The UA Library Student Organization Blog

A Message from the LSO President

LSO — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:18:09 +0000

I just posted the meeting minutes to our webpage at http://sirls.arizona.edu/lso. If you are interested in finding out about what we discussed at our virtual meeting please see our notes. Better yet why not join us next time? We have posted our schedule on the SIRLS calendar as well.

Let me just say that I have been the LSO president for a very, short time. One of the things that I have tried to do during this period is to find more ways to get students involved. The best way to do this, in my opinion, is to provide an environment that will support communication, communication, and communication! This is even more vital when most of your colleagues are distant.

I am pleased to say that the number of students who are participating this semester has increased since the past spring semester. Also, we have had so many ideas generated, that there is no possible way to accomplish everything. Further, the LSO would cease to exist without student involvement. One easy way to participate, for example, is to write an interesting article for this blog. We are always looking for good stories, lessons learned, or advice for students. I hope you consider doing this. Not only that, but there are so many things the LSO can do with the right amount of support from our student body. Did you know that we are considering creating a scholarship either for books or conference travel! HELLO! DID SOMEONE SAY MONEY! Not only that, but you can also gain valuable experiences that only can be obtained by stepping outside your box! Sometimes we need to do what is not entirely comfortable (within reason of course) in order to create worthwhile experiences for ourselves.

I am stressing all these points, because as I said earlier my time here has been short which also means… wait for it … that we will have our nomination period coming up (officially November 9th). The next round of officers will have the chance to be nominated, elected, and then they will take their new positions. Will that be you?

LSO Toothbrush Drive for the Martha Cooper Refugee Health Fair

LSO — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:05:53 +0000

LSO Toothbrush Drive for Martha Cooper Refugee Health Fair
Start: 10/10/2011

The LSO will set up small, labeled boxes with one located at the Health Sciences Library and another at SIRLS. Our drive will last from October 10th until the 24th. Please consider donating a new, wrapped or encased toothbrush. Any donation will help to support the Refugee Health Fair! Thank you ahead of time for your help!

Sincerely,
LSO

New Officers!

LSO — Tue, 10 May 2011 23:36:10 +0000

Here is the new list of LSO Officers. Congratulations to all of you!

Elected Officers (Summer/Fall 2011)

PRESIDENT: Dolores D Pedroza ddp2001@email.arizona.edu

VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER: Heidi Greathouse greathou@email.arizona.edu

SECRETARY: Michelle Renee Vorves vorvesm@email.arizona.edu

WEBMASTER: Emily Hardy ehardy@email.arizona.edu

VIRTUAL STUDENT LIAISON: Greg McCambridge gmccambr@email.arizona.edu

BIBLIOTECH EDITOR: Stephan Przybylowicz seprzy@email.arizona.edu

ALUMNI LIAISON: Karen S Cowee kcowee@email.arizona.edu

FACULTY/STUDENT LIAISON/ SIRLS CURRICULUM COMMITTEE/POLICY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE:
Michael Jenkins jenkinsmw@email.arizona.edu

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES/PROGRAM COORDINATOR:
Berlin Loa berlin@email.arizona.edu

FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR: VACANT

Symposium Raw Footage via Elluminate Live!

LSO — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:08:12 +0000

Click to view the SIRLS Symposium 2011 raw footage:

SIRLS Symposium 2011 Link 1

SIRLS Symposium 2011 Link 2

We have also provided this information on the LSO Symposium website. Follow the link on this page in the sidebar if you would like to read more, there, about this past event. I have also provided the links to the videos above, out of convenience for you, if you are interested in viewing them. Even if you attended the event feel free to watch it again if you like. Thanks!

Note: If you have not used Elluminate Live! before, then a file will download when you click on the links. This is the file that will enable the video browser to open and play the videos. If you have any questions about the process feel free to email us and/or you can get an idea of how this program works at the Elluminate website here.

Symposium pictures

LSO — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:31:33 +0000

Hello,

Thank you to all the wonderful presenters at this past Saturday’s symposium. We have a few pics if you would like to see them. You can view them at this link: https://orgsync.com/2978/photos/albums/11015

If you have pictures and would like to send them please send them to the LSO at our email address:

arizonalso@gmail.com

Thanks!

Professional Practices

LSO — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:36:33 +0000

LIS Interviewing: Do clothes make the librarian?
By: Ann Clark

Job interviews are opportunities to present your best self to potential employers and colleagues. Understanding professional dress, personal style and organizational cultures can help with presentation of self and the oh-so-important first impression. Below are some tips and resources on appropriate interview appearance.

