I've also given this discussion some thought. With some mulling over, I have a few responses from the perspective of a recent grad and new professional:<br><br>1) I like to go by the philosophy of it always being OK to ask. The worst that can happen is that you are turned down (or reprimanded via e-mail discussion list?). The best that could happen is someone qualified thinks it is an interesting project and would like to join in.<br>
<br>2) The initial message did not mention any support or guidance given to the volunteer. My gut response to this is that the project may not be appropriate for a current MLS student or recent grad. The reality is that most current MLS students and recent grads do not have the practical skill set to organize even a collection of 225 books in a worthwhile way without significant guidance. This could easily turn into a huge waste of time for the volunteer and a useless product for the organization. <br>
<br>3) Internships on the cheap are broadly accepted in the business world, I do not see anything different with this situation. This could be a potentially very valuable unpaid project for a student if there is a qualified person to lend some experience and guidance to give them real value from the experience. Even better, they could get credit toward their MLS for it, if guided and supervised. The local Emporia program has an optional practicum component that would fall along these lines.<br clear="all">
<div><br>Michael<br></div><div><br></div><div>---</div><div>Michael Baird</div><div>Information Literacy Librarian / CLIP Coordinator</div><div>Western Oregon University</div><div>345 Monmouth Ave N</div><div>Monmouth, OR 97361</div>
<div><a href="mailto:bairdm@wou.edu" target="_blank">bairdm@wou.edu</a> / 503-838-8657</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://clip-il.wetpaint.com/" target="_blank">http://clip-il.wetpaint.com</a></div><div>Skype: mikeypage10</div>
<div>Google Talk: michaeljbaird</div><div>AIM: mikeypage10</div><div>Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/michael.baird" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/michael.baird</a></div><br>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 10:23 AM, KendraSchwindt <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:kendraschwindt@hotmail.com" target="_blank">kendraschwindt@hotmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
<div style="padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 15px;" name="Compose message area">
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Hmm, I actually pondered this for a while before
finally deciding to post here (deciding if indeed I might look good covered in
tomatoes):</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">On the one hand, I *wished* for something like
this when I was starting out. College provided only the disjointed big
picture. I desired the process, the detail. As
someone who loves organization/organizing/creating, I continue to give
and volunteer of myself in these areas as my time permits. Volunteering makes me
feel good, I meet new people, gain valuable knowledge, and generally have a good
time as there is less pressure (no office politics, more flexible schedule, no
evaluations, etc). Volunteering allows us to shift from "it's all about me"
to recognizing everything and everyone else out there that is struggling too,
including businesses.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Yet, I am painfully aware that the bottom line
drives everything in business....and a library *is* a business and as a
business we have to think of ways to continue to spend responsibly and within
our means. Bartering has been and always will be an accepted
mechanism to get what we want. </font><font face="Arial" size="2">In spite of
the economy today, there are still folks that love to give of their time and
talents and there will continue to be businesses that desire those
folks. </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">I think this is a prime example of
"the glass is half full/half empty" syndrome and I see </font><font face="Arial" size="2">nothing wrong with their posting this opportunity. I also
see nothing wrong with a little spirited discussion. </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">...one moment while I take my position on the
stage....yes, okay, I'm ready for the lobbing of delicious, red ripe
fruit. After all, red is a power color and I make one darn tasty
salsa!</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Kendra Schwindt</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">1st Career: College Information Manager
</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">2nd Career: still figuring that out and
available for loan (contact <a title="mailto:paulw@wintersassoc.com
CTRL + Click to follow link" href="mailto:paulw@wintersassoc.com" target="_blank">paulw@wintersassoc.com</a> for more
information about "Executives on Loan")</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div>
<div style="font: 10pt Tahoma;">
<div><br></div>
<div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(245, 245, 245);">
<div><b>From:</b> <a title="mailto:acordle@pcc.edu
CTRL + Click to follow link" href="mailto:acordle@pcc.edu" target="_blank">Alan Cordle, PCC Library</a> </div>
<div><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 12, 2011 9:35 AM</div>
<div><b>To:</b> <a title="archx@reed.edu" href="mailto:archx@reed.edu" target="_blank">Xan
Arch</a> ; <a title="libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us" href="mailto:libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us%29" target="_blank">(libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us)</a>
</div>
<div><b>Cc:</b> <a title="satya.jaech@providence.org" href="mailto:satya.jaech@providence.org" target="_blank">satya.jaech@providence.org</a> ; <a title="dcohen@dcoheninfo.com" href="mailto:dcohen@dcoheninfo.com" target="_blank">D Cohen</a>
</div>
<div><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Libs-Or] Volunteer Opportunity</div></div></div><div><div></div><div>
<div><br></div>Rather than preying on desperate library school students,
Providence should hire a librarian, experienced in starting a library from
scratch. The paid librarian could then recruit an intern (preferably paid
and/or offered credit) to assist.<br><br>Since when is it "professional" for a
librarian not to have a public opinion on the de-professionalization of
librarianship?<br><br>Also disappointed,<br>Al<br><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 9:15 AM, _____<span dir="ltr">></span> wrote:<br><br>
<blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="gmail_quote">Dear Alan and Donna,<br></blockquote>
<div> </div>
<blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="gmail_quote">. . . I'm very disappointed with your public
condemnation of this posting.<br>Without background knowledge of the center
and its funding, besides what you find on the web, it would be far more
professional for you to let well enough alone. I know many of the library
students in the area are interested in additional work experience on their
resume and this could be a great opportunity for them.<br><font color="#888888"><br></font>
<div>
<div></div>
<div><br>On 1/12/11 8:52 AM, Alan Cordle, PCC Library wrote:<br>
<blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="gmail_quote">"The center houses an endowed chair in applied health care
ethics and two endowed lectureships: The Curtis R. Holzgang, M.D., Visiting
Scholar and the Goldman-Berland Lectureship in Palliative Care Education."
Instead of dismissively asking for a "volunteer" librarian, the Center
should instead consider an Endowed Librarian -- especially since the
expectation is to set up a
library.<br></blockquote><br></div></div></blockquote></div><br>
</div></div><p>
</p><hr><div>
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