My Goals and Objectives for my MLIS Studies

Goals and objectives are essential in life, especially when one is thinking about furthering their education.  On the other hand, I also feel that flexibility is extremely important as well.  I can attest that even the best laid plans can get disrupted and the path you were sure that you wanted to follow can throw up road blocks and curves.  I must admit, my current goals are only ideas at the moment.  Ideas that are flexible and able to change when necessary (or when a great opportunity comes up).

A co-worker first suggested the MLIS program to me and my first thought was I could then run a library.  This still is one of my main goals.  Many of the jobs that I see listed in our co-op require an MLIS for their library managers or directors.  Some smaller libraries (such as the one where I work) do not require a masters degree but they do require a bachelors.  For me, more knowledge is always better and I feel that I want to be as prepared as possible if and when I ever run a library.   The areas of ethics, what a library should be, how to service the community to the best of the library's ability would be the main objectives I would like to learn in this area.  I also want to be flexible in where I might live in the future in case as my family flees the nest, my husband and I can decide if we want to live somewhere else.  I believe that having the additional education will help me secure a job in another location.

Since there are so many other options out there for individuals with an MLIS, one of my goals is to research other opportunities as well.  The research and reference field intrigue me so I would like to learn about job opportunities in these fields.  My objectives would be to figure out what classes would be beneficial if I went this route and what other skills should I work on.  History is also a huge love of mine so looking into the archival certificate might be something I wish to do.  Or maybe the information management might be the way to go.  As I start to weed through the different opportunities, I am hoping to firm up my goals along the way.

Basically, I am here to learn.  Learn everything I can about the MLIS field.  Learn everything I can that might help me in my future career.  Learn everything I can just because knowledge is essential and necessary.  I always feel that every single one of us can learn something new each day that will help us in our jobs.  I love learning new ways of helping out our patrons and sharing that information with them.  I am glad that I have started this journey.

 

What is a librarian/library?

In my current job we often joke about the librarian stereotype: Older lady with her hair all done up in a tight bun, glasses slid down her nose, cardigan and sensible shoes on and her mouth constantly posed in a shushing position!  Heaven forbid that anyone make a sound louder than a whisper in her library and everyone must always show the proper respect to the books.  Does this sound familiar? 

Every person has had different experiences with libraries and librarians.  If you asked 5 different people to define what a library meant to them, you probably would get five different answers.  None would be wrong because they would reflect what those individuals had experienced in their lifetimes.


These are some of my current beliefs in what the library sciences profession is (at the beginning of my MLIS journey):

1. Libraries do not include just books anymore.  Librarians need to be able to adapt to all the changes that are occurring the world.  Today libraries contain books, audio books, dvd's, computers, electronic books, etc and librarians have to be comfortable with these medias in order to help their patrons navigate all this material.  Librarians don't need to be professionals but they do need to have good resources where the patron can be directed to.  Basic knowledge is necessary in case the resources are unavailable at a particular time however. 

2. While technology is great, librarians should support and encourage traditional ways as well.  Actual physical books have been around for so long it would be sad to see them go by the wayside.  Librarians should continue to encourage kids to learn how to look up information in a book instead of always on the internet.  Today most children run directly to the internet for all of their information.  This is a great resource but other resources should be encouraged as well.

3. Librarians need to be supportive of all their patrons and their choices.  This should be reflected in the material that the library stocks on the shelves as well.  Just because the librarian wouldn't want to read a particular book or watch a particular movie does not mean that everyone feels that way.  There should be a variety when materials are being purchased for the library.  Patrons should also feel comfortable approaching a librarian to ask questions regarding particular material and not feel uncomfortable.

4. Libraries should be there for the entire community, not just a chosen few.  It can be tempting to just focus on those who consistently use the library according to our beliefs and only bring in material and programs just for them.  However the library is there for the entire community and efforts should be made to make material and program fit all aspects of the community.  The library should be a place of learning for all.  Everyone should be comfortable walking into the door of the library.

What are your thoughts of libraries and librarians?

Welcome

Welcome to Kerry's MLIS Blog.  My name is Kerry and I am a student at Wayne State University in the Masters of Library and Information Sciences program.  I currently work for two small libraries in Saranac and Clarksville, Michigan as a library assistant.  My main duties include working the circulation desk, shelving books, helping patrons find books and answering questions.  I also handle most of our tech help appointments, write a monthly newspaper article full of library events and whatever else comes my way which can be anything from cleaning to shelf reading.

I realized once I started working at the libraries that this field was where I was destined to be.  I worked for many years at a not for profit organization in Ionia, Michigan where I was able to wear many hats.  Working for a small library is very similar but I also get to be around all kinds of reading material, which is something I love.  I decided to pursue my passion and here I am.

This blog will be my tool as I work through the MLIS program where I can express my thoughts and opinions on what I am learning, reading, and experiencing.  I hope that  you enjoy the insights and the process.