From Paper Pusher to Teen/Young Adult Services Librarian!

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SLA 2018 Bmore in Baltimore – Day 2

Day 2 of the SLA 2018 Conference was much more rewarding. I would imagine that part of it was I actually got a full night’s sleep.

The first session, The Seven Competencies of Highly Effective Knowledge Managers, really helped me understand the concept of a knowledge management (KM) system, and the responsibility of a knowledge manager. (It even inspired me to buy a book in the Expo.)

KM does not just lie with technology and how information and knowledge is stored and made accessible, but it is also about behaviors. It means creating a culture of knowledge sharing and being able to understand and identify who needs what information.

In my department, our director’s had all staff meetings, where the staff identified communication is the number one problem. The resolution was an online comment box where staff can submit questions, and leadership will answer.

During this session, I had a neuron fire. I realized that although staff and leadership identified “communication” as the problem, the much larger issue is the availability and access to information and knowledge. Knowledge Management is the solution.

My plan when I returned to Tucson was to draft a knowledge management plan and present it to leadership.

Following this session, I sat through the general session with S. Chaudry, who touched on many aspects of information and library science, including another of my favorite topics: taxonomies. I learned that I am not the only person to visit a shopping website and realize the business needs help with its taxonomies.

The next session I attended was about how to develop a Data Management Plan. In my prior job, I worked with data that was used for contracts and changes to how involuntary commitment services were treated.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with that type of data and I actually miss it, so the session was very interesting to me, and helped substantiate some of the ways I worked with data in the past.

The next session, Make it Meaningful: Motivate the multi-tasker and get students to engage in on-line environments was incredibly helpful. I do not work in an academic library. I work for a local public health department, where I am responsible for Workforce Development, which includes training.

I recently began developing e-learning modules (using Articulate), and so this session provided great instruction and advice about how to develop a training that would keep the users interest.

Simple tips included:
-provide clear instruction;
-provide or require pre-work;
-provide clear instructions;
-use consistent icons as visual or verbal cues for activities (such as reading, chatting, polling, quizzes, etc.)

These sessions provided me with a ton of ideas and insight, and because I work in a non-traditional “librarian” position, in which my own department doesn’t even recognize me as a librarian or information professional, it was incredibly rewarding to sit in sessions and see first hand how my skills cross over.

Employer Support for the SLA 2018 Conference

My supervisor informed me that my request for travel and lodging to attend the SLA 2018 Conference in Baltimore was denied by “those downtown,” implying that it was our Deputy County Administrators who denied it.

However, she said, they have agreed to pay my salary. With at least that much support, and the fact that I received a scholarship for conference fees, and as important as I feel attending this conference is for my career, I decided pay for the trip.

My supervisor was out of the office when I booked my room and flight, so I email her and copy our manager about my decision. Our manager responded that my attendance and coverage for my salary was not approved.

I talked to her and made these points:

• My decision to go was made in part b/c of what my supervisor told me- salary was covered;
• I had not received a denial — which now leads me to believe my request was NEVER considered (Alan told me we get notices of approval/denial when they go up the chain); and
• I am responsible for providing professional development for staff based on their roles and needs. When I find one that suits my skills and enhances my knowledge and abilities for the work I do here, I am not given that opportunity.

I realize the conference is not specific to public health, but the things I learn and the skill set I need to do my job does not only lie in public health. I gave this example: Just as much as our Communications Team are not public health experts, they have degrees and backgrounds in Communications, journalism, social media, and marketing.

My manager went back and requested an approval of my salary. It was not based on relevance. It was based on the misinformation I was provided by my supervisor.

During our conversation, she made a statement that led me to believe that my justification memo was never seen by our County Administrators, and so the decision to deny my travel and lodging was made by our Director.

This goes back to the primary issue Librarians and Information Professionals struggle with every day: relevance.

My employer does not realize or understand that my education and my role as an information professional provides me the foundation for what I do. They do not stop to think that an MIRLS goes beyond the brick and mortar building labeled “library” or beyond the items, “book and shelf.”

I have to ask the question, do I continue to try? My goal was to ensure that when I left this job, my employer would look for someone with an MIRLS to replace me.

