Category Archives: Librarians

Interview with Elizabeth Gatling, MLS ’11

Elizabeth at Miller-Motte

Elizabeth at Miller-Motte

1) Tell us your current position and job duties.

I am currently the acting Head Librarian at the Raleigh, NC campus of Miller-Motte College. As the librarian, I assist students with their research, editing, and citation issues, and conduct library orientation and “pathfinder’ classes for the faculty when their classes have projects. I also manage several work-study students, proctor entrance exams for college applicants, order, receive and catalogue materials for the library (and other programs). I also pinch hit for our IT department when our printer goes down or a student has computer issues.

Miller-Motte is a small, specialized library. Our collection is limited to books in the programs taught here but we have thousands of electronic books available. The students are generally focused hard on their goal: graduating and getting a better job. The more serious students don’t want a lot of fluff, but they need a lot of hands on care sometimes. Once they know you take them seriously and truly want to help them, they trust  you and seek you out. It’s great!

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

Everything I learned about the steps of internet research and citation was very helpful because the population of students I work with are often very unfamiliar with either. I’ve created research pathfinders and been able to explain the WHY of citation based directly notes from my classes.

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

Discovering that there was a profession almost tailor-made for me and the way I think about life—classifying and organizing—was a HUGE bright spot for me. All my classes simply emphasized the fact that librarianship encompassed all of that and more. It’s not just some old lady in sensible shoes and glasses shushing people, but a whole world of making information available for the use of people in the creation of a better world.

 4) What are your career goals?

As I learn more about the library as a part of the for-profit education arena, I see that there are not very many people who see the potential here. I am fascinated by the possibilities this sort of school can offer. I want to contribute more to the very limited conversation about for-profit schools and libraries.

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

Associate. Associate. Associate. Be part of the ALA and NCLA. Find your niche and make your mark.

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

Never give up and don’t be afraid to move if you can. There are opportunities out there, lots of them. Some of them don’t look like “traditional” librarian jobs but you will find one that fits you perfectly.

Elizabeth and Chelsea

Elizabeth and Chelsea

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

Realize that librarianship is a huge area and getting bigger as different areas of information creation are released. Technological advances are not negating the need for libraries or librarians, but they are changing the field in which we play. Add some data administration and networking and programming to your resume, get to know the various sorts of e-readers out there. Participate in the social arena because this is where the magic is made and if you can handle it plugged in, you can handle it unplugged.

 8) What are you reading right now?

I’m in the middle of Lent right now (Orthodox Lent began a few weeks after Western Lent) so I am reading the Spiritual Biography of Saint Seraphim of Sarov by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore, along with The Companions by Sheri S. Tepper. On my Kindle I have begun a re-read of The Way of Kings  by Brandon Sanderson, and I am listening to Hammered: the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne and my son and I are listening to Watership Down by Richard Adams.

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

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

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

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

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

Image
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 TribbettTa-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.

Interview with Jennifer Meyer: Librarian extraordinaire!

This is the second installment of our interviews with professional librarians series. A big thank you to Jennifer Meyer, Library Director at Miller-Motte in Raleigh, for taking part in our series. Be sure to check out her blog @ considerjennifer.com!

Tell us about yourself!

I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Biology (December 2004) and finished my MLS from NCCU in December of 2009.  I currently work as the library director for a small career college in Raleigh, Miller-Motte.  I have been the director there for four years and before that worked at their Cary campus location as the assistant librarian.  I love technology and wish our currently library school curriculum offered more in the way of technical training in IT.  I believe in the changes of our profession and am very excited to see how that change progresses over the next generation.

How did you become a librarian?

I read a book about careers for book lovers and it was listed there.  I remember thinking; “Oh yeah, libraries hire people too!”.  From there I quickly started at NCCU and finished their online program.

What do you like best about your work as a librarian?

The new happenings in the field.  I love thinking of creative new ways to put information in the hand of the user.  I love the collaboration that is happening in our profession with so many others. 

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Reading :), I also love to travel, cook, crochet and spend time with family and friends.

What advice would you give to current library students?

Start building your professional network right now.  Get to know people in the field that work in different types of libraries.  Get online, start a blog, follow people on Twitter and forge your own path.  Our profession is changing right now so be sure to be on the edge of that change.

