2nd last day

Well, 2nd last day is done.  What can I tell you today......

My supervisor was away, I was supposed to help with Internet for seniors but the days were mixed up and its actually next week and I didn't have dinner with my friends tonight but this is what I did.

I scooted into work this morning.....well, I walked to work and had coffee to cool off before going in.  Once there, we realised all fo the above so I eagerly started on trying to conquer the lost ILLs but before that, I  searched for the requests that had come in overnight.

I was on front counter this morning until after lunch.  This was quite busy, doing WiFi registrations, replacement cards as well as reference questions.  In between answering ref questions, I was working on the unsuccessful ILLs.  

I'm not sure if I mentioned that this branch is extremely busy with WiFi.  It brings so many people into the library.  Its quite interesting that staff at this library talk about a council that likes to make a profit however they have recognised the fact that WiFi needs to be one part of their library collection.

Had some LMS problems today.  It was up and down and up and down.  Unlike my library, this only affects that LMS and not the Internet which is a blessing considering the number of public access computers and WiFi users. 

Great news.......This afternoon, I managed to complete all the unsuccessful ILLs.  Hopefully the ILL officer will be happy when she gets back from leave on Monday.  By completing the ILLs I mean, contacting the patron to see if they still require the item and then either cancelling the request or re requesting the item. 

Finished work and was planning  on going to this huge shopping centre but changed my mind.  The fact that I crossed the railway line and was about to head in the wrong direction helped change me mind about shopping.  You see, I would have to catch a train and then a bus to get there.  Changed my mind to come home and open up the house....hoping it would cool off....which it did :))))))  (thats me with a huge smile). 

Sis is doing jewelry making tonight so she'll be home later.  I'm watching a taped NCIS as I type and there's a cool breeze blowing through the window.  So all is great. 

I should fast forward the add and then go pack as its that time of the 3 weeks. 
One day to go and then back to the real world....nearly

Wednesday

Well another day down.  Only 2 to go and then back to the real world where we need to think about how we are doing things and ensure we are up to date.

Once again, today I worked on Library Link.  We managed to get the list down to 25 this afternoon.  I worked overtime today only finishing at 4.30.  Will have to keep an eye on the time tomorrow as I'm heading into the city for dinner with Civica staff tomorrow night.  I'm looking forward to that and hope there isn't any train dramas tomorrow. 

Bit of a drama on the line this morning (the one I would take into the city).  Luckily I'm doing foot power this week.  Its been mighty hot and I moan and groan about the sweat in my eyes all the way (most of the time to myself however I try to ring someone on my way so they can share in my pain.....thanks girls).   

The staff member I'm working with loves me at the moment as I'm helping her to catch up on this task and also train her on the system.  ILL's is a new role for her and she's working half time so she's pleased to have someone to work along with her while she learns.  She said this afternoon that she is feeling much more confident with what I've been showing her.

I was talking to a staff member who is encouraging me to continue with my cert IV so I can graduate next year.  I contacted Uni this week and I need to have my cert sent to them by mid Jan.  Realistically with band, work etc I don't think I can get it done but its worth trying I suppose.  It means 1 subject per week for the next few weeks.  Ohhhhh dearrrrr.

Tuesday.

Well, what can I tell you about today.

I had thought I would be completing the unallocated and available list but a new task was found for me.  This involved searching via Library Link for items that haven't been completed. 

Library Link is a live union catalogue that uses a rota (rotating) list to go through the libraries that have copies.  Each library can accept or reject the request which then sends the request to the next library.  However at this stage, when the request is at the bottom of the list, it goes nowhere.  This means that staff need to

Day 1, third week.

Well, it's nearly all over.  This is my last week on Prac and then back to the real world. 

I'm at a new branch.  This is the newest library in the service.  It has the most new registrations and Wi-Fi users in the entire service and has approx 62 500 items in the branch.  This branches collection is bigger than our entire library services so this is quite interesting.  It is also the 3rd busiest branch regarding loans and visitors however often comes close to being the 2nd. 

This morning, I participated in the reference co-op meeting.  This was the last meeting of this group due to a restructure.  At this stage, they aren't really sure what will happen and where it will all go.  

A few things from the meeting that I was very interested in was a discussion regarding the collection of reference stats.  eg.  What to collect, what to count and how is it done.  Many libraries do daily stats and many only do the 4 weeks as required for the annual return.  I've been able to collect the various forms that are used and will consider them when I get home.

Another discussion took place regarding online databases.  This was quite interesting as the statewide access, consortia arrangement etc are different to what we do.

After lunch, I had a meeting to discuss adult services and the responsibilities of adult team members.  I then ran an unallocated and available list and will continue on with that tomorrow.

As I had been told, this branch is different to the other branches but as we are aware, all branches have an individual feel. 

