Throughout our time in Old Dominion University’s MLIS program, students are assigned coursework with seven specific Student Learning Outcomes in mind.  These SLO’s ensure that we gain the competencies, knowledge and skills to be successful as library and information professionals.  As I reflect on my own journey gaining my graduate degree, I see how through my coursework and assignments I have grown in each of these particular areas.  I would like to share with you now the importance I place on these learning outcomes and how the assignments I have chosen to highlight in my portfolio meet these objectives.

• Student Learning Outcome:  Create innovative responses to the needs and interests of diverse and global communities.

One of the most important concepts that I have learned as a student in this program is that we aim to put the needs of our patrons first in all that we do.  From the content of our collections to the programming and services that we provide, the core foundation of it all is our patrons.  As a librarian and information professional, sometimes this requires us to step outside of our own experiences and perspectives.  We need to embrace and celebrate a diverse patron base and that will require us to evolve and grow along with their changing needs.  Creating innovative responses to these needs means that we have to be comfortable with departing from traditional ways of thinking and doing if it is no longer applicable or beneficial to our patrons. We must also remember that a “one size fits all approach” will not suit the needs of diverse and global communities.  We should strive to learn what will be the best fit for the groups we are serving by providing plenty of opportunities for feedback, keeping our minds open to new possibilities and by giving patrons the tools they need to access the information they seek.

An example of such a tool that I was able to create was a LibGuide to assist individuals interested in conducting genealogical research on their own.  Creating a LibGuide was also a fantastic learning opportunity for me as it was the first time I attempted to make a website from scratch. Academically, the experience showed me that I have the power to pull information from multiple sources together and present it in a way that is accessible and helpful for patrons.  Instead of becoming overwhelmed by the amount of existing content there is on the topic, information seekers can utilize the LibGuide to point them in the right direction.  A LibGuide is a great customizable template that can cover a variety of topics that can serve the diverse needs of a broad patron base.

In my research proposal concerning archival silences, I sought to understand the nature of these omissions and investigated what methods are being employed to combat them in our field.  Our collections should be representative of diverse, global communities, yet historically this has not been the case.  Through my research, I reviewed existing literature on the topic, pored over case studies conducted in a variety of cultural heritage settings and presented my findings so that others could not only be aware of these erasures but better equipped to recognize and correct them moving forward.  I also formulated a plan to conduct further research in my own place of employment.  While in this program, I learned that libraries, archives and museums are not neutral spaces.  Past methods and mindsets have led to marginalization and underrepresentation.  Yet, libraries are here to serve all people and working to ensure equal representation is of the utmost importance for us as information professionals.

My final reflection for my Management and Leadership Studies course also spoke to a librarian’s role in serving diverse communities in ways that are ethical and inclusive.  I discussed the difference between being a manager and being a leader.  A leader works to protect the rights of patrons and staff, be receptive to the opinions and contributions of others, to promote growth and embrace change.  A leader is an advocate for others.  This advocacy can be felt in our communities and can provide a voice for people whose needs could be better served through our institutional programs and services.  We have the power to bridge the gap between “What is the issue at hand?”  and  “What can we do to alleviate it?”.  Information professionals are creative problem solvers that work to find meaningful solutions for their patrons and their communities.  

• Student Learning Outcome: Demonstrate leadership attributes for a variety of information environments.

I mentioned above how my final reflection for my Management and Leadership course addressed the importance of being a leader.  I carried the information I learned in that course with me throughout the program and saw how these qualities are also applicable and necessary in archival institutions and museum settings.  The attributes of being a good leader are not defined by the type of institution you work for even if the demands of different work environments may vary.  An effective leader can adjust to the evolving needs of their organization and staff.  

While taking my Seminar in Archives course, I completed a research paper on the relationship between archives and museums.  Working in a museum and concentrating on archival studies and special collections, I often feel like I am in a unique position to see how these fields complement each other.  Many of the concepts I have learned in my archival courses also apply to museum operations and collections. Conversely, much of what I have learned concerning collections management in museums mirrors what is happening in archives.  I explored in my research paper the interrelatedness of these institutions even if they appear different on the surface.  I also proposed ways that museums, libraries and archives can work together to achieve common goals that support their missions.  Leadership attributes are transferable between the varying types of organizations that fall under the umbrella of “cultural heritage institutions”.  United we can work together to make information accessible to a broader audience.  An effective leader recognizes the importance of these collaborations and partnerships.

