SLIS Assignment

The online environment has been evolving rapidly ever since it came into existence. I was first introduced to Google Calendar in 2007, and was hesitant - I used Yahoo email and a paper calendar, and was content with that. But then I discovered the world of Google collaboration, and the world seemed to open. Google Docs has been an invaluable tool in educational, professional and social collaboration for the past three years of my life. Google Calendar and sharing settings help enable live collaboration. Skype, Elluninate, Wikis, and countless other internet services are amazing tools in collaboration, especially in an online-only environment.


The personal skills needed to succeed as an online student are really quite similar as those needed to succeed as a self-motivated student in a traditional school setting. Since eighth grade, I've done a number of academic independent studies, and found it crucial to set personal deadlines that aligned with the professor's assignment deadlines. If working in a group, deadlines should be clear to all participants for each phase of the project, so everything gets completed on time and nothing is left out.


One of the reasons I was particularly attracted to the idea of an online MLIS is that I am a visual learner. I have often found myself in the position where I was the only one in the class that read the assigned textbook reading, and found the lecture to be a complete regurgitation of the text material. An online program, being primarily textual/visual, is very appealing. I can also hold a job in my area of interest, while doing my coursework after dinner.


I see myself as generally good at time management, organization, self-motivation, working independently, and I love working with technology, and am always up for a challenge. Let the semester begin!

RCHS Store

I just finished re-vamping the Rice County Historical Society Gift Shop! We now have all of our merchandise clearly displayed and marked with reasonable prices. We also have a clearance section, which includes VHS and cassette tapes, framed works, and decorative dolls, among other items.

In addition to the clearance rack, the front display also includes our toys. We have toys for all ages, including bow-and-arrow sets, dolls, puzzles and pencil sharpeners!

We then move over to our adult merchandise section. We have sweatshirts and t-shirts in a variety of colors, as well as gifts for everyone on your list.

Jewelry, dried flower arrangements, thimbles and the like are arranged together on a bed of lace, for your shopping pleasure.

Our pins and magnets are newly displayed together above the counter.

We have a variety of items on display, including glassware, postcards and girls' necklaces.

We also now have two stands for our childrens' books, one rack containing coloring books, the other containing children's books.

And finally, our books are now organized by subject, for your browsing pleasure.

We hope you come visit the Rice County Historical Society Gift Shop soon!

Retail

What is the appeal of retail? Though I didn't particularly enjoy my short stint as a Walgreens Service Clerk, I loved working at The Museum of Flight Store, and I continue to enjoy volunteering at the Northfield Historical Society store. I love organizing stock, and keeping numbers, obviously, but somehow there seems to be something more. How is it that I love folding T-Shirts for display, but not so much at home? Why do I like putting things away on the shelves, like it's a race (while still looking friendly to customers, of course)?

I was excited when I was first given responsibility of improving the Rice County Historical Society's gift shop. I've been working on improving the stock selection and display for the past few weeks, and will continue until I am satisfied with it. We've added some new items to the inventory, but we'll also need to continue to reorganize the displays and update prices to market to our customers.

How does a store sell its merchandise? It's selective marketing; similar to commercials. Children's items must be in low visual range, and have bright colors. For non-fragile items, children should also be able to pick up the toys and play with them; not have them hidden away behind glass or out of reach. Books should be organized by target audience, and by subject. Have you ever noticed that bookstores are organized nothing like most libraries?

• If you go to a bookstore to find a book about apartments and dwellings [613.53], you would probably be surprised to find yourself next to sex books [613.9]
• Bookstores also usually don't have their fiction simply sorted alphabetically by author. Booksellers know that people interested in murder mysteries are probably not the same people who are interested in manga or romance novels.

The books should be clearly divided by subject, and labeled. Customers don't want to have to use a code to find what they're looking for. Don't even make them use the alphabet! Have clear signage, and let intuition guide your organization. Display the top sellers or new items in an easily visible location. Let these top displays vary in price. Not everyone will want to buy the new leather-bound $50 collectors edition. Also proudly display your $1 bookmarks or booklets.

Happy selling!