At this point, I struggle with whether or not I want to continue to prove relevance, or move on to an employer who knows exactly what they want and need in an information professional.

This is tough because I love the work I do.

I was eventually provided with a signed approval memo for coverage of my salary. The memo indicated I “volunteered” to pay for my own travel.

 

 

Justification Memo

After being selected for a scholarship for the SLA 2018 Conference in Baltimore, my supervisor, who appreciates what my MIRLS brings to the table, suggested I write a justification memo to request travel funds.

Here it is:

Dear <Powers that be>

I am reaching out to share some great news with you, I have been contacted by the Advisory Council from the Special Libraries Association and they have awarded me a full conference scholarship to attend the Special Libraries Association’s 2018 Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, June 11–13, 2018.

The Special Library Association is an organization for information professionals who work in business, government, academic, and other “specialized” settings outside of traditional libraries. This organization supports individuals like myself, who manage information and/or knowledge resources for organizations, employees and their stakeholders.

My responsibilities and projects that benefit from my Master of Arts Degree in Information Resources and Library Science where I leverage my knowledge, skill, and expertise, to advance processes and programs in the delivery of public health services through tasks such as:
• Facilitating, organizing, developing and providing workforce development and training opportunities;
• Developing and coordinating the internship and volunteer program;
• Working as part of a team to implement the content management platform, SharePoint, (which to be done effectively, should employ a “knowledge management specialist”);
• Maintaining and providing support for department and program policies and procedures.
• Establishing a relationship with the Arizona Memory Project (AMP), with the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, to create a digital collection of historical photos, records, reports, and a scrapbook of newspaper articles, which date back to the 1930’s;
• Participating as an integral member in a three (3) year project of a County-wide team tasked with evaluating assessing and developing a proposal for a centralized Employee Training and Development Center;
• Assist in the development of a personnel recruitment tool; and
• Assist with producing the department weekly newsletter.

Excluding the conference fee of $765, the total anticipated expense is $1,556, which includes:
• Roundtrip airfare estimated to be no more than $500;
• Lodging conference rate is $169 per night, which exceeds the AZDOA allowable rate of $161 by $8 per night. If approved at the $169 rate, estimated lodging expense is $676;
• Per diem for five days is $280, reflecting a reduction of $15 for an included conference lunch on June 11; and,
• Estimated miscellaneous and ground transportation $100.

In order to be successful in my role of supporting current and emerging information needs for PCHD programs and services, it is essential that I keep apprised new and evolving tools and techniques optimal for business practices. As I began developing the Workforce Development Plan, I joined the Special Libraries Association, for information and guidance on the administrative, research and organizational aspects of my professional responsibilities. For example, Special Libraries Association provides resources and support for program development, particularly adult programming, learning, and education to allow for creation of class content, trainings, and workshops.

Continued benefits of Special Libraries Association membership exists in the support found in specialized fields in Information Resources and Library Science, Knowledge Management (KM), and Taxonomy. Knowledge Management is a “discipline that promotes an integrated approach to identifying, capturing, evaluating, retrieving, and sharing of an enterprise’s information assets. These assets may include databases, documents, policies, procedures, and previously un-captured expertise and experience in individual workers” (Duhon, 1998). Taxonomy is a controlled vocabulary used for identifying documents so they are searchable and retrievable, and used in knowledge management programs, such as SharePoint.

As PCHD moves to adopt SharePoint as its Knowledge Management platform, I jumped at the opportunity to be part of the implementation team where my knowledge and expertise combined with resources provided by Special Libraries Association to be an asset for the team to ensure proper execution, organization, and management for a quality SharePoint site. By doing this, it will help achieve organizational objectives by organizing, structuring, sharing, and making the best and most efficient use of PCHD information.

The Special Libraries Association 2018 Annual Conference will provide over 100 educational sessions and workshops that explore the latest trends in gathering, organizing, analyzing, and sharing information and knowledge, including those that I can use for my work at PCHD (see attached list for a short sample of sessions). I will also be able to network with other information professionals, who, like me, are trying new approaches, testing new products, and implementing new strategies in our organziations.

