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Q-Theory Workshop Set for April 13, 2013, at James Shepard Library, NCCU

Q-Theory Workshop

Saturday, April 13, 2013

James Shepard Library, Room 337
9 am – 3 pm

Registration

Q Methodology is a research method used to study people’s viewpoints on a particular topic. This workshop will include an introduction to Q methodology and theory, along with a hands-on actualization of the Q research process. The actualization will include:

The concourse: gathering value statements about the research question from respondents, and the Q sort: the sorting process of the value statements into a ranking order from agree to disagree.

Q-Theory Workshop will be held at North Carolina Central University in James Shepard Library on the 3rd floor, Room 337
Bring your laptop and please join us for an interactive workshop.

Lunch will be provided.

Interview with Danielle’ McGhee, MLS ’12

1) Tell us your current position and job duties.

I am the Secondary Librarian (6th-12th) at Brentwood Christian School in Austin, TX. My job duties vary each day. My daily

Danielle’ McGhee

duties consist of managing the circulation desk, answering reference questions, shelving, updating the library reservation calendar, and teaching Book Club. Throughout the school year I host book fairs, and every quarter I teach faculty and staff new programs in our technology development training classes.

Outside of those traditional duties, I am very active on our campus. This year I coached 5th & 6th grade girls volleyball and I mentor 11th grade girls. Most recently, I travelled with our 8th grade students to Washington, DC. This year I am also coaching middle and high school girls in bible reading for our interscholastic academic meet. We are extremely active and busy at BCS!

2) How did studying at NCCU SLIS help you prepare for your current work?

NCCU SLIS prepared me to seek out the experiences that I wanted to get involved in that later lead to even better opportunities. It was a great place to actively get started in leadership roles, and taking initiative to do great things. Having that attitude prepared me to take on roles that were presented to me here at BCS that have lead to better opportunities.

3) What was your favorite thing about your time at NCCU SLIS?

I have several! My favorite things about my time at NCCU SLIS:

· Traveling abroad for the first time.

· Working as a Graduate Assistant for Dr. Abdullahi.

· Processing NCCU’s administrative papers and photographs for the Content, Context, and Capacity: A Collaborative Large-Scale Digitization Project with my cohort Shanee Murrain in the NCCU archives.

· Being a part of the new faculty selection committee and curriculum development team.

4) What are your career goals?

My career goals are to continue to learn and process the current and future changes in the information field, and ultimately push to be in environments that are wholesome, fun, educational, and productive. Overall, they consist of me being places where I can grow and where I can make a difference in someone’s life.

5) What advice would you give to students going through library school right now?

Stay focused, work hard, play hard, commit to the program, and get involved. Network within the department, and other departments of interest on campus. Also join local, state, and national library associations. Network as much as possible. Brand yourself. Stick out in a good way. Intern. Intern. Intern. Go out and create volunteer or internship positions at places of interest if none are provided. Try to publish and speak at conferences. Do as much as possible while in the program. Take advantage of opportunities presented to you, but also research and go out find opportunities.

6) What advice would you give library students about job hunting?

Stay positive. Reach out to people that you met while in the program. Also apply for the jobs that are of interest and seek out positions that aren’t as traditional. Another thing, find a job job that is fitting to your personality!

7) What advice would you give to people considering applying to library school?

Go for it! It’s an interesting field with endless possibilities. Have an open mind as to what you want to learn about. Go in wanting to know about every type library and its programming.

8) What are you reading right now?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Superman versus the Ku Klux Klan: The True Story of How the Iconic Superhero Battled the Men of Hate by Richard Bowers

Interview with Max Eckard, MLS ’12

Max Eckard

1) Tell us your current position and job duties.

I am the Metadata & Digital Curation Librarian at Grand Valley State University. Officially, that means I provide leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of data management strategies that will support discovery, access, management, and preservation of the University’s digital assets and resources, and I assess user needs in order to develop appropriate descriptive, structural and administrative metadata schemes for complex heterogeneous collections. In a nutshell: I’m the library’s metadata guru, and I try to ensure that our digital assets of all types and levels of complexity are preserved and accessible for as long as they are needed, which is harder than it sounds given the fragile nature of digital objects.

