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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