I'm a retired librarian, but I wasn't a cataloger and never worked with Sirsi. I don't want to be a PITA patron at my local library, so I'm asking about this here.

The default catalog for my library system doesn't show the page count for books, even in the "more information about" drop down. It's annoying the heck out of me.

They do offer a link for the "legacy catalog," which uses a more traditional-looking MARC kind of record, including the page count, ISBN, etc.

I can see my account and make lists of items in the legacy catalog, just like in the modern looking one. However, the lists I made in the newer catalog don't show up in the legacy catalog. So I'm not sure what the relationship is between the two catalogs.

Is there apt to be a problem if I just start using the legacy catalog? Is it apt to disappear at some point due to upgrades or contracts? I'd hate to move my lists to the legacy catalog and then have it go away.

Hi,

I genuinely don't know what to do. I had my finalist interview for a faculty librarian role today. The chair was texting through my entire presentation, and then again through the meet and greet and then AGAIN through the SEARCH COMMITTEE INTERVIEW.

I genuinely don't know what to do. What can I do? Probably nothing. But I worry I won't be evaluated fairly because he was texting through my entire proposal.

hi all! i’m a children’s librarian at a large library that is very busy with young families utilizing our toddler play space, attending storytimes, and checking out materials. we often get the question of ‘where do i check this out’, and the answer is always to go out to the lobby as we don’t check items out at our reference desk. i am wanting to float the idea of adding a self-check machine to our children’s area (either getting a new one or relocating one of the 4 that we currently have in our lobby).

i think that it would be great to have one accessible for parents who have young kids that can’t be left alone in the play area, or for parents who know their kids are prone to throwing a fit when they have to leave (our children’s area is on the same floor as our circulation area, but is not within view of any part, and the sound of screaming does drift from the lobby to the rest of the ‘quiet’ library very easily….it drifts from the kids area too but that’s expected lol). additionally, it could be a spot for kids to take their time learning how to use the machine without holding up other patrons. it would also be a station that could have a step stool, as i have noticed that many parents will set their kids on the self check table as they scan their items. i just feel that this is a safety concern.

the cons are that it would probably lead to more circulation-based questions that we would still have to send people to that department about (‘why is my card blocked’, ‘why do i have fines’ etc), but i do think that is easy enough to tell people to talk to circulation about.

all of this to say, i was hoping to get some thoughts from other librarians who may have more experience with how this could be a good or bad idea before i take it to my manager. tia!! :)

Hello,

I'm new to doing storytimes and I'd love to build a list of storytime librarians on blogs/websites and social media that I can follow to learn from. When you're coming up with your storytimes and deciding on themes, books, crafts, songs, etc, who do you look to?

Could you share your favorites with me?

We are evaluating ReadSquared and Beanstack for our library's reading programs and have a question about user permissions. Is it possible to create different backend roles with varying levels of access? We'd like volunteers to be able to assist patrons with registration, reading logs, and prize redemption while limiting their access to only the information necessary for those tasks (e.g., excluding reading history, email addresses, and other sensitive patron data). Staff would retain full administrative access, including reporting, program management, and system settings. We know ReadSquared can support this type of role-based access; can Beanstack? Thanks!

Any other insights into ReadSquared vs Beanstack would also be welcomed.

Hello! My local library is opening up an innovative new space with a variety rooms that will be available for public use, including a Kitchen, Maker Space, Event Room, Board Room for meetings, and more! We’re so excited about it. I’m wondering if any library staff have suggestions for room booking software that they use and like - or even a combination of tools like Google Bookings + Calendar + Wordpress (for example). We would like the public to be able to apply to use a room, have the application reviewed by staff and then added to both our internal calendar and a public facing calendar once approved.

Thanks for any suggestions!

I’m currently a PT public librarian in a pretty suburban area, new to this role as it has only been 4 months. I was asked this question in a recent interview and I’m still trying to rack my brain of some ideas. I have a background in STEM, so I’m comfortable doing a STEM program series for kids/tweens so I proposed that (ofc I went into details in the interview). But I’m afraid that was too uncreative and started to realize that I should’ve answered with something that can be scalable and adaptive to the changing nature of library programming. I thought maybe make use of the new Maker Space and Creation Lab (with Cricuts, 3-D printers, sewing, etc) somehow that this new library will have. It’s also located in a pretty big park with existing afterschool clubs.  

