Getting Along with Tech Staff

[Dr. Mary Ann Bell]

This is another issue that concerns me. I think we must learn how to get along with tech personnel. Too often their is a big gap between librarians and tech, and sometimes there is animosity. I know all the reasons, or lots of them, such as tech people not having educational backgrounds, the pressures they have, etc. What I am wanting is ideas how to get past this impasse. We need to find ways!

[Kathy Ishizuka]

An important issue, Dr. Bell, and thanks for bringing it up. The gap between IT and seemingly everyone else can indeed hamper progress, and not just among librarians - we at the magazine experience it, too ;-)
Sticky relations with tech staff has been an undercurrent theme for awhile now, though largely an unspoken one at general education conferences that I've attended. Could participants be reluctant to discuss these issues in the presence of administrators, IT folk? What then would be the appropriate venue for people to talk openly about their experience and exchange ideas? This summit? Library conferences? Are there any efforts being made locally, at the micro level at your school?
Very interested to follow up on this. Thanks.

[guybrarian]

When tech staff are gate keepers instead of turnstiles, it is tough. I'm the tech support in my building, but work with the district folk. Our rep is incredibly wonderful and we have some progressive thinkers on staff down there. But- since they are not educators they often look at issues from a different perspective that affects kids.

[Annette R. Smith]

The conversation and words are so important in addressing this issue. It is about working WITH people as partners regardless of educational background.

My questions - how do we create and support the spaces for these conversations to occur?

[Beverly S. Almond]

I have found that a gigantic bag of M&Ms hidden away in the cupboard goes a long way towards smoothing ruffled feathers; at least it's a way of allowing the techie to feel a part of the human race. If possible use the same technique that you use with difficult students--get to know them on another level--other than just the professional side. I'm not suggesting everyone head to the local bar after work, but at least get to know them on some sort of level where you can relate to them, and allow them to talk and vent.

The only way that I can think of creating time and space for these conversations, other than heading to the local bar, is to encourage admin to help.

[Annette R. Smith]

OK - so head to the local bar!

Beverly S. Almond said:

I have found that a gigantic bag of M&Ms hidden away in the cupboard goes a long way towards smoothing ruffled feathers; at least it's a way of allowing the techie to feel a part of the human race. If possible use the same technique that you use with difficult students--get to know them on another level--other than just the professional side. I'm not suggesting everyone head to the local bar after work, but at least get to know them on some sort of level where you can relate to them, and allow them to talk and vent.

The only way that I can think of creating time and space for these conversations, other than heading to the local bar, is to encourage admin to help.

[Patty McClune]

I'm with Beverly and Annette! Food and respectful words do a lot to bridge the gap. Having a personal connection to your techies is a great advantage. Be friendly and compliment when appropriate so that when they hear your voice or see an email from you there's not an automatic groan. You catch more flies with honey!

[Dr. Mary Ann Bell]

You are so right. Very often these folks are incredibly overworked and they catch a lot of negative flack, a great deal of which is related to user error but attributed to "this I*&^% thing just does not work!" And we have got to find ways to work even with the hard-to-reach folks with no ed background. This dichotomy has gone on too long! Arise! Take up the standard! CHARGE!!! hahahahaha but seriously I want to do some work to see what I can do to further these goals.