Coding for Librarians: Learning by Example by Andromeda Yelton

Librarians write short programs to make their lives better. You can, too.

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in-browser text editor

Erin White Virginia Commonwealth University — Web Systems Librarian

html, javascript

get the code

ILS reporting

Esther Verreau Skokie Public Library — Web Developer

python

get the code

digital signage content queue

Matt Weaver Westlake Porter Public Library — Web Librarian

python

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staff communication

Hillel Arnold Rockefeller Archive Center — Lead Digital Archivist

javascript

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simplified FTP workflow

Christine Moulen Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Library Systems Manager

perl

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microdata prototype

Mike Giarlo Penn State University — Digital Library Architect

ruby

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preparing files for repository ingest

Terry Brady Georgetown University — Applications Programmer Analyst

java

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automatically georeferencing images

Sarah Simpkin University of Ottawa — GIS and Geography Librarian

script by Brian Bancroft

python

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faster institutional repository

Esme Cowles UC San Diego Library — Lead Product Developer

ruby

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organizing LibGuides

Jeremy Darrington Princeton University Library — Politics Librarian

javascript

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get the code (LibGuides 2.0 update)

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checking file metadata faster

Josh Westgard University of Maryland Libraries — Graduate Assistant, Digital Programs and Initiatives

awk, python

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get the code

converting MARC21 to BIBFRAME RDF graph

Jeremy Nelson Tutt Library, Colorado College — Metadata and Systems Librarian

python

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visualizing medieval manuscripts

Dot Porter Schoenberg Institute for Manuscript Studies, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania — Curator, Digital Research Services

xslt

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adds book cover images to Blacklight search results

Chris Fitzpatrick Lyrasis — ArchivesSpace Developer

coffeescript

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LOCKSS progress reports

Joe Montibello Dartmouth College — Library Systems Manager

python

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autogenerated accessible alternatives

Rachel Donahue Special Collections, National Agricultural Library — Digital Projects Librarian

ruby

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super-fast, large-scale content ingest

Scott Turnbull University of Virginia — Lead Software & Systems Engineer

go

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aggregating library social media content

Coral Sheldon-Hess University of Alaska-Anchorage — Web Services Librarian

php

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automatic MARC record creation from patron-driven acquisitions

Becky Yoose Grinnell College — Discovery and Integrated Systems Librarian / Assistant Professor

python

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realtime library data dashboard

John Blyberg Darien Library — Assistant Director for Innovation and User Experience

php

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Serials Solutions statistics

Matthew Reidsma Grand Valley State University — Web Services Librarian

javascript, php, mysql

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EZproxy log analysis

Robin Camille Davis John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) — Emerging Technologies & Distance Services Librarian

python

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faster digital forensics workflow

Sibyl Schaefer Rockefeller Archive Center — Assistant Director, Head of Digital Programs

bash

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exporting DSpace metadata

nina de jesus York University — Digital Projects Librarian

bash

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extracts metadata from Amazon to simplify acquisitions

Ken Irwin

javascript

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collecting and validating reference statistics

Eric Phetteplace Chesapeake College — Emerging Technologies Librarian

javascript

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bulk edit ebook MARC records to prepend proxy URL

Eric Phetteplace Chesapeake College — Emerging Technologies Librarian

python

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parsing robots.txt files to find attack bots

Stuart Yeates Victoria University of Wellington — Technical Specialist

bash

tail -100000 /var/log/httpd/access-nzetc.log |grep facet |awk '{print $1}'|sort | uniq -c | sort -n

automated knowledgebase updates

Owen Stephens Independent Consultant

ruby

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web database of local archives

Michael Holt Valdosta State University Odum Library —Reference Librarian/Marketing Coordinator

php, mysql, javascript

MARC data migration

Joy Nelson ByWater Solutions — Director of Migrations

perl

finding available children's books faster

Mike Drake Tulare County Library — Deputy Director

perl

automating PDF and METS file creation so users can have archival content

Shaun Ellis Princeton University Library — User Interface Developer

ruby

quality control for MARC records

Annie Glerum Florida State University Libraries — Head of Complex Cataloging

xslt

comparing ISBNs of potential purchases against holdings

Matthew S. Collins Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary — Director of the Library and Associate Professor

python

subject access to research databases

Jason Simon Fitchburg State University — Technology & Serials Librarian ; Designing Minds Consulting

php, mysql, xml

adding ContentDM search options

Joel Marchesoni Hunter Library at Western Carolina University — Tech Support Analyst

asp

cleaning up a spreadsheet of metadata

Ruth Szpunar DePauw University — Reference and Instruction Librarian

vba

extracting acquisitions data from ILS into XML for mashup fun

Ron Gilmour Ithaca College Library — Web Services Librarian

perl

autocompletion in database search

Amy Wharton University of Virginia School of Law Library — Research & Emerging Technologies Librarian

javascript

improved ILS reporting

Cindy Harper Virginia Theological Seminary — Electronic Services and Serials Librarian

vba

identifying candidates for de-accessioning across a consortium

Sam Kome Claremont Colleges Library — Director, Collection Services and Scholarly Communication

python

metadata quality control

Misty De Meo Canadian Museum for Human Rights — Digital Collections Technician

ruby

low-cost access to research in the developing world

Evviva Weinraub Lajoie Oregon State University Libraries & Press — Director, Emerging Technologies & Services

mysql, php

whitelisting domains

Genny Engel Sonoma County Library — Webmaster

php

…tools can and should have character; people are more likely to use something that is fun to use and that they can relate to.
Hillel Arnold
Listen to users for examples of tasks that are tedious or error-prone and think of ways to automate a solution.
Terry Brady
Even with reduced staffing, it is possible to achieve both quality and timeliness.
Annie Glerum
I like that coding makes me feel that I'm not helpless, that I can solve some of the problems I face with tools at my disposal.
Jeremy Darrington
…small simple programs can do a lot for the usefulness of a website.
Amy Wharton
The code allows patrons to have nice things…
Shaun Ellis
I learned to program from _why's Poignant Guide to Ruby, and I think this sentence is the very moment it clicked: "You will be writing stories for a machine."
Misty De Meo
I was capable of building something that thousands of people across the world use to access electronic resources, which was really quite powerful and empowering for me [even though] I am not a natural programmer…
Evviva Weinraub Lajoie
Before this script I was largely a "copy this command and paste" type of user. After the script, I understand the linux/unix environment a lot more and feel much, much more comfortable using it to solve problems.
nina de jesus