Week 1

Tu 9/4, 5:30-8:30
Duties: Shelf reading (looked for ‘missing’ books not correctly checked back into system) and general circulation (checking books in/out; notifying some patrons on fines/borrowing limits). Received handout of Krieble Library policies to familiarize myself with.
Evaluation: I felt like I am learning a lot from Day 1 - even if these are just simple duties – as this is finally a hands-on approach to library work. My role in this practicum should encompass then these ‘day-to-day’ tasks, leaving my supervisor free to help patrons/handle problems I have not been trained for yet and/or prepare that training for upcoming sessions.

Wed 9/5, 5:30-8:30
Duties: Continuation of those done on 9/4. Also went over sign-out sheet in visual aids room. Received list to go over of ‘Dewey breakdowns’ in art books.
Evaluation: Will continue duties handled in these two days throughout practicum but will learn/practice others, perhaps interlibrary loan process and/or technical processing next.
Note to self: The library’s reading area is small and easy to keep orderly but I should reshelve books at certain intervals to keep myself available for patrons – and not ‘run myself ragged’ in the first half of nightly sessions.