Me and SCILS: So far, so good

I was really scared to enter this program…really scared...and really apprehensive. But after about 6 years working in another field, I finally realized there was a better way. This program was always something that lingered in the back of my mind (put there by a friend who’s an awesome school media specialist) but sat there solemnly, never seeking much attention.

At the end of the day, people have always made SCILS good for me. Sure there are a lot of things I could say about scheduling, group projects, parking, etc etc, but at heart I’m a glass-half-full-girl. When I first started at SCILS on campus, I was fortunate to meet some truly great people who were also in their first semester and, like me, really scared and a little bit excited too. Other students have always been willing to help me (like in 550-thanks Nikki and Danielle!) and swap ideas.

I think a big part of my SCILS education overall has been trying to put book knowledge to practical use when I don’t currently work in a library – and seeing how these SCILS can translate into other professions. In my photos on flickr I’ve included some photos that I would say are reflective of memories I have and things I use juggling work and school (a topic I know most classmates know all too well).

Above is a picture of a chair (remember Juno too said “It started with a chair”) and I include this because I find a lot of the learning experiences I’ve had around campus and in the office have started when someone says something relatively unassuming like, “I’ve got a little issue, got a second?” After this said person will sit down and…well you get the idea…good thing we ALL have good SCILS.

There are some other pics of my educational experience at http://www.flickr.com/photos/31563373@N07/ and everyone’s pics from this class are at http://www.flickr.com/groups/scils598f08-edexperience/.

Librarians as New Producers

Welcome to Anderson’s world of self-publication. Somehow, as Anderson explores, it’s no longer taboo to be your own biggest marketing force. The Web creates endless possibilities of hyperlink, word-of-click marketing madness. Why should the library be any different in this respect?

Let’s face it…libraries are on the ball. Libraries and librarians employ all kinds of new technology all for the purpose of marketing/streamlining their own unique programs and functions. As technology available to the average American increases, libraries/librarians will have to familiarize themselves with these things in similar fashion in order to instruct the average patron on their usage. Also, libraries/librarians will be called upon to test these products/services in order to evaluate their value and determine their place within the library world.

Like it or not, for better or worse, everyone in this class is already a new producer. Right here and now I am committing thoughts on a class reading to a blog post and connecting with classmates in a way I never have before. This is a new form of publicized expression from the unlikely source of a half-reluctant me, myself and I. No longer do we need to wait for the validation of an “authority” to have our thoughts put to virtual copy.

Now where’s that Keen to point out I’m diluting the waters of library science academia…

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