#lis6010

[the-new-librarian]

Final Reflections

I started this semester with a pretty vague view of the information profession. I knew it was more than libraries, but I didn’t have a clear grasp on the vast array of careers, networks, and resources available to me after attaining an MLIS degree. In this way, I am very grateful to have taken a foundations course that forced me to explore the profession and follow my passions.

By far my favorite assignment of the course was one in which we were asked to interview two professionals working in information agencies in order to get a better grasp on the realities of the field. I had the opportunity to interview someone at both the Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library and at the Holocaust Memorial Center. Through these interviews, I was able to make connections with these established professionals while also gaining a better perspective of what my own goals might be. While originally I had mostly considered museum work, this assignment has made me consider special collections and archiving much more seriously.

Additionally, I found a lot of value in our Think Tank assignments. These were assignments in which, as a team, we would select an article for the rest of the class to read and present it along with discussion questions. We would then read the articles of the other teams and respond to their discussion questions. For me, this brought up a lot of current trends in the field and forced me to think about them in ways that I had not already considered. It was also a good way to encourage discussion in an online course, which I always appreciate.

As I move forward, I hope to continue to look into archives and special collections as career options. Also, to be honest, I hope that I will have more content for this blog. Maybe one day, for an assignment, some MLIS student will write about my blog as a source of insightful posts on relevant fieldwork. 

[the-new-librarian]

Blogging While Librarian

Over the course of the semester, I’ve been learning that an important way to stay up-to-date in the profession is to follow the blogs of other professionals to learn about new trends, events, and ideas that people are working with and posting about. I decided to follow two blogs that look primarily at social media and technologies and the ways they are implemented in a library setting. I followed David Lee King’s self-titled blog and Gwenyth Jones’s The Daring Librarian. 

Both bloggers talked extensively about creative uses of social media. One of my favorite posts was The Daring Librarian’s January post on #Storyin140, which used Twitter as a vehicle for children’s creativity. The post details a project in which Ms. Jones asked children to tell an entire story in 140 characters - the length of the average tweet. She explains the ways that this can combine youthful excitement about social media with traditional library goals of instilling a passion for literacy in children. I loved this creative idea and would be interested in trying out something similar as a future project.

In another post, David Lee King bucks the traditional wisdom of “smartphones are bad.” He explains that many of the “reasons” offered up against owning a smartphone really come down to either not knowing how to use the phone or misattributing social issues to the phone itself. While this may not seem like anything special, I enjoyed it because I think it’s simply stubborn to insist that smartphones are the cause of any societal problems. Society has always had problems, and blaming smartphones keeps us from digging at our deeper issues.

I would certainly recommend both blogs to anyone interested in libraries, tech, and social media. Both bloggers have great voices and interesting takes on the latest trends.

[the-new-librarian]

Moving Toward Staff Cultural Competency

Here’s something I wrote for another class project. It outlines some ways that library staff can assess and adjust their own behaviors to create a more welcoming environment to community members of all backgrounds.

[the-new-librarian]

Popcorn & A Movie (& Some Thoughts on Gender & Sexism)

For my intro class, we were asked to watch and review The Hollywood Librarian. This documentary explores the media stereotype of the stern librarian and contrasts it with actual librarians and their current work. The film, produced in 2007, already feels a bit dated. Despite its exploration of some pertinent issues, it barely scratches the surface of the myriad ways in which the Internet and the digital age have completely revolutionized the profession. While trying to demonstrate that there is so much more to libraries and librarians, the film spends so much time on books that it somewhat defeats its own purpose.

The film repeatedly touches on (but never dives head-on into) the issue of gender and sexism in the library profession. They point out that in the nineteenth century, librarianship was one of the few career options available for women who preferred to work rather than marry. It was a career that required “feminine virtues” such as kindness and nurturing. Additionally, the film points out that Melvil Dewey himself hired women because he didn’t believe that librarianship required any “real intelligence.”

But that was the nineteenth century, right? As a society we’ve moved on, right? 

