Chapter 5: Formatting the Competencies List
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5860/ltr.43n2Abstract
Sarah Houghton-Jan, the author of the second issue of Library Technology Reports in 2007, tackles technology competencies for librarians in the Information Age. “A few years ago,” she notes, “I found myself wanting a work like this to exist. Because it did not, I figured I might as well consolidate all the information about library technology competencies in one place so that others could benefit from my hunting and gathering.”
In her report, Houghton-Jan provides useful technology-training practices, including:
“This work,” summarizes Houghton-Jan, “is an attempt to fill the gap in knowledge about documenting technology competencies with overall guiding principles, examples of successful projects, and project-management guidelines for those embarking upon such a project in their libraries.”
Sarah Houghton-Jan received her MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MA in Irish Literature from Washington State University. A member of Beta Phi Mu, she has worked in libraries for a decade as a page, reference assistant, reference librarian, e-services librarian, technology trainer, and technology manager.
Sarah is currently the Information and Web Services Manager for the San Mateo County Library in Northern California. She also works as a consultant technology instructor for the Infopeople Project, serves on LITA's Top Technology Trends Committee, is a member of the California Library Association's Assembly, and the past President of CLA's Information Technology Section. In her time as the IT Section President, she led the task force that developed the Association's Technology Core Competencies for Library Workers, building on her previous experience creating competencies for individual libraries.
Sarah is also the author of the blog LibrarianInBlack.net.
References
D Scott Brandt, '
Teaching Technology: A How-To-Do-It Manual for
Librarians' (New York: Neal-Schuman 2002): 43-nKing County Library System, “Competencies for Excellence: Reference Librarian,” n.d., http://faculty.washington.edu/jernel/521/kccomp.htmnRichard J. Naylor, “Core Competencies: What They Are and How to Use Them,” (presentation, Institute on 21st Century Librarianship, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., August 5–11, 2001), http://institute21.stanford.edu/summer/speakers/trelstad_mag.htmlnState Library of North Carolina, “Microcomputer Competencies,” 1997–1998, http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/comp/competen.htmnOakland Public Library, “Technology Competencies for Library Staff,” 1998, www.oaklandlibrary.org/techcomp.htmnCharlene McGuire, “Technology Core Competencies,” Kansas Tech Consultants Blog, July 27, 2005, http://kansaslibtech.blogspot.com/2005/07/technology-core-competencies.htmlnStephen Abram, “43 Things I Might Want to Do This Year,”
Information Outlook
, no. 2 (Feb. 2006), text available at www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FWE/is_2_10/ai_n16133338nUpper Hudson Library System, “Computer Help Center. Core Competencies,” n.d. www.uhls.org/training/competencies.htmln
