Workplace Issues And Actions Taken

In my job as a Library Assistant, I have encountered all the issues stated in the Learning Guide. However in particular, I feel that information literacy is important because it affects the library patrons and educating them is the key to lifelong learning skills. There is always someone who needs assistance with finding information and using the library catalogue. The library has ensured that a staff is at hand to help with homework after school and classes are also conducted by the Community Services Librarian for people who require computing skills.

On the part of a librarian, occasionally incompetent research skills will curb finding the right information for users. With information overload, I have seen my colleagues becoming frustrated with a search because they have to sieve through hundreds of individual pages listed by search engines. Of course the strategy is locating better ways and keywords to tackle problems. Novice librarians are also hardly seen using the advanced search option on OPACs. In such situations, librarians should be trained in areas of internet research skills to improve their search so they can transfer their knowledge on to patrons.

We do not have a large Maori patron base. Most Maori patrons come to the library to use the public access computers. Occasionally some do approach us to help with searching for resources for their assignments. As for our Maori collections, they are shelved alongside with our English collections. I feel that we should shelve these collection separately to ensure easier access. On a positive note, we do have signboards posted in both English and Maori languages. Also, our library welcomes specials visits from one of our local schools with a Maori immersion class and we offer resources in our collection that supports their learning. These children do in turn patronise the library with their families later.

Censorship becomes an issue when a child needs to borrow an adult DVD without an accompanying parent. We have to politely decline to issue them. Sometimes parents are concerned about books that they think are unsuitable for children and they bring them to our attention. We always take their concerns seriously and refer the book to the people responsible for the collection development. Usually there is a good reason the item is where it is, and we then explain that to the parent. There have been occasions however when things have been moved out of the children's collection to the young adults area. Graphic novels can be quite explicit and they have to be shelved in restricted areas. We also do not filter our internet sites, but children under 18 using the internet do need to have a parent sign a permission form when using our Internet services. In this sense there's a recourse should a dispute arise.

The library does its best to ensure patrons are happy by abiding to their needs. There is a suggestion book in place and a complaint form for any issues. By and by, we do want everyone to have a positive experience in a conducive environment when using the library.