I was able to see this crossover in action during my internship with the Barry Art Museum.  Working in a museum and studying library science, I often wondered how I could combine these fields to align with my future career goals.  My impact project showed me that not only is this possible, but that the skills and knowledge I have gained through this program are transferable in a variety of settings.  For my impact project, I was responsible for inputting a newly accessioned donation consisting of 160 works of art into the The Museum System (TMS) database.  At the beginning of my internship, it was not clear what sort of work would be assigned to me and I took the initiative to undertake this project and see it to completion.  I have no doubt that the skills I learned during my time at the Barry Art Museum will serve me well as I pursue a career in collections management.

• Student Learning Outcome:  Interpret and apply basic and applied research to improve their professional practice.

As information professionals, we should strive to continue to learn new concepts and ideas and to apply them in ways that will benefit our field as a whole.  We can do this keeping abreast of the research that is being conducted and with conducting research of our own.  Our profession, after all, is centered around the exchange of knowledge and making resources accessible.  Interpreting research studies for use in our professional practice and applying what we learn from them is not just beneficial but necessary for our growth.  

Prior to my own research proposal on archival silences, I did not have a lot of experience with basic and applied research methods.  Through this assignment and the entire Research Methods course, I learned a great deal about various research approaches and designs, how to conduct a literature review, the value of case studies and how to conduct a case study of my own.  My proposal also provided inspiration for me to look for ways that I could be a part of the solution to an important issue that plagues our practice.  This awareness has empowered me to be an advocate for diversity and inclusion in our collections and an ally to traditionally underrepresented and marginalized groups.  

My research into the similarities between memory institutions and the benefits of collaborations also directly affects my own career goals.  Special collections can be housed in a variety of professional settings and understanding how to preserve these collections and provide greater exposure to them is a mission that is shared by libraries, museums and archives.  My research showed me how these organizations can embrace partnerships and embark on collaborative initiatives to enhance the visibility and accessibility of their collections. 

Lastly, I conducted research on a topic that I found exciting and groundbreaking, the archival preservation of scent.  When we consider traditional archives we tend to think of physical records and tangible materials.  Yet, the power of scent on memory is being explored and archivists are working to not only recreate historical scents but to capture modern scents at risk of “extinction”.  This research opened my eyes to the possibilities of what we are able to preserve, the role of technology in how we are able to do so and the implications this has for the future of our collections.

• Student Learning Outcome:  Access, synthesize and evaluate information to assist information seekers.

When one thinks of a librarian, they likely conjure the image of a knowledgeable professional that either has all of the answers to their questions or can assist them in finding them.  It is our duty to make the process of gaining new information, skills and resources easier for our patrons and for members of the communities or institutions we serve.  We discover materials that will be helpful and relevant, categorize, organize, preserve, and make them available for use.  Libraries, archives and cultural heritage institutions are hubs where people can find the information they need to grow both personally and professionally.  

My LibGuide was created as a place where beginners interested in the topic of genealogy could find resources to help them independently explore a topic and empower them to conduct their own research.  Genealogy happens to be a hobby of mine, so I pulled together a variety of resources that I knew to be reliable, easy to use and informative.  Since there are many different learning styles, I made sure to include books, websites, videos and forms that could be accessed or downloaded via the LibGuide.  

My impact project at the Barry Art Museum also allowed me to create a space where information seekers could find the resources they need in one place.  By creating new object and constituent files, inputting information for each object into the main database and conducting research to update any outdated existing information, staff and researchers working at the museum can be assured that the files they access concerning the collection will be accurate and up to date.  This data can also be used to track objects in the collection, prepare them for loans and to inform any future exhibitions.

• Student Learning Outcome:  Integrate evolving technologies and theories that underpin their design, application and use with library and information services.

Technology has revolutionized the field of library science.  By embracing and evolving along with technology, libraries are able to remain relevant and offer expanded programs and services to their communities.  Libraries and archival repositories of the future will likely look very different from institutions today and this is an exciting prospect.  Technology expands accessibility, allows for more representation and connects people to experiences and each other.  Learning to incorporate technology in ways that are innovative and enhance the user experience will only benefit our organizations and our patrons.  

Practically, I was able to utilize technology in my LibGuide and internship impact project.  My LibGuide allowed users to access a variety of resources from their computer, phone or any other device that could connect to the internet.  With a few clicks, patrons could embark on discovering more about their own family history.  My impact project relied on a collections management database to upload and provide vital information about each object in the museum, without which the safety and accessibility of the collection could be at risk.  

