Final Reflections

Although I have only been in the Wayne State’s MLIS program for one semester, I am already seeing the benefits from my class experience both professionally and personally. On a professional level as a branch manager of a public library, the Introduction to the Information Profession class has made me reflect and dig deeper into the basic values and ethics of the library profession. Introducing us to Intellectual Freedom policy, censorship policy and the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics is of considerable benefit.

I find myself in situations that are reflective of the scenarios presented in our Ethical assignment often in my job. Knowing the policies and ideas introduced, I am better equipped to deal with these situations. It was this particular assignment where the professor made me think about whether a paraprofessional is held to the same standard as a professional. The scenario I had chosen was the one where a clerk was questioning whether a minor should check out an R rated DVD. My answer was correct that based on the library’s policy in the scenario the clerk should have checked out the DVD. I had suggested going over Code of Ethics and Intellectual Freedom with the clerk, and a possibility of disciplinary action. In the feedback, the professor’s question of whether we should hold para’s to the same standard as professionals really made me think. I now ask myself that questions often when dealing with a staff situation. Staff needs to be introduced to these policies and ideas and know where the library stands on censorship etc., but perhaps disciplinary action isn’t necessary in every situation simply due to the fact that no, they shouldn’t be held to the same standard.

Another benefit I gained from this class was learning what leadership skills are needed to be successful in this field. Reading about the leaders who worked to keep the field of library science moving forward, and discussing their leadership qualities with the class, helped me to reflect on what leadership qualities I have, and what I could do to improve. The importance of advocacy, having a vision, and embracing change are a few of the leadership qualities I hope to incorporate in my career.

The exercise I enjoyed the most was the last one in writing what our thoughts were about the future of libraries. The articles in our assigned readings, and several Think Tank articles gave a clear vision of where the future of libraries are going. Our libraries are becoming more technology based. We are offering our patrons software, 3D printing, technology classes, ebooks, maker spaces, video and audio streaming, among other unique programs and materials that are new to libraries. The way patrons interact with library catalogs, and the processes in which staff process materials are also changing. We spent time in this class discussing the direction in which ILS systems are going, and the pros and cons of cloud computing.

Everything I have learned this semester has been incredibly useful in my job. I have brought new concepts and ideas to my branch, and have even been able to have conversation with our automation department that I was able to follow! I look forward to what the MLIS program continues to have in store.

Revisit Assumptions/Assertions about LIS

Reviewing my previous blog entry on assumptions and assertions I would have to say that my ideas have not changed, but I do have a deeper understanding. In my first assumptions I stated that the LIS profession is still relevant and changing. While my assumptions were correct, I have been introduced to new ways in which libraries are changing and staying relevant, ways in which I had no idea! Community hubs, maker spaces, 3D printers, technology programs, social media, cloud computing are just a few of the things we discussed in this class that libraries are embracing. One of the articles in our Think Tank exercise, Breaking Out of the Library Mold, in Boston and Beyond (Seely, 2014), discussed the possibility of putting exercise bikes in the library. What a unique concept! Librarians are starting to think outside the box in order to meet patrons where they are at. Offering expensive software for community use was a concept I found incredibly interesting. That makes complete sense. The purpose of a library is to provide easy accessibility to information and materials, expensive software fits right into that definition. My library is already offering Microsoft software and scanning capability. Perhaps we should look into offering several types of software, such as Photoshop, that our patrons would be interested in? I have definitely been given lots of food for thought this semester.

Another one of my assumptions were that librarians work in many different fields. While I could have guessed some of the fields librarians play an important role in, I did not necessarily know the details. For example, reading the team blog, “Digital Preservation of Information” by team 2 was incredibly insightful as to the amount of time, thought, and work archivists put into their projects. I have also been introduced to new job titles as well. Not only is it fun to say, but the job title “digital preservationist” is becoming an important career in the field of librarianship. I have been introduced to several job titles that reflect the digital age of librarianship. This semester has introduced me to various possible career paths that I will definitely be giving a second look.

Although my initial beliefs and assumptions of the librarian profession have not changed, I definitely have a greater understanding of librarianship as a career.



References

Digital Preservation of Information. (n.d.). LIS6010 Team 2 Blog. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://lis6010team2.blogspot.com/

Seelye, K. (2014). Breaking Out of the Library Mold, in Boston and Beyond. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/08/us/breaking-out-of-the-library-mold-in-boston-and-beyond.html?ref=librariesandlibrarians&_r=0

Blogging about Professional Blogs

The two blogs I chose to follow were Hey Jude and Library Grits. Hey Jude is written by Judy O’Connell, Course Director for all the graduate and postgraduate Master’s degree programs in the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University. Library Grits is written by Dianne McKenzie, MYP Teacher Librarian at Renaissance College, Hong Kong. Both of these ladies provide a unique perspective on library and learning trends.