Currently reading:

“What the plus! Google+ for the rest of us” by Guy Kawasaki and “The Red Pyramid” by Rick Riordran

Ciara Healy: Librarian and Carolina Rollergirl

This post begins our new brand series of interviews with professional librarians who inspire, in and out of the library. Thanks to Ciara Healy, Librarian for Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, for agreeing to be first! 

Tell us about yourself!

I am the librarian for Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University though I have had a varied library career, working mostly at public universities and community college libraries in the Midwest and in the South. I have been a cataloger, a school library media specialist (uncertified), a media librarian and an instruction librarian, to name a few. I would also love to live and work abroad.

How did you become a librarian?

I went to library school to become a librarian. I never worked a day in my life in a library before I went to library school and only in my last semester did I volunteer at a library as a practicum project.  I was a philosopher before I went to library school at the University of Illinois through their LEEP program. When I was in grad school to be a philosopher a professor came into our offices and said, “The philosophy librarian has some money left over and so if you have any purchase recommendations for the collection, let me know.” I was deeply moved by the utterance “philosophy librarian” and even though it was years before I went to library school, I felt the deep conviction to become a librarian for the first time that day. It also helped my library career that I didn’t finish my dissertation in philosophy.

What do you like best about your work as a librarian?

I like best working with researchers. I find the subject fascinating and the work rewarding. For instance, I was recently asked by a researcher to help find videos on You Tube showing marijuana use by groups and also videos of paraphernalia. The videos would serve as cues for subjects in experiments on addiction.  I spent a very productive afternoon doing searches on You Tube for the following: “bongs OR vaporizers”, “smoking dope in an alley”, “high and video games” and “sticky buds”.

How did you get involved in roller derby?

I saw a poster for try-outs in a Durham cafe. My sister was with me and we decided to both go to the skills bootcamp and practice our skating skills until the day of try outs. We both did – I made it but my sister did not. That was in July 2011.  I have just passed my one year “derbeyversary” and am finally good enough to start skating in bouts for the Carolina Rollergirls’ B team, the Bootleggers. I train three or four days a week either at a league practice or speed skating and the team is very competitive, so getting to skate in a bout against another league is a big deal. I cross train with yoga. It is a full contact sport with a lot of strategy and skating skill involved. It is also super fun to play! It looks really fast and crazy and dangerous – which it definitely is –  but learning to play is a lot about safety and learning to take hits and falls and keep on skating. Here is my skater profile: http://www.carolinarollergirls.com/?skater=scaristotle

What do you like best about being involved in roller derby and the Carolina Rollergirls?

I like the fitness aspect. I have to say, as one of the older players on the team, I am in the best shape of my adult life thanks to derby. I also like the competitive aspect – I love to win, and that really motivates me to practice. I have a hard time sticking with other kinds of work outs without the competitive aspect. I like to win at yoga, too. I also appreciate having such an engaging group of women to socialize with. Check out our site and come to a bout! We also need and appreciate volunteers :-) www.carolinarollergirls.com

Do you have any other hobbies?

Unsurprisingly, I like to read. Also I like audio books and I like to knit, though I am not a very accomplished knitter. I also meditate, but that is for sanity, not for fun. And meditating is way harder than derby.

What advice would you give to current library students?

When I was graduating from library school, I was told this:  “You can have the job you want. You can have the salary you want.  You can live in the place you want… And you get to pick only two of those three when accepting a library job.”  I have been a librarian for less than 10 years and have had at least 4 library jobs in different cities and states and my job descriptions have been different every time. I have moved cities, I have moved jobs within a library, I have moved from state to state and I am willing to do it again. I know not everyone is in the position to do this, but with three library schools in a two-hour proximity, I’d encourage new librarians in the Triangle to think broadly and be bold in their librarianship to get the jobs that they want. Maybe you think you can’t do it. Try.

Currently reading:

I am currently reading Stephen Fry’s autobiography The Fry Chronicles. I am currently listening to Neal Stephenson’s novel Odalisque. I am currently watching The Good Wife on DVD. I am also currently streaming You Tube videos about knitting short rows. At work, I am listening to Last.fm’s online radio station polarlicht.  I am downloading some images from Flickr’s Creative Commons.  Later, my iPad will serve as a remote and mirror to my TV so I can watch derby bouts online on a bigger screen. I am also chatting online with three people – one library colleague (talking about alt metrics and citation managers for an upcoming presentation), one teammate (about the upcoming bout – what wheels to bring to skate on concrete) and a friend from Wisconsin (should I go to Sweden with her over break?)