Professional Philosophy & Competency O ~
Contribute to the cultural, economic, educational, and social well-being of our communities.
As librarians, "we celebrate and preserve our democratic society by making available the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions, and ideas so that all individuals have the opportunity to become lifelong learners - informed, literate, educated, and culturally enriched."
(ALA, 1999)
I used the quote above to introduce this portfolio on the previous page, and because I think it speaks volumes to what we try to accomplish as librarians, I have decided to include it here as well to help me articulate the professional philosophy through which my decisions as a public librarian will be guided. Throughout the SLIS program, I have been exposed to many experiences and ideas that have helped me to develop a vision of the path I would like my career to follow. As I write this, I feel inside myself a strong passion and commitment to help the public library accomplish its mission to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and to develop culturally enriched communities.
The time I spent as a volunteer computer docent for my local public library was an experience that I will look back to for a long time to come. Before I started the position I had no idea how much of an impact I would have on the lives of my fellow citizens. There was no way for me to know that my patience and willingness to simply listen to the personal struggles of the people I was helping would change me so dramatically. One woman showed her appreciation for the time I spent with her each time we met. One of our last tutoring sessions was around the holidays and I remember it so vividly because she gave me a Christmas card to express her gratitude. As a public librarian, I want to develop more relationships like this one that will enrich my life and the lives of others.
A man I helped wanted to understand why I was dedicating my time to volunteer at the public library. The question caught me off guard, but I replied, "because I enjoy helping people and my community." He later revealed to me that he was recently released from prison and that the past ten years of his life were spent incarcerated. He needed help with finding online job resources and creating an email account so he would be able to begin his search for employment. He told me I was kind to help him. I told him I was happy to help. After that conversation his demeanor changed. He was like a giddy child; he was excited that I was sharing my knowledge of library resources with him. As a public librarian, I want to experience moments like this as often as possible.
My decision to pursue children's librarianship has been validated by coursework that I have completed for LIBR 260A Programming and Services for Children. Specifically, having the opportunity to observe a children's librarian at work while she engages with children, and enjoying several children's historical fiction novels so that I can write booktalks and create a book discussion group, are assignments that helped me make my decision. These assignments opened my eyes to the dedication and passion it takes to be a successful and valued children's librarian. A children's librarian must also be a storyteller, a puppet master, creative thinker, performer, friend, mentor, and educator. And, according to Elizabeth Danley (2003), we must be human scaffolds who guide children through the process of discovery and growth. She defends the position that "as scaffolding agents, librarians in public libraries listen to their clients and adjust the information-seeking experience to guide them to become self-directed learners" (p. 101). A children's librarian that I interviewed for an assignment encouraged me to pursue children's librarianship. She said it would be a great way for me to begin my career. She said I would learn more than I ever thought, and that it would prepare me to take on more challenging aspectts of the profession. Well, I am taking her advice and I am ready for the challenging journey before me.
Professional Philosophy, a beginning, because they are forever evolving . . .
"We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations."
(ALA, 2008)
As a children's librarian, I hope for many opportunities to contribute to the cultural, economic, educational, and social well-being of our communities. By building diverse collections that represent the interests, beliefs, and educational needs of the families I serve, I will be contributing to the cultural delelopment of the community. Offering multicultural programming, which is important to the cultural well-being of all communities, will promote tolerance and cultural awareness throughout the community.
I will contribute to the community's economic well-being by helping college bound students develop and refine their research skills, I will help with test preparation, and I will assist in the development of a love of reading for pleasure in our youth. A librarian dedicated to the development of these skills in young adults will help young adults grow into mature and responsible college students who will eventually mature into civic-minded citizens. People who read for pleasure read more; people who read more know more; and people who know more apply themselves in more disciplines professionally and personally. I believe this all to be true, and it begins during the early years of life.
I will support the educational well-being of my community by being an active participant in outreach and summer reading programs. It is no secret that the summer months do little to improve or encourage children's retention of what they learned during the school year. As a children's librarian, I will be dedicated to aiding in the decline in summer learning loss. I will contribute to the development of newly designed, interactive, fun and self-directed summer reading programs for children of all ages.
I will promote the social well-being of my community by developing family programs that support civic engagement. I will involve parents as often as possible in their children's development of an appreciation for the library. I will be an active librarian, active in fulfilling the needs of the community, and I will show a genuine interest in the people who regularly visit and support the library and the work I do.
Professional Goals
I plan to begin my career as a children's librarian, but in our current economic climate I cannot afford to be too selective. So, it seems practical to start where I can, as long as the position is a good fit and I feel in my gut that it is where I should be. Then, I will build upon the skills obtained from that sphere of librarianship by pursuing other opportunities within the public library. Ultimately, I plan to work towards becoming a supervising librarian, and eventually develop the skills needed to be a successful and effective public library director. I think it is important for librarians to continuously refine their skills and keep learning new skills throughout their careers. The careers of librarians tend to be long and fulfilling so every opportunity to grow personally and professionally shoud be seized!
References
ALA. (1999). Libraries: An American value. Retrieved
from http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols/americanvalue/librariesamerican.cfm
ALA. (2008). Code of ethics. Retrieved
from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics.cfm
Danley, E. (2003). The public children's librarian as educator. Public Libraries, 42 (2), 98-101.