I am requesting approval to attend the conference and my associated travel expenses be covered by Pima County Health Department for June 10 through the 14, 2018 which include travel and conference dates. I sincerely hope you will consider this, as I believe this conference supports the demonstrated value of my skills and abilities. If you agree to send me, you can expect me to return with plenty of new ideas and insights I can put to work right away.

Please let me know if you would like additional information, or visit SLA’s conference website at https://www.sla.org/attend/sla-2018-annual-conference/ for details.
Sincerely,

KAS, MIRLS
PCHD Workforce Development Coordinator

Sample Session Descriptions
The lineup at SLA 2018 includes interesting topics like artificial intelligence, 3-D printing, data visualization, the future of competitive intelligence, and virtual reality. However, I specifically am interested in attending the following sessions that will support my work:
• Discoverability through Digitization: Collaborating with Partners to Yield Success- To guide me with the digital archive project;
• Best Practices to Foster Leadership Within Your Organization- How to infuse the idea of leadership at all levels;
• Cementing Value: Building Relationships- Information and tips related to knowing and understanding the needs of the organization and staff to create partnerships;
• Bringing Culture Back: Managing Unconscious Bias to Strengthen Your Corporate Culture- Identify internal bias to improve them.
• You Want Me To Do What? Strategies for Taking on Duties Outside Your Comfort Zone, Tips and techniques for taking on work that is new and different.
• The Seven Competencies of Highly Effective Knowledge Managers- A detailed profile of competencies needed for an effective knowledge manager, and recommendations for building expertise in knowledge management.
• Make it Meaningful: Motivate the Mutlitasker and Get Students to Engage in Online Environments- Instruction on how to develop effective online training content.
• Using Taxonomy to Drive Personalization: Aligning User Interests and Content- Examples of how a taxonomist used user surveys and data to develop taxonomies.
• Making It Work: Fostering Learning Networks to Amplify the Impact of the Information Hub- Information about learning design to allow for self-directed learning experiences for adults.
• Good, Bad & Ugly Germs: Perspectives on the Centennial Remembrance of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic- Panel discussion about the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918, and how medical libraries are working with museums to preserve the information and provide it for researchers seeking to understand how it affects current research. The panel will also explore the link between information professionals, librarians, researchers and curators when current research and remembrance intertwine.

Scholarship Letter for SLA 2018

It’s been a long while since I’ve written.

I have so many things going on, and unfortunately, my blog aspirations have fallen to the wayside.

I also didn’t think I had much to write about. But I do.

The Special Libraries Association 2018 conference was held in Baltimore June 9th through June 13th. It would be extremely expensive for me, and I didn’t think my employer would fund my trip, so I submitted an application for a scholarship.

Below is my essay response:

In 500 words or less, please tell us why you are interested in applying for the scholarship and how attending the SLA 2018 Annual Conference enhances your career professional development and your position within your organization. Be sure to include the applications of this knowledge as well as the innovative and creative use of information.

My goal was to become a public librarian. However, shortly after I earned my IRLS degree, the Health Department (HD) where I work, applied for national accreditation. To align with accreditation requirements, I developed a Workforce Development Program, which includes professional development, an internship program, a small library of resources. Recently, I have been included as a team member to implement a knowledge management system.

SLA has been an invaluable resource, and through the Solo Librarian’s Division, I have made contacts with members, who have helped me develop and implement my programs. (I hope I have been able to help others too.)

Last year I was able to attend SLA2017, held in my home state. I gravitated toward sessions involving knowledge management. I fell in love with knowledge management and taxonomy concepts, and in addition to the Solo Librarians and Arizona divisions, and Embedded Librarians caucus, I have now joined the Knowledge Management and Taxonomy divisions.

I was excited to learn that my division would be developing a SharePoint site to manage the hundreds of folders the department houses in a very disorganized and unmonitored shared drive. For the project to be successful, someone with true knowledge management and taxonomy background must be a part of it. By promoting my IRLS background and SLA resources, I advocated successfully to be a part of that project, and I have already made contacts with others, and have traded ideas and process concepts.

