Resume

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Areas of Interest

• Public libraries
• Children and Youth Services
• Early literacy education and programming
• Purpose and aim of public libraries

Statement of Purpose

When I started college, I planned to be an accountant. I like numbers, and am logical and organized, which are good qualities for an accountant. But the more business courses I took, the more I realized that I did not enjoy my school work. I began paying more attention to my main volunteer activity at the time, being a 4-H sewing leader. I loved the children I was teaching and was excited to be coaching them in life skills. They did not learn only how to sew; they learned how to think in a new way, solve problems, and grow as independent young women. After two years of accounting classes, I switched my major to general business so as not to undo the work I had done, and began the search for a career that would better fit my personality.

One key set of volunteer experiences led me to the realization that I want to be a librarian. I volunteered at Hedberg Public Library in Janesville, WI in the youth services department for many years. I helped specifically with the children’s and young adult’s summer reading programs, and I could not wait to see the excited children as they told me of their latest literary adventures. I first experienced the magic of books as a child; here I witnessed it. I also helped with other youth and young adult programs at the library.

My education and volunteering developed some of my strengths: I love working with people, I can process information logically, my greatest satisfaction comes in supporting others, and I am intrinsically motivated. For example, from September 2010 – June 2012 I babysat for an eight-year-old autistic girl every morning before school. She demonstrated no affection for me and little interest in me despite my presence in her life, yet I looked forward to seeing her each day. I knew I can be a positive influence in her life. After a year and a half, she finally let me read to her for the first time!

My ideal career path would use my strengths as part of a team of librarians in a small public library, although I would readily serve in any size library. I see strong teamwork within the departments of the two public libraries where I volunteer. The teams differ because of the size of the libraries, yet each group works together to achieve its goals and to bring information to people. Functioning in a team, I want to bring imagination to life with traditional books and materials, innovative technology, and multicultural experiences.

This degree in library science is nearly necessary for entry into the profession, but even more so it will provide me with the foundation I need to succeed in the field. I plan to play a role not only in global information sharing, but also in people’s daily lives. This program will help me better understand the library’s resources in order to share them. I will learn how to evaluate and analyze information to find content of value to patrons. I will gain experience working in the library to complement my volunteer experience. Finally, combining my background in business with a master’s in library and information science could pave the way for leadership roles within the library.

My purpose, both during my master’s education and in the workforce, is to serve the community to the best of my ability. The opportunities in graduate school will complement my volunteer experiences and help provide a well-rounded foundation in the field. I am particularly interested in youth services because of my volunteer experiences, but I would like to gain a little experience in other areas of the library as well. Finally, the wealth of cultural opportunities in the area and through the school are enticing. I believe librarians should have a wide range of experiences to better understand patrons and to bring diverse perspectives into the library.

My concept of a librarian is perfectly described in the words of Thomas Jefferson: “I cannot live without books.” It is my passion to bring the love of books and the world of knowledge they contain to my community.

Final Reflection

Two years ago, I had not begun to think about the differentiation between information and the knowledge to be gained from it, about knowledge and the wisdom that can be learned from its application. As I near the end of my graduate degree, I am pondering how these distinctions factor into the goals and purposes of libraries – and how they will impact my work as a librarian.

Throughout my studies I have observed and learned that the general consensus on the current purpose of public libraries is to provide free and equal access to information. This is not an easy task. Information abounds in our digitally connected world, and to sort through this information on behalf of the community is a mountainous endeavor to be sure. I cannot help but wonder, however, if at the end of this work we might only “inherit the wind”, as William Wisner wrote in Whither the Postmodern Library?. Can we do something higher than simply wade through the quagmire of information in the world? Can we not study it, learn from the past, and glean knowledge to be shared? These are things I am only beginning to discover, let alone understand. I intend to continue to pursue a deeper understanding of what libraries can do in society, and what I can do through and in the library.

In coursework and a practicum, I have amassed a collection of tips, tools, and strategies to be an effective and helpful librarian no matter what my position. Since I am most interested in children’s services, my practicum focused on the summer reading program at a public library. There I learned how to manage and motivate teens, engage children, evaluate my own performance, and communicate with a wide range of ages. These skills are practical for youth services as well as positions throughout the public library (including adult services/reference, circulation, and others).

One of my most eye-opening experiences in graduate school was working in the copy cataloging department of the largest campus library (and the largest collection in the state of Wisconsin). I have gained an interest in and appreciation for the difficult work of cataloging. I’ve learned to ask questions and look at careful details about an item, and I have begun to understand how nebulous a task it is to anticipate the wishes of the searcher.

I have only begun to learn the work of the librarian. I know I will be asking questions and digging deeper throughout my career, wherever it may take me. I return to Thomas Jefferson’s quote, which has motivated me through graduate school. I still want to share the love of books with a community, and I want my neighbors and friends to see the knowledge that can be gained from them. “I cannot live without books.”