I would argue that much of the reason that librarianship is so undervalued is, in part, due to its reputation as a pink collar job. As of 2010, 82.8 percent of librarians were women. This persistent attitude is summed up by one of the interviews in the film, where Dr. Rhea Lawson of the Houston Public Library system discusses her experiences in communicating about her career. She explains that when she tells people she is a librarian, she often gets the reaction, “Oh, you’re a librarian? I like books!” To which she responds, “I run a multi-million dollar business that happens to be a library. I have a staff of 600 at 37 different locations. I am a businesswoman.” Yet these aspects of the profession are often overlooked.

In case you needed any other examples, the documentary provides others as well. In 2003  the Patriot Act was still a new and hot button issue. Librarians across the country spoke out vehemently against the act, as it violates one of the core tenets of librarianship: respect of patron privacy. John Ashcroft, then Attorney General, dismissed their criticisms as “baseless hysteria.” You know, hysteria, the term that originally referred to a “women’s sickness” that caused them to be overly emotional. 

I worry that while sexism persists, librarianship will continue to be thought of as “just women’s work.” We will continue to be undervalued, underpaid, and overworked. However, it is my hope that with the integration of digital technology into the degree, that more of these technical skills will bring more respect to the field in general, and assist in changing these damaging stereotypes.

[kfallslis-blog]

Personal Goals - Entry #2

When I decided to go back to school and get my MLIS, I had this idea of becoming a public librarian and working with YA.  That was the end goal, and from my limited knowledge about LIS, that seemed the way to go.  After attending orientation, however, I realized that there is so much more that a person with their MLIS can do!  

Many of the areas presented to me at orientation sounded super interesting -- archiving, medical librarianship, data and information management -- it all seemed new and exciting.  One presentation that really stuck out to me though was Dr. Kumasi's information about literacy and race and youth.  I currently work for a non-profit and have spent the better part of my life volunteering for non-profits.  Hearing Dr. Kumasi's research, I've thought heavily about using my MLIS degree for something like a non-profit literacy program or something of the sort.  Yes, this relates to what I originally had in mind and it also incorporates a lot of the information that I gained at orientation and through my first few weeks in the program.  Through a simple google search I discovered many nonprofit literacy programs in Michigan alone and I am going to look into those for potential volunteer opportunities.

I am also sincerely interested in data and information management.  I have always been the kind of person to love looking at data and organizing information.  When I would play as a kid, I would play things like "office clerk" and "hotel desk" where I would just enter a bunch of fake information into excel spreadsheets (I was a pretty cool kid, let me tell you).  

So I haven't exactly nailed down my career path -- shocking, I know.  I am looking forward to learning more about the different ways I could take my career with an MLIS degree in this course and future courses.

[kfallslis-blog]

Introduction - Entry #1

Hello! This is my personal journal for LIS 6010. I chose to use tumblr simply because I am familiar with the site and know how to use it.  My name is Kristin Falls and I am a recent graduate of Saginaw Valley State University.  I currently live in Gladwin, my hometown.  I have a serious love for cats and books, and will give any tv series the 4 episode test.  

My 3 beliefs about the LIS Profession are:

1.)  Librarians and libraries in general do waaaaaay more than I originally had thought.  I really learned a lot at orientation about the LIS field and the different things that LIS professionals can do.  Being a librarian is more than just ordering books and sitting at a circulation desk.

2.)  The technology aspect of information is constantly evolving, making it essential for librarians and libraries to do so as well.

3.) (This is more of an assumption, but) There are more people using libraries today now than ever, even though the use of physical books seems to be declining. 

[kironlis6010]

A Comparison of Two Professional Organizations

Society of American Archivists

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) is the leading professional organization for archivists in the United States. Founded in 1936 as a byproduct of the American historical Association, the SAA currently has 5,000 individual and 650 institutional members. Its mission statement is, “SAA promotes the values and diversity of archives and archivists. We are the preeminent source of professional resources and the principal communication hub for American archivists.”