This month’s Information Outlook is dedicated to Librarians and Their Image. Olguin and Stankus’s Dressing Like We Mean It article in particular stresses understanding the importance of dress and appearance in a variety of professional settings, from interviews to conferences.

Consciously or subconsciously appearance affects perceptions of professionalism, intelligence and credibility – Dressing for that First Professional Interview and Beyond presentation.

Plan how you will look as carefully as you plan what to say. – Deborah P. Bloch, Ph.D., author of How to Have a Winning Job Interview

How to plan a look
Suzanne Morem’s 4-point clothing selection process (great for interviews and every day):

Who do I expect to see and meet today?

What do I want to accomplish – what are my objectives?

What kind of impression do I need to make to accomplish my objectives?

How will I convey that impression?

Take a moment to think about all of your achievements and affiliations. For many SIRLS students this begins with the list of titles in your email signature. At an interview you represent not only yourself and your capabilities but also: your degree-granting institution(s); academic departments; scholar, fellowship, and certificate programs; student/professional organizations and more.

Just because a garment is “in fashion” does not mean it is appropriate for an interview.
–UA Career Services

Common and sometimes conflicting levels of professional dress:

Business

Business Casual

Smart Casual

Casual

Explanations and Photos of Workplace Apparel:
http://humanresources.about.com/od/workrelationships/a/dress_code.htm

UA Career Services Podcast on appropriate professional interview attire:
http://media.career.arizona.edu/Podcast/1/TWACS_00000079.mp3
This podcast gives good tips on the basics of professional attire with an emphasis on business culture.

What will be appropriate for:

The job I am applying for (entry-level, mid-level, director)

My comfort level in different types of clothing

Workplace culture

Even if you would or could wear jeans on the job, or the work environment is outdoors and very non-suit, wearing a suit to the interview shows you take the interview seriously as a professional meeting. Dressing well is a compliment to the person(s) with whom you meet. If you think the industry in which you’re interviewing would frown on a suit, or the interview will involve going to a work site where a suit would be inappropriate, look for advice through professional organizations, your professors who have been employed in that industry, and/or by asking the employer directly and politely. One alternative is to wear pressed pants (like khakis) and a dark jacket; less formal than a suit, but still business-appropriate for both men and women.

–Virginia Tech Career Services

Comfort and confidence in your appearance can greatly impact interview performance.

What about body piercings/tattoos/hairstyle?
Ask three people about this topic and you will receive three very different answers. Researching an LIS setting’s workplace culture will help. Look at a company’s website, especially staff images. Does the institution have a written dress code?

From the blogs: a library-world perspective on interviewing and attire:
Mr. Library Dude –basic overall advice
http://mrlibrarydude.wordpress.com/nailing-the-library-interview/pitfalls-to-avoid-on-a-library-interview/

Hack Library School –check out the comments section for real-world apparel tips
http://hacklibschool.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/job-tips/

ALA Joblist page –lots of good stuff here about all aspects of interviewing!
http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/Interviewing.cfm

Where will you be interviewing?

What type of library setting are you interested in?

Where in the state/country/world will you be interviewing?

Try to find an outfit that works in multiple locations and LIS settings.

Keep in mind the geographical area that you’re applying in (rural, urban, suburban, climate conditions, and what part of the country it’s in), and try to fit in with the surroundings. A heavy wool suit that knocks them out in Boston might get you some weird looks in Los Angeles or Miami, and a skirt that’s right at home in Cleveland might appear a bit drab in San Francisco or New York City.

–Free Job Hunting Tips

Individually Scheduled Mock Interviews with Career Services can include outfit feedback:
http://www.career.arizona.edu/students/workshops/#mock

Finally, for fun and reference:

Daily librarian wear from a variety of settings (Thanks to Sandy for sending!):
http://librarianwardrobe.tumblr.com/

A thought-provoking and at times hilarious video on female librarian clothing stereotypes (thanks to Charley for sending!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TMYRRWT3JSU#at=27

Ann Clark holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Clothing and Textile Design from Framingham State College (Framingham State University). She is an award-winning theatrical costume technician and designer (retired) and is currently a SIRLS Master’s candidate.

Where are your ideas?

