Information Organization
Management
A definition of "information retrieval" skills given by the Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science (ODLIS) is "The process, methods, and procedures used to selectively recall recorded information from a file of data. In libraries and archives, searches are typically for a known item or for information on a specific subject, and the file is usually a human-readable catalog or index, or a computer-based information storage and retrieval system, such as an online catalog or bibliographic database."
With the rapid growth of the Internet and electronic publishing, you might found it's extremely hard to retrieve desired information from a huge number of Web pages and electronic resources. That's why information retrieval skills have been the primary competencies of librarians. Here are some desirable information retrieval skills a librarian should have.
Can identify materials appropriate to customers' requirements and their abilities;
Can identify, interpret, and access varied information resources
designs and locally produces resources in a wide variety of formats to anticipate and meet customer needs;
Can use advanced search techniques such as boolean operators, controlled vocabulary, etc. to locate information effectively and efficiently.
Some references that help you increase your skills
If you are a regular library user, you might notice the reference desk in your library where a librarian sit and answer users' questions. This service has been in library for more than 100 years and most librarians today have reference duties. To serve users well, a reference librarian should possess good oral communication and information search skills. Furthermore, in this digital age, some virtual reference mothods (email or online chat) have been involved. Therefore a good reference librarian is also able to use these Internet tools efficiently. Here are some core skills needed by reference services.
Presents welcoming behaviors and practices effective interviewing skills to best determine the user's actual needs;
Understands information-seeking behaviors and facilitates the user's successful information retrieval;
Ability to develop and present instructional sessions for the general public, the classroom, and the staff of the documents and reference departments, as applicable;
Ability to perform vitural reference interviews;
Some references that help you increase your skills
Using Virtual Reference Transcripts for Staff Training? David Ward. Reference Services Review 31 (1) (2003) 46-56
Conducting the Reference Interview: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians. Catherine Sheldrick Ross et al. Neal-Schuman, 2002.
Understanding reference transactions: translating an art into a science. Matthew L Saxton and John V Richardson. Academic Press, 2002
The Virtual Librarian and the Electronic Reference Interview? Bowman, V . Internet Reference Services Quarterly. 7(3) (2002): 3-14.
"Reference Interview and Search," in Introduction to Reference Work, Volume I. William A. Katz. McGraw-Hill. 8th ed. 2002. pp 19-25.
"The reference interview," in Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. Richard E. Bopp and Linda C. Smith, gen. eds. Libraries Unlimited. 3rd ed. 2001. Chapter 3: 47-68.
"Has the Internet Changed Anything in Reference?" Catherine Sheldrick Ross and Kirsti Nilsen. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 40 (Winter 2000): 147-155.
Reference Interview Quick Hints?Library of the Virginia Commonwealth University, August 2003 [http://www.library.vcu.edu/help/train/]
Mapping the Information Landscape." Marylaine Block. Searcher April 2002 [http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/apr02/block.htm]
Users and Their Information Needs: Information-Seeking Behavior; the Reference Interview." School of Information, University of Texas at Austin, 2002. [http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~l382jh/Main/t3-usrinfoneeds.html]
Practicing Reference: Teaching the Art of the Reference Interview. Mary Whisner. Law Library Journal 94:1 [http://www.aallnet.org/products/2002-10.pdf]
"Reference Interview." Ohio Reference Excellence (ORE) Web-based training. Ohio Library Council, 2000. [http://www.olc.org/ore/2intro.htm]
Statewide Training For Accurate Reference (STAR) Reference Manual, 1994-2001. Nebraska Library Commission. [http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/ref/star/chapter4.html ]
High Touch vs. High Tech: The Changing Nature of Managing Library Reference Service. J. Michael Shires, March, 2000.
[http://www.geocities.com/jmshires/capping/home.htm]
"Reference Interview." California Opportunities for Reference Excellence (CORE). San Joaquin Valley Information Service, 1999.
[http://www.sjvls.org/members/core/ref/CCREF.HTM]
Collection development is "the process of planning and building a useful and balanced collection of library materials over a period of years, based on an ongoing assessment of the information needs of the library's clientele, analysis of usage statistics, and demographic projections, normally constrained by budgetary limitations". (ODLIS)
Collection development is also an essential duty of many librarians, some core skills are listed below:
Develops and uses relevant library collection development policies and strategic plans as criteria for reviewing and selecting library materials;
knowledge of the library processes for selection and review of new and gift materials, review of approval titles, and conservation and preservation of the library collections;
Understands and works within the budgeting process and systems for collection development in the library;
Updates and applies knowledge of assigned subject areas on a continual basis;
Assesses and evaluates existing and potential collections to guide collection development and management decisions;
Some references that help you increase your skills:
Johnson, Peggy. Fundamentals of Collection Development & Management. Chicago: American Library Association, 2004.
Bob, Murray C. "The Case for Quality Book Selection." Library Journal 107 (September 15 1982): 1707-1710.
MacDonald, Brad-S; Dunkelberger, Robert. "Full-text Database Dependency: An Emerging Trend among Undergraduate Library Users?" Research Strategies 16 (1998): 301-7.