2) How did studying at NCCU SLIS help you prepare for your current work?

Coursework in academic and digital librarianship obviously helped, as did meaningful practicums in those areas. I was also lucky enough to get a job as a Graduate Assistant in the NCCU SLIS Library, which gave me some much needed experience. I feel like the coursework, in general, gave me a good base understanding of librarianship as a profession, its history and philosophy.

3) What was your favorite thing about your time at NCCU SLIS?

The people!

4) What are your career goals?

To keep growing and learning, and to keep a service and user-focused orientation. I enjoy working in the academic world, but I also enjoy working with the community. I think I might like teaching, so I wouldn’t mind doing a class or two as an Adjunct or “Professor of Practice” someday.

5) What advice would you give to students going through library school right now?

Learn some programming or scripting languages. Explore emerging topics in librarianship like scholarly communications, open access, data curation and digital preservation.

6) What advice would you give library students about job hunting?

Start applying early and, as others have stated, make sure it is obvious in your cover letter and resume that you are qualified for and want that particular job at that particular institution. If possible, be willing to move. When you do interviews, remember that in addition to trying to get a job, you are also trying to get a feel for the organization and whether or not you’re a good fit for it. It’s also important to let your enthusiasm and passion shine through during interviews.

7) What advice would you give to people considering applying to library school?

Do it! I love that librarianship is an interdisciplinary field, and that it is constantly changing, but somehow always staying the same. This is an exciting time to become a librarian! Librarians are taking on new roles and responsibilities, and the possibilities are endless.

8) What are you reading right now?

There’s a few on my bookshelf: God is Not One, Speaking Christian, VALIS, Silence, Bloodchild and Other Stories, Progressive Muslims, Minaret and, as always, a couple karate books.

Interview with Megan Lawson, MLS ’12

Megan Lawson

1) Tell us your current position and job duties.

I am the Development Assistant for Duke University Libraries. I am responsible for running the Friends of the Duke University Libraries, an organization of library donors that holds events for students, faculty, alumni, and other Friends. I also assist with the private fundraising for the Libraries, mostly through donor management and coordination for the Director of Development. In my spare time on the job (there isn’t much of it) I am responsible for our department’s budget and daily operations.

2) How did studying at NCCU SLIS help you prepare for your current work?

Although I work in a library, my job is not typical “librarian’s” work. It is important for me to understand how libraries function, especially internally, as part of my job involves assisting a non-librarian. I think that the practicums that NCCU offers helped me more than anything, as they placed me in the right circle for this position.

3) What was your favorite thing about your time at NCCU SLIS?

My favorite thing about my time spend at NCCU was the study abroad trip to Denmark. Spending two weeks in a foreign country with a group of great people was a really terrific experience. I learned a lot about libraries and other cultures, but I also learned a lot about the rest of the world. Spending time abroad opened my eyes to other possibilities, and I’ve been able to share those experiences and possibilities with my colleagues at Duke.

4) What are your career goals?

I love working in libraries, and I’ve discovered I like the administrative side of the job. I knew when I started school that I wasn’t cut out for the reference desk, and I always thought I would become a cataloger. Those plans changed when I began this job, and I really enjoy what I do so far. I don’t have specific career goals at the moment as I’m very new to the world of library development, but I could see myself working in this type of field, perhaps as a development officer or event coordinator for libraries. For now, I love working at Duke and want to stay here for as long as I can

5) What advice would you give to students going through library school right now?

Do as much as you can outside of the classroom. When I was in school I took every opportunity I could to work in different library fields–usually for free. I volunteered at the public library (which eventually landed to a job there), and I took two practicums. I know that this isn’t a possibility for all students, but for those who have the time I would encourage you to get as much experience as you can while you’re still in school. Being a student is a great excuse to get in somewhere and learn. After you graduate you need to spend your time finding a job, and it’s so much easier to do that if you already have the experience and the references.

6) What advice would you give library students about job hunting?

