University of Chicago Library ASRS

Mmm...all kinds of knowledge and information.

Based on the definition of "learning organization" and Chris's opinion of one, there are a couple of ways in which the members of Team Sisyphus are part of an important yet fun learning organization. First, I think that as a group, the four of us work very well and efficiently with each other. Emily is an excellent (and understanding--shout outs to those who have naughty alarm clocks) supervisor, always making sure we understand the projects and explaining everything well when we don't. The processing assistants are fine communicators as well, discussing and resolving any problems with Emily in a timely and efficient manner. So how exactly do we share knowledge, you ask? Well, we share the quirky items we come across--giggling and pointing to the Y4's "Case of the Billion Dollar Stripper" (it turned out to be some sort of metaphor) and "Dumping of Human Waste from AmTrak Trains" (?!) are some fine examples.

Another way in which we share some information, both of what we find within our prestigious library and within the work environment, is through blogs. This ASR blog is one example, and its informal counterpart, "Regenstein is for Lovers," is another. I started it to keep in touch with my former co-workers of the Bookstacks Department; in retrospect, we were a fine learning organization, sharing our individual Bookstacks knowledge and skills.

I have always been curious about the contents of a library, both in the books and in whatever comes our way as library employees. When I worked in Bookstacks, I used to keep a notebook of found objects in returned books--lost photos, letters, ticket stubs, etc. See below for a sample page.

I no longer check books back into the system, so I am unable to continue this fine collection of lost memories, but the Regenstein is for Lovers blog is one way to continue recording odd encounters. Who knew that one of the biggest university libraries owns a copy of Tariq "K-Flex" Nasheed's The Art of Mackin'? Or that there are huge Hilary Clinton fans in Nepal? In light of a recent safety (or lack thereof) incident in Hyde Park, contributor m.h. writes about campus police, campus safety, and ultimately encourages us to ride as often as possible--a bike, a bus--and to travel in packs. The safety of the library and its patrons are important too, so I shared a library newsbit on the UCLA incident where an ID-less student was Tasered. The library isn't just about knowledge in the books sense--it's eccentric knowledge and knowledge for our safety, too.

You see, we may seem quiet and introverted in our mannerisms at work, especially since one of us *ahem* is located away from other team members. But in fact, Team Sisyphus and its colleagues in other departments work extremely well together in sharing a burgeoning culture of supporting the growth of knowledge and information. Keep blogging, everyone!

posted by kei @ 6:20 PM