The Processing Plan
Posted February 25, 2012 by Danielle Geller
Open access and fair use and two issues concerning archives and archival materials is an issue that has recurred in my work and research time and again. Ideally, I believe that information should be freely available for students, researchers, and the average citizen to access and use, but the reality is often much different. Barrierswhether in terms of economics, time, or organizationrear their ugly heads from all angles. This week, Ive been working on processing plans for two separate collections (one for a class and one for an internship), and access has been at the back of my mind for each project. Archivists are the gatekeepers, not just in the sense that we are safeguarding materials, but that we are also responsible for guiding people to materials relevant to their need. In laying out the foundations for a finding aid, our ultimate search tool, how do I ensure that I am doing my job effectively?
StoryCorps animated shorts, or “are you taking oral history?”
Posted February 23, 2012 by fox32
Had not checked in on StoryCorps for a while… but since 2011 they have started animating some of the oral histories. Great idea. The circle is completed by featuring Studs Terkel, a godfather of the academic oral history tradition (at least in the US) who was one of the inspirations for StoryCorps in the first place. I am not an offcianado on Studs Terkel by any means, but this bio from his site sums up part of his life work; On “The Studs Terkel Program,” which was heard on Chicago’s fine arts radio station WFMT from 1952 to 1997, Terkel interviewed Chicagoans and national and international figures who helped shape the past century. The program included guests who were politicians, writers, activists, labor organizers, performing artists, and architects among others.
Why Metadata is like Pizza
Posted February 22, 2012 by Julie Steenson
Meta what? That was my reaction when I read the course description for my Information Organization class and first encountered the word METADATA. The classic definition seems to be data about data which is about as useful as well, nothing. There are many better definitions out there, but I dont want to spoil your fun as you learn about them, so for now, I will call it the stuff that describes a resource sort of like the stuff that goes on a pizza. When you ask your husband to bring home a pizza (because you have a project due in two days and you are freaking out), you dont just say, Honey, please get a pizza. You describe the pizza. Pizza metadata could include thin crust, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, pepperoni, red peppers, mushrooms, etc.
Friends From All Over
Posted February 21, 2012 by dunhame
Its pretty standard practice in the Simmons College GSLIS program for professors to have students go around the room and say a bit about themselves on the first day of class. The questions they ask vary–What interests you about this field? What program are you in? Whats something unique about you?–but something that almost always gets asked is simply–Where are you from? On my very first day of class, I was really excited about this question. I thought I was going to have the most unique answer in the room. I thought people would think, Missouri?! Thats SO far away! Having gone to a Missouri state university for undergrad, I was very used to functioning in an environment lacking diversity in the geographic-area-of-origin department; most of the people I knew were from the St. Louis or Kansas City areas, and anyone who hailed from out-of-state or country definitely received special attention of some kind on the first days of classes. The fact that I was moving across the country for school meant that I would…
Posted February 21, 2012 by Sarah Barton
Last summer I visited the Library of Congress, and the Jeffersons Library exhibit blew me away. A pane of glass separated me from Thomas Jeffersons personal collection the collection that spurred the advent of the Library of Congress. My inner librarian sang out (albeit quietly) with ecstasy. As presidents go, I have always been partial to Abe Lincoln. He single-handedly made the top hat iconic. But upon seeing Jeffersons library, I could feel my allegiance shifting. I cursed myself for visiting Honest Abe earlier that morning, and doubly cursed the Tidal Basin for making the Jefferson Memorial inconveniently remote for pedestrians. To atone for my Jefferson snub, I read a book called Jeffersons Books while intermittently stroking the face of a nickel. Among other things, I learned that Jefferson was a connoisseur of books and information to the extent that he could never, ever have enough. In an 1815 transaction that induced much disdain from Jeffersons political opponents, the U.S. Government purchased his library of 6,700 books for $23,950.1 Cyrus King lamented that Jeffersons…
Work Experience
Posted February 19, 2012 by Danielle Geller
If I were applying to an MLIS graduate program today instead of a year ago, there is one major thing I would have done differently: I would have tried to get more related work experience before starting my classes. Its not as if I feel behind in my classes or am having trouble keeping up, but it would definitely have given me more applicable skills to help me in not only finding an internship, but also working in my 438 internship. There are a lot of great volunteer experiences available, too. Unfortunately, many historical societies and repositories run on very limited budgets, and they might not have the funds or the staff to complete all the projects they want (or even need) to complete. Im talking specifically about archives, but many local libraries are looking for volunteers, too. Even the National Archives of the United States has an active call for volunteers open: http://www.archives.gov/careers/volunteering/ I know from experience that juggling work (to pay for rent and food), your social life, and side projects can be difficult…
The wonders of LISSA
Posted February 19, 2012 by Maya Bery
One of the many nuggets of useful information I received at new student orientation in July 2010 was the way the LISSA officers kept reminding us of the fact that each GSLIS student receives an allotted amount of money for professional development each year. As long as you fall within the yearly limit, LISSA will reimburse 75% of the cost of any professional development-related activity. What really stood out to me however, was the fact that the LISSA officers stressed how few people took advantage of this opportunity each year. To which I say, GSLIS community, what gives?! The LISSA reimbursement is the ideal tool for the broke graduate student hungry for professional development (which unfortunately costs money). While I don’t want to comment on the specific rules for reimbursement, I do want to illustrate how the reimbursement has enriched me on a personal level. Last year, as an eager new GSLIS student, I duly signed up for ALA membership, and joined the two associations most relevant to my chosen path: AASL (the American Association…
How “The Outsiders” Happened
Posted February 16, 2012 by fox32
In 1988 Susan Eloise Hinton won the first ever Young Adult/School Library Author Achievement Award for The Outsiders. If you haven’t read it [What? You gotta be kidding me?? Chocolate cake for breakfast?? The best.] …then run don’t walk, and grab a copy.
Technology and the Newbie
Posted February 15, 2012 by Julie Steenson
Deciding to make a mid-life career change from mom/educator to librarian came with many uncertainties. Was I too old? Would I be able to catch up on all the technology that I hadnt used over the last few years? What are the differences between Blended, Online, and Face-to-face classes and how would I choose? When would I do the laundry? I had an opportunity that allowed me to begin as a full-time student so I quit my job as a nanny, started volunteering at my local library, and jumped in. I live two and a half hours from both Boston and West campuses, so I opted for one online class, and two West campus classes – one blended and one face-to-face. By trying all three learning approaches, I will figure out early in my student career the pros and cons of each. The laundry question is still being addressed but no, I am not too old, and the technology wasnt quite as scary as I first imagined, but be forewarned, you cannot avoid it. Being a…
Why I Chose Simmons College GSLIS: Archives Management/History
Posted February 14, 2012 by dunhame
Ive been in somewhat of a self-reflective mood lately, which is convenient since its time for my first post on the GSLIS Admissions Blog! With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I have not had much of an opportunity to step back and think about all that has brought me to Boston and Simmons College. Its hard to believe that just a year ago I was in Kirksville, Missouri anxiously waiting to hear back from the handful of library programs I applied to. Ill never forget how excited I was the day I got my letter from Simmons College GSLIS. Im almost positive this is exactly how I reacted: Except imagine the inside of an apartment rather than a beautiful, open field.