1. Things I Didn’t Learn in Library
School
A career-building webinar from the UNCG
University Libraries. March 26, 2013.
Anna Craft, Metadata Cataloger
Nataly Blas, Diversity Resident
Librarian
Mary Krautter, Head of Reference and
Instructional Services
Beth Filar Williams, Coordinator of
Library Services for Distance Learning
1
2. Before we jump in,
Previous LIS career-building
webinars are available online.
We’ve covered:
Become the Successful Job
Candidate: recording and
slides, 4/10/12
Successful Interviews:
recording and slides, 4/17/12
Resume Workshop: materials
and recorded session, 10/1/10
Resume Workshop: materials
and recorded session, 4/23/10
2
3. Our overview
Practical skills
◦ Technology, budgeting, and
other on-the-job skills
Teaching skills
◦ Instruction and instructional
design
Interpersonal &
Management skills
◦ Communication, collaboration,
supervision, and more
Professional involvement
◦ Networking, conferences,
scholarship, continuing 3
5. In my first library job, I realized I
needed to know…
5
6. In my first library job, I realized I
needed to know…
Basic Management Skills
◦ Leading people
◦ Managing time
◦ Delegating responsibility
◦ Promoting myself
Like herding cats…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/78128495@N00/23361425 6
7. In my first library job, I realized I
needed to know…
7
8. In my first library job, I realized I
needed to know…
8
10. Library-specific skills
“…familiarity and expertise with SirsiDynix Symphony”
◦ http://www.slis.indiana.edu/careers/view_job_specific.php?job_id=13953
“Data management experience”
◦ https://jobs.lclark.edu/postings/3532
“…providing reader’s advisory and reference and circulation
service”
◦ http://www.slis.indiana.edu/careers/view_job_specific.php?job_id=13885
“Develops and maintains online tutorials and LibGuides to
promote library resources, services, and online learning.”
◦ http://publicboard.libgig.com/job/evening-reference-librarian-pensacola-fl-university-of-
west-florida-b53369ea0c
“Demonstrated ability to process manuscript and archival
collections.”
◦ http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/controller.cfm?rssjobid=22353
10
11. Library skills – how to get
them?
Practicums, internships, other work
experience
Conferences, webinars, workshops,
other professional development
And don’t forget to read current job
postings to see what employers want!
11
13. Tech skills – how to get them?
Library workshops:
http://uncg.libguides.com/content.php?pid=280830&sid=2856
233
Digital Media Commons:
http://library.uncg.edu/spaces/dmc/
Coursework through UNCG or other
institutions
Teach yourself!
13
14. Budgeting and time
management
Budget
involvement is not
just for
administrators!
Time management
– in your work life
but also in your job
search!
14
15. How?
Budgeting
◦ For grants – look for
grant-writing
workshops.
Time management
◦ Webinars, other
library-specific
professional
development
◦ HR workshops
15
16. “The buck stops here”
Image via Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dovertownlibrary/4544092612/ 16
17. Teaching skills
Library instruction in…
◦ Academic Libraries
◦ Public Libraries
◦ School Libraries
◦ Special Libraries, Special Collections, and
Information Centers
17
18. Teaching Skills
Teaching
Philosophy
Learning
Assessment Outcomes
Student Faculty
Engageme Library Connection
nt Instruction s
Online vs. Information
F2F Literacy
Tech Tools
18
19. Teaching Skills
Learn the Theory
• Read relevant literature
• Take a course, possibly in the School of Education
Helpful Websites
• ALA Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT)
http://www.ala.org/lirt/
• ACRL Instruction Section (IS)
http://www.ala.org/acrl/aboutacrl/directoryofleadership/sections/is/acr-insec
(AASL & PLA have similar resources for teaching)
• NCLA – NC Bibliographic Instruction Group and NC
Distance Learning Group
http://www.nclaonline.org/
19
20. Teaching Skills
Find a Teaching Buddy
• Shadow instruction sessions (online
vs. f2f)
• Co-teach
• Have your buddy evaluate your
teaching
• Ask for opportunity to design a lesson
and in-class activity
• Discuss assessment
20
21. Teaching Skills
Technology
◦ Libguides, Tutorials, Website, Bb
Collaborate, etc.
