From downloading ebooks to applying for jobs online, the patrons of the Gail Borden Public Library have a helping hand in technology librarian Phillip Schneider. Schneider and his colleagues also share their expertise with fellow librarians at other institutions through the online toolkit they’ve created.
Where do you work and what is your role?
I work at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, Illinois. I began as a part-time librarian, but have moved my way up to being a full-time technology librarian in the Information Services department. I work at the information desk, assist with technology-related questions, and maintain our e-resources, databases, and website. I am also the go-to guy for tech problems in the department, I create and teach technology classes, and I work on Gail’s Toolkit, which is the library’s open source project that provides complete technology classes to other librarians and trainers around the country.
What do you like best about your job?
The best part of my job is easily the smiles and gratitude I receive when I help customers learn to put e-books on their Kindles, upgrade to Windows 10, or learn to send text messages to their grandkids for the first time. I also like that my job allows me use, develop, and grow my skills to help better myself and the community. Finally, I love the challenge and variety my job supplies me every day. How can one be bored when you fix bugs in a website, help a person who does not know how to use a computer buy music from Amazon, and find an address for a customer who used to live somewhere on Maple Street and think the person who lived there was either Judy, Jude, or Kathy (no last name of course), all in one day.
What do you see as the most important impact of your work?
This can be separated into two categories: the way I help customers and the way I help other librarians. The most important impact on customers is helping those whom technology has passed by. Without basic computer skills, mandatory things such as signing up for social security, applying for unemployment, applying for jobs, filing taxes, or finding affordable housing are very difficult and sometimes impossible to complete alone. I help people not only learn how to use computers but also keep up with an ever-changing world. This can make a massive difference in a person’s life.
The way I help other librarians is with Gail’s Toolkit. Monica Dombrowski, one of my coworkers, came to the realization one day that all librarians in the country are teaching the same things and are wasting time and resources duplicating each other’s work. To end this waste, our team created a website that provides all the materials, at no cost, for a librarian or trainer to teach a class with minimal effort. It is exciting to think that maybe one day my work could allow hundreds or maybe thousands of classes to be taught that would never be otherwise.
How did GSLIS help you get to where you are today?
GSLIS gave me the technology and research skills base to easily excel and become a great addition to the Gail Borden Public Library. A modern library user’s needs are greater and more diverse than ever before. As a librarian, it is my job to have the skills necessary to help them achieve their goals. GSLIS allowed me to do this by teaching me to program, build networks, build computers, design websites, and so much more.
What advice would you like to share with GSLIS students?
Take advantage of all the resources you have available to you. As a GSLIS student, you have access to a tremendous amount of the world’s information from one of the largest university libraries in the world—enjoy it. Also, if you can take LIS548: Library Buildings with Adjunct Professor Fred Schlipf, do so. It is one of the most fun and applicable classes you can take at GSLIS. It is amazing how often libraries remodel, and this class really helps you understand what is going on.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Everything humanly possible. Running, reading, hiking, camping, video games, learning, and concerts are just a few. Once college ended and my real life began, I wanted to experience as much as possible, and I have not stopped since.