The Question: “This new library is expected to have a considerable youth presence in our spaces. In no more than five minutes, please share with us your proposal for a program geared towards elementary school students. You may bring handouts or visual aids to help illustrate your program if you wish.”

Things to know about this particular library: 

• It's a brand new branch and is located in an ethnically, linguistically, and economically diverse neighborhood
• It's in partnership with the neighboring elementary school (K-5th) that has a big focus on innovative technology 
• Demographic is made up of a large immigrant population, with about 50% of them speaking Spanish
• It is located in a food desert, with the only chain grocery store being a Grocery Outlet 

I’m wondering what other programs could the youth in this community benefit from? What kind of innovative, youth programming has librarians/library staff done at their libraries? I am curious about what has worked and what hasn’t, though I know the outcome will not be the same everywhere. With libraries evolving and needs changing, I am having a hard time trying to be relevant and creative at the same time… 

I have recently applied for a job local to myself and been invited to an interview. It’s a bit of a pay cut from what I’m currently on but my job now doesn’t have yearly pay increases, bank holidays off or sick pay. It’s also a busy retail job but I’ve done it for a long time.

However I’m worried if I get the job what I’m getting myself into? Something in my gut is worried what’s it’s going to be and that it may not be a smart move? Particularly as it’s a public library? Lurking on here and reading back there seems to be the idea that the public sector is under threat from cuts and job security is a concern. Also discussions of abuse from patrons. I left a previous job as the abuse was getting too much (I provided NHS services). However I applied as it was a part time role and I do enjoy helping people?
My current job is very secure but I won’t be getting any pay rises until minimum wage catches up to me now. I’m a mother with a small child so am worried about rising costs.

Any advice or honesty would be appreciated?

I am an LTA student finishing my first semester over the summer. Before I started school, I interviewed at a ton of libraries. My very first interview was at my local library. It was for a position in Adult Services and the head department Librarian conducted my interview. I was not selected for the position but she sent me a long email to tell me it was an extremely hard decision and that I had done well.

Since then, she helped me improve my resume which resulted in a crazy amount of interviews and I got hired at another library. My program required I have a library contact and she agreed to be mine and proceeded to help me with a number of assignments. I let her know when I was hired and she was thrilled for me and has since followed up with me to see how its going. She has gone above and beyond to help me do well for no other reason than she is kind.

I am wrapping up my summer semester and I would really like to write her a thank you card and perhaps a small gift to show my appreciation for her.

Reddit librarians, what would you suggest I do? I know there are rules against accepting certain types of gifts but I'm really after a small token of appreciation type of thing.

What labor posters do you have at your libraries? I'm seeing conflicting information on which ones would be required. I know states have their own specific requirements in addition to the federal posters. I plan to print them rather than spend precious funds on the big laminated ones. Thanks for any advice offered!

We've named him Happy and his origins are unknown. I'm sharing in the hopes that he can bring your staff closer together in the same way. It's time he breaks containment. Does your staff room have any iconic pieces of art that have become your unofficial mascot?

I wanna binge-read like three book series and I was wondering like do librarians judge me if I checkout this much?

As a foreigner living in USA for a few years now I have fallen in love with the country and its history.

Recently my partner and I got this library card from or local library in Arizona. And I love the design.

After scrolling reddit, im was wondering if there are any librarians or citizens out there that will help me aquire a card from each state. Im not looking to add any cards to Libby, Arizona's cards have me covered there, I would just like a physical card. (And if it has an old/historical building/theme that would be a bonus )

Thank you 😊

I am used to the model of the public library wherein one places a hold for a title and is placed on a list. Do academic libraries differ from this model? I cannot request titles that are currently checked out. I can only request titles for pulling from another location.

I am familiar with significantly longer circulation periods at academic libraries but are there no holds lists to be added to? Is it standard practice for academic libraries to not have requests/holds for checked out materials? If this is the case, do you know the reason?

