I know this is a departure from my chatter about my last course on reference materials, but I've found some other cool and rather interesting reading I felt like sharing (with myself, of course).
When I first started the LIS program, I thought I wanted to become a school media specialist. It seemed like a natural fit: books, kids (I have 2 and like them very much), technology, and THE BIG BONUS: the same school calendar as my kids. PERFECT!! Then I started learning more about the job. If all I've heard is true than I don't want to be someone's tech slave, esp. someone who just isn't interested in learning how to hook a laptop up to a projector. Been there, done that.
About the same time as this revelation was happening, we started reading about social science research methods in our intro class. WOW...I was hooked!! That's when I realized I wanted to stay in higher ed and some how, become involved with research. My plan is to become an academic librarian but I'm not sure where or how that will happen. Sure there are quite a few universities and colleges in this neck of the woods, but timing is everything.
Right now, I'm exploring the different round tables on ALA's website. I missed their conference this year, but hopefully will get to go next year.(I gotta figure out how to work the free or discounted student options to go!) I joined as a joint member of ALA and NCLA for $35!!! Way cool...
On my to-do list is to start finding a way to get plugged in and my first stop is the NMRT (new member's round table) as well as looking into the ACRL round table or discussion group. I need to start reading too and have this tome on my desktop:
"Futures Thinking for Academic Librarians: Higher Education in 2025". That scares me a little bit, but I need to get some perspective while I'm still in school (and still able to make decisions about 'what-I-want-to-be-when-I-grow-up'. ; )
One other cool thing...I get this awesome little e-newsletter called ALADirect. Love it! There are some great article snippets, updates, announcements, jobs (yea, jobs) and other tidbits posted in this email. Very cool! Here's one resource I want to share with everyone:
ALA's Page on Library Issues & Advocacy
Anyone can type in their zipcode and choose different alerts to send to their senators or representatives regarding libraries.
Well, that's my initial crack at ALA/NCLA...Let the research on these 2 sites begin...
Cheers,
A
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