LISNews: Librarian News

Are there a few of you wondering...whatever happened to Desiree Goodwin?

Well, here's an update from Harvard's so-called 'sexy librarian', in her own words:

"Right after my case ended in 2005 I actively pursued positions at the University and out of state without success. After assessing my situation I decided to pursue certification in the applied sciences. This year I am taking computer science classes at the Harvard Extension in computer sciences, to expand my web development and database design skills to expand my career possibilities."

Desiree told me that she is enjoying her classes...a multi-media class, here's her final project, as well as database management (UNIX, SQL and ColdFusion) and GIS Mapping.

"I am also continuing to work as an activist with a group called Reform HUCTW Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers. I continue to be active in letter writing campaigns on behalf of aggrieved workers and speaking out on issues of importance to clerical workers at the university."

"One of the tasks of the new president, Drew Gilpin-Faust is reviewing the results of the staff engagement survey. The library staff was briefed on the results a couple of weeks ago. We had a 75% participation rate, and an overall rating of 64% for staff engagement, about 3% below the "Best Employer" range. Engagement in the report is defined as a state of emotional and intellectual commitment to an organization or group, in which the factors "say (speak positively about the organization), stay (have an intense desire to be part of the organization), and strive (exert extra effort to contribute to organizational success)" are measured. The Graduate School of Design measured high in these areas (staff enjoy work, benefits, flex time, perception of teamwork). Our staff rated low in these areas: leadership, unclear communication of priorities and goals, pay, career opportunities, communication with leadership. University wide there is a wide disparity in engagement scores between Administrative and Professional staff 84%, and clerical, support staff (both HUCTW and non-union) 45%."

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Arthur E.E. Smith, Senior Lecturer of English, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone writes about his travels: "I was in Louisvlle from June 26th to August 13th attending a seminar on contemporary American literature and touring various sites of cultural interest in Louisville and other cities in the U.S. The University Library was one of those sites visited that had a never-fading impression on my mind not only for its unique architectural plan but for other inexpressible qualities that make it an ideal place for quiet and serene study. My first visit to that library was when the Director of our programme, Dr. Tom Byers,led us there for an induction into the use of computers and the internet in literature research. The room we were led into for the class was fully equipped with computers in all the over fifty desks for students and a master screen monitor for the instructor .Many other rooms including the state of art auditorium were equally well equipped.

The next significant visit was when on my way from the University post office the thought occured to me of recording the beautiful vistas of the campus in pictures and one such was the Ekstrom Library which represented to me the focal point of all the other libraries scattered at various ends of the expansive campus. "
Much More Below.... -- Read More

Another year, another recap! Read on for a look back at the good, the bad, and the ugly library stories of 2006. -- Read More

In a continuing effort to find out who librarians really are (in all their glory and diversity), LISNews author birdie recently interviewed librarian Cynthia Wilson about her project "I am a Librarian." Cynthia also tells Robin a bit about how she came to be a photographer/librarian, and how the process of creating her websites and the I Am A Librarian book came into being. So bye-bye to the old stereotypes and hello...real librarians. -- Read More