tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2521372873846695442024-03-07T20:34:18.286-08:00LIS 6010 Personal JournalChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-51011074072649614012013-07-24T16:09:00.000-07:002013-07-24T16:09:50.603-07:00Final Reflections
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have learned so much
throughout this first semester that it seems unfair to try and sum it up in one
blog post. The biggest takeaway that I have from this semester is how vast our
field really is. It goes beyond the Public/Academic/School/Special Library categories,
both in a broader and specialized sense. Within each library there are
specialties within them. Public Service Librarians, Teen Service Librarians,
Local History Librarians, Technology Librarians… I’ve even run across the title
of Wine Librarian. On the other hand, LIS opens up a vast array of job titles
other than librarian. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of those
specialties within the library lead to those external job titles, like Metadata
Analyst or Freelance Researcher. LIS is a very flexible field, and specializing
in an area of it will open up a lot of possibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The next takeaway that I have is
that even with such instability and hardship currently, libraries are evolving
and will have a place in the future. Libraries that are embracing technology
and becoming a “third place” are leading the charge, making it possible for
other libraries to follow suit and stay relevant. Digitization projects are
making collections physically smaller, while at the same time offering more
content. Linking these online resources with other institutions is providing a
greater resource for researchers and a greater community among specific topics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The last takeaway that I have
from this semester is that if we don’t have a career plan in place now, you
need to have one quick. Thankfully I knew from the start where I wanted to go
with my career, but I am concerned for my classmates who do not know what they
want to do yet. The e-Portfolio assignment will be a good wake up call, filling
out the Plan of Work made me realize how short of a time we have here at Wayne
State. We had better be ready to hit the ground running when we get to the job
market.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My views of my place within the
LIS field have not changed very much, even though my view of LIS as a whole
has. I really look forward to when I can bring my knowledge and expertise to a
position within a library. My previous experience in libraries and history
coupled with my MLIS will allow me to obtain a position that I will truly be
happy with, even though it may not be the same job title that I set out to
obtain at first. While I already feel ready to jump right into the job market,
I do look forward to the additional “polishing” I will receive academically.
This is just the beginning of a long career path, and the time will go by very
quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-4280836295582652182013-07-24T14:58:00.001-07:002013-07-24T14:58:17.709-07:00Revisiting LIS assumptions
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Back at
the beginning of the semester, I wrote a blog post about assumptions I had
about the field of library and information science. Now it is that time to
revisit them and see how my views have changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You’ll never get rich being a librarian<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This statement needs a bit of refining.
Much like any other profession, the amount of training you have will dictate
your salary. It is correct to say that a librarian with just a MLIS will not
make an exorbitant salary; they will have a good salary to go along with a good
job. On the other hand, a librarian who has a dual masters or PhD will be more
specialized, and therefore require a higher salary. Therefore, it is possible
to become rich as a librarian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Librarians have good job satisfaction<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This has been confirmed time and time
again. The librarians I met with during my visits to other libraries this
semester have all shared the same enthusiasm and dedication to their jobs.
While there is movement among the ranks, most of it is lateral or promotions,
sprinkled with a few retirements. I have yet to meet a librarian dissatisfied
with their career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are more libraries out there than the
general public knows about<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I still agree with this wholeheartedly, but
I would expand it to reflect how flexible our profession is. We are not limited
to libraries and archives. This semester has opened my eyes to other career
titles including Chief Information Officer, Metadata Analyst, Technology
Coordinator, and Web Project Manager… The list goes on and on. Information is
our occupation; libraries are just the biggest proportion of our field.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is not our job to censor information<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This has been reaffirmed in spades. It was
very enlightening to look at the different Codes of Ethics from the different
professional organizations and learn the ins and outs of the system. In my
research for the ethics paper, I was pleased to see that this was a universal
belief among the organizations, at a State, National, and International level.
