checking in...

It’s time in the semester for (*ahem*) a midpoint check-in…  I confess, I am a bit behind with this post, in terms of its anticipated due date (which is to say, the end of the semester is fast approaching!)  But in terms of the questions we’ve been invited to consider, my relatively slow journaling pace has offered me a bit of an “aha moment.”  Not a surprise, per se – rather, a confirmation.  But a pretty important one, as I take stock of where I’ve been this semester, and why it is that I’ve stepped onto this path in the first place.

For class, we’ve been invited to look back over not just these journal entries, but also the rest of the work we’ve done this semester, and to consider the themes and trends that seem to be woven throughout.  Here are some of the themes that stand out for me:  learning and discovery, the public good, public service, libraries as a place of potential and possibility for individuals and communities, and the significance of being a part of a community of practitioners who are devoted to these important contributions to people’s lives and the life we share together. The aspects of librarianship that really light my professional fire are "those aspects of librarianship that commit librarians to serve democracy and human rights" (de la Pena, 2008).  These fundamental values and contributions are at the heart of librarianship, and they are also at the heart of why I have chosen to switch vocational gears, and pursue an LIS career.

The “aha moment” came while working on a recent class assignment, a team blog.  My team has been learning and musing about the jury’s-still-out topic of patron-driven acquisitions, affectionately known as PDA.  PDA is a relatively new mode of collection development that is born out of technological advancement – the age of e-books and other electronic resources, and the capacity to access a vast wealth of information in an instant.  The basic gist of PDA is that patrons themselves may add to a library's collection, via the choices they make about what resources to download.  (It's not the technology of PDA but rather the implications it has for collection development practices that make it a tenuous prospect, for some library professionals).  As I have begun to explore PDA, I have found myself excited about what it offers to both the patron (greatly increased and instant access to a wealth of resources, in "real time," as far as their needs/interests are concerned) and to the professional (the same kind of access, on behalf of library users, and the added benefit of time and money, to re-focus efforts and energies in other new directions that are of benefit to library users).  That is to say, even when exploring information technology, I am less excited about the technology per se (though I can totally geek out upon occasion!) than I am about how such things may kindle an even more “human-centered librarianship,” as academic librarian and library blogger Andy Burkhardt (2013) encourages us to embrace.

All of which is to say, the conformational "aha moment" for me, in the midst of a brief dive into the waters of a 21st century librarianship that is and will continue to be shaped by ever advancing technology, was this:  however this profession will continue to change and grow in the face of technology, and however we as professionals may find ourselves wrestling with or embracing these changes, the information world is ultimately about the people who inhabit it.  Libraries and information agencies will always remain a public service, places of possibility and potential that are, in the words of Kathleen de la Pena McCook and Katharine Phenix, "essential to the survival of the human spirit" (de la Pena 2008).  And that is why I'm here.  :-)

As we barrel into the end of the semester (again, *ahem*), I look forward to the entries to come on this blog, as they will provide me with an opportunity to connect even more  with the conversations that are central to the wider professional community.  Since I am drawn to a “human-centered librarianship,” it is good to enter this profession with a growing awareness of the issues and innovations that are on the minds and in the imaginations of my colleagues-to-be!

References

Burkhardt, A.  (2013, April). Libraries and the Information Food Chain.  ILA Reporter, Vol. 31 (2), pp. 14-17.

De la Pena McCook, K. and K. Phenix.  Human Rights, Democracy and Librarians. In Ken Haycock and Brooke Sheldon (Eds.), The Portable MLIS: Insights from the Experts [Kindle version].  Westport, CT.

chasing the dream…

So, other than my excitement about jumping in to the pool of LIS jobs like the Chicago Public Library opportunity that sounds dreamy to me (from my previous post), what will it take for me to stand out as an ideal candidate for such positions? 

