Yes, I moved. For the past few months that I have been completely "inactive," I have been busy learning and re-learning the 'new' line of work that I happily gotten myself into. And with that, I meant, from a one-man librarian, now, I sit as one of the catalogers in DLSU Technical Section.
I like new my job. While people generally perceive catalogers' work as "routine, mechanical and repetitive," (Chwe, 1978) I find it ever challenging... nerve-racking at times. The work usually calls for conferring and consultation with fellow catalogers especially when you need to catalog some esoteric materials that you just encountered for the first time. The most challenging task I had to deal with (and still will have to deal with) is cataloging foreign language books which are more than a hundred year old. I would compare a cataloger's work to being a chef whom customers doesn't usually see but is there, working hard in the kitchen to ensure that they would be served with a sumptuous meal. In the same way, catalogers' work at the back-office away from public contact - classifying and determining access points of materials and etc., but whose work is enjoyed and used by different library users.
Due to technological changes, the future of cataloging and catalogers - how the nature of the work will evolve, is uncertain. But at the moment, the important thing is knowing that we are paving the way to enable users access materials they need.
I moved to TS
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On Breaking Rules
I suffer from being consistently inconsistent. That is, when I implement our Computer-use policy.
Rule Maker, Rule Breaker.
The policy says that a student needs to have a library card in order to use the computer but when a student comes to me -- begs, come down on his knees to let him use the computer because "it's very important Miss, Puhleeeaassee!" -- my heart would melt as I can really feel the urgency and need on the student's part. So instead of saying NO, I find myself saying "Just this time lang ha." Some students would just test you if you will give in but you'll know when they're for real.
For us librarians, being inconsistent is a no-no because being consistent in implementing rules or policies is the best way to be fair with everyone. However, I also believe that rules may have exceptions.
Understand the rule so you'll know how and when to break it intelligently.
It is important that we know why the rules were created in the first place. Once you do, it's easy to break it with impunity. Policies are important so we are properly guided but like I have mentioned before I believe in loving people more than procedure. At a number of times that I said Yes instead of NO, I don't feel any regret because I know the library was able to serve. I'd rather see the computer being used instead of seeing it sitting there undisturbed, dusty and empty. Give more! (This is one of the most important keywords I got from the recently held seminar in Sagada. )
Also, at all times we have to exercise our good judgment. Of course there will be more instances that you cannot break rules just because you want to help. Some needs to learn to follow guidelines the hard way.
Downloadable Library Forms
Have you experienced starting everything from scratch? I'm 100% sure you did one way or the other. In my case, it's library forms!
It's not that easy sometimes. So for those of you who might need these, I have several library forms that you may want to see or download. These are the forms/templates that I use. Feel free to edit it to suit your needs.
"When we work, we give service in a meaningful way."
Enjoy each day.
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