Hey Jude

Hey Jude is a blog that focuses on the educational value of digital trends. She has thoughtfully written articles on popular online gaming, social media, apps, software, and several other digital trends. There were even a few blog posts featuring technology that was new to me. What makes this blog unique is that she doesn’t just introduce you to some of these applications, she highlights the educational value of them. For example, Minecraft is new to me. My nephew plays it and talks about it, I have ordered books for the library on it, and have run across a few Mindcraft graphics here and there, but I never actually took a look at it. Hey Jude’s article, “Building the (Minecraft) lost city of Babylon,” gives a look at Minecraft as an educational tool. The article highlights how Mindcraft encourages creativity, collaboration, and helps to develop online social skills (very important in the digital age). I just thought it was a kids game! Reading this blog gave me a little window into how the young 21st century student is learning, and what media they are using. I have been introduced to several ideas and online media trends such as the importance of being mindful of your digital reputation, MysterySkype, and Creative Computing. This blog is wonderful! It has given me ideas that I could bring to my library (QR hunt?) and has opened my eyes to what I can expect my young daughters education to look like.

Library Grits

While technology in the learning environment may not be the entire focus of this blog, she is using technology to share her teaching/librarian experience in Hong Kong. She highlights some of the activities she gets the students involved in, and shares some of her best practices. A couple of articles that peaked my interest in this blog was her Library Management Tips. In these articles she gives a few tips on some Google search functions, and Google Spreadsheet ideas that I had not thought of before. Another interesting article focused on her experience at an IB Asia Pacific Conference in Singapore. It was interesting to me how they used Twitter to bring people together at this conference. This blog is a fun read.


References

McKenzie, D. (n.d.). Library Grits. Library Grits. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://librarygrits.blogspot.com/

O'Connell, J. (n.d.). Hey Jude. Learning in an Online World. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://judyoconnell.com/

Professional Journal Analysis

Library Journal

The Library Journal is a peer reviewed professional publication. They publish a magazine, newsletter, webcasts, website, and blogs of interests to academic, public, and specialty librarians. They review books, publish articles and webcasts on topics such as current trends in libraries, notable librarians, and various opinions of the profession written by those currently in it. Their website offers a “Career Zone” where a career in the library profession can be researched, and job opportunities can be posted. Of all the publications I am required to read for my job, The Library Journal is my favorite.  I enjoy learning about what other libraries are doing. I find the articles inspirational and have taken note on several ideas that I have translated into something we could do at my library. My favorite feature is the “Pre Pub Alert.” As a materials selector, I have the “Pre Pub Alert” section of The Library Journal out as I order. I find this publication to be a great tool.

 The American Archivist

The American Archivist is a peer reviewed professional publication as well.  They publish a journal, newsletter, brochures, and several free publications intended for archival professionals and those interested in the field. They publish articles and information on topics of current trends, notable persons in the profession, and review books related to the archive profession. As a public librarian in a small community, this publication is not one I would not necessarily subscribe to. I do see the value in knowing about it, and perhaps reading some of the articles every so often. Archives are important to researchers, which the public library does serve, and I could see how knowing archival methods and resources would be of use.

Notable Comparisons

Both of these publications are peer reviewed. Peer review is important because it helps to, “maintain standards of quality, improve performance, and provide credibility” (Peer Review, n.d.). They both offer several different publications, although The Library Journal offers more, such as webcasts and blogs. I believe both of these publications would be of interest to those in the library and information profession, even if their careers are outside of the intended audience.

From reviewing these publications, I have come to realize how important these and similar publications are to the library and information profession.  The availability of these journals help keep those that are no longer in school informed on current trends. They allow for librarians and information professionals to learn from each other, and take what others are doing and implement these ideas in their own careers. These publications are incredibly important to keeping the profession moving forward.

