LIB 104 -- Technical Services: Acquisitions, Serials and Processing  

Course Information

Class Syllabus

Who Works in Technical Services...and What Do They Do?

Resources for technical services support staff

Video: Library Technical Services

Job Description Samples

ODLIS - Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science

How To Print a Box From a LibGuide

Some Humor

This LibGuide is the website for students enrolled in LIB 104, Technical Services: Acquisitions, Serials and Processing.

Click on the topical tabs above to navigate through this website.

Course description:

Principles of acquiring, processing, and preserving library materials, including bibliographic searching, choosing vendors, ordering, receiving, physical processing, budget accounting, binding, repairing, and preserving. Knowledge of basic terminology and processes in technical services activities. Recommended Lib 101. Total of 54 hours lecture.

Required textbook: Kao, Mary Liu.  Introduction to Technical Services for Library Technicians.   New York: Haworth   Press, 2001.   

Supplemental textbook: Evans, G. Edward, Intner, Sheila S., Weihs, Jean Riddle. Introduction to Technical Services.  Santa Barbara, Calif. : Libraries Unlimited, c2011. It is NOT necessary to purchase this book. It is available to PCC students in the library's EBSCOhost eBook Collection. There has been a problem with accessing this e-book directly using EBSCO's "permalink." Instead, access the e-book by doing the following:                  

1) Go to the Shatford Library's Databases by Name.

2) Click on EBSCO eBook Collection.

3) In the search box, type the title: Introduction to Technical Services

4) Click the green search button.

5) Select the first entry (with the orange and blue cover, 8th edition)

6) Click on Table of Contents and select the chapter you have been assigned to read.

Also, the book is available as a print copy with call number and location: Z688.6 U6 E84 2011.  Second Floor - Textbooks (Non-Circulating).

   Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

1. Demonstrate basic library technical services functions including acquisitions, serial subscriptions, processing materials and conservation/preservation principles.
2. Demonstrate procedures to order library resources, maintain fund accounts, process and repair library materials.

The Ohio Library Council has made a concise two-page handout that nicely describes the many facets of a library technical services unit, showing a broad range of duties and activities of those who work in such a unit.

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS), a division of the American Library Association. "...ALCTS is the premier resource for information specialists in collection development, preservation, and technical services."

COLT: Council on Library/Media Technicians

"An international organization which works to address the issues and concerns of library and media support staff personnel."

Library Support Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT)

ALA-sponsored round table “for addressing a wide variety of issues of concern to library support staff, including but not limited to basic training programs, education, career development, job duties and responsibilities…”

Associates: The Electronic Library Support Staff Journal

“Forum for and about library support staff issues. ASSOCIATES is published three times per year in March, July, and November. Subscription is FREE!”

Students, take note: The library support staff journal called Library Mosaics mentioned in your textbook on page 7 ceased publication in 2005.

A behind the scenes look at the Library Technical Services Department in the City of Plano, Texas.

Library Media Technician III - Acquisitions. This position is from El Camino College in Torrance, CA. Some of the very relevant keywords and qualifications include certificate in library technology, acquisitions, cataloging, serials, mending, binding, and financial record keeping. Open the Word document to read the full description.

Assistant Technical Services Librarian. Another position announcement, while for a librarian rather than a library technician, is instructive. As you read through the role, responsibilities, requirements, and preferred qualifications you will see many of the functions and terminology discussed in class.

Pepperdine University Library Technician.

Use this online dictionary as an additional source for understanding the terminology in our class textbook.

Some of you have asked if it is possible to print information from a single "box" in this LibGuide. According to Springshare, the company that produces the software for this website, it is not possible. Here are two workarounds:

1. Use the "Print Preview" selection in the File menu of your browser to print only the boxes that contain the information you need.

2. Various methods of "screen capture" exist, and depend on the operating system of your computer and the web browser you are using. One simple and free plugin is ScreenHunter from Wisdom Software. A safe, free copy is available for downloading at CNET.com  Click here to see an instructional video for the Windows 7 "Snipping Tool."

Arlington Heights Memorial Library Technical Services

This is an "ER" TV series spoof video for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library (Illinois) Technical Services Department, entitled "TS". The LibVlog series video was written by and stars AHML staff members. Although it may be a library's version of "ER," don't bother looking for George Clooney!

If you ever feel like you cannot finish your education and get your certificate or degree, read this article: