Sunday, April 29, 2012

Blog reflection #8


The important thing to remember about others with their research is to not complete the research yourself. A library patron should leave the reference desk informed and better skilled. Hopefully excited about the thoughts of continuing their research on their own, using only verifiable and reliable sites.
I researched some of the larger college and university library websites for information about their library classes, workshops and tutorials. So much of this information for the Loyola Marymount, UCLA and USC libraries is available on-line and some of it is even open to the public.
Loyola Marymount’s Van Der Ahe Library has an excellent site that is mainly for students and professors at the college.  Some material is available to the public. This includes PDF forms, information about Plagiarism and even podcasts about the facility.
 UCLA’s  Library site has an Information Literacy Program that includes a course titled “Fiat Lux: How to Stop Just Googling… and Find the Really Good Stuff!” Sound familiar? The site for this information is: http://www2.library.ucla.edu/service/6342.cfm
USC is my favorite library site. http://www.usc.edu/libraries/about/reference/tutorials/Tutorials are available to the public; they have audio and video available and include  definitions and descriptions of different reference materials.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Project 2: Proposal to create reference library


 I am interested in opening up a library in Huntington Beach California; this city has a population of 193566 people. With an unemployment rate of 7.3%. The city of Huntington Beach consists of 76,192 households with 49,542 households are family households; there is a total of 79,462 housing units which is comprised of 59.92% of owner occupied and 40.08% of renter occupied. Household income in the city of Huntington Beach has the following breakdown: 1.78% of household income at or above $ 500,000, 8.24% of household with income from $200,000 to $499,999, 9.88% of household income $150,000 - $199,999, 20.71% of household with income $100,000 - $149,999, 15.99% of household with income $75,000 - $99,000. Age groups in Huntington Beach city is consisted of 11.46% of people at nine year of age or younger, 9.73% of eleven to seventeen year of age, 8.1% of eighteen to twenty four year old people, 13.63% of twenty five to thirty four year old people, 15.27% of thirty five to forty four year old people, 15.94% of forty five to fifty four year old people, 12.81% of fifty five to sixty four year old people, and 12.06% of sixty five or older. Huntington Beach city also has about 75% of people who has from some kind of college degree to doctorate degree  http://www.ci.huntingtonbeach.ca.us/business/demographics/
            The Huntington Beach Central Public is a public library, and it has many programs besides providing books and material to patrons; for example, this library has children's events such as preschool book reading, face painting, disaster preparedness, adult computer training class, make up class, etc. It is located at 7111 Talbert Ave Huntington Beach, CA 92648 and has an URL of http://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/departments/library/; this is the biggest and the main library in Huntington Beach.  One of its branches is the Helen Murphy public library which is located at 15882 Graham Street, Huntington Beach, CA, 92648 with an URL as http://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/departments/Library/hours_location/helen_murphy_branch.cfm; this is a much smaller library with no extra classes or services comparing to the Central library.  After visiting these two public libraries, I have decided that the library which I plan to open will be a public library for students from first grade to high school; this library will have buses to pick up students from different schools and to drop students off at the library for after school program.  The reference area will be divided into twelve sections designated for twelve grades.  Each section will have play table with toy, computer, and magazine material appropriate for each grade. The library will have free internet, hot and cold water, couches for students to lay down if they feel sleepy; the reference area will have a collection of World Atlas and a collection of Statistical Abstract Data of the United State so that students will have an opportunity to learn about different countries in the world and relate or compare that to the United State census data through Statistical Abstract Data of the U.S.
The library data base will have electronic books of all grade school books, allowing students to read ahead for their next day class section. None of the libraries offer an after school program; as a result, the new library will definitely standout from the rest of other libraries.  But most of all, the library will be very practical to parents who work long hours and be useful to students who have hard time doing home work alone.  Furthermore, this library will recruit senior retirees to be tutors, thus pulling community together and helping each others.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Blog Reflection #6

I have enjoyed learning about resource gathering, I have gained alot, admittedly it hasn't been easy. Much of the work in this class has had to be done re-done and done again.
When searching for answers for assignments I am often sidetracked to other interesting sites that catch my eye. It is also tempting to Google something for an answer but I know in the end I will have to know the correct source for my own sake, otherwise whats the point of taking this class.
I have no doubt this experience has been beneficial to me and my future.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Blog Reflection #4

If I had $20.000 to disburse to my Library I would have to determine the status of both the text material and  electronic resources in relation to their age and demand. All things being equal I would take the bulk of the funds and modernize the electronic resources such as ProQuest because I believe these resources are more relevant to keeping the Library up to date. Then take a small amount (to be determined) and invest in text.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Blog Reflection #3

For me the library is multifaceted, not simply a storage facility for books, but a gateway into the information age, with reference and electronic resources at my disposal, experienced librarians guide you through the areas you may not be familiar with. While in the library I experience a more tranquil atmosphere conducive to studying and concentration. For me there is nothing like the library, next time there I plan on investigating further into what they have to offer.


Sunday, January 29, 2012

Blog reflection #2

Over the last few weeks I have learned that I didn't know much about referencing services!
In our complicated information age, the sometimes seamless integration of technology and our ability to navigate through it, still necessitates the need for the human connection.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Hello everyone,
This is my first Blog, it's brand new to me really. I've read a blog or two,                                           Though in the early day's of it I wouldn't of known if one bit me!
I don't have any regular Blogs that I read. ( I'm sure that will change with this class).
Blogging seems to be an ideal tool for real-time information e.g., today's Political news.

This first week in lib1 has been about setting the foundation for the course and has already
proven to be interesting, I look forward to the rest of the semester.