release, you can review the information by province.

CBC has also prepared a comparison between the US and Canadian data for July.

Upcoming Courses on Economic Gardening

WebJunction is offering a series of three seminars on "economic gardening": helping entrepreneurs, using business databases and library outreach. These seminars will probably be very useful to reference librarians, since they will sometimes get the question, How do I start my own business? especially if the person has given up looking for work.

Do identity theft prevention services really work?

After reading Googlebomb and Wild West 2.0, I've been a bit more interested in this topic, including identity theft. And PC World has written an article about protecting your identity which asks if the services work.

Now there are no reviews of individual services, but the article does have links and advice on how to protect your physical records, which thieves can steal (for Canadians, there is advice on the CBC website). People worry a bit too much about high tech methods of stealing data and don't worry enough about low tech methods (stealing mail, finessing you on the phone, someone unscrupulous takes your file from a cabinet and sells the info).

And this curious mix of low and high tech thievery that was profiled on Marketplace, Who's Minding the Store?

I don't want to be a fatalist and suggest that if thieves want your data, they will get it. Though this is possible, there are steps you can take to make it harder for them to get it. Especially when you are putting your data out online in a job search.

And before you think, whoa, I'm a penniless college student/consultant/professional, what are they going to get from me? here are some examples:

• Get more credit cards
• Get a job
• Get health care services
• Get insurance
• Buy property
• Get arrested while using your identity

So, not to get all John Walsh, but do your best to protect your own identity and show others how to batten the hatches.