If I am selected for this scholarship, I will be able to focus my participation in knowledge management and taxonomy sessions. It will allow me to concentrate from less of an introductory perspective (since I have some basic foundational knowledge), and I will learn concepts I can put into action, and possibly in a place of leadership on the SharePoint project. My department has 3 primary divisions, with 29 subdivisions, for which I’d like to figure out how to organize a knowledge management system for both shared and non-shared files/documents, develop retention schedules and search taxonomies for the vastly different programs (we have everything from mosquito abatement and restaurant inspections to sexually transmitted disease testing and tuberculosis control).

With respect to my SLA membership, last year, I joined the SLA Solo Divisions Communication Team, where I wrote several blogs/newsletter articles. Recently, I began to manage and promote SLA Solo’s Facebook page. I am working to increase engagement, participation in membership with SLA and the Solo Division. I have made sure to post at least twice a week with one item related to SLA activities and one item to initiate conversation with followers.

If selected, I intend to write about the experience at SLA2018 and post it to the SLA Solo Facebook page, as well as, bring back the knowledge and experience to my position. I want to promote librarianship and knowledge management, both in my department and with those I collaborate. Every agency needs a librarian on staff.

 

(I will write later about what happened.)

 

 

Not Enough Professional Level Library Experience

That is what I was told in a rejection letter to a Librarian II position.

Apparently, I am 2 years and 10  months short of the requisite “professional level library experience.”

Would someone please explain?  This is so incredibly frustrating. Those of us who work in non-traditional library settings DO HAVE professional level experience, even if it isn’t in a traditional library setting (which is not what the minimum requirement said)! How do we get Human Resource personnel to understand this?  Also, the librarian job is right in line with what I currently do for the Health Dept. I just cannot believe I was disqualified!

Here is my cover letter:

I am submitting my application and resume for the Librarian II (Business Librarian II) position. According to the job description, a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science and 3 years of professional-level experience performing library work and 1 year of supervisory work-place experience is required.

I have a Master’s degree in Information Resources and Library Science (MIRLS) from the University of Arizona, as well as several years of supervisory work-place experience, as indicated on my application.

Although I don’t work in a traditional library setting, my internships and current position qualify me with at least three (3) years of professional level experience performing library work.

To be specific, I currently work in a professional level position as a Special Staff Assistant Senior (Workforce Development Coordinator) at the Pima County Health Department (PCHD).  Depending on my professional degree, my role is to reinforce a strong and educated public health workforce by providing staff training and promoting professional development opportunities, leading employee rewards and recognition activities and promoting public health as a career option by managing PCHD’s volunteer and internship program.

My duties include developing and providing staff training, collaborating with community partners and stakeholders to provide training, workshops and programs for staff, and working with staff to identify gaps in their core competencies and finding ways to help bridge those gaps.

The job description states the Librarian II will be responsible for conducting business related programming, arranging, scheduling, and managing programs offered by outside presenters; supervise staff who conduct workshops designed to aid patrons in workforce development, career exploration, entrepreneurship, and small business development; and manage the daily operations of the “Idea+Space.”

As stated above, in my current position, I am responsible for conducting business related programming, arranging, scheduling and managing programs offered by both internal and outside presenters, working with staff to lead and coordinate similar activities, and overseeing communication activities.

Based on my education, experience and skills, I would be a perfect candidate for this position, and the work I do is professional level library experience. (I hope that I am not disqualified, based on the setting in which I work, and if this is an issue, I can provide supporting documentation from professional library associations that will clearly support my work as professional level library work.)

Thank you for the consideration.

 

Now. Please tell me how I did not qualify?

 

UPDATE: I contested the rejection, included a link to the Special Libraries Association website and the rejection was reversed! I may get that interview!

 

 

Little Free Library Librarian — skella99

I will be a librarian after all! A few weeks ago, via the social networking site, Nextdoor, our neighborhood’s community service officer put out a, “Lakeside-Chuck Ford Little Free Library Volunteers needed!” A “little free library” was being installed at the park at the end of my block and volunteers were needed to be library […]

via Little Free Library Librarian — skella99

AZLA 2017 Conference – pick me! statement

I’m submitting a scholarship application for the AZLA 2017 Conference this year. I can’t afford both the conference and lodging, so here is my statement:

 

Greetings,
I am requesting an AZLA 2017 Conference scholarship, as I am unable to afford both the travel and lodging and the conference. Also, my employer will not pay for the cost of the conference.

