Collections development skills for special librarians include placing digital images of photographs in finding aids and catalogues to increase usage
Librarians and Older Technology Part 4: Photographs
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Miriam Kahn, MLS, PhD
Miriam B. Kahn, founder of MBK Consulting, provides education and consulting for libraries, archives, corporations, cultural institutions and individuals on topics ranging from genealogy and local history to database searching, government documents, and preservation. She is an active genealogy and local history researcher working with maps, materials, and records in cultural institutions and, of course, uses online materials. She is a popular presenter and teacher throughout the Midwest and offered courses at Kent State University’s Graduate School for Library and Information Science. She holds an MLS from Queens College, CUNY and a PhD in History from Kent State University.
Librarians and Older Technology Part 3: Moving Images
Collection development and technology skills for special librarians include evaluating older formats including moving images
Librarians and Older Technology Part 2: Audio
Technology skills for special librarians include evaluating old formats e.g., audio with focus on care, handling, storage, stable environmental conditions
Librarians and Older Technology Part 1: Microforms
Technology skills for special librarians include evaluating older formats including microforms, audio, video, and photograph prints and negatives
Librarians and Technology #13: Considering Obsolete Formats and Technologies
Skills for special librarians include evaluating “obsolete” formats and equipment in context of library’s mission, scope and needs of researchers and users.
Librarians and Technology #12: The Role of Information Professionals vis-a-vis Technology
Skills for special librarians include leveraging technology as an efficient tool; formats have changed, former print indices and catalogs are now online.
Librarians and Technology #11: Productivity Tools for Special Librarians
Special librarians are evaluated on productivity; skills for special librarians involve productivity tools, focus, research skills and collaboration.
Librarians and Technology #10: Deep Thinking Means Focused Attention
Skills for special librarians include deep thinking, focus on connecting data and information, application of technology to information retrieval.
Librarians and Technology #9: Focused Writing Requires Discipline (Part 2)
Writing is one of the most important skills for special librarians, and requires focus, attention, and hard work, free from distracting technology.
Librarians and Technology Part 9: Focused Writing Requires Discipline
Skills for special librarians include focused writing; tips for disciplined writing include taking a break from technology to concentrate.
Librarians and Technology Part 8: Active Reading and Focused Reference
Active reading sharpens special librarians’ reference and retrieval skills and is an essential aspect of integrating technology and reference.
Librarians and Technology # 7: Finite Reference Sources Equals Focused Research
Database query versus search engines: searching specific databases yields focused results. The best use of search engines is preliminary research.
Librarians and Technology Part 6: Active Listening Enhances Focus
Active listening in special librarian reference interviews is essential to monotasking and focus; avoid distraction librarians and technology.
Librarians and Technology #5: Embracing Focus & Increasing Productivity
Special librarians must embrace monotasking when doing library reference research; do not let technology be a distraction. Increasing productivity as librarian.
Librarians and Technology #4: Troubleshooting Steps for Librarians
Troubleshooting steps for librarians include: listen, replicate problem, test logically, identify solution, help researchers.
Librarians and Technology #3: How to Write Software Reviews (Databases, Services Too)
Tips for special librarians writing software reviews after evaluating software, databases, technology. Focus on organization’s mission, user needs and workflow.
Librarians and Technology #2—Evaluating New Software, Databases or Technology
Special Librarians evaluating new ILS technology must keep in mind the mission and different users who access data and collections.
Learning Something Every Day – Librarians and Technology
Paying attention to technology and structure of information improves special librarians’ data retrieval skills and understanding of how data is organized.
On-Site or Off-Site Storage – Part 5: A History of this Long-term Solution
Off-site and remote storage provide a long-term preservation/retention solution for paper and microfilm records, sound and video recordings, and data.
On-Site or Off-Site Storage – Part 4: Inclusion in Security and Disaster Prevention and Planning
Facilities that house special library items stored remotely or offsite should be included in security, risk management and disaster response plans.
On-Site or Off-Site Storage – Part 3: Preservation and Access
Off-site/remote storage facilities can be havens for items with long-term preservation needs which is a trigger for moving materials to off-site storage.
On-site or Off-site Storage – Part 2: Making Decisions
Off-site storage requires decisions based upon users, use of collections, and timely access to materials; solutions minimize disruption of service.
On-site or Off-site Storage – Part 1: Implications of Storing Materials Off-site
It is expensive to house seldom used items in libraries/information centers. Digitization and then off-site and remote site storage reduces local costs.
Embedded Librarians Never Stop Learning
Special librarians must continuously learn in order to stay knowledgeable and relevant; this is especially important for embedded librarians.