We will run into patrons or trustees who strongly feel that certain materials
do not belong, but we do not discriminate or censor any information and promise
equitable access.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Personally, I felt that I had a
pretty good perspective on what the LIS field was like. This semester confirmed
the bulk of my assertions, and refined the others. For lack of a better
comparison, it was like getting a new pair of glasses. I could see fine before,
but now everything is much clearer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-65699030226325870302013-07-21T11:46:00.001-07:002013-07-21T11:46:26.607-07:00Blogging about Professional Blogs
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://beerbrarian.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://beerbrarian.blogspot.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The “Beerbrarian” is Jacob Berg,
Director of Library Services in an unnamed academic library in the Washington
D.C. area. Like many other librarians’ blogs, the Beerbrarian’s blog covers a
bevy of topics around libraries ranging from the “New Librarianship” movement
to how students view their library satisfaction. There is no common theme among
the blog post topics, just a blistering and brutally honest tone that conveys
his opinions on the subjects of his posts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Personally, I appreciate his
honesty, even if others view it as rude or offensive. One blog article he wrote
was his very blunt thoughts on 5 interviews he conducted in May. </span><a href="http://beerbrarian.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-four-and-half-types-of-people-i-met.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://beerbrarian.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-four-and-half-types-of-people-i-met.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I read this
blog post for another class, but it caught my attention and I’ve been following
his blog ever since. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Berg was criticized
by some for using profanity and posting his unfavorable thoughts about these
interviewees. ALA, however, saw the point Berg was trying to make, and posted a
link to it on their job listings. The follow up blog post to this confronts
both sides of the issues people took over his words. </span><a href="http://beerbrarian.blogspot.com/2013/05/interview-451-four-and-half-follow-up.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://beerbrarian.blogspot.com/2013/05/interview-451-four-and-half-follow-up.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rather than
viewing the post as rude or crass, a prospective job candidate should read this
and take to heart the observations posted within. Job seekers get so swept up
in their desire to get the job that they lose sight of what image they are
presenting and how they come across to the other <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>person </u></i>sitting across the table from them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I will continue to follow the
Beerbrarian’s blog. I really appreciate his honesty, because sometimes hearing
the hard truth is the last thing we want to do. I applaud the fact that he is
willing to say how things really are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://lj.libraryjournal.com/blogs/annoyedlibrarian/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://lj.libraryjournal.com/blogs/annoyedlibrarian/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Annoyed Librarian is a blog
hosted by Library Journal. The author is completely anonymous, with a
tongue-in-cheek attitude about current events in the library profession. The
topics covered in his/her blog posts range from the future of libraries to “hipster”
librarians to busybody trustees. Unlike the Beerbrarian’s Blog, the Annoyed
Librarian focuses more on how libraries are developing, how new graduates view
themselves, and how libraries are staying relevant in the changing workplace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Annoyed Librarians post
about “Hipster Librarians” was a reaction to an article s/he read during the
ALA conferences in Chicago this year. (</span><a href="http://lj.libraryjournal.com/blogs/annoyedlibrarian/2013/07/08/the-hipster-librarian-an-oxymoron/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://lj.libraryjournal.com/blogs/annoyedlibrarian/2013/07/08/the-hipster-librarian-an-oxymoron/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found this post both humorous and relevant,
as it is addressing a current social trend, and how libraries fit in to that
topic. I also really appreciated the post on “Busybodies @ Your Library”, as it
really struck a familiar chord with me. We have that same type of person on our
Friends board, and their “beliefs” often clash with the mission of the library.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Overall, I like the Annoyed
Librarian because I can relate to their point of view. S/he may be discussing
heavy topics in an off-the-cuff sort of way, but s/he does it in such a way
that you feel like you are shooting the breeze with an old colleague over
coffee, complaining about work with another like-minded individual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-14688688488518636562013-07-20T14:25:00.000-07:002013-07-20T14:25:01.181-07:00Comparison of Professional Journals
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The two journals I selected to review for this entry were Library Journal
and School Library Monthly. I chose Library Journal because it is the most
popular journal in the industry, being produced by the American Library
Association (ALA). I chose School Library Monthly because it is completely
outside of what I intend to do as a professional. School Library Monthly is
produced by Libraries Unlimited, a division of ABC-CLIO. It is worth mentioning
that while I was able to look at a physical copy of Library Journal, I could
only look at School Library Monthly Online. I reviewed Library Journal’s online
site as well to make the best comparison between the two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The intended audiences of the two journals are somewhat different.
Library Journal has a broad spectrum of readership, and is generally aimed at
anyone in the field of Library and Information Science. School Library Monthly,
on the other hand, is directed at school librarians and media specialists
working at a K-12 facility. School Library Monthly’s readers are a subset of
Library Journal’s readership.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since School Library Monthly is a specialized journal, it differs in
content from Library Journal. School Library Monthly not only has articles
relevant to its readers, it also has a blog and a podcast. Perhaps the strength
of School Library Monthly is that it integrates curriculum into its format to
assist school librarians in instructing information literacy at the K-12 level.