References

The American Archivist. (n.d.). Society of American Archivists. Retrieved March 24, 2014, from http://www2.archivists.org/american-archivist

Library Journal. (n.d.). Library Journal. Retrieved March 24, 2014, from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/

Peer Review. (n.d.).Wikipedia. Retrieved March 24, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_review

Mid-Semester Analysis and Reflections

Reading through my assignments, one theme continues to show itself, public libraries. My interests lie heavily in public library careers. It is where I currently work, and how I first fell in love with librarianship. This class has given me the opportunity to reflect on careers outside of the public library spectrum, but the public library career path seems to be where I continually return. What surprises me the most, as I read through the assignments, is that I do have an interest in more administrative duties. I did not think of myself as one who wanted to “climb the ladder,” but I am finding myself looking more into that aspect of public librarianship. 

In my blog post, “Personal Goals/Objectives,” I wrote, “I want to learn updated methods of running a library, management theories, have a broader understanding of technology and the library, and learn more about the administrative role in a library system” (Geer, 2014). I am already seeing an improvement in my understanding of the role technology is playing in libraries, and updated methods of running a library. The topic for my team blog, “Social Networking: Adoption and Impact on Libraries and Information Centers,” has encouraged me to dig into how other libraries are using social media. I have found some unique methods and hope to use them in my library’s social media efforts. I found the articles we had to read for the Think Tank assignment to be very interesting and informational. These articles bring to light how other libraries are running their operation, these articles have also given me some food for thought as to how I could implement some of these concepts at my branch. 

One of the assignments I am looking forward to is the library visits. I have chosen two public libraries. Not only will I be comparing these libraries to each other for the assignment, I will be comparing them to my own library. One of my goals for my studies with Wayne State is to bring what I have learned back to my library and the community for which I serve. I am already seeing the benefits of the class as I reflect on what I have learned and how I am going to use it at my branch.

As a side note, I am also seeing an improvement in my knowledge and usage of the APA format. I still need improvement, but it has been fun to look back at what I have written so far and notice the mistakes.

I am looking forward to what the second half of the semester brings. As we start wrapping up on projects, I am curious to read and discuss what other teams and classmates have worked on. I have learned so much from everyone so far. One of the most informational learning tools from this class has been the discussion boards and learning from my classmates. I hope they have learned as much from me as I have from them.

References

Geer, S. (2014, January 25). Personal Goals/Reflections. LibraryGeer. Retrieved March 3, 2014, from http://librarygeer.blogspot.com/

Job Analysis Part 2

Public Library Director

Skills, competencies, and knowledge required for a Public Library Director job include a Master's of Library Science from an ALA accredited school, excellent communication skills, at least 5 years of experience working in a public library in a supervisory, leadership role, familiar with the role of a library board, understanding of finance and budgets, ability to work with government officials, current knowledge of library trends. Skills that I bring to the table today are, currently working towards a MLIS degree, 3 years of supervisory experience, 1 year of professional library work, familiar with and have attended library board meetings, work with a budget on a branch level, keep current with library trends. I do believe my current path can lead me towards a public library director job. I need to finish my degree, have more experience under my belt, and inquire more into the administrative roles. I believe networking is also of great value towards my goal.

Director of Rare Books and Manuscripts

The Director of Rare Books and Manuscripts job is a little off the career path I have found myself on. The skills competencies, and knowledge required for this position includes a Master's of Library Science from an ALA accredited school, PhD preferred in a relevant subject area, experience building and preserving primary source materials, successful experience in developing and managing outreach and exhibition programs, demonstrated experience working with faculty and students, management and supervisory experience in a complex organization, proven ability to manage budgets, experience with fund raising and grant writing, a full understanding of the role of technology in preserving and enhancing a collection. The skills I bring to the table today include working towards a MLIS degree, 3 years management experience, 1 year professional work in a library, experience creating successful programming, and experience managing outreach programs. In order to obtain this position, I would need to continue my education, gain experience working with a rare books and manuscript collection through entry level positions and internships, and networking. 

References

ALAJobLIST. (n.d.).ALAJobLIST. Retrieved February 16, 2014, from http://joblist.ala.org/

Director, Rare Book & Manuscript Library - New York, NY - employment opportunity or job position     METRO METRO. (n.d.). Director, Rare Book & Manuscript Library - New York, NY - employment       opportunity or job position METRO METRO. Retrieved February 16, 2014, from http://metro.org/jobs/director-rare-book-manuscript-library-488/

Library Director - Position Description. (n.d.). Menasha Public Library. Retrieved February 16, 2014, from http://www.menashalibrary.org/directorpositio

Job Analysis Part 1

There are two career paths that have sparked my interest, Public Library Director and Directory of Rare Books and Manuscripts.  Each of these jobs have very different aspects and requirements, but they both require excellent management skills.