Let’s start by digging into the job posting a bit.  There some aspects that are library-specific, and that necessitate a both a graduate LIS degree from an ALA accredited program and recent, relevant library experience.  So we can take these and create a "to do list" for me, as I pursue my SLIS studies and seek additional education and experience through volunteer work, internships, professional networking and conferences, and perhaps even library employment that doesn't require an MLIS.  For instance, this public library position (along with many others like it) requires knowledge of, experience with and competency in...

☐         print and electronic resources for reference and reader's advisory services

☐         collection development and maintenance, along with bibliographic instruction

☐         library services for adults in particular, along with some understanding/experience of library services for teens and children

☐         interlibrary loan and other processes

☐         emerging library trends and issues

This type of position also requires other areas of experience/expertise and competency, which I already bring to the table via various roles I’ve played and activities I’ve engaged in, in my educational and work/professional history, such as…

✔        experience working in a variety of library settings, including public

✔         management experience including policy development and interpretation, and supervision, training and evaluation of staff and volunteers

✔         presentation skills and experience with developing, planning and presenting programs

✔         bibliographic research via library databases and internet tools

✔         experience with grant writing

All of the above are necessary, and will likely be shared (in various degrees) by everyone who applies, due to the educational credentialing, desired experience and understanding of public library environments, and other skills, competencies and knowledge that are essential for this kind of role.  So, what else might I highlight from my professional experience that might help my resume and cover letter rise to the top of the heap?  A few things that come to mind are…

!!         outstanding customer service skills, from years of work in public service roles, some of which have required great compassion and sensitivity

!!         experience and expertise with the listening, interpersonal relationship and communication skills necessary for good reference and reader's advisory service

!!         teaching experience - from kids to seniors, and from basic literacy to graduate level - which will translate very well into bibliographic instruction with a diverse community of library users

!!         years of experience with outreach and relationship building, and connections to a variety of community organizations and networks, which will be of great service to the outreach and promotional activities of the library

 
As I look forward to enjoying such a role in a public library setting, and as I look back on the goals I named earlier in the semester, I think I'm pretty much on the right track – and I’m glad that I already have much to offer while I am also building upon my knowledge base, skills and competencies in ways that are not just required but essential, relevant (and, to me, exciting!)  Perhaps, though, since I’m discovering greater clarity around my interest in public libraries, I would do well to lean more heavily in that direction, course-wise.  And, it's definitely time to stop talking about professional networking and relationship building within the field and to start walking the walk, fostering those connections and joining those associations!

McDreamy!

Our invitation for reflection this time around is future career paths – my dream job, even!  Now... I included a teaser of sorts in my last entry, which is directly related to this topic; my exploration of professional associations has given me some further clarity into my vocational goals, for I have discovered that while I am interested in all kinds of facets of librarianship, the practice setting that continues to inspire and energize me the most is the public library.  My adventures in job searching on behalf of this blog post have only given strength to this discovery!

I am fortunate to live in an area that is rich with a variety of libraries and centers for information and learning – a huge public library system with dozens of branches throughout the city; a vast network of public libraries in the suburbs and towns surrounding Chicago; several excellent colleges and universities; a fantastic array of museums; great opportunities for specialized librarianship, in healthcare, law and even humanities research; public and private elementary and secondary schools; corporate information centers; and more.  So I've poked around the job listings right here in “the Chicagoland area” (as it is sometimes affectionately known) and I've found several that are enticing.

For instance, one of the universities recently posted a position for an Information Commons and Student Engagement Librarian, and another has been seeking a Humanities Reference and Instruction Librarian.  Both of these positions piqued my interest, both because of their setting in major undergraduate and research institutions, and because of some of the educational background and skills involved.  While a background in the humanities and in reference services is required for one of these roles, both require experience and expertise in instructional services and learner support, including information literacy and instructional technology, as well as the ability to serve as a liaison to various academic departments.  Positions like these in academic libraries are most definitely of interest to me, because they combine my up-and-coming LIS education and experience with a number of other aspects of my past and current professional experience.

