Week 15

December 10-13, 2007
This will be the last 4 day summary as next week will only comprise 2.5 hrs of Practicum time.

12/10 (Practicum Hours: 11:301m-1pm)
As a follow up to the previous week, received/collected overdue fees from students (all are due back a week from today, Monday 12/17)). Patron traffic in the last few hours of this shift was extremely sparse. Problem of file not printing from older PC diagnosed the following day by S. Robinson, who provided procedure for ‘defragging’ monitor then as well.
12/11 (PH: 11:30am-1pm)
Had received comments from (faculty? students?) on “noise levels” in library so will attend to keeping a better check on that at least during my shift. Finally got in touch w/ILL contact at Conn College (after playing ‘phone/e-tag’) inre, item ordered for student that was the right subject/wrong book. (This is not the first time this had happened w/an ILL from them – in the previous instance, the patron also found the material sent useful, if not exactly what was ordered.)
12/12 (PH: 11:30am-1pm)
Assisted students with minor computer queries while they were finishing up (albeit done at the last minute) papers for philosophy class, etc. Note to self: At the start of next semester, or rather, during ‘break’, I should familiarize myself even moreso with current class schedule and projects to investigate ways to aid students even further.
12/13 (PH: 11am-12:30pm)
Came in early, partially because of threat of inclement weather, also to prepare for interoffice Xmas party (rescheduled before my arrival it turned out). School was let out due to snowstorm, but thankfully managed to get 1.5 Practicum hours in. Note to self: following day (12/14) received call from Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library (Old Lyme’s public) that they had received a book that belonged to us and left message to have it sent back. (It was brought back Monday, 12/17).
Evaluation: With only 2.5 hours to go, read over previous posts to see how far I come since stating initial objectives in my contract written at signup for this Practicum. Keeping files, from ILL to acquisition orders, up to date has proven essential in keeping an amount of time available to handle unforeseen tasks. Assisting patrons “outside of the box” beyond general library tasks has proven not only enjoyable but necessary regarding the librarian’s function within Lyme Academy. Both Part-Time and Student Workers (Shawn Robinson and Jerry Montoya respectively) have proven invaluable not only in lending assistance with technical services in the job (which I need to keep learning/practicing more myself) but, more importantly, as emotional support. I am the only other full-time staffer there (besides Director Loree Bourgoin) but working as a team not only insures complete service in every facet for patrons, but my continual growth and strengthening in this employ after the completion of this Practicum.