What are
/r/librarians'
favorite Products & Services?
From 3.5 billion Reddit comments
The most popular Products mentioned in /r/librarians:
The most popular Services mentioned in /r/librarians:
Worldcat
LibraryThing
Codecademy
Airtable
iLovePDF
Yodeck
SlideShare
Freecycle
GImageReader
Django
Essay ToolBox
Zoom
Zotero
Habitica
The most popular reviews in /r/librarians:
First of all, congratulations!
This is just my experience as someone finishing up an MLIS/pre-full time employment, so maybe take this with a grain of salt. I went into my program knowing next to nothing about programming, and I feel confident that I learned enough just in the couple of classes I took. You more than likely are never really going to have to know how to program, so you just need to know "enough to be dangerous" as one colleague told me. Essentially, you'll want to know enough to sound intelligent when talking to people who actually are going to be working on building applications, websites, etc. Of course, you may also end up loving it and wanting to learn more than just that, which is great too, and depending on what school you're going to there will be opportunities to expand that interest.
As far as resources for now if you feel like playing around, Codecademy is pretty good for the most part as an introduction, though it can be a little buggy at times (if you do an exercise that you really think is right and it still won't validate for you, check the forums for other users' workarounds).
Also, it's not programming, but if you want to go into archiving, I'd recommend becoming familiar with XML, or even HTML just so that when you get to your classes the code doesn't look scary. It's really simple to learn, but a lot of people who aren't familiar with it immediately freak out because they aren't used to looking at it.
Hope that helps!
Try Worldcat, either it or the libraries it references will give you a DDC number that you can start with. Also you can look at the DDC books, I use ed 16 for my library but also have the 20th Ed books.
> We used Wordpress
WordPress is horrible in terms of security. Your next project should be to tighten the security of the new website. You don't want to find out that someone has taken over the site and now posting porn on the new library site.
https://www.wordfence.com/ is a good place to start. The admin dashboard should be locked down to local IPs. Read more into other things you can do to make it more secure. If you want you can even block all traffic from outside the country.
Without much library experience beyond an internship, it's going to be difficult to land a library job anywhere. I wouldn't completely disregard the school or public libraries. That said-
I see library jobs in the Middle East posted all the time; check out the IFLA listserv if you're not already subscribed. Unfortunately, most of them do require some experience.
You could also check out the Careers in Federal Libraries for jobs on military bases overseas.
Good luck!
I have used NAPS2 in the past with an old SnapScan and remember finding it both functional and not super easy to use. It's been a while, however. (This was a Windows environment BTW.)
Check out AlternativeTo.net for other ideas. It will let you filter by OS and license.
> I am suggesting that libraries, and the IMLS, in a broader sense as providers of open access to information, might help develop a real search engine, which does search websites and images, music videos, etc.
And what I'm trying to explain is that it's too complicated because the way library searches work do not function the same way as a Google search.
That said, many library systems have their OPACs (Online Public Access Catalog) online and can be accessed outside of the library. However, because of the complexity, they must exist as independent entities because tying them all together would be a mess. Nothing could integrate due to regional difference. This is why I mentioned worldcat.org earlier, which exists to allow a spider to search for specific key terms from every OPAC that participates in the service. However, World Cat is not a search engine. It's an aggregator. It's more like an overlay on top of a bunch of systems rather than a single, massively integrated system.
Two suggestions for the Windows world that I don't see mentioned:
I work with a lot of shitty software with stupid interfaces that don't do what I need. To get around those I use AutoHotKey to fake user input. Keystrokes and mouse clicks, it's great. It's pretty well-documented and there's a big community.
And PowerShell is the way of the future with scripting Windows-specific things. It's the successor to batch files and VBScript and it's already installed from XP up (though you shouldn't be using XP). Every command is structured Verb-Noun (Restart-Computer, Get-Item) which makes it much easier to read than most scripting languages.
And a general tip: Get comfortable with keyboard shortcuts. They make you so much more efficient, which makes data drudgery go much faster. The mouse is great for fine movements, manipulating images, and dragging stuff. But if you're working in a file or on a spreadsheet, moving from keyboard to mouse and back again slows you down. Even in a browser you can make things easier on you: Ctrl + Tab pages through your tabs (add Shift to page backwards). Ctrl + T is a new tab, Ctrl + W closes the tab (add a Shift to close all tabs).
Well, the best sellers on amazon are a place to start. These will give you a good intro.
But I would recommend also checking out Code Academy and Treehouse. My local public library has a deal with Treehouse where if you have a library card you can get a free account.
Again, I’m not at work so please vet these since I can’t.
This one is not exactly what you’re looking for, but good for showing why you can’t just stop feeling because your family is mean.
I’m not sure if this fits. It would be helpful if we understood what kind of mean. Sibling, parental abandonment, healing from abuse, but maybe this if siblings?
Other than those I would say focusing on books with self esteem building and talking about bullying would be their best bet along with a conversation about how family can be bullies too. It doesn’t look like there’s much published, I assume because it wouldn’t sell well.