My research proposal on archival silences explored how emerging technologies have helped to uncover stories and records of marginalized groups.  It also revealed how the modern use of social media has made an increasing number of community archiving initiatives possible.  People that have been historically neglected in collections are banding together to upload materials and share their stories for the first time.  Technology has also expanded how we are able to preserve materials and what materials are candidates for preservation.  My research into the preservation of scent showed me how we can use DNA samples of extinct flowers to recreate their scent “recipes” which in turn can be documented and preserved in archives.  Maps graphing the scents of a city are being created and recorded for posterity, revealing information about a place and its culture in ways that other materials can not.  Thinking outside of the box and finding ways to make technology work for us in innovative ways will be essential for ensuring that libraries and other cultural heritage institutions provide the most engaging and relevant information for our users.

• Student Learning Outcome:  Analyze current and historical trends to forecast future directions of the library and information field.

With an undergraduate degree in history, I often find myself looking to the past, wondering how it has led us to where we are now and how it may inform our future.  This reflective practice can teach us valuable lessons about our profession.  We can see where we as information professionals and as institutions have been successful in the past and where we have struggled.  We can see what is currently happening in our field and follow these trends to further improve our practices, policies and programs. 

This competency was most relevant in my research on archival silences.  Past non-inclusive practices in our field have led to omissions and erasures of the stories and experiences of entire groups of people.  The effect of these silences on marginalized groups can not be understated.  Historical bias has heavily impacted our understanding of the past and we must now work diligently to ensure diverse and inclusive collections.  The rising popularity of community archives are one way in which we see a shift in what materials we collect and how we do so.  Community archives have arisen in response to these silences and are working to bring awareness and attention to the histories we are in danger of forgetting.  I foresee a great increase in these community initiatives and in the awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion in our modern institutional collections going forward.  

My research paper discussing the merger of memory institutions also speaks to this issue.  Working together, archives, libraries and museums can share resources and bring greater awareness to populations that have been underserved and underrepresented in the past.  The collaboration between institutions is another trend that is on the rise.  We are beginning to see archival materials displayed in museum exhibitions, the merger of libraries and archives into one institution and the general rise in partnerships between the three cultural heritage organizations.

• Student Learning Outcome:  Create a plan for continuous professional development and lifelong learning.

When I entered the MLIS program, I was still not sure what path my studies would take.  I was working in an elementary school at the time of my enrollment and thought perhaps I would like to become a school librarian.  However, my love of history and special collections quickly brought me to pursuing a concentration in archival studies and special librarianship.  Since that decision, I committed to learning as much as possible about this branch of our profession.  At one point, I was simultaneously working in a museum, interning at another and taking archival studies courses. I dove head first into this program and feel so grateful for the opportunities it has afforded me.  I believe my degree will allow me to pursue a career that I am passionate about and that allows me to give back to my community in meaningful ways.  I have met so many wonderful and inspiring people in this program that have imparted knowledge and wisdom that will serve me well as I complete my degree and embark on this career path.

In my final reflection for my Management and Leadership course, I recognized that if we are to be successful, we must continue to learn and grow.  There is always room to improve and evolve.  In this assignment we were asked to address three topics we would like to learn more about as we completed the MLIS program. I stated that I did not feel well versed in the financial aspects of librarianship, namely working with grants and budgeting.  I also wanted to learn more about diversity and inclusion.  And I expressed interest in universal design and accessibility.  When I took this course I was roughly halfway through the program.  I am happy to report that as I near the end, I have further explored these topics and have been able to center several of my assignments around them.  This has allowed me to gain confidence in these areas and has better prepared me to address them as I grow as a professional.   

In terms of budgeting and finance, I have searched for grants, written mock grant proposals and researched fundraising opportunities and the importance of community partnerships.  Diversity and inclusion in collections has formed the foundation of many of my subsequent projects.  From my research on archival silences to my current work in my Community Archiving course, I seek to address and understand more about this topic as frequently as I can so that I may be an agent for change in our field.  Universal design in libraries and the greater accessibility it affords allows patrons of all abilities to have an inclusive experience in our buildings and in our programs.  For my User Services and Programming course that I am currently enrolled in, I have proposed a program for an enabled community garden that incorporates universal design so that it may be enjoyed by patrons of all ages and abilities.  This program was prompted by research into my own community and the discoveries that a sizable percentage of our population consisted of people living with a disability and the lack of current adaptive programming at our main library branch.

While these are just seven learning outcomes, I can confidently affirm that my participation in Old Dominion University’s MLIS program has taught me countless competencies and lessons that I will continue to reference and value throughout my career.

Image Credit: Jan Tinneberg, Unsplash