I'm really looking forward to this semester at school. I'm taking two classes, Research Methods which is a physical class and Information Behavior which is completely online. I started off a little disorganized for the Info Behavior class because I was in Vegas when everything was posted online. Once I got things together I realized I can probably use the same research in both classes this semester. My Info Behavior project has to be done with a partner though, which is alright, I might have to tailor the research to suit their interests too.
Last night I realized that I have a short paper due soon though for Info Behavior. She's calling it an "interaction diary" where I have to record an "information-seeking experience" and write about 8-9 pages about it. I've started taking notes on my Toronto trip, traveling to a new place seems like a good comparison and something interesting to write about. I believe I could probably get about 8 pages on the Detroit-Windsor Bridge alone! Another possible experience to write about is how using something like GPS technology changes the way we move around and find things within an area. I realized when the GPS gave us a different route than I wanted to go that our familiarity with an area can change our decision to rely on the technology or not. We also have less of a dependency on printed maps, or printing directions before we leave. I have also used the GPS to find places to eat or stop for gas along the way, instead of relying on road signs or researching locations before we go.
Information Behavior is a pretty interesting class so far and it's within my specialization too. I enjoy my library classes as well, but I usually enjoy my Information Management classes a bit more. I keep going back and forth about whether I want to continue to work in libraries, if I do I certainly don't want to be in public service anymore. I think that's a general consensus between most of those in IS in the program right now. We all enjoy libraries but none of us want to be reference librarians. That's ok I suppose, there's still plenty of people out there that do.
Yeah, I agree Heidi. With Technology has comes new opportunities for those in the Library and Information Science field. We don't HAVE to work only in libraries anymore. I'm a bit more interested in the Technology side of things rather than the reference....but enjoy having the occasional break. I'm still looking for a nice balance between the two worlds I guess. If it exists.;)
Maybe Systems Librarian? Although even that gets into the realm of "too techie" depending on the library and the type of ILS the library is using. Not that I wouldn't mind doing systems librarianship either, but it would depend on the balance of IT vs. library skills for me. I don't want to be doing IT work all day if what I really want to be doing is IA or creating exciting new services for libraries. I know from past experience that I do need a mix of projects to keep me happy with my work.
I think having IT people in libraries is still a new thing for many libraries too. As we already know, there's often a huge communication gap between the IT people and the library people. Now we have IT people (I'm thinking people like Paul) who are going to library school, which I think is a great thing for libraries, but it's also an interesting balance for those of us pseudo-techies too. Although we all seem to function very well together in library school, I don't see why we wouldn't do the same on our jobs.
I think you and I are more interested in filling in those communication gaps in our libraries...which also could be a fun job!
I've looked at some systems librarian job postings, some sound highly technical, others don't. There is still a real inconsistency.
I also enjoy working with people who have a high range of skills, maybe the balance needs to be created internally!
You might be interested in being a User Experience Librarian too Heidi. I can see you doing that. :)
I would be interested in doing anything with User Experience, librarian or not. :)