My path to getting my MLIS is a winding one.  Growing up my mother was a school librarian, so I quite literally grew up in a library.  I graduated high school thinking I would go into education and eventually become a school librarian as well.  I got to college and changed my major ending up with a  B.A. degree in Recreation and Park Administration, with an emphasis in Programming in 2000.  I worked for a State Park seasonally for five years.  I then went back to school to get my M.A. in education, with an emphasis in middle school science and social studies, graduating in 2007.  My plan was to teach two years then get my MLIS to be a school librarian.  Due to many reasons I did not find a job and would frequently go back to working at the State Park during the summers.

In the year 2013 I saw an opening for a Circulation Assistant at our local public library; I applied and got an interview.  I remember them bringing out a cart of books and asked me to arrange them.  I thought this was a trick because it was so easy, but they were very impressed and hired me. I worked there part time for three years.  During that time I started a Dungeons and Dragons game group that still meets to this day.  I moved to Florida in 2022, getting a job at a State Park then eventually I got a job as a library assistant at the Marathon Branch of the Monroe County Library System.  I have worked here over three years now, and worked my way up to library associate.  I realized when there was a children’s librarian position open that to move up in the system, I would need an MLIS, so I decided to begin the MLIS program.  

I started the program in the spring of 2023.  Since that time I have learned so much more about libraries and how they work.  Through group projects and many assignments I learned how to evaluate critically, reflect, and problem-solve individually as well as collaboratively.  Doing many video introductions and projects I learned how to communicate effectively.  I also improved my communication through my writing.  My job has allowed me to participate in professional and community engagement activities in the field through community outreaches, social media, and through my programs, I am the makerspace and Arts & Crafts teacher.  

I am very grateful I took the Multicultural Literature for Children and Youth class, this class not only allowed me to demonstrate leadership skills and innovation in a diverse and global environment but to identify and analyze diverse information needs of individuals and communities.  My toolkit from that class is one of my prized possessions, it resides in my desk at work to remind me what we are here for and to serve as a way to be able to pick materials for people from all walks of life. 

In my Youth Services seminar I learned how to evaluate and select print and digital information resources and systems to meet needs of users while creating an amazing and detailed display for the Children's Department of my library.  I loved finding books that related to the subject matter, life cycle of the frog.  I also used Canva as a digital information resource to come up with educational bookmarks for the kids to color and cut out. My libguide in my Basic Information Sources/Services class allowed me to use the libguide website to use appropriate information technology for information services.  This was such a fun project that allowed me to use an information website to share my love of Arts & Crafts.  I really liked the ease of sharing the books to it.  Libguide was so much easier to use than the entire website I created with HTML in my Technology and Media class.  That website taught me how to analyze, organize and describe various formats of information objects.  I am very proud of everything I learned in that class.  I feel that all my classes have prepared me on how to identify and apply best practices in the use of different technologies for knowledge representation.

My Research Methods in Library and Information Science taught me a great many things that I will be able to use in the field.  I learned how to describe applications of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and how to identify opportunities for research and develop plans for research in applied settings.  This was also the class that I learned how to deal with difficult teammates, and learning how to pivot and get things done against all odds.  This is very appropriate in learning how to deal with difficult coworkers and the public. I have loved taking these classes and I love working in the library.  I can’t wait to see what the future holds.