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Christal
Beyer
630-606-1343
christalbeyer20@gmail.com
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SUMMARY
As a library professional, I am committed to helping people become lifelong learners. I’m completing my last year of study in the GSLIS program at Dominican University.
Working in libraries has been my passion from the time I was in college, all the way to my current position as Children’s Service Assistant at Aurora Public Library. I am fluent in Spanish and I have extensive work experience with children of all ages.
EXPERIENCE
Children’s Services Assistant, Aurora Public LibraryAurora, IL — 2015-2016
I am responsible for implementing STEM programs for elementary school children each week centered around literature and current technologies. I provide bilingual storytimes to preschoolers in School Districts 131 and 129 for early literacy outreach. I serve on the Collection Development Advisory Team in a new initiative to evaluate consistency in the collections across four library branches. I am a certified interpreter and translator for my department, as over fifty percent of our patrons only speak Spanish. Lastly, I serve on the strategic planning committee engaging community members for upcoming focus group studies.
BLAST Coordinator, Brookfield Public LibraryBrookfield, IL — 2010-2015
I taught eighteen students Monday through Friday during the academic year, in BLAST (Brookfield Library After School Time). My lessons featured a variety of S.T.E.M. and maker projects. I also served as the Spanish interpreter and translator for the library.
I have been been promoted during my tenure at BPL.My former positions
Youth Services Assistant, Thomas Ford LibraryWestern Springs — 2007
This position was my very first experience working in Youth Services at a very busy public library.
Accomplishments
Circulation Clerk, College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL 2002-2006
This was my second professional position in an academic library. I trained new staff and was often the person in charge during the night shift.
Accomplishments
EDUCATION
Northern Illinois UniversityBachelor of Arts in Spanish Language --- 1998-2002
I attended university to become a Spanish teacher. I started at working at the Founders Memorial Library in 1998. My future was forever changed.
Dominican University
GSLIS Program --- Graduation set for May 2017
SKILLS/DISTINCTIONS
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Friday, January 20, 2017
Curriculum Vitae
Goal 2: Artifacts
Goal 2: Understand the essential nature of information and its relevance to society.
Outcome 2a: Describe various definitions and concepts of information.
LIS 712 was one my first classes, The History of the Printed Book. It was taught by a remarkable professor who took the class on an extraordinary journey to the Lenhardt Library of the Chicago Botanical Garden. In this special place we learned about the history of Gutenberg but also had a chance to study antiquarian books and write reports on them. In my case, I was able to study Flora Americae Septentrionalis; or a Catalogue of the plants of North America published in 1771. Looking at this book provided me with a historical context of how information was provided to society from that time period. The amount of work involved to even create quality works such as this is still mind-blowing to me.
This catalog of North American plants was quite valuable in its time. Nowadays botanical catalogs are still accessible in text books, but we likely have digital access to them. The majority of information transactions are completed electronically. I can look at back at my report and see the appreciation I felt for the historical information access in this respect. In the future, thirty years from now as we begin to see the distribution of virtual reality devices, one can only wonder how information distribution will look.
Goal 1: Artifacts
Goal 1: Develop a professional identity, including commitment to core values of LIS
Outcome 1b: Articulate the philosophies of the library and information professions.
Many, many moons ago in my Information Policy class, my professor challenged me to consider the ramifications of choices we make concerning intellectual privacy of our patrons. For this particular discussion post, I was asked to decide whether or not it was better for me to protect the intellectual privacy of individuals or was it worthwhile to sacrifice some privacy for the good of the institution. I found myself in such incredibly uncomfortable territory because I think that intellectual privacy can and should be upheld as a civil liberty; however in the 21st Century it is difficult to maintain any degree of privacy with so many ways that technology can undermine our efforts. I learned how uncomfortable i was making ethical judgments on the civil liberties of our patrons, but it was a worthwhile assignment to hear others come to terms with this dilemma as well.
Outcome 1d: Articulate a personal professional philosophy of the library and information professions.
The image above is from the December newsletter at Aurora Public Library. The activity it describes displays my professional philosophy of stimulating curiosity through library resources. These young people are learning, having fun and using 21st Century technology. This multilingual 3-D lab experience is what the library of the future offers users of all ages. My work focuses specifically on STEM activities for children 12 and younger. In this instance, twelve young people asked questions in order to complete the project in the Makerspace. Their curiosity guided them to learn about this particular resource and they now come to the library with parents to create new 3-D images and sounds on the Sprout HP.
The Makerspace has been open for 1 1/2 years. In that period there has not been significant programming for younger or bilingual children. No one forbade this activity, but no one sought it out. My belief is that the librarian must be an advocate for his/her users which led me to obtain approval for this program. Thanks to the support of my manager and the Makerspace staff, I was permitted to bring in a whole new group of young clients to this invaluable space in the library.
Outcome 1e: Participate in professional activities and associations.
Six months ago, I was asked to join the Strategic Planning Committee and represent Youth Services. I recruited members of our community for focus groups to be conducted in English and Spanish. As a bilingual speaker I was able to address concerns and hear feedback from our community regarding library services. Upon receiving the results from over five hundred participants, the library was compelled to form a strategic plan. The work on this 3-year-plan is now divided into four target areas.
I am now the leader of the School Success pillar of the strategic plan, which I wrote with the support of my manager. The strategic plan in its entirety is not published on the website, but a synopsis of the plan can be viewed.
I am now the leader of the School Success pillar of the strategic plan, which I wrote with the support of my manager. The strategic plan in its entirety is not published on the website, but a synopsis of the plan can be viewed.
This committee work has been one of my greatest professional challenges. Writing the plan itself was a necessary task, and it developed my ability to see things "big picture" as we often say in our society. The work involved is only just beginning starting next month. I will work with forty other people on the School Success team and together, we will redesign our services and resources towards children from birth to adulthood. I have an amazing opportunity in front of me. Although the road ahead still feels uncertain, I have faith that many good things will arise from my colleagues taking ownership in this plan with me.
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