On a completely different note, one of the public library positions that caught my eye is a Reference Services position, with many typical reference, reader services, programming and community outreach responsibilities – and a special focus on genealogy!  I just had to poke around the Google, Library Journal, the ALA website and others to learn a wee bit more – and I’ve learned (perhaps you already knew?) that genealogy reference services are indeed a widely desired feature in many of our public libraries (and beyond).  What a great specialty!  And, I would think, one for which people skills are that much more significant, as researching one’s family history can sometimes be as challenging as it is exciting.

But really, my dream job?  The one that gets me the most excited about this new professional path?  It’s almost literally right under my nose.  The Chicago Public Library is constructing a new building for the branch in my neighborhood.  Short walk to work and fancy new LEED certified building aside (though those are indeed significant benefits!), the very recently posted job description for this entry level public librarian position pretty much has my name written all over it, as I envision where and how I’d like to put my MLIS to good work:

Provides reference and reader's advisory assistance (adult, teen and juvenile) using detailed knowledge of both print and electronic media. Assists in designing, developing and administering library programs and services to the general public (e.g., book discussions, library orientations, bibliographic instruction, and other programs). Interprets library policy, procedures and regulations to staff members and the general public. Prepares reading lists, bibliographies and annotations for library collections. Oversees library collections and collection maintenance, and makes recommendations for the acquisition of new materials and collections. Processes interlibrary loans, reserves and holds. Promotes library programs, services and exhibits (e.g., designing flyers or displays). Assists in establishing and maintaining relationships with schools and community organizations to promote library services (e.g., visiting area schools and community organizations, or participating in community events). Assists in supervision, training, evaluation, and mentioning of paraprofessional, clerical and other staff. Assists in writing grants or seeking outside support for library programs. Attend meetings, workshops, training courses as assigned. May participate in library committee work and staff training. Keep current of emerging library trends. Performs related duties as required. 

Public services in a public library setting, for adults, teens and kiddos.  Reference, reader’s advisory, community outreach and networking, programming, collection development, library advocacy, and more.  All things for which I am currently – and happily! – developing knowledge and experience, and to which I bring other experience and expertise that will enhance my work.

Bring. It. On.  :-)

Will there be other McDreamy possibilties out there for me, as I enter the world of professional librarianship?  Perhaps.  Once I get started, I may find myself seeking greater opportunities for leadership, or ways to dive a bit deeper in one area or another.  But right now, I’m just looking forward to jumping into the pool and starting to swim!

professionally speaking…

Considering LIS professional associations has been an interesting assignment; it has not just provided another great view into the significant scope of professional librarianship – this assignment has also provided me with some clarity of vision around my own professional interests and goals (more on this in my next post!)  Generally speaking, the vast network of library and information professionals around the globe is somewhat astounding – as are some of the specific areas addressed by these professional associations.  In addition to what I might have expected – from geographically based associations to professional networks focused on specific library services and settings such as law, medicine, archives, k-12 schools, theology, music, academic research and much more – I was surprised to see such areas as agricultural information and addictions, and I am intrigued by associations such as Information for Social Change, which is concerned with justice and ethics in the LIS context, from an international perspective.

But on to my own interests and goals…  Because I am currently keeping my professional sights on both public libraries and academic libraries, it makes some sense that I might want to connect with the Public Library Association (PLA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), both of which are divisions of the American Library Association (ALA).  Indeed not only do I remain interested in the possibility of serving in either setting; I am also interested in ways that public libraries and academic libraries might come together in partnership, to serve the wider communities of which they are a part.  So participating in PLA and ACRL might be a great way to bridge those interests and professional possibilities.

