Narrative & Resume

It began with a help-wanted ad.

In early 2019 I saw an online notice from the St. Petersburg Library System. They were seeking applicants to serve as Library Assistants in their summer program for children. At the time, I was in the second half of my 21st year as an elementary school teacher. I had been thinking about a shift in my career; this could be an opportunity to try something new without a major change. I applied, interviewed, and was offered a position.

That summer in the St. Petersburg Library System was a turning point for me. It provided an engaging way for me to share with children my love of reading and discovering books. The experience reminded me that libraries are magical places. It transported me to my childhood and the many, many visits I made with my mother to our local public library. I was invited to return as a Library Assistant the following summer.

But then COVID arrived.

There would be no in-person summer program in 2020. Schools had shut down, I was teaching virtually from home, and I wasn’t happy. It was time to take the next step in my transition to a new career. I made a monumental decision. I’m going to apply to USF, I’m going to take the certification exam to be a librarian, and I’m going to retire from teaching. And that’s exactly what I did. In January 2021 I started my first semester in the MLIS program, while also completing my final year as a classroom teacher. Now here I am in the final months of 2022 preparing for graduation with the submission of my e-portfolio, which is a testament to my hard work and commitment to the MLIS program.

Having been an elementary school classroom teacher for 22 years I knew I wanted to focus on pursuing a librarian position at that level. Several of the artifacts I chose for my e-portfolio are a reflection of that focus; of the 20 items I included, 8 are from my electives most relevant to elementary school librarianship. As I began designing my e-portfolio I envisioned a clean, concise presentation of my work and a site that would be easy to navigate. Choosing headings across the top with individual tabs for each goal of the program, as well as for the additional components of the e-portfolio, has met that vision.

In August 2021 I was hired as an elementary school librarian. At that time, I had already completed four of my core courses. LIS 5020 Foundations of Lib/Info Science reinforced in me the need to advocate for both libraries and librarians. It also helped me better understand the impact of technology on librarianship, which I saw (and continue to see) firsthand at my school. LIS 6603 Basic Information Sources/Services was instrumental in teaching me about reference services – how best to respond to patron needs, the most efficient way to format queries, and staying relevant in the 21st-century world of Google. It’s been a joy to be able to help students find answers to the questions they bring me in the school library.

One of the current buzzwords in libraries is makerspaces. LIS 6271 Research Methods in Lib/Info Science gave me the opportunity to research makerspaces and determine whether or not they would be beneficial in addressing pandemic learning loss. It also prepared me for writing future grant proposals for my library, since funding for elementary school libraries seems to decline with each passing year. It was serendipitous that I took 6511 Collection Development and Maintenance in my second term because one of my tasks as a school librarian is to create a CDP (Collection Development Plan). The course enabled me to view my school’s collection with a trained eye, weed outdated materials, and determine what was lacking.

As a first-year elementary school librarian, I was enrolled in LIS 6409 Introduction to Library Administration. This course prepared me to manage the school library, including evaluating my budget and communicating policies and procedures with the staff. LIS 6711 Organization of Knowledge I provided me with an invaluable understanding of metadata, particularly MARC records, which is crucial when I am cataloging materials in my school library. Having exposure to classification systems in the course assisted me greatly in understanding the arrangement of the non-fiction section of my school library, which adheres to the Dewey Decimal System.

Once I completed the 6 core courses I was ready to direct my focus on electives that would build my knowledge of working in an elementary school setting. LIS 6303 Preparing Instructional Media, LIS 5566 Multicultural Literature for Children, LIS 6564 Materials for Children, LIS 6565 Books/Rel Materials YA, and 6455 Organization/Administration of School Media Center were outstanding preparation for my career. Through these electives, I have created diverse reading lists, designed interactive presentations, recorded video book talks, and planned changes to the physical space of my library. However, being a school librarian in the 21st century involves more than managing a collection of books. In fact, the position is now called Library Media Technology Specialist. A significant portion of my time at work is spent overseeing my school’s technology, which includes recordkeeping, professional development for staff, and troubleshooting any problems that arise. LIS 5268 Microcom Appl Lib/Info Centers provided me with a basic understanding of operating systems, computer components, and application software, information that is necessary for my daily work.

It has been challenging to attend graduate school while simultaneously working full-time as an elementary school librarian, but it was time wisely spent. It has taught me that I can do hard things. The MLIS program has given me the tools I need to be successful in my profession. Both the core classes and the electives I chose have built the foundation upon which I now fulfill my daily responsibilities. I am indebted to the many professors who taught and guided me through this program. Because of them and the instruction I received, I am confident in my ability to serve my patrons. I intend to continue in my current role until my retirement, after which I will likely volunteer in the children’s section of a public library.