Systems Librarianship - (Practical Guides for Librarians) by Brighid M Gonzales (Paperback)

About the Book

Geared toward interested LIS students, new graduates, and new Systems Librarians, this book lays out basic foundational knowledge, as well as practical information on common projects like migrating a system and technology planning, that will guide new Systems Librarians as the...

Book Synopsis

Geared toward interested LIS students, new graduates, and new Systems Librarians, this book lays out basic foundational knowledge, as well as practical information on common projects like migrating a system and technology planning, that will guide new Systems Librarians as they begin their careers in library technology.

Review Quotes

Brighid Gonzales has written a guide for those interested in becoming or transitioning into systems librarianship. As part of the Practical Guides for Librarians series, Systems Librarianship: A Practical Guide is an engaging over-view of the complexities and variety of responsibilities a systems librarian may oversee. Sharing her personal experience of coming into a systems librarian position with no formal training in library school, she also shares the experiences of 200 system librarians who participated in a survey she conducted. Several in-depth interviews with some of the respondents end each chapter, further highlighting these experiences... At 168 pages, Gonzales offers an overview to an ever-expanding and changing area of librarianship. As more content moves online, the role of the systems librarian becomes even more essential. The references, in-depth interviews, and resources in this book give any new librarian or one moving into a systems role the help they need to be effective in their position.

Systems Librarianship: A Practical Guide for Librarians is a complete introduction for anyone who is new to systems librarianship, and a useful reference for anyone who is interested in learning about libraries and technology. Similar to the book, The Accidental Systems Librarian, which was originally published in 2003 and updated in 2012, this book provides a more modern perspective on the field. It is based on a recent survey of systems librarians, the professional literature, and more than a dozen interviews.... One chapter's key point sums this book up in one line: "New systems librarians just starting out are never alone" (146). This book is a great resource for anyone who is new to systems librarianship, or any experienced librarians who are looking for a modern look into this constantly changing field.

A great resource for library students, entry-level professionals, or those already in libraries who suddenly find themselves in a technical position, for understanding the library systems specialty, what kinds of systems you will be working with, how to skill up, get a job, and continue learning. The interviews with systems librarians provide invaluable personal insights into the work and what it takes to do it well.

Systems Librarianship: A Practical Guide for Librarians truly lives up to its title. Those considering a career focusing on technology in libraries will benefit from this new work which includes practical narrative content addressing a wide range of relevant topics. These high-level overviews of the key technology platforms used in libraries and processes such as project management, system procurement, and implementation give a good introduction to the profession and are accessible to non-technical readers. The author taps into the expertise of practitioners already in the field through interviews interspersed throughout the book, capturing interesting insights from seasoned professionals as well as early-career systems librarians. Author Brighid M. Gonzales packs a lot of information and insight into this new addition to the Practical Guide for Librarians series.

About the Author

Brighid M. Gonzales earned her MLIS in 2014 from San Jose State University and has been working as the Systems and Web Services Librarian (Assistant Professor) at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX since the fall of 2014. She is interested in the web, systems, technology, coding, and UX, and has published a number of articles and book chapters on these and other related topics.