Public Library Director
The position of Public Library Director in a multi-branch library system requires a high performing skill set and years of experience.  The Director manages all aspects of a library system. It is their responsibility to hire and manage branch managers, delegate key library functions, prepare budgets, continually evaluate library services, represent the library's financial interests to city councils and boards, advocate and promote the library and library services.  A director has to have excellent communication skills. They answer directly to a library board, and work with the board to plan and evaluate future needs and services of a library. Most job postings for a Library Director require an MLS from an ALA accredited program and a minimum of 3-5 years of library experience in a management role.

Director of Rare Books and Manuscripts
A Director of Rare Books and Manuscripts oversees all aspects of a rare book special collection. These jobs are mainly found in Universities and museums.  A Director of a rare book collection manages a budget, implements public outreach programs and exhibitions, leads fund raising activities, directs projects such as preservation and digitization of a collection, and supervises staff. Job requirements include an MLS from an ALA accredited program with an advanced degree preferred, experience working with and preserving special collections, experience developing exhibitions, proven ability to manage budget, ability to supervise staff, excellent communication skills, and an understanding of technology and its role in preserving and organizing materials.

References

ALA JobLIST. (n.d.). ALA JobLIST. Retrieved  February 16, 2014, from http://joblist.ala.org/

Director, Rare Book & Manuscript Library - New York, NY - employment opportunity or job position     METRO METRO. (n.d.). Director, Rare Book & Manuscript Library - New York, NY - employment       opportunity or job position METRO METRO. Retrieved February 16, 2014, from http://metro.org/jobs/director-rare-book-manuscript-library-488/

Library Director - Position Description. (n.d.). Menasha Public Library. Retrieved February 16, 2014, from http://www.menashalibrary.org/directorpositio

Professional Associations

Two LIS professional associations that I am particularly interested in is the Indiana Library Federation and the American Library Association.

Indiana Library Federation

The Indiana Library Federation is a well respected association among librarians and library staff in the state of Indiana.  According to their website, http://www.ilfonline.org/, their mission is to, "foster the professional growth of its members and to promote all types of libraries in Indiana." Member benefits include, but not limited to, discounted rates on conferences and workshops, ample networking opportunities, access to the members only area of their website which include exclusive news, information, and job boards, and opportunities to be a committee member on several projects that promote the importance of Indiana libraries throughout the state. Membership fees are $40 for new members with yearly memberships based on a sliding scale depending on income.

The Indiana Library Federation has two publications, Focus on Indiana Libraries and Indiana Libraries. Their official newsletter, Focus on Indiana Libraries, is published 11 times a year and delivered electronically to all members of the Indiana Library Federation. The newsletter focuses on topics of interest to those working in libraries in the state of Indiana. Indiana Libraries is a professional Open Access journal that focuses on topics of interest to librarians and media specialists in the state of Indiana.  

I will be joining this association within the next year. There are several benefits of joining such as my employer sends members to the conferences and workshops, and membership will give me access to job listings within my state and keep me informed of networking opportunities. 

American Library Association

The American Library Association is a well respected name in the library profession. According to their website, www.ala.org, their mission is, “To provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.” Benefits of membership include opportunities to network with professionals in many areas of library work, access to online courses, and discounts to conferences, events and workshops. Membership fees are anywhere from $34-$133 depending on several factors such as, but not limited to, employment level or whether or not you are a student. 

The American Library Association are responsible for several publications including, but not limited to, American Libraries, Booklist, ALA TechSource, Library Technology Reports, Guide to Reference, and Resource Description and Access Toolkit. All of their publications are dedicated to the education and advocacy of the library profession and the ALA mission.

Several of my coworkers are members of the ALA. For now, I believe membership to the Indiana Library Federation will be of more benefit to me. As I branch out in my career and look for more opportunities in my field, membership to the ALA will become more beneficial by providing opportunities for nationwide networking and discounted conferences. 

References

American Library Association. (n.d.).American Library Association. Retrieved February 1, 2014, from http://www.ala.org/

Indiana Library Federation. (n.d.).Indiana Library Federation. Retrieved February 2, 2014, from http://www.ilfonline.org/

Personal Goals/Objectives

I have several goals that I wish to accomplish through my studies with Wayne State University.  My main focus, of course, is to earn a MLIS degree and become a certified librarian in the state of Indiana.  When I accepted the job of branch manager at the public library I work for, I agreed to complete a library science program within two years.  Keeping my job has been my main focus, but as I look further into librarianship as a career, achieving this goal has turned into both a professional and personal one.

