Statement of Professional Philosophy and Competency O
Statement of Philosophy and Competency O
It would be hard to imagine my life without books. My mother read books to me when I was a baby and I became an avid reader. My mother then encouraged me to explore a career in the libraries. I was insistent, though, that I wanted to be a veterinarian. However, I changed my mind in my undergraduate years and I graduated with a degree in history and anthropology. Jobs in those fields were scarce and I began to reevaluate my future. Again with a gentle push from my mother, I researched MLIS programs. As I began this new journey, I realized that I could combine my love of history with a MLIS degree including archives. This realization, along with my school and culminating eportfolio process, has led me to discover my three major long term goals. These are censorship and access to information, preservation, and new technologies.
Censorship and Access to Information
One of the tenets of the American Library Association’s code of ethics states “We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources” (ALA, 2012). I wholeheartedly agree with both the ALA and SAA (Society of American Archivists) that intellectual freedom is vital to the profession (Haycock and Sheldon, 2008); but at the same time, I know and understand, as a future archivist, donors “may wish to put restrictions on the institutions [in the] [sic] use of the collection” (Vanni, 2002, p. 8). It is a delicate balancing act and I know that, at some point in time, I will struggle with it. It important for me as an information professional to remember the codes put forth by the ALA and SAA and that the point of a library or archive is to be open to all (Rubin, 2004).
Throughout my career at SJSU I have become more and more passionate about censorship and the removal of books from libraries. While I do feel that certain books are not age appropriate, that does not mean I stop somebody from reading them. Educating individuals about why a book may or may not be appropriate at that time is the best way to approach the situation.
Protecting History
Kathleen McGowan wrote in her book The Expected One, “history is not what happened but what was written down” (Goodreads.com). Knowing what our records tell us about human nature is vitally important and therefore, it is important that we protect them. In the spring of 2010, I started school at SJSU and I began volunteer work at the Washington State University archives. Within four months, I was hired there. This work, along with theory in my classes and undergraduate work in genocidal studies, has driven me even more towards keeping memories and history alive. Working with preservation, learning book repair and protection, and how to process collections have led me towards my long term goal of protecting records. It is this desire that compels me to learn more about preservation and conservation. Additionally, in the future I may consider obtaining my maters in either public history or museum studies.
New Technologies
In the past 25 years, technology has changed the way people obtain information. Rubin (2004) writes that “library and information science is a discipline oriented to providing access to vast amounts of accumulated knowledge” (p. 26). Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk (2006) have an excellent quote that highlights the necessity for today’s MLIS graduates know and understand current technologies. They write:
“Libraries are changing. Funding limits and customer demands are transforming staffing levels, service models, access to resources, and services to the
public. Administrators and taxpayers are seeking more efficient ways of delivering services to achieve greater returns on financial investments” (p. 1).
I feel that especially for archival institutions, there is a lag in becoming familiar with new technologies. These new technologies, while intimidating at first, can actually help an institution promote its collections. My belief in new technology, especially for archival work, has become one of my long-term goals. Having a quality webpage for the institution is only the beginning. Engaging in 2.0 technologies like blogging, Twitter, and Facebook, attracts a much larger clientele, which in some respects can and does provide more money.
In addition I would like to learn Spanish so that I may provide the best possible service to future patrons. With these goals in mind, I hope to continue my education through a variety of venues.
References:
American Library Association. (ALA). (2012). Code of ethics of the American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics.
Casey, M. E. and L. C. Savastinuk. (2006, September 1). Service for the next-generation library. Library Journal. Retrieved online from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html.
Goodreads.com. (2012). Kathleen McGowan quotes. Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/162077.Kathleen_McGowan.
Haycock, K. and B. Sheldon. (2008). The portable MLIS: insights from the experts. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
Vanni, R. J. (2002). Deeds of gift. In T. Lipinski (Ed.), Libraries, museums, and archives (pp. 1-30). Lanham: The Scarecrow Press, INC.
