Ever since I was a senior in high school when I got the opportunity to be an intern at the elementary school library, I have found a niche in the library environment. On Friday, February fourteenth, I got the opportunity to interview and job shadow Amy Bowman, the Media Center Coordinator at Community Schools. By having both of these experiences with Amy, it really proved to me that I want to work in library sciences when I graduate from college.
Amy began her post-secondary education at State University. She graduated in 2002 studying education with a enforcement in English and a minor in social studies. Amy ended up teaching English for a few years post graduation. Then she decided after a few years of teaching she wanted to go back to college and get her MLS (Masters in Library Science) degree. She graduated in 2007 with her MLS degree from State University. Amy shared with me that receiving her masters was probably the best thing that she has done in her life. She shared with me that she would recommend getting your masters in whatever your future career is. She mentioned how her experience was a lot of hard work at the time, but looking back she feels as if it has made her a more well-rounded person in the career she currently is in.
As I mentioned before Amy is the Media Center Coordinator at Community Schools. Her job constantly keeps her on her toes day after day, in fact even year after year. She mentioned hat her job is constantly changing and she really never knows what to expect. Amy shared how the at times the diversity and the constant changing can be crazy at times but she could never imagine doing a different job than the one she has today. The change in fact is one of Amy’s favorites enjoymen...
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... become no existent and I will not be needed for the future. But to me this all sounds gibberish I have found something I am passionate about and I am going to pursue it. Even though the way a librarian is viewed today may be different in the future but you will still need that “Expert Googler” or that person to help you find the perfect book for you.
Works Cited
"All the Reading Assessment Data You Need – Right at Your Fingertips." Renaissance
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Haycock, Ken, and Brooke E. Sheldon. The Portable Mlis: Insights from the Experts. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2008. Print.
"ILearn (1:1)." Academics. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.
"Library Assistant - Clerical Job Description." Find Jobs. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.
Librarians are defined as “a person, typically with a degree in library science, who administers or assists in a library.” In truth, they are much more than that. In a recent interview with Traci Glass, the Teen Librarian at the Eugene Public library, we explored her personal story with becoming a librarian, including how it has benefitted and affected her life.
From my perspective as a library graduate student, however, my attention was drawn to the section titled "Library School is Revolting." This collection of essays explores questions such as "Are we really learning the practical skills necessary to be librarians, such as public relations and professional writing?" and "Is accreditation really a big deal?" While I felt fortunate that some of the not-so-subtle digs at library schools didn't really apply too heavily to SIRLS, some of it is familiar enough to make you laugh (or cry).
Tice, Beth. “Two Hats, One Heart: Confessions of a Split Position Librarian,” Technicalities, Volume 18 Issue 7 (July/August 1998): 4-6.
The King County Library System is the fifth largest library system in circulation in the United States. The current director of the KCLS, Bill Ptacek, started with the organization three years ago and is in the process of working towards a new strategic plan titled "The Year 2000 Plan, which has a long-term goal of integrating all the resources of the library system equally and to coordinate all the efforts to ensure it was providing the best possible service to the community. In the three years, Ptacek worked to expand the mission to cover services for the community to include children, life-long learning, career development, and literacy (Chell, 1996, pg.2). The reworking of the mission and services of KCLS was in full swing, but there were
I chose to interview Regina Geis, who holds the administrative role as acting supervisor for the County Mental Health adult day program, which provides services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Ms. Geis has held this position for 15 months. This is her first managerial position within a human service agency. Her style of management has changed over this short period of time. She feels that she is now more direct with her direction with staff. She stated, “Maybe now I come across as a little bit cold. But I have learned that I now have to use the least amount of words to get my point across.”
I am enrolled as a student at Ashford University in the Bachelor of Arts Program. My major is library science and media. My ultimate goal is not to become a teacher, despite the required education courses required to earn this degree. The library science and media major is relevant to my chosen profession because the role of the library is changing and evolving, much like today’s classrooms, with technology. For almost three years, my job title has been library branch manager/library assistant III. I intend to continue in this field with aspirations of being offered a full-time position and/or better pay. I enjoy working for and getting to know the people in the community, who visit the library. Often times, my patrons make me feel more appreciated than those who I employed by. I enjoy helping my patrons find books and movies and assisting them with the computers as they need me. The library is a safe and welcoming environment for all, and I like being part of that.
