ASSOCIATES (2007, July, v. 14, no. 1) - associates.ucr.edu
Wendee Eyler
Editor, Associates
University of California, Riverside
rivwe@ucr.edu
The survey in March 2007 Associates <http://associates.ucr.edu/Survey2/> had 116 responses. I was happy to see that a large percentage of subscribers had re-subscribed after the subscription list disaster of February 2005--and a large percentage were new subscribers!
Female library assistants with college degrees working in U.S. academic/college libraries who receive Associates via the email version were the majority of the survey responders. But men gave their opinions as well! Also represented were librarians, students, and other job titles, working in public, private, and special libraries from Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The majority of the responses rated interest level, content, and writing as "Good." About 1/4 of the responders thought Associates was excellent. I am pleased with the favorable response because the authors of articles in Associates are dedicated library professionals who contribute an amazing array of meaningful knowledge about libraries.
The data is listed below. For the comments, I have categorized the responses under different headings, such as "General Comments," "Want to see included," etc. Below that is the actual survey form with tallies of responses and percentages of responses.
Most of the questions/comments are addressed in this issue in the "From the Editor" column at <http://associates.ucr.edu/707from.htm>.
As Editor, I appreciate all and any comments and suggestions, both positive and negative, about Associates. You are welcome to send your comments and suggestions at any time to me at rivwe@ucr.edu
The survey will remain on the web; any new figures would not, of course, be included in this Results article, but I will continue to read and act on any comments sent to me through the survey.
Thank you to all who took the time to complete the survey and for your thoughtful comments. I will incorporate many of the ideas presented in the survey.
GENERAL COMMENTS
What is the cost to receive this online?
I believe each issue needs a brief survey/commentary, and would be better than information from the letters to the editor. Most paraprofessionals are very limited on time and energies to respond to issues in the Associates.
This is more to do with aesthetics, but if I was the editor I would change how articles in Associates are presented. The "times new roman" font on the blue background is a little boring, and (in my opinion) difficult to read in a browser. I noticed the format in recent issues have changed a bit (and is much better) but it could still be improved. For example, a sans-serif font (i.e. Arial or Verdana) on a white background would be a simple change, and would make it easier to read in a browser (http://www.llrx.com/ is a good example). Just my two-cents. Thanks! :)
My one comment is that I'd like to be able to go from article to article. Unless I'm missing something, I have been going back to the Current Issue each time and select the next article.
1. From Table of Contents, articles should open in new windows (html target=_blank), making it easier to move back and forth through the issue; 2. Use a heavier font, perhaps sans-serif, as the current font is very hard to read at any size; 3. Lose the busy green textured background, as it makes the already hard-to-read font even _harder_ to read
The new indexes are great.
I look forward to each issue. I find it to be informative, interesting, and funny. The writers seem to share my interests and concerns.
Keep up the great work; I'm always glad to see Associates in my email box.
I have encouraged every support staff member to respond to this survey.
I always let everyone in our library know whenever a new issue is online.
It is nice to have a place where I can read about support staff issues, and not feel like I am alone.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you all for your very hard work.
I always look forward to new issues of Associates. As the only widely distributed journal for library support staff, it is a very important publication. As with any publication, there is always room for improvement, but generally I think you are doing an excellent job. Keep it up!
Thanks for keeping it alive!
When I come across something I think would be of interest, I am sure to share and give credit where credit is due .... thanks for everyone's hard work on this, I do enjoy getting and reading the articles.
Have told the chair of the NM Library Assoc. Paraprofessional Special Interest Group about Associates, and I think she has spread the word about it.
Can't think of anything, although I don't know that I would like it to be bigger (i.e., more articles)
Can't add too much except I enjoy reading it !!!
I forward each issue (electronic) to our support staff and forward pertinent articles to the dean and faculty librarians.
I have mentioned the Associates at Library Support Staff meetings on the state and local level.
Now that Library Mosaics has ceased publication, I don't know of any other publications for library associates.
I think that Associates does a wonderful job of informing and entertaining library staff.
I always include information about Associates in any literature or web pages created for the Mountains and Plains Parapros.
Keep up the good works. Thank you for your efforts to reach out to support staff who people think don't do much, but without support staff library will not function as efficiently as they do.