LaFond, Deborah M., Mary K. Van Ullen, and Richard D. Irving. "Diversity in Collection Development: Comparing Access Strategies to Alternative Press Periodicals." College & Research Libraries 61 (March 2000): 136-44
Stewart, Lou Ann. "Choosing between Print and Electronic Resources:The Selection Dilemma." Reference Librarian , no. 71 (2000): 79-97.
Walters, William H., et al. "Guidelines for Collecting Aggregationsof Web Resources." Information Technology and Libraries 17, no. 3 (Sept. 1998): 157-60. http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdfhtml/02779/1ivby/vsi.htm
Bobkoff, Miriam. "A Bookworm's Eye-View of Collection Development:Making Use of Gift Books." Public Libraries 38, no. 6 (Nov./Dec. 1999): 364-5+ http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdfhtml/01051/1ph48/0sm.htm
Kerby, Ramona N. "Weeding Your Collection." School Library Media Activities Monthly 18 (Feb. 2002): 22-4, 31.
Brancolini, Kristine R. "Selecting Research Collections for Digitization:Applying the Harvard Model." Library Trends 48, no. 4 (spring 2000): 783-98. http://wilsontxt.hwwilson.com/pdffull/01862/mkrz7/os1.pdf
Since librarians in the digital age work with a huge amount of electronic information as well as networked management systems, their proficiency in various computer software and hardware is also an important quality.
Certainly, for those high-tech librarians such as Systems librarians, technical services librarians and digitization librarians, they need to possess advanced computer technology to accomplish their duties. For general librarians, they also need to know how to use some software applications including automated library systems, MS Office or other word processing, interlibrary loan systems, virtual reference software, emails software, Web browers, imple troubleshooting, etc.
You may find a lot of reference books about computer technologies from the Internet or book stores. A good reference of relevant library technologies is The Accidental Systems Librarian, and you will find many useful links there.
The Organization of Information
In other words, the organization of information is to organize information sources in libraries using various cataloging skills and tools. It is an important part of technical services in library. Librarians, especially cataloging librarians should have a good knowledge of all types of cataloging tools inclduing LCC, MARC, LCSH, DCC, AACR2, etc. Professional catalogers are able to perform original cataloging in a prompt manner.
Some core skills in this area are:
A good understanding of principles and techniques for the organization and representation of information.
A good understanding of principles and techniques of classification and classification schemes, subject representation with controlled vocabularies, and contemporary bibliographic description.
An ability to communicate the concepts of information organization clearly and effectively to users, colleagues, paraprofessionals and other stakeholders in information communities.
Some good references:
Anglo-American Cataloging Rules. Chicago: ALA, 1988.PBK. ISBN 0-8389-3360-2
Bibliographic Formats and Standards. OCLC Online Computer Library, 1993.
Chan, Lois Mai, et al. Dewey Decimal Classification: A Practical Guide. Albany, NY: Forest Press, 1994. PBK. ISBN 0-910608-49-0
A Condensed Guide to MARC Format. Brodart Automation, 500 Arch St., Williamsport, PA 17705 (800 233-8467)
Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index. Albany, NY: Forest Press, 1996. 21th ed. ISBN 0-910608-50-4 (4 v. set)
Free-floating Subdivisions: an alphabetical index. Washington, DC. Library of Congress, 1997. 9th ed. ISSN 1052-1445
Library of Congress Subject Headings. Washington, DC. Library of Congress, 1997. 20th ed. ISSN 1048-9711 (4 v. set).
LC Period Subdivisions Under Names of Places. Washington, DC: Library of Congress, 1994.
Understanding MARC Bibliographic. Library of Congress, CDS, Customer Service/Dept EA, Washington, DC 20541-5017 (800 255-3666)
Wynar, Bohdan S. Introduction to Cataloging and Classification. Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1985. PBK. ISBN 0-87287-485-0
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Librarians also perform some mangement responsibilities in their organizations, such as planning, staffing, budgeting, etc. That's partly why most library school students are encouraged to take some management courses, and MLIS programs in some universities are even affiliated in the scool of management and administration. Most librarians are working as team leaders, so leadship and administration skills are fairly important for them. Some core skills in this area include:
Knowledge of Library planning, accounting, and financial policies, procedures and systems.
Ability to forecast library requirements and the direction of local community needs in the future.
Knowledge of employment laws and regulations that impact hiring new employees.
Knowledge of law and regulations as well as Library policies, systems and procedures related to supervision of employees.
Treats others with honesty, respect, and fairness
Some good references:
Bazillion, Richard J. Planning the Academic Library of the Future. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 1(2), 151-160. April 2001. http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/portal_libraries_and_the_academy/v001/1.2bazillion.html
Pitkin, Gary M., ed. The National Digital Library: A Guide to the Future for Library Managers, pp. 1-16. 1996
Stueart, Robert D. and Barbara B. Moran. Library and Information Center Management. 6th edition.
Nozero, Victoria A. and Jason Vaughan, Utilization of Process Improvement to Manage Change in an Academic Library,?Journal of Academic Librarianship, 26, 2000, pp. 416-421.
Harrington-Mackin, Deborah. The Team Building Took Kit. HD60/H387/1994.