I feel like I have learned so much so far this term. I feel this blog is an excellent assignment and the course readings have been very useful. The textbook is one that I will be keeping close by after the course. The blog helps me look back at each week and then I have to summarize what has happened and by doing this I feel like I am really taking in the information that we have discussed in the postings.
I feel like I was doing many of the actions discussed during these first five weeks but I did not have the technical language behind them. For example, I did not know the term "reference interview" even though I am doing them daily with the students and weekly with the teachers. I did not know the different steps in the evaluation process, even though I was doing them. But to write them down and have an educated discussion on them before this course I would be embarrassed. The research methods were also new to me. Again I was doing the Big 6 method, but I feel like I am more open to teaching the research process now and I also have a little background knowledge on these steps and feel far more confident in talking to teachers about this issues. Knowing these terms makes me feel so much more professional at my position.
I have learned about wedding before, but it was nice to hear the same information and have the same ideas and thoughts said to me again. I feel that since they have come from a few different sources and they all say the same things that this must be the best way to complete the task.
All in all, I have learned lots so far but I know I have so much more to go in order to look much more professional and speak with far more experienced librarians in a language that they can understand and make me look like I know what I'm talking about. Learning this information is a way for me to transition from a young inexperienced librarian with lots of energy and willing to do it all into a more well rounded librarian with a broader knowledge of the industry. Learning the professional terms and the issues around them will also help me in my next interview for a position in the library. Like I mentioned, I was already doing many of these things we have discussed. I just did not know the terminology.
Where to next.... Wedding is the number one job that has to get done in my library this year. It has been a few years since this library has had it done. Mostly because of lack of TL time at the school. It was hard having 2 school libraries and 2 days at each and coaching team sports, plus my own life and team sports. This year I am very happy with how my library is finally set-up and I have 4 days at this school, so I have 4 afternoons to work with. Along with wedding the inventory also has to be done at my school. From what we learned from wedding I will have a good starting point.
Research.... I have been making much more of an effort to help the teachers and students do research at school. Again it really helps being at the school for 4 days and I have an idea of what is going on all the time, plus it is easier this year as I really know the library collection and I have set-up my library and helpers and I have a fantastic system working. It is easier for me to bring in guest speakers and teach information sessions as I have more time. Last week I brought in the public librarian to do book talks and talk about database searching to the students for the Egypt unit coming up. All of the little things are starting to fall into place and with each course I take in the library diploma I feel like I am adding more and more to the library. I have also added a blog to the library this year in order to help the students with library updates and with online database searching. I'm hoping the page will become the first place students want to go for information when they are doing their homework.
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