Melisa Martinez.

E-Portfolio Essay

November 15th, 2013.

As a freshly minted owner of a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science, I

was not sure what I got myself into when I attended my first class at Dominican University as a

Graduate Student of Library and Information Science. However, I did know that like the rest of

my peers I came in with a love and respect for libraries that stems from childhood. My parents

were not like other parents; they didn’t know English very well and they raised their children

traditionally, but they did recognize the importance of libraries. Working in a public library was

a thing for my family. Every sister before me (two to be exact) worked and loved their jobs at the

local library and only knew that job until they eventually married and found new jobs. Until this

day, they still wish they could turn their time clocks back and return to that job of public service

they so loved and cherished. I suppose my love for libraries was always existent inside of me,

and it took me awhile to realize that my place in the world was exactly under my nose: as a

librarian. Although I concentrated primarily on archives and special collections throughout my

time at Dominican University, I still hold libraries, whether academic or public, close to my

heart. In a way, I don’t mind where I end up as long as I am helping users in some capacity or

another. As a petty circulation clerk, it makes me frustrated to see so many user’s needs and

desires not recognized, and I wish with all my heart that I were given that power to make a

difference. I hope with this trusty MLIS on my resume, it will let me do just that: make a

difference in someone’s life. I know it sounds kind of cheesy and cliché, but that’s exactly what I

want to do. Whether I am finding that researcher’s highly needed monograph on soldiers during

the Civil War or finding a minority an English instruction guide, I will truly be happy. In a way, I

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know that feeling of helpless and lack of satisfaction that comes with not be able to find that

information that you need and want.

Overall I learned a lot from GSLIS program. I never thought I would enjoy a career as a

librarian because I initially came into the program with a desire to be an archivist. I noticed this

more when I took my core classes and a realized that there was more that went into becoming

and being an information professional. Like everyone, I had a pre-conceived notion of what

librarians did and their role in society. The LIS 701 course placed a lot of things in perspective

for me and introduced me to the core values and ethics of the library and information science

profession as well as intellectual property and copyright. This learning experience allowed me to

integrate what I learned to my long time job as a circulation clerk at the Joliet Public Library,

and I defiantly noticed a difference in how I interacted with patrons. I also no longer felt the need

to differentiate myself from other students in the GSLIS program that were studying to be

librarians. Now more than ever, I feel confident that I would be successful in any position I

choose. I have the skill set, tools, and resources to be able to uphold the integrity and purpose of

an information professional.

A second significant learning experience occurred just recently in my last GSLIS course.

It was not a specific experience during the course, but rather the concepts and themes of the

course that made me realize the importance of information literacy. The course acquainted me

with the fact that information literacy does not necessarily only mean bibliographic instruction,

but rather other components such as instructing users on different types of information, research,

reading, writing, and other related components that contribute to a user’s ability to apply

information to real life experiences and continuous learning. Like a majority of novices into the

library and information profession, I was unaware of the responsibility that librarians and other

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information professionals held. In my portfolio, I used a number of artifacts to represent the

impact the course had on my professional career. I am happy that I took the course and feel that

it can be applied to anything, especially if I am considering a career in archives and academic

libraries. This course and the experiences that occurred in it made me realize how much the

library that I work at does not do for a large portion of our community. It frustrates me because

there is a lot my library can do to reach out to our community.

This portfolio reflects the careful course and learning opportunities decisions I made

during the library and information science program. It shows how I applied my job experiences

to the professional development experienced during the program. If anything, the work

documented in my portfolio reflects what I learned through discussions, readings, and

coursework. As a library and information science professional, the portfolio will show how much

I have progressed through the program and the varied interests I have acquired since beginning

the program. Primarily, this portfolio will show a continued willingness to build upon the

knowledge experienced in the program.

It’s hard to choose which one or two artifacts in my portfolio are the best. Collectively,

the artifacts in my portfolio are apart of a larger learning experience. If I had to choose two

artifacts, I enjoyed creating the core collection and the issue presentation assignment for the

collection management course. The core collection for a newly created minor within a university

is one of the best artifacts in the portfolio because it combines my interest in Franklin Delano

Roosevelt and academic libraries. It also shows my ability to locate resources according the

needs and interests of students and faculty and the existent collection development in place at

Roosevelt University library. The issue presentation is a second artifact in the portfolio that I

enjoyed. I feel it represents by proficiency in research and a familiarity with serial cancellations

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including additional issues that influence the action by academic libraries. I have an interest in

scholarly information and its place in academic libraries, particularly on access, publishing, and

cost.

My perspective of libraries/information centers has changed drastically since beginning

the program. I have a better outlook on the role of librarians and their place in the vast

information world where technology exists and consistently changes. Although I have always

had respect for libraries and their commitment to reading, libraries stand for more than just what

meets the eye. As information professionals, we have a lot to offer than just recommending a

user a book. If anything, librarians need to redefine their role to meet new expectations, new

information, and new technology. I never knew the amount of preparation librarians needed and

what went into sustaining an effective and exciting library. I have a grown a lot since August of

2012 when I first started the program and I hope to continue to do so.

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