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Exposure to Library Experience through Engaged Mentorship
In our current economic times, libraries have had the opportunity to engage volunteers in their libraries to help with a variety of tasks. What a perfect time for library school students to take advantage of opportunities when presented to them to volunteer in libraries and receive practical experience. I have had the fortunate opportunity to welcome SJSU graduate student Susan Tockgo in to the library I manage; the Glen Avon Regional Library, located in the Riverside County System. It has been a pleasure introducing Susan to the everyday challenges and excitement that occur in a busy public library. I sincerely appreciate Susan's questions, enthusiasm and suggestions, which I believe has strengthened our mentoring relationship. Susan shares her experiences and challenges below:
What do you do when you are seeking a library position without library experience during this lean and challenging economy? As a graduate student, one method to gain a hands-on library experience is through formalized internship once you've completed certain amount of class units. But in the meantime, what opportunities are there to combine theory and practice in the hopes of achieving a better understanding of what librarianship is all about? As it turned out, I was able to find a volunteer position while attending the "Tricks and Tips for Getting Your First Professional Job " Spring Fling workshop sponsored by the Student Interest Group of CLA. I was able to make contact with a forward-thinking library professional with twenty-years of library experience and who subscribes to what the core values of librarianship are about: Stewardship, service, literacy and education, equity of access, intellectual freedom, and democracy. Tracie Carignan is the manager at Glen-Avon library, one of 34 branch libraries within the Riverside County Library System. And through her mentorship, I was able to gain practical day-to-day, hands on experience about librarianship. Here is a short-list of the experiences I gained:
- Learned about the overall library and organization.
- Observed through method of shadowing staff members and learn about their work and interaction with patrons.
- Was able to sit in on staff meetings for reference and circulation department. And sat in on branch manager's meeting.
- Observed problem-solving in action of various departments.
- Was able to interact with staff one-on-one and get to know their philosophy, method and approach to their work.
- Gained personal experience of assisting library patrons at the circulation and reference desk while being supervised.
- Gained knowledge and learn to use Sirsi-Dynix software for Acquisition, OPAC, and Circulation department.
- Gain new knowledge about the use of cataloging within library county system.
- Gained hands-on knowledge about Online Selection & Acquisitions.
- Learn about how to facilitate community outreach programs such as resume workshop.
I appreciate the fact I was able to gain additional insights about challenges to all facets of librarianship while volunteering these past two months at this library. Through her mentorship, I gained the perspective of observing not only other staff members at work but also the day-to-day challenges she faces daily as a manager. The important lesson I take away is the power and dignity shown through herself as an example of a manager with a can-do attitude toward her staff and when serving the public. In the future, I hope to follow her lead while finding gainful employment in a library.
Submitted to California Libraries by:
Tracie Carignan
Manager- Glen Avon Regional Library
Riverside County Library System.
&
Susan Tockgo
SJSU Graduate Student
Posted on October 27, 2009 11:06 AM | Permalink