Escape Rooms and Other Immersive Experiences by Ellyssa Kroski
ISBN: 978-0-8389-1767-1
This was also required in mine (lol)
For my MLIS program, this book is required, so maybe look into this? Im actually getting this book from my local library and not paying for it because it is a bit pricey for me
The only thing I've found is not a "tool," per se, but Amazon uses a kind of BISAC code in its listings.
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However, be advised that they are not 100% accurate.
Some good suggestions here. You can make your own barcodes for close to zero dollars. Install Code 39 as a font (you can find it all over, depending on what word processing software you're using) - it changes what you type into a barcode. So you could type up "WatershipDown1", "WatershipDown2", convert to Code 39, and there's your unique barcode for each copy. Print them on stickers, slap 'em on a book with clear tape, and you're ready for database creation and scanning.
LibraryThing or TinyCat might be worth checking out for cheap/free item tracking.
I bought a cheap wireless scanner from Amazon, works great with my newly printed barcodes. (1d scanners are barcodes only; 2d allows scanning of multiple types of codes, not just barcodes, so I can also use QR codes - here's the one I bought: <https://smile.amazon.com/NETUM-Bluetooth-Handheld-Wireless-NT-1228BL/dp/B07CBS52KJ> - the wireless works from quite a ways, just have to make sure the cursor on the computer is in the correct field and you're good to go.)
Assuming your book isn't rare or delicate, you could purchase a book cradle (aka book stand aka book easel) (see this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L6Q6WKS/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_QBQ58XV3WNN4KT2ZMZG2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) and then discreetly attach the front and back covers to the book cradle using elastic or fabric bands. Not an absolute guarantee against theft but it would certainly be a deterrent, especially if the book cradle is attached to a surface.
All good advice already, just wanted to chime in with what I've always liked to wear. :)
I personally don't like wearing pants/blazers. They're not comfortable for me!
So I usually wear a dark colored sheath dress dress (something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Calvin-Klein-Womens-Sleeved-Sheath/dp/B083JXGNHY/ref=sr_1_28?keywords=Blue+Shift+Dresses&qid=1651026714&rnid=2941120011&s=apparel&sr=1-28, purposely buying a size up so it fits loosely for comfort) with plain tights, flats, and a cardigan.
gImageReader is the linux standard that I'm aware of. It's a GUI to Tessaeract, but IIRC you can use other models if you have them.
There's also Transkribus, which is built for medieval texts, and I think you need to train yourself, which takes a powerful machine and a large corpus.
You did nothing wrong. Some people, especially in libraries, are just like that. As long as the patron gets help, coworkers need to let things go.
This is my holy grail of new librarian resources though: Conducting the Reference Interview
It's like a handbook of exactly how to best work the reference desk. I learn new things every time I read it and I've worked in libraries for 7 years.
My previous library job, we used these Bungee Office Task Chair, with Flat Elastic Bungie Straps, Adjustable Height . It might be out of your budget range though. It was perfect and comfortable for us to use for our tall desk and regular size desk. My fellow co-workers and I are all body types and the chair is still in good condition. I think they said they had these chairs for 5 + years or so.
We went cheap and got something off Amazon, the first gen version of this. We purchased 3 scanners almost a year ago, all see heavy use and frequent drops, and none have had a single issue. We use them with Bluetooth, the wireless dongle, and plugged in via USB and we've never had a problem getting them to connect. These are so lightweight that I've accidentally gone home with mine in my pocket without realizing it more than a few times. The gun style barcode scanners are a lot bulkier, easier to drop, and more prone to breaking in my experience because they have a lot more parts.
As a designer who’s not quite awake, I don’t love the gradient background and the text over the fist drawing. It’s just too busy and loud.
You could also punch up the top line by going with a single word in all caps (and changing fonts as someone mentioned). The common refrain from marches is “We shall overcome,” so OVERCOME might work.
There are some images on unsplash of the raised fist that just has a plain wall in the background that might work well for this.
Basically, the symbology of the fist is so well known at this point you can let it speak for itself and get all the words out of the way.
If I was laying this out, I would try to get my raised fist image to the left, my “overcome” to the right and then play around with that quote, or another much shorter one, to make it look like graffiti on the wall. Then I’d probably dump the quote and recommend pulling a bunch of quotes, putting them on mini protest signs (card stock and popsicle sticks) and attaching them all around the display.
laughs in suburban American. we get complaints fairly regularly and formal challenges occasionally.
The most common books in the US to receive a complaint or challenge are books with LGBTQ characters or information. We've also been seeing a very clear and notable uptick in complaints targeted at books about race, racial history, and anti-racism. I put "Rise Up! How You Can Join the Fight Against White Supremacy" on a display recently, and a gentleman took it to the front desk and demanded to know which staff member put it on the display. I've since had it vanish off my display and reappear on the shelf twice, presumably by a staff member who's worried about the heat.
Not a librarian, just a lurker, but I do all kinds of freelance work through upwork.com and I petsit/dog walk through rover.com. Brings in an extra $500-1000 a month, depending on the project.
Have you all read Ta-Nehisi Coates' book The Beautiful Struggle?
