I will not lie to you and tell you that I always wanted to be a librarian. I didn't. Honestly, I have never known what I wanted to be. Well, if I am truly honest, I still don't know what I want to be. I guess I stopped asking myself that question. Instead, I just ask myself "What do you want". My Self usually comes up with pleasing, yet disgusting things like "vanilla ice cream and barbeque potato chips" or wet sand. Why wet sand you ask? ( I know I'm being presumptuous) For all the sand castles I can build. (Not really, but the thing about the ice cream and chips is true)
I applied to library school on a whim. I love books and reading in general. I also knew I didn't want a job that would make me hate books so I figured libraries were safe. Workers don't actually read all the books they order, process, repair, and shelve. I figured working in a library would at least get me first dibs on the latest stuff. Boy, was I wrong. A lot of things I love to read my community doesn't read so of course my library hardly buys any. Boo hoo.
I have three semesters of library school left and yes ... I am counting. Some classes I love and others I ... regret. For instance, this semester I loved my elective, but I could have done without my core course. I have one more core course to go and then I can spend my last two semesters in electives. Yes, I planned it that way.
While pursuing my masters degree, I am also working full time at an academic library. It is a little different in that it has a public library department within it. The college students and professors love it. Students more if they live on campus. We have video games, blurays, dvds, and the latest YA and graphic novels. The public patrons love the kids books and Leapfrog devices. We also have popular magazines for all ages. The library kinda feels like a one stop shop and essentially it is.
I have been working here for over a here and when I graduate it will be over two years. I can add two years of academic and public library experience to my resume. How cool is that?! Two birds, one stone (wow that is violent. almost as bad as that jack and jill rhyme). I think I might ask my degree adviser for fieldwork during my last semester. I'm thinking a non traditional library setting. That would give me another perspective.
My experience is not extensive and my knowledge of libraries is still being built. I have joined several American associations to further my understanding of the library system and to meet other people in my position. I look forward to learning more. If any one has any suggestions how I can learn more please type a comment and let me know.
I'm curious: can you share more details about the elective you loved and the core course you weren't so thrilled with? What associations have you joined?
ReplyDeleteI have joined SOLIS which stands for Student Organizations for Library and Information Science (http://slisstudentorgs.usf.edu/). It is basically an amalgamation of ALA, ASIS&T, and SLA. I have been meaning to join my state and county association but I'm a procrastinator. Now to the gossip...
ReplyDeleteI think I preferred the elective professor's clarity. This was an indexing/abstracting course and the professor was very specific about everything. A little Type A personality if you will. Which ... I love. I love it when professors tell me exactly what they expect. For instance, this semester my elective course professor has broken our weeks into goals. I know exactly what we are learning this week and why.
My core class was more or less a research course and there was little instruction. I feel this professor expected us to know exactly what he/she wanted without actually telling us. The directions were vague to say the least and the feedback was sporadic at best. The first time I ever received a critique on anything was two weeks to the end of the semester.
I like feedback or clear directions. Give me neither and I'll fail. (I didn't really fail this class but I'm not exactly proud of my grade either).