By contrast, Library Journal is a massive one-stop-shop for professional
information. Library Journal has articles relating to every aspect of
librarianship, including special sections on management, technology, material
reviews and employment. Library journal also has a job listing board to assist
readers in their job search. Library Journal also hosts Webcasts as another
form of interaction with its readers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Regarding the articles published by both Journals, they are both
peer-reviewed before publication. Having articles peer-reviewed is important
because it allows someone with similar background and expertise to double check
the author to ensure the accuracy of the information presented and that valid
sources were used during research.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found both of these journals
interesting for very different reasons. I was impressed by School Library
Monthly’s drive to incorporate curriculum into their journal, and how they
encouraged partnerships with teachers for instruction in the classroom, their common
goal being to promote information literacy. There were many articles on current
trends in both the teaching and library professions, and how they can assist
one another with their goals. Library Journal, on the other hand, was very
engaging because there was something for everyone. I first got sucked in by the
Library Journal app for iPad that brings the journal to you electronically.
After downloading that, I found myself reading article after article, ranging
from future trends in digital preservation to a humorous column written by the
AnnoyedLibrarian, discussing busybodies at the library who meddle where they
shouldn’t be. I really appreciated the depth of engagement Library Journal had
with its readers, and the multiple methods it used to accomplish that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, these two journals demonstrated to me again how diverse the field
of LIS is. Even though there are millions of specialties underneath the LIS
umbrella, each specialty can learn from another to further the goals of both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-90609366476309717132013-07-10T15:12:00.001-07:002013-07-10T15:12:49.273-07:00Mid-semester Reflections
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This semester has been a busy one. To evaluate where I am
based only on one class would be to show only half of the picture. I’m taking
three classes this summer, and each has made an impact on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking back on my writing from the beginning of the
semester to now, the bulk of them revolve around how I will fit into this
professional community upon graduation. My chief concern going into the program
has been and will continue to be finding meaningful employment after I receive
my degree. My confidence about joining this profession has gone up. It is
relieving to not only find jobs that I will qualify for, but jobs that I will
enjoy doing as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My view of the professional community has changed from the
beginning of the semester. While doing my visits for this class and
observations for another, I was struck by how small the community actually is.
Many of the librarians I encountered studied at Wayne State, and have
instructors in common with me. They also know the library I work at, and many
of the people I work with. This is extends beyond my geographical community,
librarians from other towns were familiar with many of my coworkers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I haven’t really run across any surprises in my work. I came
into the semester with a clear goal and focus. I have been working toward that
the entire time, and have not been deterred. I have, however been surprised by
the social bonds that I have been forming with some of the other students. I’ve
taken a fair amount of classes online during my undergrad, but I have never had
the amount of interaction or camaraderie as I have had in my classes this
semester.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moving forward, I think it will be worthwhile to reflect
back on this blog to stay focused on my original goals. The blog may show how
my thoughts evolve over time, but it will also serve as a benchmark to measure
my success against. Journaling in this format is better because you don’t
always have to have it as polished and professional as a paper. It allows you
to be more open and honest about your thoughts, while still retaining
integrity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think the second half of the semester will be a bit easier
than the first half. Mostly because one of my three classes is completed, and
that will afford me more time to focus on the remaining two. It’s great to be
back in the swing of classes, and to feel like you’ve found your stride for the
work. It is not so much about being exposed to new ideas anymore as it is
refining those concepts and applying them practically. I look forward to
completing the semester on a strong note, and ready to tackle the upcoming fall
semester. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-12867560305095476072013-07-08T10:31:00.000-07:002013-07-08T10:37:02.722-07:00Job Analysis, Pt. 2<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking back at the Research Fellow Position at Trinity
College, the required skills and education are:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<ul>
<li> PhD in History, Library Science or Digital Humanities</li>
<li> Fluency in a second European Language</li>
<li> Experience with XML</li>
<li> Knowledge of the First World War</li>
<li> Experience in Archival/Historical curation, management and research</li>
<li> Experience working on digital projects</li>
<li> Excellent communication skills in English</li>
<li> Organized and resourceful</li>
<li> Self-directed and effective time management</li>
<li> Flexibility to work as part of a multidisciplinary team</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Currently, I am proficient with Spanish and have a working
knowledge of French. I have a little experience with XML, but I could use some
more experience. I have a vast knowledge of the First World War, my focus as an
undergrad was European History. I have experience in archival curation and
research from interning in an Archive for two years. I also have experience
working on digital projects from interning at the Archives. As for the last
four requirements, I feel that I meet those quite readily. If I were in an
interview with a potential employer, I would point out my management
experience, the awards I have received for my papers, and my diverse academic
background.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To prepare for this position, first I would complete my PhD
in History. During that time, I would also study French or Latin. Many PhD
programs require that a candidate speak three languages by graduation. That
would place me in a perfect position to meet those requirements. I would also
take a class in XML or advanced web development, most likely during the MLIS
