Tag Archives: management

Not Just a School Librarian: Navigating Identity During a Career Pivot

Essay, , , ,

by Kaitlyn R. Carpenter, MLS, MLIS

Introduction – A Moment of Tension

Sitting in the cafe with a colleague I admire, I watched as she tore my first attempt at a curriculum vitae (CV) apart. Every criticism held an undertone of ‘I know you do more than this’ and ‘this is a CV of just a school librarian’. Her daughter recently graduated from the high school I have been serving as the solo librarian at for the past three years, so she was well aware of the extent of work I put into my current position. She gave me the valuable advice that the hardest part of my transition from high school librarian to an academic librarian would be “breaking the bias” because so many librarians are siloed in their own areas that we each have our own preconceived notions of what each other does. Next, she gave an example of what many academic librarians would think when seeing my current CV, “How cute, you gave little Jenny a romance book!” This comment both raised my hackles ready to fight and defend school librarians, but also made me hang my head in defeat and think ‘yeah, who am I kidding trying to make this leap? I am obviously not qualified.’ As a school librarian, I feel this dichotomy often—the feeling of fierce independence and confidence, while also feeling that I have no value as a librarian outside of the k12 environment.

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Shaking Up the Shelves: Navigating Change at Mississippi State University Libraries

Peer-Reviewed Article, , ,

KC New, Assistant Professor, Digital Humanities Librarian
Blair Booker, Assistant Professor, Education Librarian
Melody Dale, Associate Professor, Science & Engineering Librarian
Mississippi State University Libraries

Abstract

Librarianship in our country has transformed from the early days of book-boxes to the dynamic service centers of today. Mississippi State University Libraries is no different and has seen a rapid transition from the rooms of a dormitory basement into a vibrant system of libraries providing user-centered service to a dynamic university. Over the last 150 years, MSU Libraries staff and faculty have engineered key developments in departmental structure, resource management, and virtual reference integration all while navigating major personnel changes. By examining the library as a “third place” and improving communication strategies, MSU Libraries has adapted to technological, institutional, and cultural shifts while maintaining its core mission of service and access.

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Shelving the Status Quo: Improving the Student Employment Experience at Penfield Library

Peer-Reviewed Article, , , ,

By Morgan Bond, Electronic Resources and Systems Librarian
State University of New York at Oswego,

Erin Kovalsky, Principal Law Librarian
New York State Unified Court System,

and

Zachary Vickery, University Archivist Librarian
State University of New York at Oswego

Abstract

Student employment in academic libraries supports the overall student experience by both complementing traditional studies, and bolstering students’ sense of belonging. Three librarians at a regional comprehensive university worked to create and implement a Library Employment Program for college students in an effort to align with university and library missions, visions, and values. A critical examination of processes across four library units led to changes to the application process, onboarding materials, evaluative tools, and an increased focus on career preparation. Effectiveness of the changes were mixed; while positive results were observed with the adoption of a new recruitment platform and a more inclusive student employment handbook, new evaluative tools were difficult for student supervisors to use consistently, and students struggled with communicating transferable job skills. Creating a library-wide Student Employment Program offers opportunities to develop and utilize consistent practices for all student supervisors to follow, but generating buy-in can be difficult and time-consuming before demonstrable results are observed.

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