Professionally, I enjoy this work and I believe in the importance of libraries in our communities. My hope is that through the skills I learn from my studies, I will be able to give the community the best library possible. I want to learn updated methods of running a library, management theories, have a broader understanding of technology and the library, and learn more about the administrative role in a library system. I also hope to learn more about careers outside of the public library; maybe I will find interest in a different area of librarianship.  Networking with others in the profession, or studying to be in the profession, is a very important objective as well. The article, "Networking Today: A Guide for Business Professionals and College Graduates," states, "according to the United States Department of Labor, approximately 70% of all jobs obtained in this country are secured through networking." No one can ever be too sure where their path will lead them. The more education and networking I have under my belt, the wider my road will be. The MLIS degree will set a firm foundation for a fulfilling, lifelong career.

Personally, I have always wanted to continue my education.  Pursuing education is an ongoing joy that I always hope to achieve, even after I accomplish the MLIS degree. Setting challenging goals and achieving those goals gives me a sense of pride, as well as set a great example for my daughter. 

I hope to achieve many things, both professionally and personally, through my studies with Wayne State University. This is an exciting adventure! I have no doubts that I will be challenged, that I will learn things that will benefit the public library I currently work for, and that I will find ample opportunities for networking.  I am very hopeful as I embark on my career as a librarian!

References

"Networking Today: A Guide for Business Professionals and College Graduates." Masters Degree Online.  N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2014. <http://www.mastersdegreeonline.org/resources/networking-today/>. 

Introduction & Assumptions/Assertions/Beliefs

Welcome!

I am Sarah Geer and I live in Valparaiso, Indiana. Working for a small public library the past four years, I have grown to love this profession. The reference department is where I started part-time as an assistant. I enjoyed the daily tasks of shelving, checking in new periodicals, and assisting patrons find information. After working that wonderful job for a year, I was promoted to the Circulation Manager. I loved that job! I managed all aspects of the circulation department and assigned tasks to circulation employees. This was a wonderful way to get to know both the patrons of the library and our employees. I worked in that department for 2 years before being promoted to Branch Manager. I am fairly new to this position, and I'm still a little intimidated by all of the responsibilities. As a Branch Manager I wear many hats. I sit on committees, plan schedules, order materials (my favorite), write reports, among many other tasks and duties. I love this job! I found a home in librarianship, and I look forward to learning more about this profession through Wayne State University's LIS program.

Assumptions/Assertions/Beliefs

Three beliefs that I hold about the LIS profession is that it is still very relevant, the profession is changing, and librarians work in many different fields, not just libraries.

• The LIS profession is still relevant-There seems to be a lot of talk within the profession, either at meetings, online blogs, articles, and in class discussions on librarianship and relevancy. I believe we are just as relevant today as we were in the past, if not more so. Patrons are turning to libraries and librarians to bring them into the technological age. With job applications, bill pay, government forms and many other services being done online, the community turns to the library to provide internet service and librarians to help them navigate this new way of doing business. In academic libraries, databases and online journals can be costly. The library can provide free access to these tools. The article, "5 Reasons Why We Really Need Librarians and Information Professionals in the Information age," by Laurie Morrision states, "it’s a common misconception that online means free. Many newspapers have introduced pay walls while it is well known that academic libraries spend an enormous proportion of their budgets on e-journals." Libraries still provide the same materials they have always provided, they just use different tools.

• The LIS profession is changing- Yes it is! As we become a more technological dependent society librarians need to have the ability to use, teach, and troubleshoot these emerging technologies. The article, "Library 2.0: The Changing Face of Libraries," by Sarah Hilliard states, "Today’s librarian must be tech savvy and remain attuned to a body of users with an enormous range of needs and aptitudes."

• Librarians work in many different fields- Working in the library and networking, I have met several librarians who do not work in a library. Even at Wayne State University's LIS orientation I met people who do not plan on working in a library. I have met those who work in non-profit, museums, hospitals, and information technology. The information profession is an exciting field with an abundance of career options! I have no doubt that I will find librarians working in many other fields throughout the course of this LIS program.

References

Hilliard, S. (2012, April 16). Library 2.0: the changing face of libraries.OxfordWords blog. Retrieved     January 19, 2014, from http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/04/the-changing-face-of-libraries/

Morrison, L. (2012, February 7). 5 reasons why we really need librarians and Information Professionals in the Internet age. MmITS Blog. Retrieved January 19, 2014, from http://mmitscotland.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/5-reasons-why-we-really-need-librarians-and- information-professionals-in-the-internet-age/