Alumni Association
On September 10, we were privileged to host a panel from the SLIS Alumni Association Board. The panel consisted of James Wiser, current president of the board; Courtney Greene, his predecessor; Patricia Court; and Neal Starkey, Manager of the Klondike Branch of the Tippecanoe County Public Library. Mr. Wiser opened by stating that IU SLIS students have an advantage going onto the job market simply due to the positive reputation of our school. However, after the first few years, it becomes necessary to distinguish ourselves. This spoke to what Pat Court said about the library science field being about education; we must learn to self-educate once we are no longer in a classroom setting in which our education is guided. Both Wiser and Greene spoke of their unconventional entrée into librarianship, and Court stated that her current subfield is not the same one as when she began her career. They pursued professional development to improve the library field and themselves in each of their incarnations as librarians on the road to their current positions. One of the panel’s final comments concerned the advantage of networking both formally and informally at events such as the SLIS alumni reception at the upcoming ILF conference.
Professor Chen’s Brown Bag
Library users all have assumptions as to what materials are available and what services ought to be provided. Does our location match the expectations of its users? Dr. Chen invited us to consider how we might go about increasing our accountability by addressing this question through needs assessment and system evaluation. Increasingly, job descriptions in announcements are including an evaluative element, and positions are being created that specifically study the needs of users. Professor Chen briefly spoke about his own research areas and described the courses he teaches.
Professor Applegate’s Brown Bag
Dr. Applegate shared her anecdotal experiences as a librarian and then manager at a small university library and as an accreditor site-visitor. The brown bag primarily followed a question and answer format.
Q: How does one become a site-visitor?
A: She became involved in her university’s accreditation self study and then in the annual conference. It is necessary to apply, but they need a large pool. A college president is necessary on every board, and they like librarians for their ability to organize information.
Q: In what direction do you see academic libraries developing?
A: She keeps her finger on the pulse of academia instead of just academic libraries for a more holistic reading. Academic libraries will evolve, but student-instructor and residential components are still a huge factor that people value. Many librarians will be ahead of faculty technologically, especially with an IU SLIS education.
Q: How does one apply for academic library jobs?
A: Valuable resources are the Academic Employment Network, the ALA job list, and the Chronicle of Higher Education, which is recommended reading for all who wish to enter academia. She has written an article about résumés. When choosing a job to apply for, keep an eye out for the required skills. When a certain number of years of experience are specified, it is acceptable to clarify whether they mean pre- or post-MLS experience. Unless having a second Master’s degree is in the requirements, it is not necessary but may give an edge when compared to another applicant.
Q: What are the advantages for attending conferences?
A: Conferences are a useful mental exercise to improve oneself. One can ask how to make what one is doing interesting enough that other people would want to hear about it. When attending sessions, ask whether you are only doing what other people are doing or if you are innovating.
Dean Cronin, IU SLIS
Past predications assumed that information scientists and librarians would stagnate and disappear by the beginning of this century. Instead, they are progressive, and the need for them is expanding. Our heterogenic field is composed of various associations and people of differing backgrounds. There is some criticism that there is a gap between theory in library school and practice in the actual workplace, and Dean Cronin asked us to consider if we find this a valid criticism. If we do feel it is so, we should be speaking with our professors and finding a way to address this gap. The library continues to be a part of the university, but its role will change in the future. People are creating information for free (Wikipedia) and making it free (open access). The Internet has opened information pathways so that many feel free to express themselves regardless of not being a designated “expert.” In order to keep pace with current society, Cronin feels that libraries will have to become personalized, become persistent (24-hour), make content mobile, find better ways to distribute content, use branding, and utilize e-metrics.
NOTE: You can find the video for Dean Cronin's lecture on Youtube.edu by searching "ALISS" or clicking this link to the video.
Sara Laughlin, Monroe County Public Library Director
Ms. Laughlin began her lecture by outlining the untraditional path she took to get to the position she is in today and advised people to not give up on what they want to accomplish. She never would have imagined herself as a public library director when she first graduated with her MLS. The director position appealed to her because it presented a chance to settle in and develop her own community. She has noticed that public libraries are on a two-year financial delay, so positive and negative changes take a while to come into effect. However, an active membership can support the library in money and power if the library speaks out when resources are being cut. In exchange, members want a McDonald’s-like service: they want it hot and on every corner, twenty-four hours a day. When providing services to the public, it is important to remember that they are a diverse group, clustered by age, physical needs, information needs, and other distinct characteristics that may overlap in individuals. The way to address patron needs and to develop is to make a strategic plan and complete it through daily process improvement.
