Chapter 6: Implementing the Competencies
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
Beth McNeil, Joan Giesecke, Elizabeth Fuseler Avery Ed., Terry Dahlin Ed., Deborah A Carver Ed., '“Core Competencies for Libraries and Library Staff,” in
Staff Development: A Practical Guide
' (Chicago: American Library Association 2001)nJ. Smith, “Linking Competencies to Compensation at Toyota,” in
Conference Proceedings of Linkage Incorporated, USA, 5
, (November 4, 1998), 281-320.nHelene Blowers, “PLCMC Learning 2.0 Finale (or ‘the winner is…’),” Learning 2.0 Blog, November 1, 2006, http://plcmclearning.blogspot.com/2006/11/plcmc-learning-20-finale-or-winner-is.htmlnAnne Woodsworth, “New Library Competencies”
Library Journal
, no. 9 (May 15, 1997):46.nFlorence M Stone, Randi T Sachs, The High-Value Manager: Developing the Core Competencies Your Org-anization Demands (New York: AMACOM 1995): 52-3n
