Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Is There A Librarian Whe Reads This Blog?

We are looking for a librarian who would like to come to Salasaca and show us how to run a library. We now have enough books where we need a good filling system. Can anyone recommend a program for a small library that would make the job easier? We would appreciate your advise and your help.
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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:39 PM

    I am a librarian, and I traveled to Ecuador in January of 1997. One of my fondest memories is visiting Banos. I stayed there for nearly a week - I wish it could have been longer.

    Are you looking for a user-friendly computer software? I can try and search around to see what I find. Or, are you looking to keep it simple and go the card catalog route?

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  2. Roberto3:10 PM

    I would like to put the information on a computer. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. Maybe you come down and give us a hand. We will give you a place to sleep and food to eat.

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  3. Anonymous4:20 PM

    I just found your email address on an earlier blog entry - I'll send an email your way later this week!

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  4. Unknown2:07 AM

    Roberto
    I'm an english librarian. I used a UNESCO programme in Cambodia called win-ISIS. I understand it is free for libraries in developing countries. It's not the best system as was built on dos.
    In the UK a simple cataloguing programme will cost around $4000 without ongoing support (very important when they go wrong). Were you thinking of using the programme to loan books?, this again is quite a complicated programme. Then you have to think about backing all the records up in case the programme fails - I've had this problem in London at an NGO and it's a real headache trying to fix it on the cheap.
    I would be inclined to use a card system, apart from buying the cards and a suitable cabinet there will be no other costs. Your librarian would be able to learn and then train others easily in the upkeep.
    best wishes
    Sharon McEachen

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  5. Anonymous11:24 AM

    I agree with Sharon (I'm the anonymous first poster). In addition, you could incorporate some sort of simple database/spreadsheet to make sorting or searching easier, I suppose. When it comes down to it, the more complicated you make it, the more could go wrong. I wish I could return to Ecuador to work on this project, but I've got a sick mom here right now. One thing you might think of doing is enlisting a school with an MLIS program to have a group of students "telecommute" on this project. It would look great on their resumes, and possibly they could come up with a cost-effective plan for you to implement. This comment is getting long, but I'll tune in again soon.

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  6. Anonymous2:35 AM

    Hello,

    I was a librarian, in school. Anyway I know how to make it simple.
    How do you want to arrange the file, with paper or by computer ?
    Thanks and good luck for the future
    Harmonie

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  7. Roberto4:17 PM

    Hi Harmonie,

    We are considering the cards as the best option. We will enter the info in the computer and then print it out on cards.

    We have a book on the Dewey System and although it looks a little complicated we will attempt to use it.

    Let me know it you have a better way.

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  8. Anonymous1:58 PM

    Hi Roberto,
    It's Carrie again. Now that you've decided to use paper (and Dewey!) I can help out a lot more. Try to make use of "copy cataloging". I'm no cataloger, but I can tell you that you can find library entries in WorldCat to find basic info. I am more than happy to assist you with this. Feel free to email me at my Hotmail address, and I'll try to see if I can't catalog these for you - from a distance. I'll send this to your email as well.

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