Comments on: That Class… It Wants Me

By: Janene

Janene — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:31:43 +0000

Hi,

The class was called “Rethinking the Library”. Its purpose, as it seemed to me, was to rethink the image of the library, given the changing information environment and other factors, and how the library was to continue to have relevance in the changing society. I was one of the students in the classroom who got to listen to (and take notes on) many of the points that the FreeRange Librarian made during her hour-long call. It was a fascinating class, and Dr. Janes had many people talking to us about libraries and how we should be ‘rethinking the blob’.

I’d had my reservations about the profession, given my own vivid memory of being a pager during my high school years, and my vibrant personality. I wondered whether I would fit in. I’m happy to say that being in Dr. Janes’ class let me see that the librarian stereotype needs to be bashed against the wall and thrown out the window.

Thank you for answering my questions! I hope they didn’t seem too redundant.

Cheers!
Janene

By: kgs

kgs — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:58:03 +0000

Alice, thanks! I know teaching it as a full three-credit class is a long shot, but if I design the syllabus for 3 credits, then it’s ready, and I can always trim it down to 1 credit, a day-long course, short online course, etc. Also, I think it would be good for me to design it as a three-credit course, only if to get my head around “these are the possible topics for this type of instruction.”

On business letters… I think that’s a lost art, actually. That which is basic can be the most difficult. It’s also a good diagnostic for some of the fundamental writing problems, particularly getting-around-to-it-itis. The suggestions for other forms are great — I’ll work those in.

By: Alice Yucht

Alice Yucht — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:47:32 +0000

As all kinds of libraries scramble for funding, and as ‘evidence-based practice’ impacts the budget decisions made by bean-counters, research data must be used to improve/support the reports submitted by librarians. Yet rarely do the LIS courses teach HOW to write those reports effectively!
So a “Creative Writing for Librarians” course would certainly appeal to a wide variety of *already-working* librarians, especially if offered as an online course for CE /Professional Development. Business letters might be too basic, but newsletters, annual reports, press kits, grant proposals, articles for professional journals and local publications, etc., are all workshop-worthy possibilities.

By: kgs

kgs — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:43:36 +0000

APA isn’t really a style, though — it’s a style guide, useful for preparing some kinds of reports …though I mostly use Associated Press, a habit from my five years at Former Place Of Work Minus One. A class about writing would include citation — in fact I can see that being an entire session.

By: diane

diane — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:36:14 +0000

Your class sounds refreshing compared to the style of writing required in my MLIS classes (American Psychological Association). Boring!

By: Hillary

Hillary — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 03:00:32 +0000

Offer it online Karen! I’ll sign up! Now that I read other people’s writing more often, especially when I’m seeking a good example of something to crib from, I am amazed how quickly a great idea can get buried in bad writing.

I would include a performance evaluation component – how to describe the good, the bad, and the ugly of library work in words non library folk understand and get.

By: kgs

kgs — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 22:47:38 +0000

Mike, absolutely: online writing skills would be a crucial component of this class — equally if not more important than “writing for paper.” (This fall I am teaching a one-day workshop on writing for the Web.)

By: Mike Sainsbury

Mike Sainsbury — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:55:40 +0000

Hi Karen. The class you’re imagining sounds great! Maybe a web writing component, too, yes? It would help with too-verbose reports and subject guides

By: kgs

kgs — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:33:40 +0000

Er… I’m not sure what class it was! Probably reference, I’m guessing?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:05:59 +0000

Which Joe Janes class did you observe? The class you’re dreaming of sounds great–advocacy plus creative writing, two of my favorite things…I’d happily sign up if you were teaching at the U of W or online.