Eighth Week

     For my eighth week at the library, I found a book online for a home bound patron, discarded multiples of books, shelved books, did spine label changes for books to switch them from reference to nonfiction, worked at the circulation desk, and worked in the computer lab.  For the book I found for the home bound patron, the patron wanted a book about tropical plants and had given a description of what the book looked like.  He had said that he had seen in in our collection before, but when we went to look for it, we could not find it.  So I went on Amazon.com.  I searched for books on tropical plants that met the descriptions, bright green with a picture of a statue on it.  After a good while searching through amazon I found a book matching the description and one that we are supposed to have in our catalog, but could not find it.  This is a good experience for me because it lets me fine tune my reference skills. 

Seventh Week

To start my seventh week at the library, I checked books that were ready to be discarded, I made sure that they were marked as discarded in the computer system and were labeled as discarded on the physical book.  I put new magazines into the computer system, I discarded old magazines, I switched out the magazines on display and switched the old displays in the computer system so that they can be checked out, I shelved books, worked the circulation desk, worked in the work room, found on shelf holds, faxed, put holds on books, answered telephones, worked the computer lab, and looked for books that were supposedly discharged.  The new thing for me this week was working in the computer lab.  I was taught how to look up patrons card numbers if they did not have the library card on them, how to sign a patron up for an internet card, how to print off pages for the patrons, and how to reserve rooms.  This was a great experience for me because it gives me another look at the library's many resources. 

Fifth Week and Spring Break

 For my fifth week at the library, I shelved books, read shelves, did spine label changes on books to switch from new to the regular collection location, put new magazines into the system, switched last issue of magazine to old magazine in the computer system, discarded old magazines, worked the circulation desk, and worked in the work room.  Working in the work room was a new experience for me.  I checked books in to the system by scanning using a wand and the apex scanner.  Also, I answered the telephone and helped the callers; either by answering the questions about how late we are opened till to renewing their books that are already checked.  Another thing that I did was trapping the holds.  I trapped them in the system, wrote down whom the item was going to, and placed it on the cart so that the patron can be notified of the hold being fulfilled.  Also, I called some patrons that had books on hold. 

Then the following week was Spring Break.  Because the dorms were closed and I had no place to stay, I was not at the library. 

Fourth Week

For my fourth week at the library, I helped out at the circulation desk, shelved books, DVDs, and magazines, found on-shelf holds, put new magazines into the computer system, discarded old magazines, and read shelves.  This week I helped at the circulation desk more.  I checked out books for patrons, I discharged books, I put books on hold for patrons, I searched for books for them, and I helped them find items.  This was a great experience for me because I have not spent a lot of time at the circulation desk.  It helped me learn how to search creatively, hone in on my customer service skills, and let me get experience at the desk.