The Angelo M. Iacoboni is one branch of many County of Los Angeles Public Libraries. The Iacoboni library is located on the corner of Clark Ave. and Del Amo Blvd, at 4990 Clark Ave. Lakewood, CA 90712. The library hours are Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Though, the Angelo M. Iacoboni Library, is just a smaller branch of a large county public library, it serves a big community. There is another small L.A. County Public library in Lakewood, the George Nye Jr. Library, but the Iacoboni Library is on the cusp of Long Beach and Lakewood and nearby Bellflower. The Iacoboni library is also considered a Federal Depository for federal documents and is also a depository for California documents. Most branches (at least to my understanding) do not carry or hold such items. There are seven total libraries in the County of Los Angeles system that are considered Federal Depositories, out of about 88+ branches.
From what I observed during a recent visit to the Iacoboni Library, the typical patron is a just a typical public library visitor; either students (grade school through college) there to study or for an assignment, an elder person looking for the daily periodicals, parents with young children to visit the children’s department for picture books, etc.
The reference desk or, “information” desk as posted, is a straight shot down a short walkway from the entrance. The reference area is located to the left of the desk along with three or four, four-seated tables. Near the end of the reference section, sandwiched in between the reference collection and the non-fiction area are 12 internet stations. There are three 15 minute internet stations, and the remaining nine are for one hour use. The internet computers can be used by anyone that holds a County of LA Public Library card and an assigned pin number. Reservations must be made for all internet stations at the front/circulation desk. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. Tough I did not reserve an internet computer, it seemed as though there are no limitations once logged on. Of course, if I recited the internet use policy in its entirety, this report would be even longer than it is. The policy is similar to that of any public library in that minors are at risk, and therefore should be accompanied by an adult and no downloaded software to the computers.
There are 12 public access computers with the library’s online catalog to the right of the reference desk. These are available for all library users. All of the 12 computers have individual HP DeskJet printers attached to them, yet I forgot to find out if prints from the OPACs were free. The online catalog is very easy to use and navigate. I did this both from home and at Iacoboni during this visit. One thing I did notice, and I have yet to form a conclusion as to whether or not I liked, is that once any items is searched, the results vary. For instance, I looked up a book on CD title and the results showed there were “8” copies of the title. However, once I clicked on the availability tab, it showed that there are “8” different LA Public Library locations that have the title. I wanted to just know if it was available at the library I was visiting without knowing what other branches had a copy checked out or not.
The Iacoboni Library/ County of LA Public Library has many online databases, magazine and newspaper indexes and also has various online resources for users including, Proquest, News Bank, Los Angeles Times, World Book online reference center, Reference USA, the list goes on.
One feature I really like about the online services through Iacoboni Library/ County of LA Public Library is the Overdrive Audio Book collection, which is a collection of downloadable books on tape/CD.
As for the human touch of the library, well the reference staff is typical of public library staff. A two-person staffed desk, one older, one younger librarian, and one friendlier /more approachable than the other. I asked a question regarding the use of the internet stations and got a generic answer to what must be one of the more frequently asked questions. I kept the library interview in mind when approaching the librarian and I was a bit surprised that I was not asked a follow up question, nor was I prompted with “is that all” or “are you finding everything alright”…etc.
As I was browsing, I did notice another staff member come up to the librarians and asked if they could help him find something. I overheard the three of them joking, so I figured the desk staff is friendly enough. Also observed was that when there is a line at the ref. desk, the librarians ding a bell that is at the desk and a library shelver will then come up to the desk and search for an item that was recently looked up by the librarian. I thought that was interesting to say the least. I have heard of some staff having headsets while the librarians have two-way radios and get called to search for a particular item (Cerritos for instance), but not the use of a bell.
As for handout materials, well, I grabbed a couple handouts. One was a tri-fold of dewey classifications for quick subject searches in the stacks and one was how to access the libraries databases from home. I did not see any posting for any tutorial type classes, but there are a lot of online guides. There is of course children's programs and after school homework help offered.
There are definite strengths at this particular library, again, the federal depository being one of them. The other is the overly organized website for the County of LA Public Library in general. I think that the County of LA Public Library web resources recently went through some major re-modifications, and I think it worked to their advantage. Their branches may be small, but are overall very informative and in a broader sense (online) have a lot to offer. The Iacoboni Library/ County of LA Public Library website is very 2.0, as it includes guided tours (i.e. for the digital media/iPod downloads of audio books), ask a librarian, and check out assistance, live homework help, etc.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Lib. #204, Blog # 3
WikiWhat?
Ok, so I've learned how not to be so quick to look information up just by paying a visit to wikipedia, but has anyone else? Yes, but perhaps not our younger batch of students. Is this a "bad" habit? According to some that answer would be yes. According to me, well I think it is more of a learned habit. What? Well, I think that we (students, non-student, people with computer access in general) want quick solutions. So, I think that we have all just learned to do easy keyword search engine searches, all the while, disregarding that some of these quick & easy answers may be inaccurate.
So, what are my solutions...hold on, let me Google one...JUST KIDDING! :)
Well, since I believe that the quick and easy approach to solutions/answers is learned, I guess it can be un-learned. How? Well, I think that will have to be done in parts. I think younger generations will have even more access to the www and that parents and teachers will have to educate them on the importance of accuracy. Teachers can suggest possible alternatives for research assignments, such as using a library catalog to retrieve information.
