Capstone Values Paper Looking back over my coursework and pondering the insights Ive gained over the

past two years has been an interesting experience. I entered the MLIS program with 10 years of corporate experience and two years of library paraprofessional experience. I had a clear path set that I would stay in academic libraries and I am now working as a high school librarian. I absolutely love my work in the high school setting and feel at home professionally for now. I believe I have an advantage for my students being that I come from an academic library setting. I can prepare students for the rigorous information literacy skills needed to survive college. I viewed my original values statement, and I can see the growth and change on my prospective on librarianship. Below I will go over my student learning outcomes for my MLIS program.

Student Learning Outcome #1:

The student assesses the philosophy, principles, and ethics of the library and information field. I found this outcome to be the one that I am most passionate about and it intertwines with many of the other student learning outcomes in the MLIS program. The ethics and philosophy of librarianship was carefully woven into each and every class. I do know that Ranganathan and the ALA Code of Ethics made repeat appearances in my work professionally and had great influence on my approaches to librarianship. The class discussion on ethics in LIS 600 was a turning point in my MLIS studies. I was most intrigued by professor Martins discussion on Stereotypical librarian. The field of librarianship is laden with stereotypes, many of which often contradict one another. In my research project that I conducted titled, Misconceptions in Librarianship I explored all the various types of stereotypes in the field and in young adult literature. Some of the common librarian stereotypes in society are the following: the mean middle-aged shushing women with bun and glasses, the frumpy nerdy female in mid-twenties, sexy by night librarian, and occasionally the awkward male librarian. The commonality I found in my research indicated all characters/librarians were white. As an adolescent during my K 12 years, I cannot recall ever seeing any minority librarians in the school setting. I attended the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and the only ethnic library staff presence were student

workers throughout my four years of school. Over the years the American Library Association has made great strides to recruit ethnic groups. Stereotypes that are projected in media, film, print ads, and literature does help detour people especially males in the profession. I am very proud to be an Academic Cultural Education (ACE) Scholar, as a part of recruiting minorities in the field of librarianship. Stereotypes will always live on and it is our responsibilities (new generation of librarians) get more active to establish a new face of librarianship. Today, as a high school librarian in a large metropolitan city, it saddens me that I am only one of three minority high school librarians out of 29 high schools. I also learned a great deal about ethics and philosophy in my management class and read Raving Fans, which I recommend quite often to my colleagues. I had the opportunity of interviewing the Library Administrator at Johnson C. Smith University. Through this interview I was able to glean this administrators philosophy, practice, and professional ethics in regard to not only her personal views but her years of experience in the field of academic librarianship. I also had to complete a Leadership Management Treatise, which help me reflect on ethics and philosophy in management. This was one of my favorite assignments because of the variety in my management experience and I was able to critique and evaluate myself. The practical application of these ideals really came to light when I could discuss them directly with an experienced and successful professional.

Leadership Management Treatise

Librarian Misconceptions Project

Library Administrator Interview Library Administrator Video

SLO 2: The student identifies, evaluates, conducts, and applies current research and thought in library and information studies and in other fields.

I believe that this learning outcome in research embodies the most prevalent elements of my experience, which I have applied professionally. I have conducted extensive research of library user groups, marketing outreach studies, and a number of other selected topics. This research has been completed both independently as well as in collaboration with students, staff, and peers. I have had the opportunity to conduct research that has made significant contribution in my professional career by presenting my findings at ALA national conference and creating new library services for my place of employment. Prime examples of this concept, is the Issues research paper I conducted research on the role that academic libraries can help with student retention. In the research I found that academic libraries should focus their efforts in early intervention programs and student diversity initiatives. Based on my research I completed, I did an independent study with Professor Martin and successfully created a student library diversity advisory board for Johnson C. Smith University. My continued research findings landed me the opportunity to present my research at the American Library Association conference (ALA) in Anaheim, CA in June 2012. In the same LIS 600 class I also completed an action research project where I analyzed the usage of course reserves at James B. Duke memorial library at Johnson C. Smith University. Based on my findings from the research, I was able to help the library improve its course reserve lending program. I worked with other students in my management class to conduct an in depth needs assessment of an elementary school media center. This assessment involved interviews, surveys, outside research, and significant data evaluation. The research not only taught us much about these students, their teachers, and the schools media center focuses and programming, but it also gave us the opportunity and experience of suggesting improved methods and concepts to increase the efficiency of the media center and fuel more interest and use from the student body.