(ALA, 1999)
I used the quote above to introduce this portfolio on the previous page, and because I think it speaks volumes to what we try to accomplish as librarians, I have decided to include it here as well to help me articulate the professional philosophy through which my decisions as a public librarian will be guided. Throughout the SLIS program, I have been exposed to many experiences and ideas that have helped me to develop a vision of the path I would like my career to follow. As I write this, I feel inside myself a strong passion and commitment to help the public library accomplish its mission to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and to develop culturally enriched communities.
The time I spent as a volunteer computer docent for my local public library was an experience that I will look back to for a long time to come. Before I started the position I had no idea how much of an impact I would have on the lives of my fellow citizens. There was no way for me to know that my patience and willingness to simply listen to the personal struggles of the people I was helping would change me so dramatically. One woman showed her appreciation for the time I spent with her each time we met. One of our last tutoring sessions was around the holidays and I remember it so vividly because she gave me a Christmas card to express her gratitude. As a public librarian, I want to develop more relationships like this one that will enrich my life and the lives of others.
A man I helped wanted to understand why I was dedicating my time to volunteer at the public library. The question caught me off guard, but I replied, "because I enjoy helping people and my community." He later revealed to me that he was recently released from prison and that the past ten years of his life were spent incarcerated. He needed help with finding online job resources and creating an email account so he would be able to begin his search for employment. He told me I was kind to help him. I told him I was happy to help. After that conversation his demeanor changed. He was like a giddy child; he was excited that I was sharing my knowledge of library resources with him. As a public librarian, I want to experience moments like this as often as possible.
My decision to pursue children's librarianship has been validated by coursework that I have completed for LIBR 260A Programming and Services for Children. Specifically, having the opportunity to observe a children's librarian at work while she engages with children, and enjoying several children's historical fiction novels so that I can write booktalks and create a book discussion group, are assignments that helped me make my decision. These assignments opened my eyes to the dedication and passion it takes to be a successful and valued children's librarian. A children's librarian must also be a storyteller, a puppet master, creative thinker, performer, friend, mentor, and educator. And, according to Elizabeth Danley (2003), we must be human scaffolds who guide children through the process of discovery and growth. She defends the position that "as scaffolding agents, librarians in public libraries listen to their clients and adjust the information-seeking experience to guide them to become self-directed learners" (p. 101). A children's librarian that I interviewed for an assignment encouraged me to pursue children's librarianship. She said it would be a great way for me to begin my career. She said I would learn more than I ever thought, and that it would prepare me to take on more challenging aspectts of the profession. Well, I am taking her advice and I am ready for the challenging journey before me.
Professional Philosophy, a beginning, because they are forever evolving . . .
"We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations."
(ALA, 2008)
As a children's librarian, I hope for many opportunities to contribute to the cultural, economic, educational, and social well-being of our communities. By building diverse collections that represent the interests, beliefs, and educational needs of the families I serve, I will be contributing to the cultural delelopment of the community. Offering multicultural programming, which is important to the cultural well-being of all communities, will promote tolerance and cultural awareness throughout the community.
I will contribute to the community's economic well-being by helping college bound students develop and refine their research skills, I will help with test preparation, and I will assist in the development of a love of reading for pleasure in our youth. A librarian dedicated to the development of these skills in young adults will help young adults grow into mature and responsible college students who will eventually mature into civic-minded citizens. People who read for pleasure read more; people who read more know more; and people who know more apply themselves in more disciplines professionally and personally. I believe this all to be true, and it begins during the early years of life.
I will support the educational well-being of my community by being an active participant in outreach and summer reading programs. It is no secret that the summer months do little to improve or encourage children's retention of what they learned during the school year. As a children's librarian, I will be dedicated to aiding in the decline in summer learning loss. I will contribute to the development of newly designed, interactive, fun and self-directed summer reading programs for children of all ages.
I will promote the social well-being of my community by developing family programs that support civic engagement. I will involve parents as often as possible in their children's development of an appreciation for the library. I will be an active librarian, active in fulfilling the needs of the community, and I will show a genuine interest in the people who regularly visit and support the library and the work I do.
Professional Goals
I plan to begin my career as a children's librarian, but in our current economic climate I cannot afford to be too selective. So, it seems practical to start where I can, as long as the position is a good fit and I feel in my gut that it is where I should be. Then, I will build upon the skills obtained from that sphere of librarianship by pursuing other opportunities within the public library. Ultimately, I plan to work towards becoming a supervising librarian, and eventually develop the skills needed to be a successful and effective public library director. I think it is important for librarians to continuously refine their skills and keep learning new skills throughout their careers. The careers of librarians tend to be long and fulfilling so every opportunity to grow personally and professionally shoud be seized!
References
ALA. (1999). Libraries: An American value. Retrieved
from http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols/americanvalue/librariesamerican.cfm
ALA. (2008). Code of ethics. Retrieved
from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics.cfm
Danley, E. (2003). The public children's librarian as educator. Public Libraries, 42 (2), 98-101.