Talking IT

1
Talking IT

• NYLA 2007

2
Talking IT

• General HR Perspective Mary Jean Jakubowski
• Bethlehem Public Library Geoffrey Kirkpatrick 
• Buffalo Erie County Public Library Shirley
  Whelan
• Tips - Panel Discussion
• Questions and Answer Period

3
General HR Perspectives

• What is IT?
• Look at Your Organization
• How is IT Handled Now?
• What are Your Needs?
• What are Other Libraries Doing?
• In-House versus External
• Know What and Who You Are Looking For
• Numerous Types of IT Positions
• Job Descriptions
• Interview Questions

4
General HR Perspectives cont

• Job Descriptions
• Job Genie
• http//www.stepfour.com/jobs/
• Dictionary of Occupational Titles
• http//www.occupationalinfo.org/

5
Bethlehem Public Library

• Member of the Upper Hudson Library System
• 1 of 29 member libraries
• 650,000 circulations per year
• 130,000 items in the collection
• Chartered to serve about 23,000 people

6
Bethlehem Public Library

• Information Technology Department
• 3.5 FTE
• 110 PCs
• 5 Servers
• Primarily a Windows operation

7
Bethlehem Public Library Staffing

• Civil Service Library
• IT Department Staff are classified
  management/confidential by the union

8
Bethlehem Public Library Staffing (cont.)

• Department Head Librarian III
• No formal computer science training
• Responsible for department vision
• Management
• Technology planning
• PC support

9
Bethlehem Public Library Staffing (cont.)

• Network and Communication Systems Specialist
• Has several industry certifications (A,
  Network, etc.)
• Web Design
• PC Support
• Technology Planning
• Implementation

10
Bethlehem Public Library Staffing (cont.)

• Technology Assistant
• Coordinates online room booking
• Facilitates and trains volunteers for 1-on-1
  computer tutoring program
• Manages PCReservation software
• PC Support
• E-mail training and account maintenance

11
Bethlehem Public Library Staffing (cont.)

• Librarian I (part-time)
• PC Support
• Weekend and evening coverage
• Resident Macintosh expert
• Printer wizard

12
Bethlehem Public LibraryHiring IT Staff

• Be aware of certifications
• Degrees in computer science (or similar) are not
  the only or best gauge of knowledge or ability
• CompTIA provides several industry standard,
  platform neutral certifications
• Examples A, Security, Network

13
Bethlehem Public Library Hiring IT Staff

• Microsoft certifications
• Microsoft Office Specialist
• MCP Microsoft Certified Professional
• MSCA Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
• MCSE Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

14
Bethlehem Public Library Hiring IT Staff

• Other industry certifications
• Cisco, Oracle, etc.

15
Bethlehem Public Library Hiring IT Staff

• Traits to look for, interview for
• Curiosity
• Ability to self-teach

16
Buffalo Erie County Public Library

• Federated System
• 37 libraries 1 Central Library and 36 Town and
  Branch Libraries
• 7,000,000 circulations per year
• 3,300,000 items in the collection
• Chartered to serve about 950,000 people

17
Buffalo Erie County Public Library

• Information Technology Department (i.e.
  Network Support)
• 11.5 FTE
• Supports 7x24
• SirsiDynix Unicorn Library Automation System
• Wide Area Network 37 LANs
• Help Desk
• Data Network Center
• 63 Servers
• 1,100 PCs

18
Buffalo Erie County Public Library ORGANIZATION
CHART
19
IT at the Buffalo Erie County Public Library
ORGANIZATION CHART
20
Buffalo Erie County Public Library Staffing

• Civil Service Library
• IT Staff CSEA Union Members
• Full-time (5 FTE)
• Part-time (3.5)
• Contract (3 FTE)

21
Buffalo Erie County Public Library Staffing
(cont.)

• CIO
• Vision
• Leadership
• Technology planning
• Management
• Reporting
• e-Rate
• Grants
• Administrator

22
Buffalo Erie County Public Library Staffing
(cont.)

• Technical Support Service Specialist
• Security
• Network Management
• Sirsi Dynix Unicorn System Support
• Web Server Maintenance Liaison with Web Master
• Wireless Access
• On-call 7x24

23
Buffalo Erie County Public Library Staffing
(cont.)

• Senior Systems Engineer
• Local Area Networks
• Public Access Computer Model
• Citrix
• Surf Control Super Scout Filter
• Disaster Recovery Planning
• Envisionware PC Reservation and Printer Cost
  Recovery

24
Buffalo Erie County Public Library Staffing
(cont.)

• Computer Operators
• Help Desk during All Library Open Hours
• Unicorn Reports
• Backups
• Hardware Inventory
• Cyber Trains
• Database Usage Statistics

25
Buffalo Erie County Public Library Staffing
(cont.)

• Senior Computer Operator
• Computer Operator Scheduling
• Data Center Scheduling

26
Buffalo Erie County Public Library Staffing
(cont.)

• Computer Technicians
• Hardware Installation
• Traditional Break-Fix for
• Personal Computers
• Printers
• Bar Code Scanners
• Miscellaneous Hardware
• Software Installation Support
• Assists in All Technical Projects

27
Buffalo Erie County Public Library Staffing
(cont.)

• Technical Specialist
• Assists in Technical Projects
• Computer Training

28
Buffalo Erie County Public LibraryHiring IT
Staff

• Be Flexible
• Hire Both Full-time and Part-time Staff
• Employ Combination of Permanent and Contract
  Staff
• Understand Civil Service Requirements Union
  Contract
• Use General Job Descriptions

29
Buffalo Erie County Public LibraryHiring IT
Staff

• Interview Team
• Technical
• Librarian
• HR
• Look for
• Can Do
• Will Do
• Fit!

30
Buffalo Erie County Public LibraryHiring IT
Staff

• Determine Interest in Library and Position
• Has candidate looked at Librarys Web Site?
• Has he/she used catalog and borrowed materials
  from Library?
• Evaluate Past Experience
• Successes
• Ability to Learn and Use New Technologies
• Flexibility
• Commitment

31
Buffalo Erie County Public LibraryHiring IT
Staff

• May Request Samples of Past Work
• Network Diagrams
• Program Code
• Documentation
• Web Sites
• Ask for Technical References

32
Buffalo Erie County Public LibraryRetaining IT
Staff

• Create Challenging Environment
• Work as a Team with Other Library Departments
• Emphasize Value of Staffs Work To Patrons
• Involve All Staff in New Technical Projects
• Provide Training
• Use Flexible Scheduling and TeleWork
• Exercise Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
  Union
• Have Fun!
• Have a Backup Plan

33
Talking IT

• Panel Discussion - Tips

34
Buffalo Erie County Public LibraryTips for
Hiring

• Civil Service
• Unions

35
Buffalo Erie County Public LibraryTips for
Retaining Staff

• Teamwork
• Need for Liaison
• Communication is Key!
• Understand Cultural Differences

36
Talking IT

• Questions and Answers