Job update and security issues
I'm still working at the library (see I got a job!). I had to give up the card index in December, but continue to work at the circulation desk. I first got January (because January is very busy, almost as bad as September) and then February and March. I think the University isn't technically allowed to keep on hiring me for short periods like this, since my job isn't a temporary project - they should strive to employ people for longer periods.
However, I'm still very temporary. Their excuse is that I'm still here to help them survive the busy period. Except that's not true, the library isn't really that busy anymore. But hey, it's not that I mind, because I like to have to a job. I'm not going to complain about it to anyone who would care, I'll just whine and pout in my blog.
That's fun, so let's continue: recently they installed new self-service machines. The new machines require the user to both flash their library card and enter a five-digit PIN code that's also used to access the library web services. Earlier the card was enough. This, I reckon, is because of security issues.
Which would be nice, except: it's still possible to use someone else's card, just walk to the circulation desk and that's it. It's not like we're checking everyone's ID or anything. Second, users must type their PIN code on a touch display that's set up high on top of the machine, so everyone behind their back will see the code as they type it in. Third, the new system confuses the heck out of people, who don't know what a PIN code is and even if they know it, they generally spend a lot more time with the machine than before.
I think the new system is pretty daft. It's not like anyone actually benefits from the upgrade (except the company who sold the library the new program). It's a fine example of totally pointless security, too - it's like a state-of-the-art gate in a fence that has huge holes in it just few meters from the gate.
02.19.2005 11.17 | Comments (3) | TrackBack
I got a job!
Once again I'm working at the Tampere University Library. This time I'm doing stuff for the move project. The library is moving in about two years and that means loads and loads of extra work for many people. Just imagine all the books! What's best, not all the books are in the library database. Some are a lot older than the databases.
My job is related to that. I'm going through the trusty old card index, now full of reference cards that reference already removed cards. It's almost useless, but it still has information about books the database doesn't know. So, my job is to take every proper card from the index, find the book, check if the National Repository Library has it and then pass them on. Other people will decide what to do with the books: keep them (in which case they are added to the database), pass them to Deposit Library or just get rid of them.
My task is large, there are approximately 50,000 cards and almost as many books. These are books nobody has used in decades, perhaps. I don't expect many of them to remain.
Anyway, it's a lovely job, which I like a lot. There are many things involved I like: locating things, creating systematic order, sorting index cards, handling books, independence and so on. And what's best, I can take it easy - no matter how hard I work, I won't finish the task (my contract ends - as far as I know - in the end of the year), so it doesn't matter if I take my time. I have a room of my own, so nobody superior to me is watching over my shoulders.
Besides, getting paid is fun. It's been a while...
09.23.2004 16.48 | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Media education
As I advertised to be a librarian(-to-be), I thought I'd better put up some library-related content on the English side of this blog too.
Few months ago I decided to be more librarianish and ordered the Finnish Kirjasto (Library) magazine and joined the Finnish library association. It was a good decision, because the magazine has been generally quite interesting.
The latest issue is about media education. It's best article is about video games. The person interviewed is professor Frans Mäyrä from Tampere University hypermedia laboratory. He's one of the leading experts on academic game studies in Finland and often quoted on matters like these.
The article ("Are computer games harmful?") is recommended reading for everyone who's worried about what games do to our kids. Mäyrä says games are fine. He actually believes that books can be more dangerous than games, because books can affect one's mind and thinking more profoundly than games.
He also comments that violence in games is less harmful than violence in tv or movies. When you are playing a game, you must control yourself, if you want to succeed. You must keep certain distance from the action. When you're watching a movie, you can "lose control" easier. Research also indicates that young gamers see even violent games as a game amongs others, not as violence. Players can see the difference between fiction and reality.
Also, games can give a child a feeling of might and power, which the child might not get in his or her everyday life. that can be healthy for the child's development. Playing games is also a way to fight fears. Games also require self control and patience - if you can't control your nerves, you will make mistakes and can't proceed in the game.
Despite all the good aspects he sees in games, Mäyrä says that parents should pay more attention to the games their children play. Playing games can be very intensive so the parents must control it. Parents should know the games better, because most of the trouble is caused by the gap between game-literate children and parents who don't know the games. Parents who play are often more critical regarding the games, choose the games for their children more strictly and discuss them with their kids.
Mäyrä sees games as a challenge for libraries. Games are a part of digital culture and something libraries could deal with. Mäyrä thinks the most important game classics, web games played with a browser and some console games could work well in library environment. Libraries would thus develop and record this part of the digital culture.
Why not, though there are lots of problems regarding games in libraries. There's technical issues and copyright issues. Also, I'm not sure how librarians would greet this. Certainly games could draw new patrons in to the library! However, as games are currently banned in most libraries it would take a large shift in attitudes towards games before games are welcomed into libraries.
Meanwhile, learning something about games is highly recommended to everyone (and especially to the parents of children who play games). Games are proper culture (at least when it comes to money, there's absolutely no question about it) and not just a children's pastime. I think many people still consider games as something that belongs to kids and kids only. However, as with movies, there are games for kids, there are games for the whole family and there are games for adults. That is a rather important issue to figure out.
02. 4.2004 11.09 | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Operating the circulation
Today was my first day at the Tampere university library circulation desk. It was an easy day, as I had only two hours of real customer service action. The library system didn't work in the beginning, which is always exciting - modern libraries are crippled when the computers don't work.
I'm looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. Working only 20 hours a week makes it a bit easier to handle. Full-time job would be worse. But, I can always repeat my mantra: "library work experience, Voyager library system experience, money" to help me carry on...
09. 1.2003 15.24 | Comments (0) | TrackBack