LTAIG Section Status Update

LTAIG, the BC Library Association's Library Technicians and Assistants Interest Group, is petitioning for section status! I am particularly thrilled to hear this news; this turn of events is long overdue. The petition has received enough signatures to be put to a vote at the upcoming BCLA AGM in May. All BCLA members may vote on it, and LTAIG wants to get the word out to increase the odds the resolution will be passed by a 75% majority.

What would section status mean for LTAIG? I asked Tamarack Hockin, LTAIG Convenor, for the scoop - here's what she said:

"If the LTAS [Library Technicians' and Assistants' Section] petition passes the vote at the BCLA AGM in May, the most concrete benefit to technicians and assistants in B.C. will be a designated representative on the BCLA Board.

Our current state as an “interest group” is not only a misnomer, but according to the terms of BCLA’s constitution precludes representation on the board. This doesn’t mean that there are no technicians or assistants holding positions on the board, but it does mean that there is currently no one to speak on behalf of the collective interests of technicians and assistants.

The vast majority of LTAIG members – and, I suspect, all BCLA members – are interested in professional development and networking opportunities as part of the benefits inherent to professional association. LTAS will work with the BCLA Board to ensure that these benefits of membership are relevant to technicians and assistants and the unique work that we do.

I also want to emphasize that the creation of LTAS will benefit BCLA as a whole. Technicians and assistants have a wealth of experience and abilities to bring to the association. This is evidenced in projects like the soon-to-be-launched BCLA Mentorship Program, contributions to The BCLA Browser, and our wonderful LibTech Soup blog. Through the creation of LTAS we will be growing and strengthening the association, and we will be redefining it as a more inclusive place for technicians and assistants."

(Emphasis mine.)

It's pretty plain to see what a boon an LTAS would be for BC library techs and assistants, as well as the BC library community in general. I encourage anyone who's a BCLA member to make their voice heard on this issue by voting (either in person or using the proxy vote form - more details are available on the LTAIG homepage).

You can also follow LTAIG on Twitter, and be sure to check out LibTech Soup, the group's blog, which is a great resource for anyone interested in library issues.

Good luck, LTAIG - I hope the LTAS vote succeeds!

Top 25 Librarian Bloggers List

Lots of traffic today related to OEDb's list of Top 25 Librarian Bloggers, of which this blog peaked in at number 17. And while being included in a list like this is always an honour, I've got to wonder how one of the top librarian blogs got omitted? Hmm. Let's just call it very odd.

Now, crazy methodologies aside, lists like these do have some positive effects. I can see definite value to increasing exposure to the profession, and to the good things Librarians bring to the blogosphere. Especially for those of us down on the 'C' list. :-)

And secondly, lists can force many of us (one notable exception being that perceptive Librarian who got omitted - see above) to do what we don't do often enough - check out what we're missing!

So in that spirit, I'm lifting a copy of all 55 librarian blogs that were examined. Read, enjoy and subscribe!

1	librarian.net
2	The Shifted Librarian
3	LibrarianInBlack
4	Free Range Librarian
5	Law Librarian Blog
6	A Librarian's Guide to Etiquette
7	The Travelin' Librarian
8	Walt at Random
9	Filipino Librarian
10	h20boro lib blog
11	InfoTangle
12	The Ubiquitous Librarian
13	Confessions of a Science Librarian
14	Libraryman
15	Google Librarian Central
16	The Days & Nights of the Lipstick Librarian
17	Vancouver Law Librarian Blog
18	Annoyed Librarian
19	Librarian
20	Connie Crosby
21	The Handheld Librarian
22	The Other Librarian
23	Alternative Teen Services
24	Jason the Content Librarian
25	The Krafty Librarian
26	teenlibrarian
27	MotherReader
28	The Cool Librarian
29	A Librarian At The Kitchen Table
30	hiplibrariansbookblog
31	Feel-good Librarian
32	Theoretical Librarian
33	OA Librarian
34	The Illustrated Librarian
35	Travels with the State Librarian
36	Hyperactive Librarian
37	OPL Plus
38	Union Librarian
39	Becoming a Librarian
40	CogSci Librarian
41	News from Nancy, State Librarian of Michigan
42	Librarian on the edge
43	The Patent Librarian's Notebook
44	Information Literacy Librarian
45	Connecting Librarian
46	Bad Girl Librarian
47	Spartanburg County Public Libraries
48	Virtual Library Cat's Eye View
49	baa baa... blog of a craftylibrarian
50	The Itinerant Poetry Libriarian
51	The Rabid Librarian's Ravings in the Wind
52	The Indie Librarian
53	Grassroots Librarian
54	Strategic Librarian
55	Library Science, not Rocket Science