Friday, November 5, 2010
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."
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 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.
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.
Friday, October 8, 2010
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."
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."
Thursday, October 7, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
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 |
| 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.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Web Development Lead (Librarian)
This job would be a great for a person who is into web design and web communication technologies.
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:
Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills):
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
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
- 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
Thursday, September 23, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 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.
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.
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