program. I would also like to receive a certificate in archival
administration/management, but I would have to do that post-MLIS. Many archival
programs require you to be on campus, and I cannot commute to Wayne State at
this time to accomplish this, unless they change the program and offer the certificate
online.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once I have accomplished these, I would feel very confident
applying for this position. I do not think I need to revise my goals or
objectives stated earlier in the semester. I am still looking at integrating
history and libraries, and pursuing something in the field of special
collections. I do think I need to revise my plan for completing my MLIS to
incorporate another web development/XML class for further experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-72301595709345936492013-07-06T12:02:00.001-07:002013-07-06T12:05:41.119-07:00Job Analysis, Pt. 1<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Looking at job listings was a
bit intimidating. There are so many different positions, with so many
requirements. It’s hard to believe that I will qualify for these positions
soon. Looking ahead, I chose jobs based on where I would like to be
professionally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Research Fellow in Digital History
& Collections<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The first job posting that caught
my curiosity was for a Research Fellow in Digital History and Collections at
Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Requirements for this position are: A PhD
in History, Archival/Library Science or Digital Humanities, fluency in a second
European language, experience with XML, and knowledge of the First World War.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Skills listed on the website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">• Be able to demonstrate evidence of
experience in historical/archival curation, management and<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">• Demonstrate technical and domain
fluency with digital history methods and experience in working<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">on digital projects (including
collaboration and team working).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">• Have excellent oral and written
communication communications skills in English (native speaker<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">level), with the ability and
confidence to engage with project partners clearly and professionally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">• Be organized, conscientious and
resourceful<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">• Be able to operate as a
self-directed, dynamic team member, set priorities and schedule time<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Effectively<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">• Be able to operate flexibly as a
member of the multidisciplinary CENDARI project team<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obviously
this is a higher level position with additional expertise required. Team work,
communication, and self-motivation are all high priority skills in this
position. The working environment would be within a team of multidisciplinary international
scholars, working to digitize the College’s holdings and create a user-friendly
research environment. Interpersonal skills will be a strong skill set, because
of having to set up relationships with other institutions to share their
collections and knowledge. The position reports to the CENDARI Project
Coordinator.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where this
would take me on my career: This would be a HUGE resume point for future
employment: Multinational cooperation on a major project in a foreign country.
Unfortunately, the term of this position is only two years, and that would not
necessarily lead to a job directly after. It would, however, put me in a
position to lead similar projects at academic institutions in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Exhibitions Collection Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br />
<br />
The second job posting I looked at was for an Exhibitions Collection Coordinator for The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. Requirements for the position are (from website):<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
· B.A. in Art History, Anthropology, Fine Art or related field required; M.A. preferred. <br />
<br />
<br />
A minimum of 2-4 years experience with art/artifact handling, packing, and installation within a museum context is require; strong photography skills and/or experience with photo documentation of art/artifacts is strongly preferred <br />
Familiarity with collections management databases (KE EMu experience is preferred, although not required) <br />
A strong working knowledge of the principles of collections management is required <br />
Ability to maintain consistent attention to detail; excellent communication skills, both written and verbal <br />
Ability to work collaboratively with staff from multiple departments <br />
Dexterity with standard hand tools <br />
Experience with collections housing techniques and mount making are preferred <br />
This is a physically active position and consistently requires frequent, sustained standing, crouching, and focused activity; manual dexterity; ability to routinely lift up to 30 lbs; experience utilizing a pallet jack, j-bar, and standard hand tools is necessary <br />
Experience with basic rigging and ability to drive a forklift is a plus, although not required <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This position is in a museum setting, rather than a library. While I don’t fit the undergrad Art History requirement, I don’t see where my undergrad in History (with a minor in Anthropology) and a MLIS would be an obstacle. Again, communication and teamwork skills are high on the list, along with management of collections. The position would report to the Collections Managers and liaise with the Cyrus Tang Hall of China.<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Where this would take me on my career: This position would give me experience in artifact collections to augment my archival experience. This position is only for a one year term, which I find disappointing given the amount of expertise required for the position. I would assume that since the Field Museum is a major institution that permanent job opportunities would become available during the course of this assignment.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-87436506864174058542013-06-30T15:30:00.002-07:002013-06-30T15:36:32.606-07:00Professional Organizations<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Identifying professional library associations was a challenge. I did not
want to research the Michigan Library Association (MLA) and the American
Library Association (ALA) and be too cliché. I asked my co-workers about what
memberships they maintained. All of them belonged to the MLA and various other
non-library organizations, but no other library association. Like my coworkers,