Perhaps for libraries, free courses on the dangers of false information may seem to be a good fix. I know a lot of library personnel that would disagree (or just not want to have to teach on the subject), but if we want the general public to utilize our resources, I think it would be a good idea. After all, most public libraries offer basic introductory computer classes for free. Why not have intermediate or even advanced levels for researching?
Otherwise, we are stuck with quick fixes and false information.
Ok, so I've learned how not to be so quick to look information up just by paying a visit to wikipedia, but has anyone else? Yes, but perhaps not our younger batch of students. Is this a "bad" habit? According to some that answer would be yes. According to me, well I think it is more of a learned habit. What? Well, I think that we (students, non-student, people with computer access in general) want quick solutions. So, I think that we have all just learned to do easy keyword search engine searches, all the while, disregarding that some of these quick & easy answers may be inaccurate.
So, what are my solutions...hold on, let me Google one...JUST KIDDING! :)
Well, since I believe that the quick and easy approach to solutions/answers is learned, I guess it can be un-learned. How? Well, I think that will have to be done in parts. I think younger generations will have even more access to the www and that parents and teachers will have to educate them on the importance of accuracy. Teachers can suggest possible alternatives for research assignments, such as using a library catalog to retrieve information.
Perhaps for libraries, free courses on the dangers of false information may seem to be a good fix. I know a lot of library personnel that would disagree (or just not want to have to teach on the subject), but if we want the general public to utilize our resources, I think it would be a good idea. After all, most public libraries offer basic introductory computer classes for free. Why not have intermediate or even advanced levels for researching?
Otherwise, we are stuck with quick fixes and false information.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Lib. #204, Blog # 2
Reflection, not yet relaxation!?!
My reflection of regarding the readings over the last few weeks varies. On one hand, I am very familiar with the topics and even enjoy the reads. I currently work in a library and have worked in a variety of public libraries in the past (5 in fact). So, some of the articles regarding real life scenarios intrigue me. I have not had the experience of working in an academic library setting; I feel if I had, I would have a little more understanding of some of the higher tech. stuff. On the other hand, a couple (ok, mainly just one- the 2.0 stuff) has me feeling a little uneasy. I often refer to my interest in library and info. science as my “nerd alert”! and nerd alert indeed some of the past readings have been. The article on the library 2.0 was not at all an easy read for me. Perhaps I need to brush up on my vocab. Or, perhaps, all these terms will become less Greek to me the further I get into similar reads. Here’s to later.
One thing I learned that can be implemented in the library I work at is a “ask a librarian” feature. As far as I know, we don’t have a forum for remote reference needs.
My thoughts regarding the value of the library to patrons (as captured in one of my other blog ramblings) is always, that the library is one of the only things free for public use left in our communities. The library does not charge admission. Not only that, but the library and all it has to offer is educational based….and free. I will always firmly believe libraries are a treasure to all who decide to use them.
So, what should libraries be working toward in the coming years? From what I gather from my readings, anything 2.0 related! J Meaning, I know that not everybody is as passionate about libraries the way I am. People/patrons are increasing wanting/needing info. on demand and want to do so from the luxury of home. So, I do believe a more interpersonal means of relaying information will be necessary in the coming years. This can be done either by relaying info. via email, internet, blogs, and so forth, will need to be an important library resource in the years to come. Though, don’t get me wrong…we will still NEED librarians to help assist us and to make such resources available.
My reflection of regarding the readings over the last few weeks varies. On one hand, I am very familiar with the topics and even enjoy the reads. I currently work in a library and have worked in a variety of public libraries in the past (5 in fact). So, some of the articles regarding real life scenarios intrigue me. I have not had the experience of working in an academic library setting; I feel if I had, I would have a little more understanding of some of the higher tech. stuff. On the other hand, a couple (ok, mainly just one- the 2.0 stuff) has me feeling a little uneasy. I often refer to my interest in library and info. science as my “nerd alert”! and nerd alert indeed some of the past readings have been. The article on the library 2.0 was not at all an easy read for me. Perhaps I need to brush up on my vocab. Or, perhaps, all these terms will become less Greek to me the further I get into similar reads. Here’s to later.
One thing I learned that can be implemented in the library I work at is a “ask a librarian” feature. As far as I know, we don’t have a forum for remote reference needs.
My thoughts regarding the value of the library to patrons (as captured in one of my other blog ramblings) is always, that the library is one of the only things free for public use left in our communities. The library does not charge admission. Not only that, but the library and all it has to offer is educational based….and free. I will always firmly believe libraries are a treasure to all who decide to use them.
So, what should libraries be working toward in the coming years? From what I gather from my readings, anything 2.0 related! J Meaning, I know that not everybody is as passionate about libraries the way I am. People/patrons are increasing wanting/needing info. on demand and want to do so from the luxury of home. So, I do believe a more interpersonal means of relaying information will be necessary in the coming years. This can be done either by relaying info. via email, internet, blogs, and so forth, will need to be an important library resource in the years to come. Though, don’t get me wrong…we will still NEED librarians to help assist us and to make such resources available.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
