Introduction
In the past nine weeks I have complied pieces of evidence to assemble a portfolio illuminating my ability to understand fourteen core librarianship competencies. The following paragraphs will examine the creation of the entire project.
During my second to last semester, I prepared a folder entitled 289 and placed it in my spring 2012 folder. In the 289 folder, I created a folder for each competency. Additionally I created an Excel spreadsheet which listed the competencies in one column and in another column, the classes that I took which could specifically cover each competency. I then slowly began to review my classes and add pieces of my completed work to the folder in which they might be suitable. I specifically added more than the required number so that I could change pieces if needed.
As my spring semester began, I made another Excel spreadsheet. I created fourteen books and in each book I made one column for pieces of evidence and another column from where the evidence originated. In addition to finalizing my pieces of evidence, I had to decide where and how to compose my portfolio. I knew that I wanted to retain it in order to show prospective employers. Therefore, I decided to do it as a webpage. Due to the need for privacy, I wanted a site with password protection. In the end, after a long process of searching, I chose to use Weebly.com. Another reason that I chose Weebly was that I was also using it for hosting other webpages and I thoroughly enjoyed the process of designing webpages in its system.
I designed my Eportfolio with function in mind. I wanted it to be clean and simple. Therefore instead of having a button for each competency, I made a drop down menu for the fourteen competencies and a page each for the introduction, conclusion, and statement of philosophy.
In order to write my competencies, I followed fellow SLIS students’ advice: “start with the ones that you think are the easiest” and work from easiest to hardest. So I started with H – Technology. Each competency definitely had its challenges and there were several that were easier to write than others, such as I – Reference. In the end, I wrote F-Collection Development and J – Information Seeking Behaviors last because I had little coursework or experience with them. However, in writing those competencies, I learned that I actually knew more than I thought I did.
Each competency was written in a specific format according to my advisor’s instructions. I wrote an introduction in which I discussed my definition of the competency. Next I wrote some paragraphs on the meaning of the competency to me as a professional and the profession as a whole. Finally I described my classes, coursework, and work experience as they related to the competency. In the next section, I discussed each piece of evidence and its application to the competency and/or profession. Finally, my concluding paragraph summarized my work.
I hope that you enjoy reading the competencies and through them, see my reflections about my classwork as well as my ability to demonstrate competency in many core librarianship processes. I want to say thank you to my friends and family for the love and support that they have given me throughout this process. I especially want to say thank you to my mother, for whom without her editing, I never would have made it.
During my second to last semester, I prepared a folder entitled 289 and placed it in my spring 2012 folder. In the 289 folder, I created a folder for each competency. Additionally I created an Excel spreadsheet which listed the competencies in one column and in another column, the classes that I took which could specifically cover each competency. I then slowly began to review my classes and add pieces of my completed work to the folder in which they might be suitable. I specifically added more than the required number so that I could change pieces if needed.
As my spring semester began, I made another Excel spreadsheet. I created fourteen books and in each book I made one column for pieces of evidence and another column from where the evidence originated. In addition to finalizing my pieces of evidence, I had to decide where and how to compose my portfolio. I knew that I wanted to retain it in order to show prospective employers. Therefore, I decided to do it as a webpage. Due to the need for privacy, I wanted a site with password protection. In the end, after a long process of searching, I chose to use Weebly.com. Another reason that I chose Weebly was that I was also using it for hosting other webpages and I thoroughly enjoyed the process of designing webpages in its system.
I designed my Eportfolio with function in mind. I wanted it to be clean and simple. Therefore instead of having a button for each competency, I made a drop down menu for the fourteen competencies and a page each for the introduction, conclusion, and statement of philosophy.
In order to write my competencies, I followed fellow SLIS students’ advice: “start with the ones that you think are the easiest” and work from easiest to hardest. So I started with H – Technology. Each competency definitely had its challenges and there were several that were easier to write than others, such as I – Reference. In the end, I wrote F-Collection Development and J – Information Seeking Behaviors last because I had little coursework or experience with them. However, in writing those competencies, I learned that I actually knew more than I thought I did.
Each competency was written in a specific format according to my advisor’s instructions. I wrote an introduction in which I discussed my definition of the competency. Next I wrote some paragraphs on the meaning of the competency to me as a professional and the profession as a whole. Finally I described my classes, coursework, and work experience as they related to the competency. In the next section, I discussed each piece of evidence and its application to the competency and/or profession. Finally, my concluding paragraph summarized my work.
I hope that you enjoy reading the competencies and through them, see my reflections about my classwork as well as my ability to demonstrate competency in many core librarianship processes. I want to say thank you to my friends and family for the love and support that they have given me throughout this process. I especially want to say thank you to my mother, for whom without her editing, I never would have made it.