LSO — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 02:26:59 +0000

As many of you know the symposium deadline has been extended. Also, how wonderful to include faculty into the process. I for one would love to see the standard in how to present a paper or research. I am not sure we do that enough within the Information Resources and Library Sciences. Then again I am still a baby in this environment. Just think of the symposium as our own mini-conference. Is there any reason not to go? Also, if you haven’t submitted anything to present whether that be an abstract or a poster, why not consider it? This is something that gives you practice, and exposure. Maybe the hard part is deciding what topic to present or write about, or maybe it is about the time needed to prepare. I am totally with you when it comes to not wanting to look like a fool in front of anyone, especially due to being unprepared. One problem I see is that I have ideas, but not always the means or simply the energy to construct a viable offering of those ideas. Maybe I am a little shy to speak in front of a group as well OR maybe I am too overwhelmed with homework, family, job training, and a multitude of other excuses I simply cannot go into. Whatever the reason (excuse!) I thought it might be best to offer up some ideas here, and in this way you can then take off with them or go down a different path. It is your choice. So here are a few ideas to ponder, even if you do not present, but really if you have something interesting why not share it?

Possible abstract or poster ideas to consider with respect to Information Resources and Library Sciences:

What is the next big technological advancement, and what are the stepping stones to getting there?
Libraries as essential components to the educational system
Why is it so hard to sell the value of Librarianship?
Digital spaces, and Librarianship: Steering towards the future
What is the new “face” of a library customer in todays technology driven world?

Even if these are not so interesting to you why not suggest a few, and who knows maybe it will lead to something more. I do know that dialogue is important, because it draws out ideas that may not have been at the forefront of your mind. This way we can stir the pot of competing ideas and see what rises to the top. If necessity is the mother of invention, maybe it is about time we listened to her!

So I was reading the ALA direct student edition today…

LSO — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:12:45 +0000

I was looking at email when I ran across the digital newsletter from ALA, directed towards students, and I ran across an article about jobs. Well it was another blog written by someone named Tiffini Anne, and I felt it was something that needed to be shared. If you are like me, when I think about graduation and the potential to find employment my stomach starts to curl a little. In fact, I think you can hear it from where ever you may be. You know the sound, grumble, grumble, grrrr! Okay so maybe that is a little exaggerated, but I think you get the idea. Uncertainty is an uneasy feeling. So it was great to come across another person’s advice on what to do about it. I suppose it is the librarian in me that wants to share all the new things I learn with the hopes that someone else can benefit as well. Even if there is no benefit at all, there is no harm done. Having said that here is the blog:

TiffiniAnne’s Blog

I hope you find it useful and interesting. Also, if you have any other suggestions feel free to post them. We have an approval process for posts now, but please don’t let this discourage you from posting. We want to hear from you! This is only to ensure we receive intelligent, well thought out posts, instead of comments that involve &#**%&%#*& characters if you know what I mean. Of course you can use those in a carefully worded, well thought out intelligent way! It is the opposite that we will refuse. Thanks ahead of time for your patience.

Hello World!

LSO — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:31:41 +0000

Okay, so I was looking at our LSO web presence when I came across this site. I am so glad that we have it, and that the power of communication tools never cease to amaze me. However, I really hope you are with me on this, when I read the minutes from the meeting I hear crickets. Granted I am one of the attendees of those meetings, and they are really a good way to have your voice heard. Yet they rarely provide good literature before, during or after long hours of working or studying. I do realize that everyone has a busy schedule, and that our online habits vary, but isn’t there something you would be interested in reading from us at the LSO? I have created an impromptu poll to find that out which is located below. Please check that out when you have a moment. If you are reading this which I hope you are, then please hold on a little longer and send us some feedback! We want you to hear music and not crickets. Thanks ahead for your time and please visit again! Thanks.

View This Poll

LSO Meeting Minutes 2010-10-22

LSO — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 01:12:53 +0000

LIBRARY STUDENT ORGANIZATION
Minutes
10/22/10

- Officer updates
Treasurer – $2013.97 in account.
Tim – downloaded minutes of last meeting.
- Discussed formation of a main listserv or blog for all SIRLS Students, or a discussion board.
- Outcome of meeting with Mary Feeney & Leslie Kent Kunkel
Need to continue with LSO for ALA accreditation. Stop making money. Spend money. Get people into the club without charging them. Offer incentives.
- D2L professor announcements of club events
- Student listserv
- Presidential election
Discussed incentives. Gift certificates for Amazon for $75.00
- Election schedule for next semester’s officers
- Student to staff
- Optimum event days/times (Doodle poll results)
Best times: Friday evenings, Wednesday evenings and Saturday/Sunday afternoon
- Upcoming events: newly hired info pro panel?
Ramona and Brooke will set up a panel. For the 2nd week in November. Suggested some recent grads.
Lizzie Schloss resume and interviewing workshops?
Azul will set it up the workshop(s).
Add upcoming LSO meetings to your calendar (all at 5:30pm in the SIRLS multipurpose room):
November 19
December 3

Attendees: Ramona Romandia, Brooke Laughlin, Azul Gomez, Tatiana Hladky, Tim Vande Zande, Chanel Wheeler