Friday, Week 2

Week 2 is nearly over.  Hasn't it all gone very quick.  Next thing you now, I'll be home annoying you all again. :)  

Today seemed quiet to me.  This morning only had 4 library staff on deck.  This was 2 Librarians (I'm counting myself as one) and 2 library staff.  One library staff consisted of the admin staff member (who is a library assistant however does the admin side of things for the branch).  My job next week, Sus this position out more. 

Luckily it was a steady but definately quieter morning to what I've experienced in the past.  My task was to finish researching the unallocated list from yesterday.  I had searched the shelf for these items but then had to research the system to see

• if there were additional copies
• If patrons has selected a particiular item (restricting the use of other holdings)
• If a new copy was required because the other copies were missing / being repaired or simply lost

After that, I searched the help screens for some hints and tips on searching the system.  This was for the youth librarian who was only new and had limited experience using the lms.

I also helped on the information desk.  i didn't join anybody up today....but was told to be prepared for it next week as the next branch joins 20 or so people each day.....but was required to search Choice online twice for patrons, help with some reference questions and help with the WiFi registrations. 

The WiFi seems to be the best thing the library can offer.  Very simple and means many more people using the library but not having to use library equipment.  A condition of the WiFi is membership so this means additional members (no temporary memberships like we have). 

I finished work a little later today and then caught the train into the city to meet up with sis.  Well I have an hour or so in the city so I had "Lord of the Fries" which are some brilliant chips that you can put different sauces on.......mayo, chilli, tomato, vinigar, cheese and gravy, salsa, salsa and cheese, satay and mayo and the list continues.  I then headed to Myer as the christmas windows were opened today.  This was great.  The theme......Olivia saves Christmas.  You know olivia....she's the little pig (I think she's a pig and not a mouse).  Anyhow its been created and the story is read.  Snuck inside for a while until Sis rang to say she was leaving work.  Then I walked......the very long way..... to the new DFO. 

What did I buy........
A DVD of Cats the Musical for my darling girls
Some bits and pieces from Kikki K (similar to smiggles)
and...thats it :(

Thursday

Today was a great day.  I spent the morning helping 2 staff members set up the 12 laptops, data projector, screen and printer for the final session of the seniors computer classes.  The go is.

There are 5 monthly sessions which have the following topics each month

• using the mouse, turning the computer on etc
• What is the web, basic internet searching, typing in web addresses
• Using web based email, moving files and saving to a usb
• Demonstartion and using addition hardware -- eg printer, digital camera, scanner and saving these items to a usb
• wrap up session -- go over anything the patron wants to follow up, show patrons the databases -- computer school net, explain to patrons that they can use the library computers, tell people about the additional session held at another branch. 

The additional session is not hands on and is a chance to tell the new users about additional computer classes etc that are available in the area.  This includes U3A, pc users group, tafe classes etc. 

After this class, I had lunch and then do an unallocated and available search.  This search includes no status which means I search for items that are missing etc.  After the search (of which I found 6 of the 35 or so items that had a status of missing), I then looked on the system to determine if we needed to purchase a replacement copy or if there are additional copies in the library service.

I caught a train... well this was  a little drama as I just missed the first so I had to wait for 20 mins for the next train.  Then I had to jump off this train and validate my ticket which meant I wasn't quick enough and had to wait for the next train.  During this time, I managed to lock my PUK on my phone so once I got into the city....Civica's office, I rang telstra to disarm this. 

I had a drink with some Civica staff -- Nikki, Bridie, Karen, Julie with Denise and Emerald popping in for a quick hello.  After this Julie and I headed to an italian restaurant in the Burke St Mall for dinner.  This was lovely so we have organised to do this all again next Thursday night.  Anyone is welcome if you guys would like to join us. (LOL).

Wednesday

What happened today...... Today was storytime day.  The youth librarian is the same guy who I helped with storytime last week.  He is legendary.  Plays his guitar and does a brilliant job. 

One thing that stood out at me were the number of kids / parents that attend.  Stats require us to count both the adults/parents and the kids.  I tried to count and believe we had approx 45 adults and 65 kids.  Imagine trying to do a storytime session with that. 

The first song we sang was Howdy dudey.  We also did so many others and I hope in the future we can share our prepared songs.... with them.  We read a total of 5 stories and sang 2 sets of songs.  We also finish with a book suggestion which is great.  He builds up suspense with that. 

I will also ask him to email us the goggle thing.  This is something like make a pair of goggles with you hands and remind parents that storytime is now over and they need to keep an eye on their kids. 

Then I had lunch and after lunch assisted the team leader (which is branch manager) to weed the reference collection. This is a different process to what we use and really need to justify what we delete, keep or reassign to borrowing.  I personally would have been more ruthless (as we were doing the 510's -- Maths) and would have kept 1 title -- a maths dictionary.  All others would have either been weeded (due to age -- pub date prior to 1990) and not really ready ref -- more something patrons need to take home. 

I was supposed to go to a ref collection meeting today however that was cancelled.  I had a convesation with one staff member regarding roles and responsibilities.  This was very interesting.