Library Needs Assessment

Issues Research Paper

Academic Library Action Research Librarian Misconceptions Project

Author Study Presentation

Author Study Analysis

SLO 3: The student applies and values user education principles in the teaching of information literacy.

Teaching is a huge part of the library profession, even if one is not directly working in instruction. My educational philosophy reminds me of the words of E.J Josey who started the Black Caucus of the American Library Association stated: The potential leader of tomorrow may not have a computer at home and your library is the educational agency which introduces him to this new device. There are so many of our young people who need to be influenced by librarians and be influenced by libraries. As we get a foothold in the management and decision making hierarchies of libraries, let us learn to use our influence for the greater good of our citizens, and particularly those who need our concerns the most, the poor and downtrodden. I believe every opportunity to assist patrons is an opportunity to educate, not just find something then move on. Teach patrons how to research and help to formulate communication of user needs. In my current position as a high school media specialist I am responsible for teaching citation overview, introduce research databases, and give library orientations. I am constantly marketing to teachers for teaching collaboration. I have made online videos and print tutorials teaching users about Koha, an online library management system; tutorials on how-to online databases to assist with research, and Libguides for entrepreneurial and international students. Each of these items was designed with the concept of teaching and educating the public to use the library and its resources to the best of their ability. I have had the opportunity to make many different tutorials or guides throughout the program. Sometimes you never see the users you assist because so much research is conducted online. Creating tutorials for users is a great way to reach out and make sure users have the tools they

need to be successful. I believe in education and training and as a librarian if you on the front lines or behind the scenes we are always teaching in some form.

Database Resource Introduction Informational Marketing Project Lesson Plan Book Talk Analysis Librarian-Teacher Collaboration Project

SLO 4: The student designs services to meet the information needs of all users and communities.

One of the major principles of librarianship is the provision of equal access to information and services to all users. Find out what your users want and apply that information to get the services they need, so you can provide access and the tools to build a strong foundation for your community. Valuing the appropriate education principles to increase the information literacy of library users is the one most basic ways that a librarian can design and adapt service to meet the needs of a widely varying population of patrons. Much of the research I conducted during my MLIS, whether research of libraries for community immigrants or college students, all of my research focused on meeting a need with bottom line of providing customized service. In my Emerging Technology class I worked with a group to research and wrote a LSTA Grant for an immigrant population to assist with health information needs. Through this process I learned the importance of community outreach and how to create funding for service when evaluating unmeet informational needs. In my prior position, as evening library supervisor, I created several services to various groups of students that had a particular need. Johnson C. Smith University created a new entrepreneurial department on campus and was aware the department would need library resources. I thus, created an entrepreneur Libguide to meet the needs of students and faculty in that department. I also, created a Libguide to meet the needs of the growing population of international students on campus. I met with the Director of International department and discussed resources that might be helpful. Just to add, in my Media

Production class, I created a web instructional project to market information literacy services to faculty and staff.Like mentioned before, I also created a student advisory board as well to better market and provide specialize services to the growing minority (Latino) population on campus.
LSTA Grant

Libguide

Information Literacy Marketing Guide

Web Instructional Project

Reference Interview/Bibliography

SLO 5: The student engages in professional development and service and identifies specializations and related professional organizations as relevant to individual interests.

I have built significant professional relationships and established connections for professional development both in and out of the MLIS program. Many of my professional development and professional relationships I have gained from being actively involved in several library related organizations. I am a political task force committee member for the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), and I have developed great connections and friendships with members all over the U.S. I just received the BCALA Smiley scholarship to attend the next National Conference for African Americans in August 2013, and will be presenting research during the poster research session. I am also an active education committee member of REFORMA library organization for Latinos. Throughout the duration of the program I have become very active in the field nationally and locally. I have received several travel scholarships outside of UNCGs ACE scholar program for participation in various conferences.

I have presented thus far in three national conferences and four local library conferences. I have participated in various professional development webinars and have formed information literacy nonprofit. I can honestly say that I love the library profession and constantly seeking ways to grow professionally.

Library Research Presentations:

American Library Association Annual Conference June 2012 Anaheim, CA "Retention" What's Diversity Got Do To With It! ----Research presentation that focused on the library's role on student retention.