The decision to enroll in graduate school came after considerable time and soul searching. While contemplating the decision to return to school I thought about life, school and work. I realized that my experience in these areas have prepared me for the challenge and I am going to succeed.
What are the advantages to studying an undergraduate degree and how do you think the successful completion of your degree will help you in your life?
In present day, it is expected that after high school students continue their education to college. Therefore, it is no surprise to say that most students follow the pedigree, making a bachelor’s degree dilute to the value of a high school diploma. Yes, it is great that you obtained a bachelor’s degree, but it doesn’t differentiate you from the other hundred people who apply for the job position. Now, advanced degrees like masters and doctorates are what count. Not only does it [bachelor’s degree] not give you a better chance at an entry-level job, but also, the majority of college graduates are swimming in a pool of debt. So in the end, after all those years of studying, the dollars in debt and the chance of not even getting a job in your field of study, is a college degree really worth it? I believe it is, if you’re passionate about your major you’ll look past these obstacles as they can be overcome by determination. Being a college graduate is a great often sought out accomplishment, and it comes with it’s rewards: financial stability, a better quality lifestyle and acquired skills in those four years that will last you two lifetimes.
I have an unquenchable desire to learn and develop the mind. I believe, one of the greatest way to better care for families, communities and the population was to pursue the Master of Public Health Program with a concentration in Community Health Education. With the Master of Public Health degree, I can better understand how to implement, plan and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs to better serve the communities. I want to get a master’s degree to pursue my career interest more in-depth. Choosing to pursue the MPH program is a lifelong self-fulfillment, because there is no greater satisfaction than knowing I am going to wake up every day to improve the lives of people all around the world. Higher education is rewarding and can open the door to greater opportunities. I aspire a career with a purpose, that is why I chose to complete my graduate
Educational Goals: Education is extremely important part of my past, present, and future goals. I currently hold an Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design Media. I have found that an A.A.S Degree does not go as far al I originally intended in the Rochester, MN area and furthering my education will be a necessity for my future career goals. Over the past 2 years I have been working on my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the Minnesota School of Business Rochester campus. I am currently a senior with 3 quarters left before a spring graduation. After a June graduation, I plan on taking a summer quarter break. After summer break I will either continue on at MSB for my Masters in Business Administration with a Minor in Marketing or transferring the University of Minnesota for my Masters in Adult Education. After my Masters Degree is complete I will decide at that time if I wish to continue on and achieve my Ph.D.
... to the Library and that have generally been underused resources. B. Greater use of the Library's Capitol Hill facilities by scholars for the kind of interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, multimedia, multilingual, and synthetic writing that is important to Congressional deliberation and national policy-making, but inadequately encouraged both by special interest groups and by advocacy-oriented think tanks; and C. Greater use by the general public through programs that stimulate interest, increase knowledge, and encourage more citizens to use the collections on-site and electronically.”The Library employees will add their position as information guides by “helping more people find appropriate materials in a swelling sea of unsorted information” and directing them to services and resources exclusive to the Library of Congress. This requires not only more growth of employees that the Library has formerly had, but also making it easier in new ways more wide-ranging and “systematic use by researchers of the distinctive materials that only the Library of Congress has.” Courses for the common public, such as displays or publications, must display the importance and value of the collections.
I would not be considered your typical college student in search of an education degree. I am a 31 year old male, married, with two children, and working on my second career. My previous life consisted of working in the coal mines till I was injured. My injury, however, is considered a blessing in disguise. My injury has leaded me to the world of education.
Education is not just what your major is, it is also what you learn along the way. It's about learning about life and who you are. All the while becoming specialized so that you may contribute to yourself and society. It's a journey, and for those of us fortunate enough to embark on that journey I hope that we make the most of it.
Library managers should organize technology-based training for librarians in order to make them comfortable with new technologies and more aware of their dangers. Since technology skills are important part of most library and information jobs, librarians should make sure they acquire technological skills continuously. University libraries should employed qualified information and technology specialist and troubleshooters to maximize system accessibility and provide a level of comfort to the librarians.