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Things I Didn’t Learn in Library School

A career-building webinar from the UNCG University Libraries. March 26, 2013.

Anna Craft, Metadata Cataloger

Nataly Blas, Diversity Resident Librarian

Mary Krautter, Head of Reference and Instructional Services

Beth Filar Williams, Coordinator of Library Services for Distance Learning

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Before we jump in,Previous LIS career-building webinars are available online. We’ve covered:Become the Successful Job

Candidate: recording and slides, 4/10/12

Successful Interviews: recording and slides, 4/17/12

Resume Workshop: materials and recorded session, 10/1/10

Resume Workshop: materials and recorded session, 4/23/10

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Our overviewPractical skills

◦ Technology, budgeting, and other on-the-job skills

Teaching skills◦ Instruction and instructional

designInterpersonal &

Management skills◦ Communication, collaboration,

supervision, and moreProfessional involvement

◦ Networking, conferences, scholarship, continuing education

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Your overview

Let us know: what do you want us to cover today?

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In my first library job, I realized I needed to know…

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In my first library job, I realized I needed to know…

Basic Management Skills◦Leading people◦Managing time◦Delegating responsibility◦Promoting myself

Like herding cats…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78128495@N00/233614252/

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In my first library job, I realized I needed to know…

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In my first library job, I realized I needed to know…

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Practical skillsSpecific job skillsGeneral

technology skillsBudgetingTime

management

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Library-specific skills “…familiarity and expertise with SirsiDynix Symphony”

◦ http://www.slis.indiana.edu/careers/view_job_specific.php?job_id=13953

“Data management experience”◦ https://jobs.lclark.edu/postings/3532

“…providing reader’s advisory and reference and circulation service”◦ http://www.slis.indiana.edu/careers/view_job_specific.php?job_id=13885

“Develops and maintains online tutorials and LibGuides to promote library resources, services, and online learning.”◦ http://

publicboard.libgig.com/job/evening-reference-librarian-pensacola-fl-university-of-west-florida-b53369ea0c

“Demonstrated ability to process manuscript and archival collections.”◦ http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/controller.cfm?rssjobid=22353

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Library skills – how to get them?

Practicums, internships, other work experience

Conferences, webinars, workshops, other professional development

And don’t forget to read current job postings to see what employers want!

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Technology skills

Created with http://www.wordle.net/create

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Tech skills – how to get them?

Library workshops: http://uncg.libguides.com/content.php?pid=280830&sid=2856233

Digital Media Commons: http://library.uncg.edu/spaces/dmc/

Coursework through UNCG or other institutions

Teach yourself!

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Budgeting and time management

Budget involvement is not just for administrators!

Time management – in your work life but also in your job search!

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How?Budgeting

◦For grants – look for grant-writing workshops.

Time management◦Webinars, other

library-specific professional development

◦HR workshops

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“The buck stops here”

Image via Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dovertownlibrary/4544092612/

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Teaching skills

Library instruction in…◦Academic Libraries◦Public Libraries◦School Libraries◦Special Libraries, Special Collections,

and Information Centers

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Teaching Skills

Library Instruction

Teaching Philosoph

y

Learning Outcome

s

Information

Literacy

Tech Tools

Online vs. F2F

Assessment

StudentEngagem

ent

Faculty Connectio

ns

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Teaching SkillsLearn the Theory• Read relevant literature• Take a course, possibly in the School of Education

Helpful Websites• ALA Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT)

http://www.ala.org/lirt/

• ACRL Instruction Section (IS)http://www.ala.org/acrl/aboutacrl/directoryofleadership/sections/is/acr-insec

(AASL & PLA have similar resources for teaching)

• NCLA – NC Bibliographic Instruction Group and NC Distance Learning Grouphttp://www.nclaonline.org/

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Teaching Skills

Find a Teaching Buddy• Shadow instruction sessions

(online vs. f2f)• Co-teach• Have your buddy evaluate your

teaching• Ask for opportunity to design a

lesson and in-class activity• Discuss assessment

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Teaching SkillsTechnology

◦Libguides, Tutorials, Website, Bb Collaborate, etc.

Designing Media ◦Handouts, posters, in-class activities, etc.

blogs.forsyth.k12.ga.us 

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Teaching Skills

agreenblatt.blogspot.com

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Interpersonal & Management Skills

CollaborationTeamworkGroup Dynamics

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Interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence◦Sensitivity ◦Empathy ◦Listening skills◦Understanding others ◦Influencing others

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Interpersonal skills

Conflict management

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Management Skills

Being the BOSS : how do you lead?

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Management skills

Delegating responsibility◦But if I do it myself, I know it will be

right!

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Management skills

Communication:

Never enough and always too much

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Start now - join!

• Campus/Community • Local (triad) – NC-LITe, LISSA• State – NCLA, NCSLA, SNCA,• Regional – SEMLA, LOEX• National – ALA, SLA, PLA, AALL, AASL• International - IFLA• Non library orgs – EDUCAUSE, UNC-CAUSE

Professional involvement: organizations

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Professional involvement: TIPS

• Ask what orgs UNCG Librarians are in • Consider an NMRT  • Find a group that does something you want to

learn • Join one where you can share or collaborate

with others• Consider a virtual committee if you can’t travel• Try one that produces something like a report

or bibliography

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Professional involvement: Conferences & Workshops

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Professional involvement: Conferences, workshops, webinars • Local/triad UNCG libraries’ webinars• State NCLA Conference Oct 2013• Regional EDUCAUSE SE Regional Conference

May 2013• National ALA Chicago or SLA San Diego,

June 2013,• International IFLA conferences in August• Non-library orgs Computers in Libraries April

2013• Webinars http://neflin2.blogspot.com/

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Professional involvement: scholarships & awards Potential scholarships:

◦ www.ala.org/educationcareers/scholarships◦ www.ala.org/nmrt/initiatives/applyforfunds/applyfunds◦ www.ftrf.org/?Conable_Scholarship◦ www.LISjobs.com/careers/conferencing-funding.asp

◦ statelibrary.ncdcr.libguides.com/trainstation (conferences)

ALA student to staff program:http://www.ala.org/groups/affiliates/chapters/student/resources/studenttostaffprogram

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Professional involvement: Scholarship(mainly for academics!)

Presentations, writing & publishing◦ Start small:

Blogs, newsletters, LIScareer.com Un-Hushed, Launc-ch, iDEALS, ALA posters

◦ Collaborate w/ mentor, librarian, peer◦ Write for ALA at conferences/reporter◦ Grad assistantship/internship/practicum -

projects can lead to more!

Tenure! ◦ Keep your e-portfolio up-to-date◦ Keep documents, examples

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Professional involvement: Mentoring

LIS Dept. official mentoring programhttp://lis.uncg.edu/current-students/

ALA mentoringhttp://connect.ala.org/mentorconnect-help

Professional jobs mentoring programsUnofficial - reach out!Post questions on social media & connectCan be virtual!Volunteer/Connect

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Professional involvement: Keeping Up!

Professional listservs/google groups ◦ Join now! Don’t wait until you graduate.◦ Look at your orgs & committees◦ ALA (http://lists.ala.org/sympa)

Etiquette! “reflect before you click”Other ways to keep up with current

trends◦ Twitter, RSS feeds, journal alerts

ALA Student Blog: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/student-member-blog

LIS Guide on Conferences & Funding http://uncg.libguides.com/lis

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Any questions?

Image credit: Flickr user Travelin’ Librarian