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<DIV>Hello,</DIV>
<DIV>I would like to post the following message to libs-or. It is in regards to
a library survey I am conducting on the library employment trends in the City of
Portland. Please let me know if I need to make any adjustments to the
message.</DIV>
<DIV>Thank you,</DIV>
<DIV>Jeff Fernandez</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Dear Library Directors/Managers,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">I would like to invite the academic, public, and special
libraries located in the City of Portland to participate in a study that I am
conducting regarding library employment trends. The study will be survey based
and can be accessed online through a Google Form at the following URL (<SPAN
style="COLOR: "><A title=http://goo.gl/forms/rtRqrNHkwy
style='href: "http://goo.gl/forms/rtRqrNHkwy"'><FONT
color=#0000ff>http://goo.gl/forms/rtRqrNHkwy</FONT></A>)</SPAN>. As with any
survey it is important to receive as much participation as possible but I do
understand that the information I seek may not be available or that you may not
be able to provide the data that I am requesting. For this reason I have
provided options to cover these situations. Currently I am focusing on the
calendar year 2014 but I will accept any data that a library is willing to
provide for past and future years as I would like to eventually make this a
longitudinal study depending on the success of this study.</FONT><SPAN
style="COLOR: "></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The purpose of this study is to determine the current
trends in library employment throughout the City of Portland. The research
questions of the study will analyze different employment statistics including
number of positions opened, number of applicants per opening, salary ranges,
qualifications of applicants, and the reason for the opening. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">It is my belief that this study will benefit libraries
and those seeking library employment. This study will inform current and future
library professionals about the library employment market in Portland and
provide them insight into what they can expect when searching for library
employment in Portland. It will also provide libraries with information that
they can use to compare themselves to other libraries in their field. Data
regarding qualifications and number of applicants can help libraries determine
if they are reaching the same number of qualified applicants compared to other
libraries. Libraries will also be able to compare salary ranges and growth/loss
with other institutions.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Due to the sensitivity of some of the data being
collected I will not publish the names of the libraries that participated as a
way to maintain anonymity. I will also be the only person who will handle the
data for this survey and will not share sensitive information with other persons
or organizations.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">I will be submitting the study to the Oregon Library
Association, Pacific Northwest Library Association, and American Library
Association for publication. If none of these associations are interested then I
will submit the study to open access journals; as of yet to be
determined.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">I look forward to hearing from you if you would like to
participate and/or stay apprised of the study’s progress. Again, I understand
that you are very busy and I appreciate your time and any assistance you can
provide.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: "><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Below is a link to the survey
which is being conducted online via Google Forms.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: "><A title=http://goo.gl/forms/rtRqrNHkwy
style='href: "http://goo.gl/forms/rtRqrNHkwy"'><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"
color=#0000ff>http://goo.gl/forms/rtRqrNHkwy</FONT></A></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt; tab-stops: 349.8pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: "><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">(Deadline for responses is August
31)</FONT><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">
</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Sincerely,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Jeff Fernandez</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><A
style='href: "mailto:Jeff.fernandez@live.com"'><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"
color=#0000ff>Jeff.fernandez@live.com</FONT></A></P></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>