I already am professional member of MLA. Therefore I felt it was appropriate to
explore other organizations outside of the MLA and ALA.</span></span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I have another class this semester with Dr. Anghelescu, and she often
talks about the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). IFLA
is very interesting to me because of my background in history. From the IFLA
(2013) website:</span></span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em>IFLA is an independent, international, non-governmental,
not-for-profit organization. Our aims are to:</em></span></span></h2>
<ul type="disc"><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></em>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #002d19; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><h2>
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">Promote high standards of provision and delivery of library and
information services </span></span></em></h2>
<span style="color: blue;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></em></span></li>
<span style="color: blue;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></em>
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #002d19; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><h2>
<span style="color: blue;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Encourage widespread understanding of the value of good library &
information services </span></span></em></span></h2>
<span style="color: blue;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></em></span></li>
<span style="color: blue;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></em>
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #002d19; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><h2>
<span style="color: blue;">
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Represent the interests of our members throughout the world.</span></span></em></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></ul>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The main benefit to IFLA is becoming a member of an international
community. This would enable one to have international professional networks.
Becoming a member of IFLA also allows one to vote on global issues that the
organization is involved in, and help decide what will be on future agendas. A
free subscription to the IFLA Journal, IFLA Annual report and IFLA newsletters
are included. There is also a discount offered to IFLA members on the cost of
attendance at the IFLA Annual Conference. The only requirement to join IFLA is
to be an LIS professional or LIS student. The membership cost is 139 Euros
(about $180.00) for individuals and 60 Euros (about $78.00) for students and
new graduates. IFLA’s primary focus is libraries on a global scale. Advocacy
for libraries in rural countries, bridging the digital divide, preservation,
and digital strategies all fall under IFLA’s scope.</span></span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> IFLA is very interesting to me
because of their focus on preservation and digitization of rare materials, as
well as being international ambassadors to libraries. I will join IFLA once I
know more about how the organization would fit into my career path, and what
type of library would benefit from me being a member of IFLA. It is too big of
an organization for my position at a public library.</span></span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Another international library
organization that caught my attention was the Masonic Library and Museum
Association (MLMA). Both my grandfather and my great grandfather were Masons,
and I am as well. It surprised me that I had not heard of this organization
before. From the MLMA (2013) website, the mission of the MLMA is “…to assist and support, through education,
facilitation of communication, coordination of effort, those individuals
charged with, or interested in, the collection, management, and preservation of
Masonic heritage.”<w:sdt citation="t" id="-1126852957"> (Masonic Library and Museum Association, 2013)</w:sdt></span></span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Members
are eligible to vote and hold office, as well as receive a subscription to the
MLMA newsletter. There are no requirements to join; you do not have to be a
member of a Masonic body or a LIS professional to join, just someone who has
interest in the subject matter. Membership is $20 for any individual. The primary activities of MLMA are to instruct and assist
with preservation of masonic artifacts and materials.</span></span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
MLMA really excited me because of my interest in special libraries. I was very disheartened,
however, to find that even though the website says copyright 2013, the most
recent newsletter I found was from 2006. There was a meeting held in late 2012,
but there is not much information on the site about current events. Even though
this is an international organization, I probably would not join. I would feel
better about joining if there were more current updates to their site, and if I
knew how active the group was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </span></h2>
<h2 style="margin: 24pt 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
Bibliography<o:p></o:p><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></span></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<w:sdt bibliography="t" id="111145805"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></w:sdt></span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoBibliography" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">International Federation of Library Associations.
(2013). More about IFLA. Retrieved June 30, 2013, from International
Federation of Library Associations: http://www.ifla.org/about/more<o:p></o:p><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></span></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoBibliography" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Masonic Library and Museum Association. (2013). Mission
Statement. Retrieved June 30, 2013, from Masonic Library and Museum Association:
http://www.masoniclibraries.org/missionstatement.php<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </span></h2>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></h2>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-26057194860816046482013-06-29T09:42:00.002-07:002013-06-29T09:42:42.804-07:00Personal Goals and Objectives For My Studies
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My goal is to combine history and
libraries into my career. There are a variety of ways I would be happy
accomplishing this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<ul type="disc"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rare Books/Special Collections - This area is where I
would love to go the most after graduation. Working with either one of a
kind or extremely rare items. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Archivist - I interned at an archive during my
undergraduate work. I view it in the same vein as Special Collections
because most of the materials housed there are one of a kind and very old.
