Summary of Qualifications Experience in information retrieval, creation, research, writing, organization, and destruction as well as customer service and staff management, in administration, information selection, social media management, and budgeting.
Professional Philosophy Libraries connect their patrons with the information they need and to me, this involves how information is organized. Good organization helps patrons and librarians alike find what they need sometimes enabling them to find something they would have never thought of. I took a course on cataloging and enjoyed it; it then led me to take courses in preservation, archives and manuscripts, records management, metadata, and digital curation. I learned how to create MARC records, types of Metadata schemas and how to transform one scheme into a different schema. At the same time, I wanted to take the time to learn a new skill which led me to take a course on HTML and CSS coding. It helped me understand the process behind designing websites and is one skill I would like to practice more.
The library is not just a place for books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs, it often serves as a community meeting place for the surrounding area. It is a place where the Farmers Bureau can meet. It is a place where the college extension can educate people on how to take care of blackberries. It is a place where children can be transported to new worlds. It is a place where local historians can meet to document items of note. People can also share their collection of historic pharmacy items with a wider community. When I work I am sometimes reminded of the show Lark Rise to Candleford but instead of the post office being the center of the community the library is the center of the community. Instead of the imposing Post Mistress Dorcas Lane being the protector and passer on of information the library director and library staff are in that position. Similarly to Dorcas Lane, library staff often helps, jokes, and tease those who come through the door. In the end, the library is the place where community members can meet their need for information whether it is in a book, database or group meeting.