Designing Media
◦ Handouts, posters,
in-class activities,
etc.
blogs.forsyth.k12.ga.us
21
29. Professional involvement: organizations
Start now - join!
• Campus/Community
• Local (triad) – NC-LITe, LISSA
• State – NCLA, NCSLA, SNCA,
• Regional – SEMLA, LOEX
• National – ALA, SLA, PLA, AALL, AASL
• International - IFLA
• Non library orgs – EDUCAUSE, UNC-CAUSE
29
30. Professional involvement: TIPS
• Ask what orgs UNCG Librarians are in
• Consider an NMRT
• Find a group that does something you want to learn
• Join one where you can share or collaborate with
others
• Consider a virtual committee if you can’t travel
• Try one that produces something like a report or
bibliography
30
32. Professional involvement: Conferences,
workshops, webinars
• Local/triad UNCG libraries’ webinars
• State NCLA Conference Oct 2013
• Regional EDUCAUSE SE Regional Conference May
2013
• National ALA Chicago or SLA San Diego, June
2013,
• International IFLA conferences in August
• Non-library orgs Computers in Libraries April
2013
• Webinars http://neflin2.blogspot.com/
32
33. Professional involvement: scholarships &
awards
Potential scholarships:
◦ www.ala.org/educationcareers/scholarships
◦ www.ala.org/nmrt/initiatives/applyforfunds/applyfunds
◦ www.ftrf.org/?Conable_Scholarship
◦ www.LISjobs.com/careers/conferencing-funding.asp
◦ statelibrary.ncdcr.libguides.com/trainstation
(conferences)
ALA student to staff program:
http://www.ala.org/groups/affiliates/chapters/student/resources/studenttostaffprogram
33
34. Professional involvement:
Scholarship
(mainly for academics!)
Presentations, writing & publishing
◦ Start small:
Blogs, newsletters, LIScareer.com
Un-Hushed, Launc-ch, iDEALS, ALA posters
◦ Collaborate w/ mentor, librarian, peer
◦ Write for ALA at conferences/reporter
◦ Grad assistantship/internship/practicum - projects
can lead to more!
Tenure!
◦ Keep your e-portfolio up-to-date
◦ Keep documents, examples
34
35. Professional involvement:
Mentoring
LIS Dept. official mentoring program
http://lis.uncg.edu/current-students/
ALA mentoring
http://connect.ala.org/mentorconnect-help
Professional jobs mentoring programs
Unofficial - reach out!
Post questions on social media & connect
Can be virtual!
Volunteer/Connect
35
36. Professional involvement: Keeping
Up!
Professional listservs/google groups
◦ Join now! Don’t wait until you graduate.
◦ Look at your orgs & committees
◦ ALA (http://lists.ala.org/sympa)
Etiquette! “reflect before you click”
Other ways to keep up with current
trends
◦ Twitter, RSS feeds, journal alerts
ALA Student Blog:
http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/student-member-blog
LIS Guide on Conferences & Funding
http://uncg.libguides.com/lis
36
37. Any questions?
Image credit: Flickr user Travelin’ Librarian
37
a quick way to take all the weight of the world on your head.
Ask what orgs UNCG Librarians (or others you know) are in Find a group that does something you want to learn - sustainability, MOOCs, programming. Consider an NMRT - new members! Join one where you can share or collaborate with others -- LITA Instructional tech interest groupConsider a virtual committee if you can’t travel -- Library 2.012 Conference OctoberTry one that produces something like report or bibliography -- ULS Future of Libraries Committee OR DLS bibliography committee,etc
Good resources:http://oedb.org/blogs/ilibrarian/2013/a-library-conference-survival-guide-tips/http://uncg.libguides.com/LIS
Conable is for students or recent grads
Committee like ULS communications has blog and asks for submission; LEARNRT of ALA has a newsletter; IFLAs newsletters;
Jobs = what are people looking for? What are current trends?