It would be hard to imagine my life without books. My mother read books to me when I was a baby and I became an avid reader. My mother then encouraged me to explore a career in the libraries. I was insistent, though, that I wanted to be a veterinarian. However, I changed my mind in my undergraduate years and I graduated with a degree in history and anthropology. Jobs in those fields were scarce and I began to reevaluate my future. Again with a gentle push from my mother, I researched MLIS programs. As I began this new journey, I realized that I could combine my love of history with a MLIS degree including archives. This realization, along with my school and culminating eportfolio process, has led me to discover my three major long term goals. These are censorship and access to information, preservation, and new technologies.
Censorship and Access to Information
One of the tenets of the American Library Association’s code of ethics states “We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources” (ALA, 2012). I wholeheartedly agree with both the ALA and SAA (Society of American Archivists) that intellectual freedom is vital to the profession (Haycock and Sheldon, 2008); but at the same time, I know and understand, as a future archivist, donors “may wish to put restrictions on the institutions [in the] [sic] use of the collection” (Vanni, 2002, p. 8). It is a delicate balancing act and I know that, at some point in time, I will struggle with it. It important for me as an information professional to remember the codes put forth by the ALA and SAA and that the point of a library or archive is to be open to all (Rubin, 2004).
Throughout my career at SJSU I have become more and more passionate about censorship and the removal of books from libraries. While I do feel that certain books are not age appropriate, that does not mean I stop somebody from reading them. Educating individuals about why a book may or may not be appropriate at that time is the best way to approach the situation.
Protecting History
Kathleen McGowan wrote in her book The Expected One, “history is not what happened but what was written down” (Goodreads.com). Knowing what our records tell us about human nature is vitally important and therefore, it is important that we protect them. In the spring of 2010, I started school at SJSU and I began volunteer work at the Washington State University archives. Within four months, I was hired there. This work, along with theory in my classes and undergraduate work in genocidal studies, has driven me even more towards keeping memories and history alive. Working with preservation, learning book repair and protection, and how to process collections have led me towards my long term goal of protecting records. It is this desire that compels me to learn more about preservation and conservation. Additionally, in the future I may consider obtaining my maters in either public history or museum studies.
New Technologies
In the past 25 years, technology has changed the way people obtain information. Rubin (2004) writes that “library and information science is a discipline oriented to providing access to vast amounts of accumulated knowledge” (p. 26). Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk (2006) have an excellent quote that highlights the necessity for today’s MLIS graduates know and understand current technologies. They write:
“Libraries are changing. Funding limits and customer demands are transforming staffing levels, service models, access to resources, and services to the
public. Administrators and taxpayers are seeking more efficient ways of delivering services to achieve greater returns on financial investments” (p. 1).
I feel that especially for archival institutions, there is a lag in becoming familiar with new technologies. These new technologies, while intimidating at first, can actually help an institution promote its collections. My belief in new technology, especially for archival work, has become one of my long-term goals. Having a quality webpage for the institution is only the beginning. Engaging in 2.0 technologies like blogging, Twitter, and Facebook, attracts a much larger clientele, which in some respects can and does provide more money.
In addition I would like to learn Spanish so that I may provide the best possible service to future patrons. With these goals in mind, I hope to continue my education through a variety of venues.
References:
American Library Association. (ALA). (2012). Code of ethics of the American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics.
Casey, M. E. and L. C. Savastinuk. (2006, September 1). Service for the next-generation library. Library Journal. Retrieved online from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html.
Goodreads.com. (2012). Kathleen McGowan quotes. Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/162077.Kathleen_McGowan.
Haycock, K. and B. Sheldon. (2008). The portable MLIS: insights from the experts. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
Vanni, R. J. (2002). Deeds of gift. In T. Lipinski (Ed.), Libraries, museums, and archives (pp. 1-30). Lanham: The Scarecrow Press, INC.