Job Analysis Pt. 2

The job description for the Teen Librarian would definitely be a dream job. Because it is always what I have wanted to do, I plan on making my track go that direction. Getting my MLS is the first step in that journey and it has been a long journey to just begin that piece. That being said, I still have a lot to learn about being a teen librarian. 

I really need to work on learning how to do reference and how the collection is maintained. I would need to learn about effective teen programming. The library is also currently changing from a repository of knowledge into a social hub of sorts for a community, so I need to study how that affects how I would do that job. How would I attract teens? How do I keep the teens engaged? One way I plan on doing this is attending PLA this year (it’s in Indy) and I will be going to a few breakout sessions on how the library is changing and how to keep the collection current, particularly for teens. I currently do read a lot of YA, but I would need to learn more about what is and is not appropriate for certain ages and learn to read outside of just what I enjoy. 

 

Another skill that I think I need to work on, not just for this particular job, but also any career path I choose, I need to work on being more assertive and being a leader. I can definitely put myself out there. Being a circulation assistant already, I have to be the front line, although I am naturally a shy person. Because I’m naturally shy, it is hard for me to be in front of a crowd and in charge of a group. This is a skill I think I will get better at as I go through school and my work allows me more opportunities to do more of that type of work. 

I am passionate about being a teen librarian and I think passion for your work is important. If you don’t love what you do, you are not going to excel at it. I am familiar with how a public library operates, having worked in one for 8.5 years, even if just observing various librarians go through that position. 

Another skill that I bring is that I just naturally read a lot of young adult fiction and so readers’ advisory would, for the most part be a strength for me.

Job Posting Analysis Part I

I found a job posting for Librarian I Teen Librarian at Beaufort County Public Library. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be Teen/Young Adult/Adult Reference Librarian. This position, at this particular library, works under the Branch Manager and Youth Services Coordinator. The duties of this position are to provide general reference guidance using both traditional print and online resources. Readers’ Advisory and teen programming are duties as well. Outreach and creation and distribution of publicity is another task. This job requires an ALA accredited MLS, previous teen experience, customer service skills, a valid driver’s license and a flexible schedule.

 I feel like the only qualification I am currently missing (though they could all be approved upon) is the MLS degree. This would be my dream job, a fulfillment of many years of hard work for me. My current position allows me to interact with many different ages and backgrounds and helps me to hone my customer service skills. I also have the opportunity to assist with book discussions at the local juvenile detention center. Another strong quality of mine is readers’ advisory. I currently read a lot of young adult fiction. I do need to work on branching out into genres I may not naturally pick up on my own.

Professional Organizations

The American Library Association (ALA), was founded in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. According to the website, ALA.org, it works to promote leadership in the profession, improvement of the profession and governs the new librarianship to ensure everyone has equal access to information. In its strategic plan, ALA has eight main areas of action:

-Advocacy for Libraries and the Profession

-Education and Lifelong Learning

-Intellectual Freedom

-Organizational Excellence

-Diversity

-Equitable Access to Information and Library Services

-Literacy, and

-Transforming Libraries

There are three ways to be a member: You can have a personal membership, an organizational membership or a corporate membership. A personal membership ranges anywhere from $34-$166 dollars per year, depending on which category you are in. Memberships offer the support of other professionals, discounted conference tickets, access to roundtables on topics important to librarianship and subscriptions to any of their publications.

The publications are divided up by division, there is a publication for the Public Library Association (PLA), the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), and the Library & Information Technology Association (LITA). Each focuses on a specific type of librarianship and PLA member has the option of subscribing at a discount rate to any of these publications,

ALA has a conference a big conference every year. I know this year it is in Las Vegas in June. They also host smaller Mid-Winter conferences where librarians can attend breakout sessions to learn more about the ever changing world of libraries. ALA will often host roundtables on topics as well, which any member can attend.

ALA has a presence on all of the major social networking sites. Including: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Reddit. From what I can see Facebook and Twitter are the two most active accounts.

I plan on becoming a member of ALA in the very near future. I see it as the main professional organization for the Library and Information Profession. It is the one I have heard the most about from friends, co-workers and other librarians. It is the organization which accredits the school of Library and Information Sciences for all the major universities.

More information on ALA can be found at ALA.org.

The Indiana Library Federation (ILF), is the main library professional organization in the state of Indiana. Its mission is to foster the professionalism and growth of all libraries and librarians in Indiana.

Personal membership is $40.00 per year (January 1^st-December 31^st). There is no special student rate available. When signing up you pick the division of which you are a part. For instance, I am a member of this organization and I am part of the support staff division and the Indiana Library Division.

The two printed publications are Focus on Indiana Libraries and Indiana Libraries. The first publication is a statewide publication that brings together news and other interests from people currently working in Hoosier libraries. The second publication is for librarians and media specialists, anyone who meets the printed guidelines can submit an article to be printed in an issue.

The organization also sends out weekly and monthly emails about various happenings in Indiana. It offers discounts to many workshops and conferences. For instance, there is a discount on PLA registration for this year. It will be held in Indianapolis in March. The emails also talk about the important work that the federation is doing for libraries in Indiana.

They too have a presence on the web, especially Facebook and Twitter. They too seem to be the most active. More information on ILF can be found at ILFonline.org.