Draft philosophy (2022, July 27)
My interest in libraries began when I was very young and the highlight of my week was a visit to the library. I even made book slips for my personal collection of books, because who wouldn’t want to read them too? Being new to the librarian profession, I still feel a fair amount of awe when I think about libraries and what it is to be a librarian. I feel I am just beginning to define my philosophy of librarianship and am still learning what librarianship is and what it offers communities. Access to different worlds and experiences, libraries represent endless possibilities and limitless sources of knowledge and learning. I believe that libraries represent intellectual freedom as well as free and equal access to knowledge and information. I see my role as a librarian to nurture curiosity and help others find answers for their own truths.
I believe a librarian should ensure free access to digital and non-digital resources for all patrons of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Every person who walks in a library should be able to see themselves reflected in displays, collections, and programs. “Librarians must create collections and services that reflect diverse communities, appreciate different cultures, create a place where different cultures feel comfortable, and provide open accessibility through access, outreach, culturally relevant signage, and staff trained to be welcoming and respectful” (Rubin & Rubin, p. 322). Librarians play an important role in ensuring that the library is welcoming and comfortable and that it reflects the diverse interests of its community. In addition to ensuring inclusive collections, librarians “should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment” (American Library Association, para. 4). Librarians should also ensure that resources are accessible and findable for all knowledge seekers. Ultimately, librarians have an obligation “to protect intellectual freedom, the freedom of access to information, and the freedom of expression, speech, thought, and conscience” and “the role of the information professions places unique duties on information professionals to defend these freedoms” (Rubin & Rubin, p. 539).
As a school librarian, I feel that the library should serve as a hub for academic and personal inquiry. The librarian helps students explore a wealth of viewpoints and develop important information literacy skills. A librarian “shares expertise with the goal of enabling clients to use knowledge in order to take control of their own lives or their own learning” (Rubin & Rubin, p. 319). As an inclusive environment, the school library helps students to find connections to what they are learning beyond the school’s walls. In representing all children, it is important that the librarian be seen “as a provider of practical answers and information” (Rubin & Rubin, p. 321). Further, the school librarian serves as an educator and leader in using the library’s services, in adopting new technology, and in accessing information.
American Library Association (2006, June 30). Library Bill of Rights. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
Rubin, R. E. & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
Instructions
Your philosophy of librarianship will bring together other statements and philosophies that you have created throughout the program. This statement is your view of the field you are about to enter and how you fit into that field. You should highlight your views on the values and ethics of libraries that you believe are important to your future work. Include examples from your experience and coursework to demonstrate how you will be as a professional and how you will contribute to the contexts and communities which you will be working with in the future.
Review the tutorials on adding and removing pages from a menu or deleting them from a site for help on organizing pages when only using a personal teaching or management philosophy.