Events
Work Experience
Posted February 19, 2012 by Danielle Geller
If I were applying to an MLIS graduate program today instead of a year ago, there is one major thing I would have done differently: I would have tried to get more related work experience before starting my classes. Its not as if I feel behind in my classes or am having trouble keeping up, but it would definitely have given me more applicable skills to help me in not only finding an internship, but also working in my 438 internship. There are a lot of great volunteer experiences available, too. Unfortunately, many historical societies and repositories run on very limited budgets, and they might not have the funds or the staff to complete all the projects they want (or even need) to complete. Im talking specifically about archives, but many local libraries are looking for volunteers, too. Even the National Archives of the United States has an active call for volunteers open: http://www.archives.gov/careers/volunteering/ I know from experience that juggling work (to pay for rent and food), your social life, and side projects can be difficult…
How “The Outsiders” Happened
Posted February 16, 2012 by fox32
In 1988 Susan Eloise Hinton won the first ever Young Adult/School Library Author Achievement Award for The Outsiders. If you haven’t read it [What? You gotta be kidding me?? Chocolate cake for breakfast?? The best.] …then run don’t walk, and grab a copy.
Technology and the Newbie
Posted February 15, 2012 by Julie Steenson
Deciding to make a mid-life career change from mom/educator to librarian came with many uncertainties. Was I too old? Would I be able to catch up on all the technology that I hadnt used over the last few years? What are the differences between Blended, Online, and Face-to-face classes and how would I choose? When would I do the laundry? I had an opportunity that allowed me to begin as a full-time student so I quit my job as a nanny, started volunteering at my local library, and jumped in. I live two and a half hours from both Boston and West campuses, so I opted for one online class, and two West campus classes – one blended and one face-to-face. By trying all three learning approaches, I will figure out early in my student career the pros and cons of each. The laundry question is still being addressed but no, I am not too old, and the technology wasnt quite as scary as I first imagined, but be forewarned, you cannot avoid it. Being a…
Why I Chose Simmons College GSLIS: Archives Management/History
Posted February 14, 2012 by dunhame
Ive been in somewhat of a self-reflective mood lately, which is convenient since its time for my first post on the GSLIS Admissions Blog! With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I have not had much of an opportunity to step back and think about all that has brought me to Boston and Simmons College. Its hard to believe that just a year ago I was in Kirksville, Missouri anxiously waiting to hear back from the handful of library programs I applied to. Ill never forget how excited I was the day I got my letter from Simmons College GSLIS. Im almost positive this is exactly how I reacted: Except imagine the inside of an apartment rather than a beautiful, open field.
Why I Am Here
Posted February 13, 2012 by Sarah Barton
Since this is my very first post (yay!), let me tell you why I am at Simmons GSLIS. I love libraries. I love what they are, what they stand for, and what they provide for their communities. I have never worked in a library, but pursuing a library degree just felt right. So here I am. On my first day of class, the professor asked who wants to work in a library after graduation. No one’s hand went up. If the professor hadn’t called my name from the list at the beginning of class, I would have thought I was mistakenly in the wrong classroom. In reality, my mistake was thinking about a library degree superficially. Thinking that everyone in GSLIS wants to work in a traditional library setting. When I started here, I thought I wanted to do reference. I have not abandoned that idea, but it has been pushed down the list. I could do something in publishing, digital media, news librarianship, or even wine librarianship. (Yes, that does exist.) So, when thinking…
A look at an updated library symbol
Posted February 9, 2012 by fox32
Library design consultant Aaron Schmidt has designed this alternate symbol for libraries, rather than the currently used “lone reader” (which while simple and striking, does present a potentially negative, isolationist attitude). He notes, “Theres still room for solitary reading, sure. But theres more going on. There are people. Not only do we need to think of our institutions in these terms, we need to convince the public to think of us like this too. Otherwise, more libraries will turn into kiosks.” I like it. I had never clocked that the older symbol represented an L have to admit…
my archives internship
Posted February 2, 2012 by fox32
I recently had the opportunity to complete an 8 week internship in the William Munroe Special Collections that is housed downstairs in the Concord Free Public Library (left) in Concord, MA. Open to the public btw, but if you have an idea of what you are looking for I recommend you communicate in advance with the energetic and straight-talking curator Leslie Wilson. Quick note to the uninitiated; Concord and its residents were closely involved with pre- and post-American Revolutionary history (18thC), and was also a seat for the Transcendentalist movement of the 19thC (Thoreau, Emerson et al.), and much more. It is chockablock with history. Has history coming out of its ears…
Notes from the field #3
Posted November 20, 2011 by homerj
Public v. Academic Libraries Right now I have two library jobs. One as a Research & Instruction Librarian in an academic library, and the other as a Adult Services Library Technician in a public library. I love them both and have yet to choose what kind of Librarian I want to be when I grow up. I thought I would share with you some of the reasons I stay at both and why I am still struggling to decide what kind of Librarian I want to be. Academic One of my favorite aspects of working in an academic library does not appear in every academic library. I love the challenge. I currently work in an academic library within a school that focuses on engineering. Everyday is a challenge and the students here push me further every day. One minute I will be helping a student search for patents on non electric breast pumps and the next I will be attempting to help a group of students who are working on flooding problems in Thailand. The…
Posted November 16, 2011 by homerj
A few months ago I posted about my favorite book trilogy The Hunger Games. (See the post here) They just released the trailer for the movie coming out March 23rd, 2012. I have never been so excited for a movie. (watch the trailer here) I plan on seeing this movie about 30 million times. I might camp out or rent a seat. May the odds be ever in your favor!
Notes from the Field #2
Posted November 16, 2011 by homerj
Part 2: Library Chat At my library we have a library chat function. (This is present at many academic libraries – even Simmons Library!) I love library chat. As I mentioned in my previous post, Notes from the Field #1, I try to keep the chat window unobstructed throughout the day because I like to respond as soon as possible. Even if I say “Be right with you I am helping another patron” I like the person on the other end to know I am a real person and I am at the computer. In my Reference and Social Informatics classes we discussed library chat. I was always a fan of chat because I grew up with AIM and I gchat and fbchat all the time while I am at home. Library chat is another way to reach out to patrons and seems effective on pulling in some of the more shy patrons. On some occasions the chat can lead to research consultations. (Those are sit down meetings between a librarian and either a single…