Career Goals

For as long as I can remember, I have always been in and around libraries. It is all I have ever wanted to do with my life. I have worked in three different libraries, one public and two academic. I know without a doubt that I want to continue working a public library. For me, I like the relationships and interactions with the patrons in a public library. Each day at the public library brings not only new challenges and experiences, but familiar faces and patrons that I have seen year after year. 

For this reason, I would like to be a young adult/teen reference librarian in a public library setting. I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life. As well as providing reference and readers’ advisory, I would like to plan and host many different programs. 

Another interest of mine is outreach. Where I currently work offers a chance for anyone in the system to help host a monthly book discussion at the local juvenile detention center. Since I have become a full-time staff member, I have been twice. This has really shown me the importance of a librarian/library going out into the public to make a difference. I would like to visit the juvenile detention center as well as other places, such as schools, retirement homes and prisons. 

I am really looking forward to learning the ethics and values of this profession. I love that is profession is solely based on a common goal that works for the betterment of not just individuals,  but the community (and world) at large.

Welcome!

Hi,

My name is Elyssa! This is my first semester at Wayne State. I am really excited to begin my journey to my MLIS. I currently were as a circulation assistant IV at my local public library. I have also worked in two  academic libraries. Having worked in both public and academic, I have discovered that I am most passionate about public libraries.

My goal is to ultimately be a young adult reference librarian in a public library. Public libraries are unique in that they become a staple to the wider community. This allows the library (and it's employees) to serve a diverse group of people.

My goals for LIS 6010 are to become more familiar with the philosophical foundations of the library. With that, I hope to understand how librarians put that into action. I would also like to learn more about the history of the library and how it all began.

Things about me:
*I am 25.
*I have B.A. in Religious Studies
*I have a chihuahua named Pearl and cat named Siobhan.
*My favorite author is Kurt Vonnegut. 


Some assumptions/beliefs that I have about libraries:
-Libraries are not going anywhere.
-Libraries are more than just a brick and mortar building
-Libraries are a vibrant community center.

1. A November 2013 article in The Guardian, states that many of today's teens prefer hard copies of books as opposed to the e-reader. According to the article there are two different reasons for this: A) Teens can have an emotional attachment to a physical book and B) With the cost of ebooks being very similar to that of physical books, teens feel that the physical books are a better investment.  (Bury) Because of this, I feel that, though the actual physical space of the library may change to accommodate digital content, they will still house physical books.

 2. Many libraries, including the one where I currently work go beyond anything that happens in the building itself. They offer outreach to the home bound, incarcerated and other patrons who may not have a chance to visit the actual library. Librarians can visit those who cannot leave the house due to illness, providing them with an endless supply of books while they continue to recover at home. Librarians may also visit local daycares and schools to offer programs to students and talk about special events at a library.

3. This belief comes from  personal experience. I have worked at my current library for 8.5 years, for the last 2, I have been on the "front lines" as a circulation assistant. I have come to know many of our regular patrons. I know many of them by name or face. I know spouses and children. I can see a stack of books on the holds shelf and know without even looking at the name on the tag whose it is.
I have also witnessed many of them run into or meet friends here. The libraries offer space for them to sit and catch up, to share book recommendations or just sit and enjoy family time together. So, I see firsthand everyday how much of a part of someone's life the library is (and how much it is a part of mine!)

Bury, L. (2013, Nov). Young adult readers 'prefer printed to ebooks'. The Guardian.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/25/young-adult-readers-prefer-printed-ebooks


Thank you for reading!

Elyssa