Foundations of Library Services: An Introduction for Support Staff

by Hali R. Keeler

Overview

Trained library support staff play a critical role in assisting the user in locating and interpreting the resources available in libraries. To do so requires the knowledge and practice of library missions and roles in different types of libraries and the delivery of that information to an increasingly diverse clientele. The plethora of resources available today requires that support staff understand and implement the basic principles of information services as well as the responsibility and relationships among library departments and functional areas.

Foundations of Library Services is both a text for professors who teach in library support staff programs and an introductory reference manual for support staff who work in libraries. As part of the Library Support Staff Series, this updated edition will guide the LSS to be able to:

• Understand the mission and role of the library in its community
• Be familiar with the ethics and values of the profession, including those of the Library Bill of Rights, the ALA Code of Ethics, freedom of information, confidentiality of library records and privacy issues
• Know the responsibility and relationships among library departments
• Practice the basic principles of circulation, including interlibrary loan; current cataloging and classification systems; and acquisitions and collection development policies.
• Understand how libraries are governed and funded within their organizations or government structures
• Realize the value of cooperation to enhance services
• Practice quality customer service
• Communicate and promote the library’s values and services
• Recognize and respond to diversity in user needs

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538135686
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/12/2021
Series:	Library Support Staff Handbooks , #7
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	252
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Hali Keeler, MLS, MA, is the author of the books Foundations of Library Public Services: An Introduction for Support Staff, Rowman & Littlefield 2015; Working with Collections: An Introduction for Support Staff, Rowman & Littlefield 2017; Communication and Teamwork: An Introduction for Support Staff (with Marie Shaw) Rowman & Littlefield 2018; Supervision and Management: An Introduction for Support Staff (with Marie Shaw), Rowman & Littlefield 2018; Library Technician Training programs: Library Mosaics Magazine January/February 2005, and Ghosts of Groton Bank, History Press, 2016.



She is the former Coordinator for the Library Technology Certificate Program at Three Rivers Community College (2003-2011) and has been an Adjunct Professor since 1998. She teaches courses in Public Services, Technical Services, and Management Strategies. In addition to library instruction, Ms. Keeler worked as a Children’s Librarian and is the retired Executive Director of a public library. She has been a speaker and presenter at library conferences and workshops and has served in leadership roles on library boards and committees at the state and local levels.

Table of Contents

Contents:

List of Illustrations

Preface

Acknowledgements

PART I MATERIALS

1Library Services Today: An Overview

2Acquisitions, Collection Development and Classification

3Special Collections and Non-Book Materials

4Circulation Services

5Reference Services, Reader’s Advisory and Reserves

6Resource Sharing

PART II CUSTOMER SERVICE

721st Century Library Customer Service: An Overview

8Customer Service to Youth

9Customer Service to Older Adults

10Customer Service to Patrons with Special Needs

11Customer Service to Challenging Patrons

12 Library Programming and Public Relations

PART III ACCESS TO INFORMATION: A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT

13Intellectual Freedom and Censorship: An Overview

14The Freedom to Read

15Children and Intellectual Freedom

Glossary

List of Permissions

Index

Editorial Reviews

True to its title, this book covers foundational library services in a way that is easy to understand and digest. It also provides important resources for readers to learn more and dive deeper into why and how libraries serve their users. Keeler's organization is thoughtful, making it easy for one to look through the whole book or select chapters about specific services. The book is concise but full of meaningful details, and each chapter begins with a list of topics covered and a list of key terms with their definitions. At the end of each chapter, Keeler provides a summary, discussion questions, and activities that can be used to further explore and deepen understanding of the library service discussed. Including notes, an up-to-date and carefully curated list of references, and suggested readings and websites, this is an excellent overview of the basic functions of a library, and a perfect antidote for those who remark to library staff that 'it must be nice to be paid to read all day.' Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Foundations of Library Services: An Introduction for Support Staff (2nd ed.) by Hali R. Keeler will prepare all ILS support staff students (LSS) to meet the challenges affecting our libraries today. Keeler's 35 years of experience in the information science field is self-evident through her discussion questions and activities, reinforcing foundational library service concepts. As a full-time professor in an ALA certified undergraduate ILS program, I always seek textbooks that convey foundational concepts that are easy to understand with realistic examples and expectations. Keeler's book provides a blueprint towards creating a robust syllabus on the subject of library services.

Anastasia S. Weigle

I highly recommend this book to all library workers as it presents more practical information as opposed to highly technical or theoretical information. Keeler does an excellent job of preparing library support staff members to contribute to the resources and services that libraries and practicing librarians provide to different patron communities on an everyday basis. This book and series are highly recommended for the purpose of presenting the ongoing training that is needed for library workers of all ages.

Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship

Foundations of Library Services: An Introduction for Support Staff (2nd ed.) by Hali R. Keeler will prepare all ILS support staff students (LSS) to meet the challenges affecting our libraries today. Keeler's 35 years of experience in the information science field is self-evident through her discussion questions and activities, reinforcing foundational library service concepts. As a full-time professor in an ALA certified undergraduate ILS program, I always seek textbooks that convey foundational concepts that are easy to understand with realistic examples and expectations. Keeler's book provides a blueprint towards creating a robust syllabus on the subject of library services.

I highly recommend this book to all library workers as it presents more practical information as opposed to highly technical or theoretical information. Keeler does an excellent job of preparing library support staff members to contribute to the resources and services that libraries and practicing librarians provide to different patron communities on an everyday basis. This book and series are highly recommended for the purpose of presenting the ongoing training that is needed for library workers of all ages.

True to its title, this book covers foundational library services in a way that is easy to understand and digest. It also provides important resources for readers to learn more and dive deeper into why and how libraries serve their users. Keeler's organization is thoughtful, making it easy for one to look through the whole book or select chapters about specific services. The book is concise but full of meaningful details, and each chapter begins with a list of topics covered and a list of key terms with their definitions. At the end of each chapter, Keeler provides a summary, discussion questions, and activities that can be used to further explore and deepen understanding of the library service discussed. Including notes, an up-to-date and carefully curated list of references, and suggested readings and websites, this is an excellent overview of the basic functions of a library, and a perfect antidote for those who remark to library staff that 'it must be nice to be paid to read all day.' Recommended.

From the Publisher

This text does a nice job of covering the basic competencies a person would need to enter the library world as an LTA. It includes practical step by step process information and example charts that help clarify concepts and procedures. The chapter terminology lists and summary questions will be helpful in deepening student understanding and exploration of the various aspects of library work.

Susan Mannan

This text is unique in that it specifically addresses the competencies required for the Library Support Staff Certification Program of the American Library Association. It incorporates a broad range of topics and, if used for training or as a classroom textbook, will build a firm foundation for those preparing to be library technical workers. Essential information is presented in a practical manner with ample first-hand examples. The helpful suggestions for acquiring hands-on familiarity with the information and resources, along with the suggested assignments will be very useful to instructors.

Linda D. Morrow

This book would be very useful as both a general handbook for support staff and a textbook for a basic LTA course. Tying the text content to the national Library Support Staff Certification competencies ensures complete coverage of the ‘Foundations of Library Services’ competency set, including introductions to public and technical services, customer service issues, intellectual freedom, and more.

Sandra Smith Rosado

This text breaks new ground by specifically addressing the LSS competencies developed by the ALA LSSC group and carefully addresses the different areas quite comprehensively and would be a strong text for any undergraduate level introductory course in LIS.

Jodi Williams

True to its title, this book covers foundational library services in a way that is easy to understand and digest. It also provides important resources for readers to learn more and dive deeper into why and how libraries serve their users. Keeler's organization is thoughtful, making it easy for one to look through the whole book or select chapters about specific services. The book is concise but full of meaningful details, and each chapter begins with a list of topics covered and a list of key terms with their definitions. At the end of each chapter, Keeler provides a summary, discussion questions, and activities that can be used to further explore and deepen understanding of the library service discussed. Including notes, an up-to-date and carefully curated list of references, and suggested readings and websites, this is an excellent overview of the basic functions of a library, and a perfect antidote for those who remark to library staff that 'it must be nice to be paid to read all day.' Recommended.

Choice

04/01/2016
The core values of library service must be understood by all library staff, no matter the type of institution. Condensing history, ethics, duties, and the reasoning behind certain tasks into one text is a tall order. Keeler (library technology, Three Rivers Community Coll., CT) is thorough and uses real-life contemporary examples to connect traditional practices to modern times. Chapters are divided into three sections: materials, customer service, and access to information. Subjects covered include acquisitions, readers' advisory, serving youth, assisting challenging patrons, intellectual freedom, and more. Each chapter states the library support staff certification (LSSC) competency being addressed and provides a glossary of terms, a chapter summary, discussion questions and activities, and a list of extensive references. Material is covered at a level of detail useful for library support staff. The chapters, while brief in length, are dense in content. VERDICT This is an excellent text for library science students and for library staff developing learning outcomes and training opportunities.—Kendra Auberry, Indian River State Coll. Lib., Port St. Lucie, FL

Library Journal