http://www.lrs.org/ Research and Statistics about Libraries - LibraryWorkforce en-us http://www.lrs.org/blog/rss.xml LibraryJobline.org is now on Twitter! Follow LibraryJobline.org at http://twitter.com/libraryjobline.

If Twitter isn't for you, you may also sign up for My Jobline, where you can chose to receive emails and/or RSS notifications when jobs that meet your criteria have been posted.

Or, you can receive RSS notifications of all job postings here! http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=303 Has your job changed as a result of the recession? You're not alone.

Our latest Fast Facts, Libraries and Librarians Feeling Effects of Economic Slowdown, discusses the results of a 60-Second Survey conducted earlier this year. Respondents' personal observations indicate requests for help and use of library services have increased, along with the stress felt by librarians. To read more, visit our Fast Facts page or click on the link above. http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=298 Are you curious about the library job market in Colorado? Our latest Fast Facts, Library Jobs in Colorado: What Does LibraryJobline.org Tell Us?, analyzes the job postings on LibraryJobline.org since 2007. Some of the topics discussed are the total number of job postings, job postings by library type, and degree requirements. Read more about the changes (and similarities) over the past few years by clicking on the title above or by going to our Fast Facts page.

-Jamie
http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=295 In April, we launched the 60-second survey, and#8220;Libraries and the Economic Recession.and#8221; This survey was prompted by several news articles discussing the recessionand#8217;s impact on libraries and librarians.

We wanted to know what folks on the front lines had observed about the economy, and how the recession had impacted their work and their career plans. Nearly 500 people responded.

The results indicate that libraries are indeed seeing increases in use and requests for assistance, and librarians are feeling the squeeze themselves.

When asked, and#8220;In the last 12 months, have you had to help more library patrons with the following services,and#8221; 70 percent selected and#8220;computer use,and#8221; which included help with software and Internet searching. More than three in five (66%) said theyand#8217;ve had more requests for assistance with job-seeking activities, such as online job applications and resume preparation.




Detail




Similarly, when asked, and#8220;In the last 12 months, have you personally noticed an increase in use of the following resources in your library,and#8221; 67 percent reported increases in public access computer use by patrons, while more than half said theyand#8217;ve noticed an increase in library visits (63%) and circulation of materials (54%).




Detail

When asked, "To better serve patrons, do you feel a need for additional professional training in any of the following areas," nearly half of the respondents (46%) indicated they could use training on available public assistance/social programs.




Detail


When asked, "As a result of the current economic downturn, do you feel a need for additional training in any of the following areas for your own professional development," more than two in five (44%) said they would benefit from stress management training. One in three (31%) indicated they could use additional training on how to deal with difficult patrons.




Detail


In addition, more than half the respondents shared personal observations about how the recession is impacting their libraries and their patrons.

More detail about the results of this 60-second survey will be published in an upcoming edition of Fast Facts. Let us know what you think about the recessionand#8217;s impact on libraries by leaving a comment below.

Briana

http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=284 We asked and you told us! In fact we heard from nearly 2,000 respondents from each of the 50 states and 6 continents when we launched the first 60-Second Survey: "The Value of an MLIS to You." In addition, more than 1,000 respondents left over 56,000 words worth of comments further explaining their thoughts and feelings about the value of an MLIS degree. Clearly, respondents were passionate about this topic and to do it justice we are publishing three Fast Facts: one about the data, one about the comments, and one from an LIS student's perspective.

No. 269 - Is it Worth It? The Perceived Value of an MLIS Degree
No. 270 - In Your Own Words: The Value of an MLIS
No. 271 - What I Learned About the Value of an MLIS Degree: An LIS Student's Perspective

What is the value of an MLIS to you? I encourage you to share your perspective in the comment field.

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=281 LRS has published a new Fast Facts, "Colorado Public Librarian Salaries Keeping Pace with National Averages." The report compares salary data collected by LRS to national averages reported by the American Library Association.

Read the full text on our Fast Facts page.

-Briana http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=272 How critical is reference to the survival of libraries? Should the library profession do more to promote reference services? In less than a minute you can tell us what you think about reference services.