I bring this up because this Banned Books Week I've been thinking a lot about his father Paul Coates and the Black Classic Press he founded. (TL:DR Coates was trained as a librarian, but worked as a publisher because the perspective and consciousness he was trying to archive and spread was suppressed in the cultural mainstream; much like the ardent library critic in the link claims happens to her preferred materials.)
While I experience all sorts of knee-jerk reactions to the tone and perspective offered in this editorial. (It sounds a lot like the stereotypical fundamentalist error: "Our right to free expression means we get to decide what's right for everyone.") There is a point to be made about non-mainstream voices having less access to library collections than those with the ear of $$publishers$$.
Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing may make this an issue for libraries, but only if it doesn't cut libraries out of the loop altogether.
I like it. Seriously. If you guys need more tips on personal statement writing my blog is here https://essaytoolbox.com/guide/how-to-write-a-personal-statement to help you.
As the other commenter mentioned, PHP probably isn't the best choice for a first real programming language to learn. It could definitely be helpful if the library is already using PHP-based products that may need tweaking, but I would definitely recommend Python as the go-to, especially since it can do everything PHP can and is really easy to jump into even for smaller, data driven stuff that you seem to be practicing.
Python can also be what drives bigger, future projects of yours such as web applications. I currently use it (specifically with the Django Web Framework, which you can learn about in time!) to make and run a couple applications our library has integrated into our website.
As for SQL, knowing how to craft queries will be helpful stuff. I wouldn't necessarily say there are common programs "used for SQL." Unless you are referring to the actual management of the databases -- in which case you are on the right track with Microsoft's SQL Server, though there are other types of SQL-based databases as well, such MySQL and Postgresql, that share a very similar query language. Most of the time, these databases are gonna be tied directly into the applications that use them. Whatever administrative end a library may use to directly access the database, however, know that the way you craft the queries isn't going to change so I wouldn't worry about where you're entering that query into.
If you're interested in 'data', also maybe take a look into data visualization, Tableau is definitely a popular choice and offers a free student license if you happen to still be in school. Basically, the visualization part follows the extraction from SQL so I think the two skills can go hand in hand if you wanted. (This maybe slightly easier to pick up than say Python and it's a good way of showing how you're able to do stuff with the things you pull from the database.)
Try out Yodeck, works on the Raspberry Pi and it is very easy to handle. An annual subscription will get you the hardware for free, ready to be used. You can use it for free for 1 screen.
(vendor speaking, <em>cross-posting</em>)
I made them search for stuff that can only be found in subscription databases.
Like David White says, if you can find it on Wikipedia, you are asking the wrong questions. https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/whitedavepaint/wikimania-slidesharea
Daveowhite is my hero 😍
sterilite is very good because they’re very durable, wide enough for picture books and stack when not in use.
Get some blank comic book styles pages that you can find in art stores/Amazon
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Combine that with a how to draw manga book or how to draw comics and some crayons and markers
A new book by Dr. Anton Treuer was just published this month: Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition. Here's the Amazon link so you can get a look inside, plus you can check out his author bio there too. https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Wanted-About-Indians-Afraid/dp/1646140451/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
I used this book and found it to be a huge asset. Mind you there may be newer editions but I tabbed out the book to the different sections and it made things better. Catalog It!
We use magazine boxes. Put the holds in the boxes, write the last name of the patron on the box, and they can take it and use the self-checkout machine or bring it to the desk.
This is the one we've been using - but we definitely didn't buy them! They were donated.
I had similar situation to you. This book helped me calm and control myself. He’s a former google engineer and used meditation to be happy and control anxiety.
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Demand-Discovering-Happiness-Within/dp/0062378872
I've had these type of interview questions. I think the answers is something along the lines of, "I will do whatever the library policy is," or "I will do everything I can within the library's policies to help the patron get the information they need." Have you ever worked somewhere with the 'Getting to Yes' philosophy? It's all about helping your customers/patrons get what they need, but within the established system.
John Palfrey, of the Knight Foundation wrote a book recently called "BiblioTech: Why Libraries Matter More than Ever in the Age of Google" https://www.amazon.ca/BiblioTech-Libraries-Matter-More-Google/dp/0465042996, https://www.worldcat.org/title/bibliotech-why-libraries-matter-more-than-ever-in-the-age-of-google/oclc/945668980&referer=brief_results
It's not exactly what you're looking for, but it touches a lot on service changes based on the 'digital age'. It's a bit of a slog, but there are some nice points.
Adding another one, which I just found yesterday and FREAKED out about: Provenance by Ann Leckie, which is set in the same universe as her Imperial Radch trilogy. It came out this week and I only just started it but it's already so good--fans of the aforementioned trilogy will love this one.
I can't speak to it personally, but I hear these work pretty well.
The Accidental Library Manager helped me out quite a bit; that and thinking back to the qualities my best bosses had. Looking back on my experiences as a relatively new manager, one piece of advice I can give is that you should take the time to sit down with your employee to see what kind of projects she's working on and how you can support her as her supervisor. Meet with her on a regular basis (or as your schedule permits) since this will help with keeping the lines of communication open.
Edit: Or a personalized embosser. As an almost grad I'd be so happy with either of these gifts from someone.