I would like to get an Archival Certificate, but until I either move
closer to a school that offers it or a program becomes available online,
it will have to wait.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Local History Librarian<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Museum Librarian<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once I have my MLIS, I hope to find a job at an academic
library working in Special Collections or Archives. I want to continue my
education further by obtaining a PhD. in History, and by working for the
institution I hope to get a break on tuition. Additionally, I hope to publish
more as my career progresses, both in the field of History and Library Science.
Working in that setting professionally with the materials is kind of like being
on the front line. Research will be easier as I am more familiar with the
resources available, and that will make my time with the subject more
effective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Working on the team blog I wrote about the future of
Archives, and how digitization will be the next step. My experience in this
setting already has shown that this is the case, so I would like to continue
with career development in computers as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This goes hand-in-hand with my philosophy on Library
Science. We are the gateway to knowledge, and it is our mission to provide
access. Many special collections are fragile and restricted use. By digitizing
these collections, we can make the information widely available. The Hathi
Trust, for example. Having the information online would be a great resource for
researchers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252137287384669544.post-33100765051005818052013-05-17T07:44:00.000-07:002013-05-17T07:44:11.499-07:00Introduction<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Hello, and welcome to my blog for my LIS 6010 class.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
I am a student at Wayne State University in their Library and Information
Science program. This blog will be for my Introduction to the Profession class.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
I want to give a quick introduction of myself to any readers out there that
aren't in my class. My name is Chris, and I work as a Library Assistant at the
Okemos Library in Okemos, Michigan. Obtaining my MLIS is the next step on my
career path. My undergrad work is in History, and it is my passion. I hope to
continue to use both sets of skills as a historian and a librarian to Special
Collections, Local History and Archives.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Now that the basics are out of the way, let's get to the meat of the
assignment:<o:p></o:p><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif";">"Provide
3-5 assumptions, assertions, or beliefs that you hold about the LIS
professions.."</span></em><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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1) You'll never get rich being a librarian.<o:p></o:p><br />
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This is a joke tossed around the library often. While I do believe this to
be mostly true, because I have looked at the job outlook and salary
expectations in journals and reviews (Some even prepared by the instructor of
this class, the dynamic Dr. Maata!), our salary range as librarians will cover
a comfortable living more often than not. For me, it's not about the money,
it's about having a job I'm excited to go to every morning when I wake up.<o:p></o:p><br />
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2) Librarians have good job satisfaction.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Looking at myself and my peers in the SLIS, we are all switching IN to
becoming librarians. We all come from very diverse backgrounds, where we were
unhappy. Now, looking at my co-workers, many of them have been at their jobs
for anywhere from 10-20 years. Not many careers can boast that type of consistency
now. Going back to the job outlooks again, I believe I read somewhere that the
field was going into a growth spurt. This is not due to job growth, but because
of so many librarians retiring. Again, I'm hard pressed to think of many
careers anymore where people actually retire after spending most of their
working years in that same profession.<o:p></o:p><br />
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3) There are more libraries out there than the general public knows about.<o:p></o:p><br />
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I have to point this out to family/friends whenever I explain to them where
I am heading with my education. Many of them only see librarians in the
Public/School/Academic setting. My own job experience so far has proven this to
be completely incorrect. Librarians are present in large corporations,
hospitals, medical information centers, museums, art galleries, government
agencies (FBI, CIA, State, Federal…). Really anywhere a large amount of
information is needed to be accessible. In another class I am taking this
semester I had to visit 3 different libraries straight away. While I was out
doing this, I was driving in Downtown Lansing where I passed the Michigan State
Police Headquarters. As I passed the building, I thought: Yup, they probably
have a librarian in there too.<o:p></o:p><br />
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4) It is not our job as librarians to censor information.<o:p></o:p><br />
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This is a definite belief of mine about the profession. I also carry this
torch as a historian as well. Things happen in our world, and for better or
worse, it is our job to inform those who seek the knowledge. We do not advocate
it in any way, but we do have a responsibility to be impartial. No information
should ever be off limits. (Unless it's classified.)<o:p></o:p><br />
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Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. That's it for my first post. I look forward
to sharing my thoughts as the semester progresses.<o:p></o:p><br />
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~Chris<o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03708736848241721785noreply@blogger.com0