Personal Narrative

The courses Basic Information Sources and Services, Foundations of Library and Information Science, and Introduction to Library Administration taught me to be a community leader through effective communication and teamwork, and to solve problems through innovation and creativity.  In Basic Information Sources and Services, I created a LibGuide with a small group to provide information on “Game-Based Learning for K12” to educators and librarians.  For this project, we worked collaboratively online, communicating about problems, solutions, and ideas.  Additionally, we collaborated on a video to explain the different sections within the LibGuide in order to make it more user-friendly.  In Foundations of Library and Information Science, I worked collaboratively with a group to analyze and edit a library card policy for the “Falmouth Public Library”.  During this assignment, we discussed how best to implement the ALA’s core values to provide equitable access to the entire community.  In Introduction to Library Administration, I drew up a theoretical Strategic Plan for the Winter Park Public Library.  This strategic plan communicated the mission, values, and goals of the library while suggesting creative steps for the future.  These skills can be applied to my future career in public librarianship for leading programming and events, working collaboratively to produce larger programs and collections, and in library administrative planning.
The courses Collection Development and Maintenance, Cultural Heritage Institutions and Libraries, and Teaching Information Literacy taught me how to apply my knowledge and skillset to diverse settings within the library profession.  In Collection Development and Maintenance, I worked with a group to create a “Collection Development Policy and Action Plan” for the fictional “Kemmet Public Library”.  This project shows my ability to use library circulation and area statistics in creating effective library policy, in the distribution of library funds, and in the ordering of new library materials.  Additionally, the “Weeding Assignment” that was performed with the same group shows additional skill in collection maintenance and decision making.  In Cultural Heritage Institutions and Libraries, I performed site visits to analyze and report on the diverse cultural heritage sites in which librarians can work, and which work closely with libraries on projects, collections and events.  In Teaching Information Literacy, I created a digital lesson on the public catalog system of the Winter Park Public Library which followed specific lesson objectives.  Because of social distancing mandates, I implemented screensharing and narration technologies to provide an optimal learning experience.  These skills can be applied to my future in public librarianship for using new technologies to communicate more effectively, analyzing statistics to maintain collections, and understanding shared missions and goals between organizations for institutional partnerships.
The courses Organization of Knowledge and Digital Curation taught me how to apply my organizational skills to better represent materials and to protect specialized collections.  In Organization of Knowledge, I worked with a group to produce a large collection project called “Great Depression Era Hollywood Films” for the fictional “Library of Historical Film”.  This taught me to categorize special materials by logical ques to provide easy access for interested patrons.  Additionally, the “Marc Records” assignment introduced me to internal library organization that can be used across collections, formats, and institutions.  In Digital Curation, I performed a personal digital artifact analysis for the “Preservation Assignment” following OAIS suggestions to better understand how to implement digital preservation strategies for long-term use and storage.  These skills can be applied to my future in public librarianship for the organization of unfamiliar or unusual collections and the preservation of historical digital artifacts for archival collections.
The courses Research Methods in Library and Information Science and Collection Development and Maintenance taught me to draw from my knowledge of the core values of librarianship and to apply them to important research to create special programs and services.  In Research Methods in Library and Information Science, I worked with a group to create the quantitative study titled “Public Library Services for Homeless Patrons: Post Covid-19”.  In this study we researched similar studies for information, planned expenses and staffing, and decided which services could be used to understand how to best help our patron set.  Additionally, in “Homework 2” I analyzed a qualitative study to further understand how to implement various formats of investigation.  In Collection Development and maintenance, I worked with a group to create a “Needs Assessment” for the fictional “Kemmet Public Library”.  This needs assessment used mock data from real library systems to analyze collection trends and user needs.  These skills can be applied to my future in public librarianship for library research and grant writing, for the planning of outreach programming, and for community analysis. 
The lessons that I have learned through these classes and through my professional experiences have taught me how to meet the needs of my future patrons.  I am excited to use and advance this skillset towards helping my future community through public librarianship.