Don’t waste your time filling out applications for jobs you don’t really want. Experience is everything in our field, so get as much of it as you can before you start your search. If you have to, spend time volunteering in the library you would like to work in so you get to know the staff and the environment. I got my job because of people I met while volunteering and working in my practicums. Also, spend some time on your resume and cover letter. Dozens of people are often applying for the same job, so think about how you can make yours stand out in the smallest way (but not in a bad way–double check grammar and spelling, please!). These materials are the first impression your potential employer will have of you.

7) What advice would you give to people considering applying to library school?

I would urge them to actually spend some time working in a library first. I volunteered at my local public library in college and loved it, which led to my decision to attend library school. But so many of my classmates had never worked in a library before, which made me a little nervous and confused. Also, don’t expect to be a traditional “librarian” when you graduate. So many of the more traditional jobs are being handled by paraprofessional workers that true librarians need to be prepared to work in a very specialized field, either with technology or subject matter.

8) What are you reading right now?

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, by Victor Hugo

Interview with Terrence Martin, MLS ’10

Terrence Martin

1) What is your current position, and what are your duties?

I am currently the O’K Scholars Coordinator/Social Science Librarian at Winston-Salem State University. I am responsible for coordinating the information literacy institute twice a year, supervise media and marketing services in the library, and provide all library instruction and reference assistance for the Social Science department. I partner and serve on the General Education Committee for Information Literacy (IL) to ensure the library is doing its part to embed IL into General Ed. Courses.

2) How did studying at NCCU SLIS help you prepare for your current work?

Let me preface my next couple of statements by saying I completed my degree completely online. This program was a great fit for me because as a social worker I was always organizing information to be given to someone else. The NCCU SLIS program helped me to refocus those skills into librarianship.

3) What are your career goals?

I want to be an Associate or Library Director in the next 5 years, if not sooner.

4) What advice would you give to students going through library school right now?

Start networking now! If you currently do not work in the library field, it is going to be imperative that you connect with individuals that are currently in the area (i.e. academic, public or special libraries) where you want to work.

Present and publish – If you are going to be in the academy it is important that you are able to see trends, evaluate information and articulate deficiencies when needed. Don’t wait!

5) What advice would you give library students about job hunting in the library field?

Stay focused! If you are in North Carolina keep your options open. Get the experience you need to be a good candidate.

6) What advice would you give to people considering applying to library school?

Talk with as many people as possible that are currently in the field. I’ve learned that it is important to speak with the Dean of the library school and faculty before applying. Don’t go in this field misinformed.

7) What are you currently reading?

Several blogs and library journals to stay abreast of current and researched perspectives in the field.

Interview with Latesha Valez, MLS ’10

Latesha Valez graduated from NCCU SLIS in May 2010. Here’s her story!

1. What is your current position, and what are your duties?

I’m back to being a student. I’m currently in the PhD program at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. For my research assistantship I work with Dr. Jon Gant and the Center for Digital Inclusion.

2. How did studying at NCCU SLIS help you prepare for your current work?

I was lucky enough to get to know some of the faculty and administrators pretty well. They helped me not only during school but after. They really remained a positive network of people I could count on for advice, introductions to others in the field, references, etc. I also took classes that gave me both a practical knowledge base, i.e. how to actually perform the work of a librarian, and a theoretical one, conceptualizations of library as place and the role of library and information science in society and knowledge creation.

3. What are your career goals?

I feel like I have to experience things before I can really answer that. I know that where ever I end up I want to have an administrative role. Despite its inequalities, I LOVE academia so I know I want to end up in an academic library or teaching. I have not experience teaching yet so I’m looking forward to teaching while here at UIUC GSLIS.

4. What advice would you give to students going through library school right now?

Remember that your professors and the administrators are not JUST your professors and administrators, they are your future colleagues; act accordingly. People talk (even professors and administrators) and the LIS field is even smaller than you may think. If people are going to talk about you, try to make sure that what they say is positive. That starts NOW.

