Mary Buckley describes the idea of the ideal self. i.e the self we want to be, she describes steps to use this possible self framework to shape our own future careers as library professionals.

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Mary Buckley
Librarian
National College of Ireland
L2L :
Reimagining
Identity
- Cameo
Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

2. Disclaimer
 Given the audience @L2L I sought advice on how to prepare
for this presentation (Cameo), one of the most useful for me is
that you should ‘Give a Disclaimer’: I was in like a shot….
 The information supplied by Mary Buckley @ this L2L Seminar on
this medium facilitated by the National College of Ireland may
contain information that is created and maintained by a variety of
sources both internal and external to the College. The National
College of Ireland does not control, monitor or guarantee the
information contained in this medium.
 In no event shall the National College of Ireland be responsible or
liable, directly or indirectly, with the use of, or reliance on, any such
content or services available on or through any such resource. At
the time of being produced every effort has been made to ensure
that the information supplied is correct,
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

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‘LEARNING SELF’
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

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John Dewey, 1938
The self is not
something ready-
made, but
something in
continuous
formation through
choice of action
Learning is
not
preparation
for life;
learning is life
itself
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

5. Multiple Possible Selves
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 Information derived from past experiences plays a
significant role in this regard.
 Markus and Nurius provide a broad outline of the
scope of possible selves, that is, multiple future
orientated possible selves, but do not provide a finite
taxonomy.
 Possible selves, “a future self state rather than a
current one, represents the ideas which an individual
has regarding what they could become, what they
would like to become and what they are afraid of
becoming”. (Markus and Nurius,1986, 954)
Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

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Possible and Ideal Selves
Framework
 Actual self – representation of the
attributes that someone (yourself or
another) believes you actually
possess.
 Ideal Self – representation of the
attributes (hopes, aspirations or
wishes for you) that someone
(yourself or another) would like you
ideally to possess.
 Ought Self – representation of the
attributes that someone (yourself or
another) believes you should or ought
to possess (sense of duty, obligations
or responsibilities).
 Also – Feared Self
Identity Formation Domains of the Self
Personal
SituationalProfessional
My Librarian
Identity
Formation
Embraces notions of identity,
context, emotion and agency.
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

7. Possible and Ideal Selves frameworks
 Researchers in a number of disciplines have been drawn to
possible selves frameworks.
Focus on:-
 How individuals perceive and manage important transitions in
life
 Important features of possible selves include
 their nature as experienced meaning,
 their relation with the rest of the self concept and
 their social and cultural nature
(Frazier, Johnson, Gema and Kafka, 2002; Hiver, 2013;
Kerpelman, Shoffner, & Ross-Griffin, 2000; Meara, Day Chalk
and Phelps, 1995; Rossiter, 2007; Dörnyei et al. 2009).
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

8. My Career Overview
 1982-1986 UCC B.A. & Higher Diploma in Education
 Student Help UCC worked in Boole Library 3 years
 Secondary School Teacher Part Time
 1986-1987 FAS Course (it was the 1980’s recession! – Boole Library
 April 21st 1987 Library Assistant College of Industrial Relations 19861982 B.A.
 1990 Appointed Senior Library Assistant, CIR now National College of Industrial Relations (NCIR)
 1996-1997 Higher Diploma in Library & Information Studies;
 1997 (July) Assistant Librarian NCI (name change from NCIR to National College of Ireland, 2000)
 2002 Librarian NCI
 2007 Associateship of Library Association of Ireland
 2003 NCI Moved to new purpose built site in IFSC, I was involved in planning, organisation & move to new site. We
are currently planning to expand the Library over the next 3 years.
 NCI has moved from 2.5 library staff in 1987 to 12 fulltime staff : we have 44 online databases (42 fulltext); open access;
use Capita Library System, with self service functionality & automatic renewals. Strong emphasis on online resources,
including eBooks. However print books still very popular with students. NCI continues to have a strong record with ‘2nd
chance education.
 Publishing referencing guide 1st Cite@NCI; bibliographies & referencing made easy, (2016), Dublin: NCI 4th ed. (new 5th
ed. July 2018)
 I more or less fell into current role; in the ‘right place’ or ‘convenient’ – however I would hope that I continue to
develop both the NCI Library & my own professional career. Sometimes I want to implement new ideas/systems too
quickly or without always thinking through the ramifications. So far I have survived…..maybe even thrived.
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

9. NCI Library Ranelagh c. 1987
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

10. NCI Library IFSC May 2018
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

11. NCI Library IFSC May 2018
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

12. Mary Buckley May 2018
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NCI Library IFSC May 2018

13. My Career Observations or
Keeping your career on
track
 Career Truths : Most people do not choose work/career, it
chooses them
 People know what they do not like to do, not want they do want
to do
 You always have a choice; know your strengths & interests
 Re-imagining your career/work/job is a life skill you should/must
have
 You should define your purpose: do you like going to work? Is
there any part of your work that you enjoy more than the rest?
Test yourself on a regular basis
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

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Positive(s) Negative(s)
I like my job as a Librarian
Lifer – proud
Autonomy
Professionalism
Networks
Collaboration
New technologies
Adaptive
Social Media
Students/Teaching
Research
Explaining
Luck
Networks
Working in a small academic
library in ‘private’ sector
(hybrid)
Support or lack of… -
Organisationally/Professionally
Social Media
Career appropriation
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

15. Collaboration @
 2016 NCI Library joined HECA Library Group – ‘From January
to June 2017 the HECA Libraries Group were involved in
a National Forum Project , CPD for Library Staff
in HECA Libraries, using ePortfolio’s.
 See: http://libguides.ncirl.ie/HECALibrarians
 ePortfolio or LibGuide Platform for combined training information for
combined libraries of HECA – caution GDPR
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

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“Whether you
believe you can
or whether you
believe you
can’t – you’re
right!”
Henry Ford
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

17. Resources
 Asghar, R., (2014), ‘incompetence rains er reigns: what the Peter principle means today, August 14, 2014
 Bender, L., et al. (1997). Good Will Hunting.
 Canning, V., (2014) Your Brand: advance your career by building a personal brand, Dublin: Institute of Chartered
Accountants Ireland.
 Dewey, J 2003, Experience And Education, n.p.: New York : Touchstone, 1997.(original publication 1938)
 Ford, H. 1947 September, The Reader’s Digest, Volume 51, (Filler item), Quote Page 64, The Reader’s Digest
Association.
 Mannix, V. & Graham Cagney, A., Toward a conceptual framework of personal, professional and situational teacher
identity: A study of multiple teacher selves in Further and Adult Education in Ireland, Conference paper for Durham
University, UK, Conference ‘Screaming in a 20-mile zone: Academic Identities in 2014’ 8-9 July 2014.
 Markus, H, & Nurius, P 1986, 'Possible Selves', American Psychologist, vol. 41, no. 9, pp. 954-969.
 Peter, L.J. & Hull, R., (1969) The Peter Principle, London: Pan Books
 Weiler Reynolds, B., https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/want-more-purpose-at-work-reimagine-your-career/.
December 18, 2012. [accessed 10th May 2018]
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Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity

18. Questions . . . .
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Mary Buckley BA, HDip, DLIS ALA
Librarian
National College of Ireland
Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1
Tel (Direct): + 353 1 4498509
Tel (Library): + 353 1 4498590
Tel (Reception): + 353 1 4498500
Fax: + 353 1 4498563
Email: mbuckley@ncirl.ie
Web: www.ncirl.ie
Mary Buckley May 2018 : L2L Reimagining Identity