However, I actually find myself more drawn to the ALA, and also to the Illinois Library Association (ILA), as I am a resident of Chicago and intend to begin my library career in the Chicago metropolitan area. Both of these associations cast a wide net, in terms of the facets of librarianship and library leadership that they serve, promote and address, including public, academic, school and special libraries; adults, children and teens; practical matters for improving upon public and technical service; professional development; advocacy and activism; issues and trends; and more.  With such a broad community of libraries and librarians networked together and bridging professional interests, it’s easy to stay informed about matters that cut across many different practice settings, while also keeping abreast of what is important in one’s own area of practice.

The ALA was, in fact, integral to my decision to finally take the plunge and pursue an MLIS.  As I started to consider a possible new professional path, I found myself returning to the ALA website again and again, poking around to see what’s current in the world of libraries and downloading copies of American Libraries Magazine to read while riding the train to and from work.  I especially recall reading the May/June 2012 issue last summer: I “met” the new Chicago Public Library Commissioner and got to know a bit about him and his vision for CPL, and I read about the new trend towards community reference in public libraries – and I knew I was finally hooked!  The more recent features that focus on community engagement in the January/February 2013 issue – for instance via “maker spaces” and library services for struggling homeowners – continue to fuel my interest and energy around the ways libraries can creatively contribute to their communities.

I haven’t yet pursued a student ALA membership, but I intend to do so in advance of this summer’s annual conference in Chicago.  (Seriously, I have no excuse to not attend this year – it’s right here at home!)  Discounts for publications, conferences and continuing education resources are all, of course, a welcome benefit – but more significant is the access to resources for professional development, networking and advocacy, which will enhance the work that I’m engaged in even now, at the very beginning of my time at SLIS.  When I am ready to dive in even deeper, I anticipate that I’ll seek to join in the work of one of the Round Tables; the Social Responsibilities Round Table is of particular interest, with work that focuses on addressing inequities and working for the common good.

The ILA offers similar opportunities for shared work on behalf of libraries and librarianship.  As with the ALA, as I pursue student membership and continue to grow into this profession, I may seek to work on one of the ILA committees, such as the Advocacy Committee, or the Public Policy Committee.  In the meantime, I will welcome the opportunity to participate in workshops and conferences, to network with colleagues and mentors not just in the city but throughout the state, to stay abreast of legislative issues that affect libraries throughout Illinois, and to learn about innovations and endeavors that are taking place at a variety of libraries – from the smallest of small towns to major universities, and everywhere in between.  I have enjoyed getting to know the ILA via their own bi-monthly magazine, the ILA Reporter.  As I’ve flipped through some of their recent issues, it’s been inspiring to see some great renovations and building projects at libraries across the state (February 2013), to learn about the great work of volunteers at one of the major suburban libraries, and to note the initiatives and action agenda that the Public Policy Committee is engaged in on behalf of libraries throughout the state (December 2012).

I look forward to joining both of these professional associations as my first semester at SLIS rounds out, and I’m grateful for such wide-reaching networks to tap into across the state and nation-wide, as I embark upon this new professional adventure!

References:

2013 ILA Action Agenda (2012, December).  ILA Reporter, Vol. 30 (6), 14.

2013 Public Policy Initiatives (2012, December).  ILA Reporter, Vol. 30 (6), 12.

Galston, Huber, Johnson, Long (2012, May/June).  Community Reference: Making Libraries Indispensable in a New Way.  American Libraries Magazine, Vol. 43 (5/6), 46-50.

Good, Travis (2013, January/February).  Manufacturing Makerspaces.  American Libraries Magazine, Vol. 44 (1/2), 44-49.

Koray, Deniz (2013, January/February).  Libraries Help Homeowners Fight Foreclosure.  American Libraries Magazine, Vol. 44 (1/2), 56-59.

Medsker, Caryl (2012, December). Volunteers: Adding Value on Both Sides.  ILA Reporter, Vol. 30 (6), 4-7.

Newsmaker: Brian Bannon (2012, May/June). American Libraries Magazine, Vol. 43 (5/6), 36.