Benjamin Kalish's Résumé

Benjamin Kalish
4 Lawn Ave, Apt. 2L
Northampton,  MA  01060
413-687-7738
bkalish@gmail.com
http://web.simmons.edu/~kalish2/

Objective

To obtain an entry level cataloging position where I can apply my attention to detail and analytical abilities to the important work of cataloging library materials. I would especially relish a work environment where I can make use of my extensive computer skills. I am most interested in work in and around Northampton Massachusetts but will relocate for the right position.

Education

  • M.S. in Library Science. Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Boston, Massachusetts.
    September, 2007–present.
    I anticipate graduating in January 2010.
  • Graduate coursework. Department of Mathematics. University of Massachusetts Amherst. Amherst, Massachusetts.
    September, 2002–May, 2003.
    Studies included algebra and number theory.
  • B.A. in Mathematics and Music. Simon's Rock College of Bard. Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
    September, 1998–May, 2002.
    Graduated cum laude.

Work Experience

  • Interlibrary Loan Assistant. Forbes Library. Northampton, Massachusetts.
    September, 2005–present. 
    Prepare incoming holds for patrons. Place system-wide, INN-Reach, Virtual Catalog, and regional holds. Print paging slips. Pull paged items. Empty bins. Sort and deliver items. Monitor holds and correct errors that could prevent timely delivery. Conduct interlibrary loan instruction. Participate in department decision making.
  • Children's Department Library Assistant. Forbes Library. Northampton, Massachusetts.
    June, 2005–July, 2007. 
    Answered reference and reader’s advisory questions. Circulation, fine collection, shelving, shelf-reading, and weeding. Trained and supervised work-study students.
  • Arts and Music Library Assistant. Forbes Library. Northampton, Massachusetts.
    February, 2005–September, 2005. 
    Answered arts and music reference questions. Maintained songbook index. Selected sheet music for purchase. Wrote instructional handouts. Shelved and shelf read. Trained and supervised work-study students.
  • Circulation Clerk. Forbes Library. Northampton, Massachusetts.
    February, 2005–May, 2005. 
    Circulation, fine collection, shelving, shelf-reading, and weeding. Supervised work-study students.
  • Volunteer position transformed into paid position. Forbes Library. Northampton, Massachusetts.
    September, 2004–present. 
    Work in Arts and Music, Circulation, Children's, Book Repair, and Special Collections, as well work on an assortment of one time projects, some of which were paid for by the allocation of grant and special collection funds.
  • Cashier. Big Y Foods. Amherst, Massachusetts.
    September, 2003–November, 2004.
  • Writing/Math Tutor. Simon's Rock College. Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
    September, 1999–May, 2002.
  • Production Assistant. Broude Brothers Limited. Williamstown, Massachusetts.
    July, 1999–September, 1999.

Computer Skills

  • Collaborative tools (Google Docs, MediaWiki, PBWiki)
  • Course management systems (Moodle, WebCT)
  • Image Manipulation (Adobe Photoshop, GD, GIMP, ImageMagick, Inkscape)
  • Library Tools (Millennium Circulation, PastPerfect)
  • Office Software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org)
  • Presentation Software (Camtasia Studio, Microsoft PowerPoint)
  • Programming (C, C++, Java, Perl, PHP, SQL)
  • Typesetting (GNU LilyPond, LaTeX, TeX)
  • Web Standards (CSS, HTML, SVG, XML, XSLT)

Language Skills

  • Esperanto (limited, self-taught)
  • French (reading and writing with aid of dictionary, several years of college study)
  • German (one year of formal study)
  • Spanish (limited, self-taught)

Accomplishments

  • XSLT tool to display PastPerfect data online (in progress). Not satisfied with PastPerfect's Virtual Exhibit, I am taking part in an ongoing project to find a better alternative for displaying Forbes Library's PastPerfect data online.
  • PHP script for secure form submission with optional CAPTCHA (in progress). After the Forbes Library began receiving large amounts of SPAM at the email addresses used with FormMail they asked me if I could come up with a better solution. I am currently refining and testing the script which should soon be ready to be used on the library's website.
  • Book Jacket Display Widget. Written in Perl for the Forbes Library, this CGI script displays a image from a cache of book jacket images for new acquisitions to the Forbes library. A separate maintenance script keeps the cache supplied with fresh images using data already available on the library's website. A working version of this script has been installed on the Forbes Library web server.
  • Automated creation of new music listings. Wrote Perl script to produce list of new music recordings to complement the listings of new books and videos provided to Forbes Library by the regional library system.
  • Automated creation of montage of new books covers. Montages are displayed as part of a changing digital display in the lobby of Forbes Library.
  • LISSA West Treasurer. Treasurer of LISSA West, a branch of Simmons’s Library and Information Science Student Association. Duties include funds reimbursement, events planning, web design, and scanning course evaluations.
  • Cataloging and digitalizing photographs. Part of an ongoing project to catalog and digitalize materials in Forbes Library's special collections using PastPerfect.
  • Created maps for Forbes Library. Drew maps of Forbes Library, including separate maps designed for the web, for handouts, and for display. Large maps were printed on Plexiglas® and are now displayed in the lobby as part of a “welcome kiosk.” This project was paid for, in part, by a LSTA grant.