I have been reading Associates since I was a library technical assistant. I also recommended it to my professors at UMA when I was working on my B.S. in Library technology. It is a great resource and fills a vital need in the paraprofessional field. Good work.
I find the Associates beneficial in every element of my job.
I think I might be the only subscriber in my library. The email version easily forwards to other staff members who might be interested in that particular topic. Ex: I just forwarded the ejournal article to our serials check in person and the collection development person.
OVERALL, HOW WOULD YOU RATE ASSOCIATES AS A FORUM FOR AND ABOUT LIBRARY SUPPORT STAFF ISSUES?
It's interesting, but I don't see it as a forum. I think of a forum as a venue/publication for advocating about our issues, rather than merely descriptive articles. Associates articles are generally descriptive. They're informative, but most don't advocate for anything in particular.
Once upon a time, there were two avenues through which Library Support Staff could learn about issues affecting them, through Library Mosaics (print), and through Associates (on-line). Now, with the departure of Library Mosaics from the scene, it becomes even more important for Associates to be the voice for Library Support Staff.
WANT TO SEE INCLUDED
How to manage stress when dealing with the public.
I suppose that would depend on the responses gathered from this survey, but I would say everything library related.
I'd like to see more information and articles from other "Library Paraprofessional" organizations. I live and work in Washington D.C. and the District of Colombia Library Organization (DCLA) has inaugurated a "Library Paraprofessional" special interest group in November 2006; which is still finding its way. I think “”Associates” could better serve the paraprofessional library community by networking with other local paraprofessional organizations and interest groups. Sometimes the articles seem to be more California oriented. Other than my comment – keep up the good work…..
Some funny stories about a day in the life of...A Circulation Assistant, a reference assistant, a cataloger, etc. What states/schools offer certification for library technical assistants. How to get a certification program started. The names of upcoming LTA conferences. A personal interview and photo of someone making a difference in the LTA field.
Invite articles on this theme. Ex.: Having coffee shops located in libraries.
More articles from people who work the circulation desk and deal with the public and library policies.
Maybe more articles on support staff issues and how they are resolved.
More personal stories from readers of Associates about their career paths/jobs/skills learned on the job
Perhaps an issue more frequently with fewer issues? I have a hard time getting it read and end up deleting it from my box. Writers should be encouraged to be succinct instead of wordy as time is limited? (or should be) to read email at work.
Articles relating to school library workers.
I think there is a variety of topics covered. No suggestion or complaint here.
More info about support staff
Wage/Working Condition comparisons?
I am interested in reading more about paraprofessionals and managing staff.
Leadership for library technicians/support staff; web tools/technologies; web design;
I have found present information and sections to be more than adequate for my needs.
Articles about tech services/acquisitions
Just more of the same. I save it in a special folder and read a few articles whenever I get time.
Reserves in two year college libraries
It would be nice to see a regular column devoted to local, regional, state, national activities of Library Support Staff. I realize that it takes time, and someone to coordinate (and no, I'm not volunteering yet!) but if workshop/conference coordinators can be persuaded to send you an announcement, it would be nice to see what everyone is doing and is up to.
REMOVE FROM ASSOCIATES
Serials
Articles which should be in a professional journal (this is for paraprofessionals, right?)
The fiction sections. It sets a newsletterish tone. I think Associates is the electronic equivalent of what Library Mosaics was. It should have the same level of professionalism that LM had.
I wouldn't remove any
It would help if the only Letters to the Editor that were published were those with substantive content.
I tend to skip over the fiction. I find that I'm very selective when it comes to my fiction reading and that's not my particular cup-of-tea. More than one article is generally devoted to someone's observations, and while some of them are interesting, I don't have time to read all of them. Which to pick? Can't! But those articles + the fiction = too much for me!
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT ASSOCIATES?
E-mail forwarded from the dean of our library when the Associates mailing list was lost a few years ago
I've always been interested in Library Support Staff issues and had originally heard about Associates through my involvement with COLT (Council on Library/Media Technicians.)
I do not actually remember but I have been watching support staff issues for awhile since I had one library directory "put me down" by saying that I was "just a secretary" even when I was virtually responsible to some of her training when she replaced my previous director. Support Staff need encouragement. Keep up the good work!! … I find this very helpful. I pass on some of the articles to my co-workers. It really helps to know we are not alone. Although I have "moved up the ranks," I still remember the support staff days and try to support and encourage them daily.