5. What advice would you give library students about jobhunting in the library field?

Some of the same as above, like I said my professors and Dean Owens provided references. Also remember when applying for jobs to make it clear in your cover letters that you want THAT job, not just a job. You are a librarian, an information specialist, so they will expect you to have looked them up and have information about their organizational culture, mission, and goals. Your cover letter should not be about regurgitating in paragraph form everything that’s on your resume. It is your opportunity to explain how what is on your resume and who you are as a person can help them achieve their organizational goals. And, side tip, look for someone to address your cover letter to. You may not find them but look, the contact name on the job announcement, HR manager, someone, search committees don’t like “To whom it may concern”.

6. What advice would you give to people considering applying to library school?

Just do it. Seriously though, it can lead to a myriad of other careers beside just working in a library. We have people from Google, Yahoo, and the museum world in my cohort. I love libraries, but the field is not limited to them. Corporations need information specialists to so you can also make a good living, if that is a concern or deterrent.

7. What book(s) are you currently reading?

That’s a funny one. Remember I’m in school so nothing new and exciting. Some of the more interesting class requirements are:

Marx and Engels Reader

Daulatzai, Sohail. 2012. Black Star, Crescent Moon : The Muslim International and Black Freedom beyond America.

Holland, Sharon Patricia. 2012. The erotic life of racism.

Ferguson, Roderick A. 2012 The reorder of things : the university and its pedagogies of minority difference (Difference incorporated)

Interview with Ta-Shire Tribbett, MLS ’12

Ta-Shire Tribbett graduated from NCCU SLIS in December 2012 with an MLS, and works for the Thurgood Marshall Law Library at University of Maryland’s Baltimore Campus. Here’s her story!

What is your current position, and what are your duties?

My current position is Government Documents Coordinator/Night & Weekend Supervisor at the Thurgood Marshall Law Library at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus. I am responsible for daily management of the depository collection of Government Documents here as well as hiring, training, and supervising the night and part-time staff. I also coordinate general planning and schedules for all intra- and interdepartmental training for new staff in one or more department as well as handle some social media and outreach for the library.

How did studying at NCCU SLIS help you prepare for your current work?

I had over 5 years of working in academic and public libraries before completing my MLS at Central, but my education gave me the background and the philosophy of why we do what we do.

What are your career goals?

I would love to be a subject librarian for African American studies or the Head of Research and Instructional Services at a four-year institution.

What advice would you give to students going through library school right now?

If possible, I would advise them to volunteer , or seek a part-time library job. School just teaches you theory, but skills make you marketable.

What advice would you give library students about job hunting in the library field?

Be open! As I discussed earlier, I have career goals, but I’ve been open about my job opportunities. I have no legal background whatsoever , but my skillset made me the ideal candidate for my current position, and in exchange I’m adding things to my resume that I’d never dreamed!

What advice would you give to people considering applying to library school?

Do it because you love it, because it’s something you’re passionate about. I love what I do and I can’t believe I get paid for it. Make sure you are practical about what you’ll get out of the experience and plan on getting into the field soon so you can be ready for a job when it becomes available.

What book(s) are you currently reading?

The Fourth Bear : A Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde, Boston Noir (An Akashic Noir Series), and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Buying and Selling a Home by Shelley O’Hara.

Save the Date! NCCU SLIS Dinner at Mellow Mushroom on February 23

Come join us for dinner at the Mellow Mushroom at the American Tobacco Campus, across the street from the Durham Bulls Stadium. This will be a fun opportunity to catch up with fellow library students–or meet new ones! Check out the yummy menu, which includes vegetarian and gluten-free options:

http://mellowmushroom.com/corpmenu

Parking is plentiful around the ATC, including free parking in the deck.

Please RSVP on the Evite so that we can let Mellow Mushroom know how many of us to expect. . Know any classmates who aren’t on the guest list yet? Let us know! Significant others are welcome, but be sure to add them to your RSVP.

Everyone will be responsible for their own check.

Questions? Contact any of your ALA Student Chapter Officers!

Clipart from Clipartheaven.com

NCCU SLIS Students

Information and opportunities for students of the North Carolina Central University School of Library & Information Sciences