My intent upon obtaining my Masters in Information Resources and Library Science was to become a public librarian. Unfortunately, despite many interviews, I have not yet been selected for that role.

Instead, I am the Workforce Development Coordinator for the Pima County Health Department, and though I am not recognized by my employer as an information professional (or better, a librarian), I have developed and manage a Learning Center, I provide staff training and development opportunities, I am developing a Reward & Recognition program, and I am developing an academic volunteer and internship program. I have also begun reorganizing my program’s shared folder space and by doing so, I am working toward gaining knowledge and experience in the area of knowledge management (and taxonomies).

It is unfortunate, that my employer is yet to recognize the worth of having someone with an MIRLS (part of why I can’t get funding), but I continue to promote my skills, abilities and knowledge so that in the future, if and when I leave, my employer recognizes a librarian on staff is imperative.

In the meantime, by keeping myself in touch and engaged with the AZLA, it has helped me recognize and understand that the type of work is transferable to many areas and fields. Attending AZLA would allow me the opportunity to network with other information pro’s and librarians where I can learn how to do my job better (and maybe allow me to pursue my dream of becoming a public librarian).

I hope I am selected, as I would love to attend.

Sincerely,
Kelli Stephens

 

The Making of a Free Little Library – The First Coat

Last Sunday, only two of the many volunteer (FLL) stewards met to decorate the old newspaper box installed at Chuck Ford-Lakeside Park in my neighborhood. The city also installed a bench to go with it!

The newspaper box, turned FLL, now sits directly next to a green games court painted with different colors for kid games, such as four-square, duck, duck, goose, hopscotch and a maze.

We decided to match the color of the FLL to the colors of the games court and in just under two hours, we managed to clean it, sand it and apply 3 coats of green paint. We will meet another time to add the color blocks.

I made a flyer and went to stock the FLL with some young adult fiction my niece donated. Unfortunately, the top of the box was already tagged.

This morning, I contacted the library assistant and the principal of the school that sits next to the park to let them know the FLL is stocked and ready to go! I also asked that they inform students, parents and staff, as the FLL is for all ages! I’m also hoping to get some book donations as well!  

On Sunday, the Mayor is holding an event, for a Free Little Library Day proclamation, which I was invited to and am excited to be a part of it!

 

Little Free Library Librarian

I will be a librarian after all!

A few weeks ago, via the social networking site, Nextdoor, our neighborhood’s community service officer put out a, “Lakeside-Chuck Ford Little Free Library Volunteers needed!”  A “little free library” was being installed at the park at the end of my block and volunteers were needed to be library stewards. 

I, along with a couple of others volunteered and a few weeks later, an old newspaper box was installed and viola, a little free library!

This morning, I went to take a look at the box, and it needs some work. It needs to be cleaned, painted and decorated.

I looked online and found some really cute ideas and one of the other stewards sent out an email asking to set up a time to meet and decorate.

I also looked into registering the little free library. For $39.00, the free little library will get:

• An official charter sign engraved with your Library’s unique charter number.
• The option to add your Library to the world map. People will use the map to find and visit your Library.
• Access to a private Facebook group for registered stewards. Swap stories and connect with other stewards!
• A Steward’s Guide of proven tips to make your Library a vital part of your community.
• A subscription to our regular e-newsletter with inspiring stories, ideas, and special deals.
• Access to brand new, deeply discounted books through First Book for stewards in low-income areas. In addition, you will get special book offers from publishers via our e-newsletter.
• A “How Does this Library Work?” flier for your Library.

It sounds like it’s worth registering, especially since we’ll get placed on a world map and have access to other resources.

The library is located close to the kids playground, and will have a bench, which is super! We we should probably stock it with lots of baby, children’s and teen fiction books.

I’d also like to have a suggestion box, bookmarks, stickers/stamps for the books donated, maybe even a guest book. I’m not sure how to accomplish all of that, given the design of the free little library, but still things to consider.

I am super excited to part of something like this, and even though, in my career, I am not a “traditional” librarian, I live, breathe, eat and sleep librarianship of any and all forms, and I’ll take it whenever and wherever I can get it!