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/