Share Academy CPCC Library Conference August 2012 Charlotte, NC "My Work Matters Too" Promoting Incentive Programs For Library Work-Study Students

Joint Conference of Librarians of Color September 2012 Kansas City, MO "Cracking the Glass Ceiling" Sustaining Professional Growth for Paraprofessional library employees

SLO 6: The student applies appropriate technology for effective information services. Throughout my process navigating through the MLIS program, my greatest challenge was confronting my technology fears. I purposely challenged myself by taking additional technology classes than needed to overcome my tech fears. I have had many challenges but now I am able to successfully navigate with the new ways that information is being processed. I learned from my experience in the program that even with the progression of technology that librarians are needed to assist with ensuring users are technology information literate. From my experience in academic and high school setting, many users may be able to navigate social network sites but are lacking scholarly technology information literacy. I have completed several projects to help address some of the needs that are prevalent in many education settings. For example, in my social media class I created a Tumblr page called, Perceptions on Privacy Surrounding

Technology, to bring awareness to privacy issues surrounding social media. I raised awareness on users perceptions to privacy regarding social media and how the lack of education on social media education can be harmful. In the same class I created a social media plan for the library in which I was employed. I also brought awareness that we as library professionals have to be conscience of the digital divide and the users who are left out of accessing information. I am very happy with all the opportunities I had during the program to experience many different technologies that will be used in the library setting. I have learned how to use integrated library systems such as Koha, digital integrated libraries, Summons, and web creation tools:Moviemaker, Photoshop, Googlesites, and learned how to create storyboards. I can also say that I have gained more experience utilizing basic web 2.0 technologies that will help me in designing and implementing specialized services for users.
Information Literacy Marketing Guide The below documents are user training guides created to assist Integrated Library System (ILS) administrators understand how to operate certain function within the Koha ILS: Koha admin library setup guide Koha admin patron user guide

SLO 7: The student applies advocacy, marketing, and communication principles for entrepreneurial leadership.

I think about advocacy and marketing I think of one having an entrepreneurial spirit. When you are advocating and marketing it often requires to think outside of the box for funding and establishing new service that might not exist. I think of myself as a combination of the two which is a grassroots community librarian. Throughout my classes in the program I find myself either marketing or advocating for something or service I feel passionate about. For example, I created an academic library promotional video marketing library information literacy services to faculty at Johnson C. Smith University. Like mentioned before I became an advocate on campus for international students, Latino students, and as well created specialized services for entrepreneurial students on campus.

One of my most memorable projects is when I did a street booktalk to encourage reading among 9th-12 grade readers. I focused on four books that talked about making decisions around escaping poverty, gang violence, and topic regarding hip hop music industry. as equality of access to information and philosophies such as strong customer service and being an integral part of the community. I become so passionate about being inclusive to all students I created a student advisory board as a part of an independent study to market library services to minority students at my place of employment.

Academic Library Promotional Video Library Marketing Brochure Informational Marketing Project

Monster Annotation and Review

Book Talk Analysis

collaboration SLO 8: The student effectively collaborates for the achievement of individual, organizational, professional, and societal goals.

Collaboration is the key to success in the professional arena in librarianship. Librarianship is a field in which no matter the arena in the field you will have to collaborate with either vendors, colleagues, and your users. The collaboration was tough at times but much appreciated. I have worked in a number of fields and librarianship really requires the ability to have great interpersonal skills and adapt to change. I am very appreciative of my experience and working with supportive faculty that encourage entrepreneurial work in the field. I think one of the most beneficial group projects will be the LSTA Grant. It was very rewarding knowing that I was going to help with creating funding to assist a group of community user gain access informative health literacy.

I also learned a great deal in my library needs assessment group project for an elementary school. This group effort was challenging because of the distance among group members but we successfully pulled together a great assessment that actually was able to help the media specialist. I have also gained experience working virtually as a committee member with BCALA and REFORMA. My group work in classes has prepared me to work collaborative with colleagues all around the U.S.

LSTA Grant

Library Needs Assessment Librarian-Teacher Collaboration Project

Conclusion and Final Thoughts Throughout my experience four years in the library setting and education experience I have always tried to select new challenges in order to develop myself as a professional. I enjoyed working in an academic library setting, and now enjoy the high school setting. I feel University of North Carolina Greensboro Master of Library Information Science was a great fit for me considering my experience, education, and career goals. I am interested in continuing to collaboratively work with faculty in the MLIS program and one day continues my education with a PhD in Library Science. I have maintained a 3.8 grade point average thus far in the program and have been chosen to present research at several conferences. I am an active member of REFORMA, which is the national librarian organization for Latinos and am also a member of the Black Caucus of Librarian Association. I am confident that my contribution to the field of librarianship will be meaningful.