There are four levels of membership for the SAA: Individual Full Membership; Individual Student Membership; Individual Associate Membership; Institutional Membership. The individual Full Membership cost is based on a person’s income and status within the profession (retired or unemployed), but range from $50 to $250. This type memberships affords individuals the privileges to hold office, appointive position, vote for officers, councilors, and members of the nominating committee, vote on all matters requiring a vote by the Society as a whole, to be members of constituent units of the Society, and benefits of the Society’s programs and services. Individual student memberships cost $50. A student membership gives students most of the benefits of full membership with exception of holding positions within the SAA. Individual Associate Memberships are for people living in the United States who support the objectives of the Society but are not professionally involved with the custody or control of archives, private papers, or instruction of archives. Individual Associate Memberships are also for people outside the U.S. who are involved with their own national archival association. These members are allowed to be members of sections, roundtables, and task force and receive the benefits of Society’s programs and services. The cost for this membership is $100 for U.S. residents and $125 for members outside the United States. The final membership is Institutional Membership, which is for institutes and agencies responsible for the custody, study, teaching, control, or use of records, archives, and private papers. Members of the institute with institutional memberships receive the benefits of the Society’s programs and services. Also each institutional member are allowed to have one contact person who is eligible to vote, hold office, and serve on appointed groups. Institutional Memberships are $500 for sustaining and $300 for regular institutional members.

Student members receive access to American Archivist Online, a complimentary subscription to Archival Outlook, a discount on Annual Meeting and workshop registration, a discount on SAA published books, ability to participate in SAA Sections and Round tables, and to participate in SAA’s Mentoring Program. SAA’s mentoring program is for member students or those archivists just beginning their career. Protégés receive guidance on resume, care goals, or continuing education opportunities, workshops, and annual meeting program sessions. Mentors introduce their mentees to their colleagues. Mentors also serve as resources for policies, procedures, and other information. Non-members can access the online career center where they can search for jobs and post their resume.

In addition to The American Archivist and Archival Outlook, SAA publish a biweekly newsletter In The Loop, which is a play on name of the area where the SAA’s offices are located in Chicago. The American Archivist, which I discussed in an earlier blog, is the organization's scholarly journal. Another publication that they publish is the Archival Outlook. The Outlook is a bi-monthly publication that is printed and published electronically. It has a circulation of more 6,200. Archival Outlook gives readers an update on the important business of the Society, regional business, and profiles archivists in the profession.  Articles range from 700 to 1,400 words. The September/October issue for 2014 has feature articles on the Chicano Movement Archives in Colorado, collaboration between University Archives and community organizations, a report on August 2014 annual meeting, and Hispanic students experience with archival material. In addition to their publications, SAA keeps their members informed through their website and social media. SAA has a website, a WordPress blog called “Off the Record,” a RSS feed, a Facebook page, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts.

International Council on Archives

As someone who is interested in working outside the United States, I was excited to learn about the International Council on Archives (ICA). Established in 1948 out of the League of Nations Permanent Consultative Committee of Archives, the ICA is a non-governmental organization of 1400 members in 199 countries and territories that is dedicated to the records management and the preservation, care, and use of the world’s archival heritage through its representation of records and archive professionals around the world. As explained on the ICA website: “The mission of the International (ICA) is to promote the preservation and use of archives around the world. In pursuing this mission, ICA works for the protection and enhancement of the memory of the world and to improve communication while respect cultural diversity.”  The ICA works closely with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Council of Europe, and the International Committee of the Blue Shield.

