My area of focus is public libraries, specifically public library makerspaces, and general librarianship. This is due to my current position as a librarian in the Norman Public library, where I work in the makerspace and computer commons. In my role, I assist patrons seeking information using electronic resources, troubleshooting technical issues, and teaching or helping customers create or build their projects. I also do outreach throughout the community to run STEAM programming or provide resources the library has to offer. A personal goal is to build a foundational understanding of libraries and how to apply the theories from the SLIS program to my career. My long-term career goal is to be a jack-of-all-trades librarian who can work in and thrive in any position or situation I am in. Due to this goal, I chose my classes accordingly in order to achieve this goal best.
The core classes I took gave me an excellent opportunity to build the foundation for how libraries function. In LIS-5023, I learned how to build a strategic plan which taught me what resources are available to analyze a community to determine its needs and how strategic plans of libraries differ from my previous experiences in strategic planning and project design. I applied my background in software engineering when designing a new collection in LIS-5043. This class taught me the importance of correctly identifying attributes and setting standards are items in a collection. LIS-5063 showed me how my background in technology could be applied to library science. The class also showed me that I could help provide suggestions and technical knowledge to libraries to improve the library's current technology and provide support for helping libraries in the future.
My elective courses allowed me to branch out from the technological-based aspects of library and information science. LIS-5443 gave me great insight into collection development, from how libraries select material to what sources are available to find quality books and the importance of having collection policies. The course also taught me how to analyze current collection policies and provide meaningful feedback critically. I also started reading a wide variety of books. I created a goal of reading at least one hundred books a year to become more familiar with not only different authors but a wide variety of genres. At the same time, LIS-5193 gave me a great foundation in understanding young adults' literature, how they learn, and how to assist them both when looking for information and in a teaching role. I have applied theory in practice from this class while running programs and providing one-on-one instruction. LIS-5213 taught me how to view the impact of technology differently. Engineering students are taught how to design applications for the largest percentile of customers, but it does not look at the impact that would have on society and different demographic groups. This class helped me see and analyze the impact technology has on these people and how I, as an informational professional, can help mitigate and plan to offset socio-technical gaps when working with patrons or purchasing new technologies.
I am also constantly keeping up to date with technology trends and continuing my education outside of higher education. I am taking training courses, provided by the library I am currently working at to better assist patrons with applications, technologies, and better assist their information journey. I strive to learn about various subjects outside of library-provided training and higher education courses. I have started to learn machine learning using Tensorflow because patrons have been asking questions about where to start or how to code using machine learning. I also try to expand my knowledge by reading various non-fiction titles and staying up to date with various journals and scientific articles.
My long-term professional goal is to be one of the best STEAM, and general librarians possible. My background, passion for continual education, and the theory/concepts I have learned within the MLIS program have prepared me to achieve this goal.