EDIT: I've decided to do a cash counting test where they get a calculator, pencil, and paper to figure out 10 simple "problems". Since this is something they would have to do daily on the job, it seemed the most fair. Thank you all for your suggestions! It's greatly appreciated.

What would you test for? I already have them do a shelving test but she wants a written portion as well. I'm not sure what questions to include.

So far, I have a question about what type of learner they are and another asking them to rank some skills (customer service, organization, self-assessment, teamwork, problem solving, analytical thinking, and communication) from 1-10. I'm not really sure what else to ask for in a circ position? Especially since they're already doing a shelving test to organize materials.

My local librarian is evil.

She's charging me more than other people for faxing pages because she has a deep-seated grudge against me for something I didn't even do.

See back when our old librarian retired (I miss you, Anna)

My brother, sister, and I usually spent all day every day at the library during the summer because we were trying to escape an abusive household. We'd order books and then hop on the computers if no one was using them. Then, when the new librarian started working there, she and her helper started gossiping about us. Then, after a while, gossip became accusations.

The helper, let's call her Mindy, started saying we were doing things like "putting viruses" on the computers and "making the internet slow," which the librarian went along with.

One day, I snapped because I could hear them blaming us right behind us. I got up and took my brother and sister and flew out the door.

Fast forward to today, and I have not been back there in 3 years, but i had to fax an application and she greeted me with "Oh my gosh, I haven't seen you since you got mad at me for kicking you out of the library, remember that?" Real loud for everyone to hear. Then, I saw the small amount of change in my hand and said "Oh sorry its $1 a page" while wrinkling her nose at me.

It's not $ 1 a page.

I just faxed one a day ago with a different librarian, and it was .20 a page, and it was to the same number.

She's charging me more because she dislikes me.

Looking for a vintage card catalog cabinet near SLC. Anyone know someone wanting to sell one?

My little local public library runs a writing competition for kids. It's actually really popular - we get 100s of entries and they can be very competitive (mostly it's just us staff trying to weed out the AI entries, competitively). We have a budget of around $200 plus snacks for the presentation. The short list of winners has been announced, and this morning I just got this email from one of the entrants:

____

This is **name**, and I've been shortlisted for **award**. (thank you!! this is such an honour)
I'd love to attend the awards night in *DATE*, but I'm currently based interstate and I wanted to ask if you could cover travel fees (just flying.).
I understand if this isn't possible, but I would really want to come to the awards presentation!
_____

We are cracking up! FLY THEM IN? FLY THEM IN? On what budget? Can we take it from the $65 we've set aside for sandwiches?

Seriously? I know it's probably a young person who doesn't understand how life works yet, but I have to say this is one of the funniest/most outrageous requests I've ever seen.

We don't provide bus fare, never mind interstate flights.

Fly them in... cackling!

EDIT: A few people seemed baffled by the literacy expressed by someone short listed for a writing competition - just FYI we're not in the USA.

I'm trying to find the source of this greeting card that features illustrations of 13 Texas libraries. I only have the front half of the card, so I don't have any copyright or artist information. I thought someone here might recognize it as having being sold by the Texas Library Association or similar once upon a time.

I'm also curious if anybody can help me identify all the libraries pictured! The only ones I know are Sims Library in Corsicana (#5) and the Central Library in San Antonio (#8).

Thank you for any help. 😄

Edit: Thank you again to all who responded! This was done for TXLA in 2003 by Rosie Munro. Here are the libraries:

Row 1:

• Joe Barnhart Bee County Library (Beeville)
• Alkek Library - SWTSU (San Marcos)
• Bryan Public Library

Row 2:

• Old Jeff Davis County Library (Fort Davis)
• Nicholas P. Sims Library (Waxahachie)
• The University of Texas at Austin Tower
• Janet E. Harte Public Library (Flour Bluff)

Row 3:

• San Antonio Central Library
• Hertzhog Library, UT-El Paso

Row 4:

• Memorial Drive Elementary Library (Spring Branch)
• Dr. Eugene Clark Library (Lockhart)
• Tyrell Historical Library (Beaumont)

Row 5:

• Frankston Depot Library