Let us know what you think at: http://surveys.lrs.org/respond.php?sid=50

Why This Topic
The questions on this survey were inspired by a discussion on a national listerv for virtual reference librarians. It was a fascinating discussion with varied opinions being expressed on everything from usage to promotion. Of course, LRS staff were curious about what the folks in library land thought about these issues. So, here is the second LRS 60-Second Survey: Reference Service - Where is it Going?

About 60-Second Surveys
The 60-second surveys are intended to capture respondents' gut-reactions to questions about very specific topics. Intended to take less than a minute of the respondent's time, these are truly quickie surveys. This is not a scientific study, but rather a reader poll-style survey (think online magazine survey).

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=265 "The tables in this publication include data on the number of staff employed in Title IV postsecondary institutions in fall 2007 by primary function/occupational activity, length of contract/teaching period, employment status, salary class interval, faculty and tenure status, academic rank, race/ethnicity, and gender. Also included are tables on the number of full-time instructional faculty employed in Title IV postsecondary institutions in 2007-08 by length of contract/teaching period, academic rank, gender, and average salaries."

Full report at: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009154

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us

http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=264 LibraryJobline.org has something new to check out! We have added links to other websites that could be useful resources to the library job hunter. The categories for the links included are Professional Resources and Organizations, Education, Colorado Resources, Other Library Job Searches, Job Hunting Help, and Suggested Reading.

Some examples of the websites that we have linked to are the Colorado Association of Libraries website, the Colorado Department of Education webpage on the process for educator licensing for K-12 librarians, and ALAand#8217;s webpage on accredited library and information science programs. Other useful links include examples of possible library interview questions, blogs about library job hunting, and tips for cover letters, resumes, and interviews.

So, stop by the new page to check out the resources we have compiled, or look for the link and#8220;Resources for Job Seekersand#8221; on the home page of LibraryJobline.org.
http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=263 From the DU LIS Program:
The University of Denver Library and Information Science Program is proud to announce a new specialization in law librarianship. Beginning Fall Quarter 2009, LIS will be adding a rotation of courses specifically created to educate law librarians. Students completing the program will receive a Master's of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree with a law specialization.

In conjunction with the new curriculum, LIS is launching the University of Denver Law Librarian Fellowship Program. Thanks in part to a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, LIS is offering up to 10 full-tuition fellowships for study beginning September 2009. Fellows must be full-time students and are expected to complete the program within the two-year fellowship window.

In addition to coursework, Fellows will gain valuable practical experience through a partnership with the Westminster Law Library. During their first year Fellows will spend 6 hours per week at Westminster working with the library's librarians and staff. During their second year Fellows will spend 12 hours per week at the library.

To apply, students must complete an online application to the Morgridge College of Education, Supplemental LIS Admissions Materials, and the Law Librarian Fellowship Application. Application information is available on the College of Education website.

The application deadline is December 1, 2008.
For more information, please contact Chris Hudson, Project Coordinator at (303) 871-6683 or Chris.Hudson@du.edu.

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us
http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=257 Recently I spent an evening at the membership meeting for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SLA. As usual, it was a great time to catch-up with colleagues and discuss our careers, lives, and, of course, the election. I was honored to be the speaker at this event and enjoyed sharing data--and a few opinions--about one of my favorite topics, the future of librarianship. Per request (Robyn, you know who you are) I've posted my presentation, "Is there a future in librarianship?" here.

I welcome your comments and thoughts on this topic, but be warned, I may quote you. :-)

~Nicolle
http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=253 "Librarianship as viable career" is the liveliest discussion we've seen on libnet in awhile. Obviously many of us feel passionately about being librarians and have strong opinions about the value of an MLIS degree.

Of course, at the LRS we'd like to capture some of these opinions. Help us out by answering a few short questions about this hot topic at: http://surveys.lrs.org/respond.php?sid=31.

This anonymous 60-second survey is intended to capture your gut-reaction to questions about the value of an MLIS degree and its impact on employment opportunities.

Survey at: http://surveys.lrs.org/respond.php?sid=31

Nicolle and Zeth
Library Research Service
Colorado State Library
www.LRS.org http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=231