Similar to SAA, the ICA has several types of memberships. Its four types of memberships are divided between institutional and individual.  The four categories are as follows: “Category A) Central archive directorates or national archival institutions, which are governed by primary legislation and are responsible for the development of national archival policies and programs; Category B) Territorial, national associations concerned with the administration or preservation of records and archives or in archival training and education; Category C) Local, territorial, national or international institutions concerned with the administration or preservation of records and archives or in archival training and education. Category D) Individuals of all nationalities who are at present or have been in the past professionally involved in the information management or heritage fields.” Individual members receive the following benefits: priority access to ICA programs and opportunity for funding projects; receive profession journal Comma which is printed twice a year for full members; access to members-only areas of the ICA website; online access to most recent ICA publications; ability to participate in ICA working groups; membership to regional branches; “opportunity to join two if the 13 sections covering professional issues as diverse as municipal archives and archival education free of charge”; access to discussion forums; ability to advertise and issue invitations to their events on a global platforms”; able to become an office holder; invitation to ICA Congresses and Annual Conferences; right to speak at the ICA General Assembly. Dues for full-individual members is €100, which affords them postal delivery of Comma and Flash and access to members only part of the ICA website. Associate members pay €30 for access to the members-only section of the website and most recent publications for download. Students, retired persons, and unemployed members pay €20 for the same access as associate members. Institutional memberships receive the same benefits as individual members. Their fees are based on the home country of the institution.

The ICA has two publications: Comma, its scholarly journal and Flash, its newsletter. Unfortunately, I was unable to gain access to either the journal or the newsletter.

The ICA holds an annual conference every year, except for the years that are Congress years. The Conferences are open to all, but members receive registration benefits. There are three elements to conferences: Governance meetings; professional programs; The National Archivists Forum. The 2014 Conference took place during October in Girona Spain and coincided with the 9th European Conference on Archives and the 13th Image and Research Seminar.  All three events were under the common title of Archives and Cultural Industries. The 2015 Conference will take place in Sub-Saharan Africa in a yet to be decided country. Annual conferences are a new development for ICA, which use to have roundtables instead. The roundtables were by invitation-only and a call for papers was not issued for them.

The ICA has a RSS feed, but it does not participate in any of the other popular social media such as Facebook and Twitter. They also have an e-newsletter and listserv, which I joined.

I will probably join both organizations, especially the ICA given the affordable student membership fee. Also, the SAA’s mentorship program would be incredibly beneficial for my networking and my career. 

Citations

Conseil International des Archives. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014, from http://www.ica.org/

Society of American Archivists. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2014, from http://www2.archivists.org/

[ellisonea]

Final Reflections

Final Reflections

     I have learned so much this semester from our readings, discussions, and projects, and each new thing I learn the more excited I become to continue on in this profession. I came into this class having worked in the public library field for several years, and knowledge about certain topics from extensive research I had conducted. I had a very good grasp of the Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to read Act. I knew about the different types of libraries and already a good insight into some of the cataloging systems we use. I feel upon the completion of this class I learned quite a bit, and yet not very much. The more I have learned the more I realize that librarianship is not just about customer service, programming, and readers advisory, but also considering the user and the user experience while using the library.

     I bring with me to my future (as well as my current) profession, my enthusiasm. Hands down my love for the library and the patrons who come to ask me questions shows greatly. I enjoy working with children, and I believe that my questions and ideas are relevant to the field. I believe that my natural curiosity is another bonus I bring when entering a professional environment. At my current place of employment I believe that these qualities have shone through. On an off note I also am extremely familiar with the dewy decimal system so I tend to not need to look up the location of items.

     I never thought that I would become a public librarian, let alone a children’s librarian. During my time at Southfield Public Library I dreaded my time shelving on the children’s floor; they were loud and noisy, and parents tended to not look after their children. All these feeling began to change the moment I was asked for the first time what book I would recommend. As I progressed further into the semester I found I tended to gravitate towards issues within the youth services librarian sphere. I liked to share my joy of reading with the youngsters that approached me. I enjoyed helping the youth librarians plan and implement their programs. In the end while I still find the field of Archives incredibly interesting, I feel that I can impact more people and children as a public youth librarian.

     I have known that the role of the librarian is not just to sit there and recommend books, but rather to also teach people and those of the younger generations, how to successfully use the library and all its resources. Librarians assist in making information easy and accessible to the community in which the serve. The library is also an essential piece of the community, people come there not only to read books, and pay extraordinary late fines, but to obtain important forms such as tax, and other necessities. People come to use the computers if they are not able to access one at home. The list goes on, and on.