As a librarian, one of my main functions will be to assist patrons with the resources they need. At the same time, my own education is a never-ending process that does not stop after earning a degree and starting a career. By being aware of resources suitable for constantly improving my own knowledge and skills, my effectiveness will be enhanced. During my ODU MLIS journey, I have been exposed to a wealth of resources that are now essential elements of my librarian toolkit. I will continue to draw on the resources below, and others that will expose me to new ideas and perspectives – -perhaps some I had not thought of before.
The Public Library Association
An affiliate of the ALA, the PLA supports the unique and evolving needs of its 10,000 members that are public library professionals in libraries and communities large and small across the United States and Canada. The PLA offers opportunities for continuing education, networking via a conference, and perspectives and initiatives unique public libraries. Since I aspire to work in public libraries, membership in the PLA will be indispensable for my continuing professional development and for support in navigating the many often controversial issues that arise in the public libraries space.
Graphic Novels & Comics Roundtable
In recognition of the growing importance of graphic novels in library collections, the Graphic Novels and Comics Roundtable was added to the ALA family. It is dedicated to supporting library staff in all aspects of engaging with graphic novels and comics, including collection development, programming, and advocacy. One of its many exciting responsibilities is administering the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries. I have a background as a comics creator and art entrepreneur so GNCRT’s work with panels, pop up libraries at library conferences , and comic conventions appeals to me. I anticipate volunteering to assist with these and other outreach activities and to use this resource for networking. In the future, I would like to serve on one of the selection committees for best graphic novel.
Rainbow Roundtable
The Rainbow Round Table supports the information needs of LGBTQIA+ people, from professional library workers to the population at large. Because its membership cuts across all the divisions and round tables of ALA, this affords opportunities for networking and engagement across all of ALA. I plan to join the RRT for the networking opportunities but also to ensure I have the skills and knowledge for maximizing the contributions I am able to make towards meeting the information needs of LGBTQ+ people. I plan to explore their Buddy Program which is aimed at familiarizing prospective members with Rainbow RT by linking an active member of the round table with a new and prospective member.
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
This is a national organization of librarians, library workers and advocates with over 5,000 members dedicated to expanding the capacity of libraries to better serve teens. I have a strong interest in focusing on teen librarianship therefore being plugged in with this organization and its activities is important. I plan to follow the Printz, Morris and other awards they administer for collection development ideas, and take advantage of the many lists they curate and publish to stay on top of developments in the teen and young space.
Virginia Library Association (VLA)
Founded in 1905, its legacy is long. VLA is dedicated to developing, promoting, and improving library and information services, library staff, and the profession of librarianship. Its purpose is to advance literacy and learning and to ensure access to information in Virginia. A robust and dynamic organization, I plan to keep an eye on their activities via their newsletters, scholarly journals, and website; attend their annual convention to network; take advantage of their robust job search resources once I begin to explore job opportunities beyond this MLIS degree; and participate in their continuing education programs as long as continue to reside in Virginia.
Library Pass, & the ComicsPlus App
As a YA librarian with an interest in equitable access to content, these products will be helpful in my collection development workstream. Library Pass facilitates reaching engaged readers of all ages through schools and libraries worldwide with access to affordable digital content. The ComicsPlus app serves to expand exposure to the power of comics by providing readers unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga through their schools and libraries.
Fobazi Ettarh
An independent scholar and consultant for library organizations and training, in her blog, she takes on critical pedagogy, her love-hate relationship with libraries and librarians, and activism. Her observations on ‘vocational awe’ etc., are based on her experiences from working in a variety of library environments. As someone new to the profession, I value the insights she provides on how love of librarianship can lead to exploitation, poor pay, job creep, burnout, and feelings of shame for speaking up. I look forward to adding my voice to the discussions and drawing strength from associating with a community that lifts up issues around work-life balance and compensation.
Ashley Hawkins – The Manga Librarian
The range and scope of activities Hawkins discusses in her blog and YouTube channel, ‘the Manga Librarian’, and her background, make her a role model for me. A public school librarian in Brooklyn, NY. with a MSLIS, her goal is to provide collection development support to school and public librarians wishing to expand their knowledge of manga and anime. I admire her work, have done one informational interview with her, and plan to reach out to her for career development advice.
The Librarian Linkover Podcast
In this monthly podcast, librarian Lorene Kennard promotes the work of librarians by interviewing them about their notable contributions. Examples of previously-interviewed guests include Fobazi Ettarh (who coined the term “Vocational Awe), Kyle Banerjee (EBSCO), and Dr. Africa Hands (University of Buffalo). I listen to this podcast to regularly hear currently-working library professionals talk about their work in their own words. I believe it will help me get a feel for trends, challenges, and changes happening in the profession.
Mangasplaining Podcast
Curious about manga but don’t know where to start? Well neither does comics writer/artist Chip Zdarsky! Join manga experts Deb Aoki, David Brothers, and Christopher Butcher, as they introduce the medium to Chip (and to you!) through some of its best and most important works. Every week a new volume of manga to re-discover, discuss, and enjoy!
American Libraries Magazine
This publication, which I consider the bible of the library profession, is a benefit of ALA membership. I plan to rely on it for pertinent news and special reports about all aspects of the library world, from equipment and library space configuration, to professional development.
Public Libraries Magazine
This is the official publication of the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association. It is devoted exclusively to public libraries. Each issue includes important industry news, PLA and ALA updates, and columns and feature articles that offer strategies and ideas helpful to public librarians. As I plan to work in public libraries, this will be essential, easy to digest reading for me.
Booklist
I like this publication of the American Library Association because it provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It will be an essential tool for my work as a librarian with the over 7,500 titles it reviews annually. Also, it will be a convenient tool to utilize because its information comes in multiple formats such as a blog, newsletters, and webinars.
We Here
With my MLIS, I will become a part of a select group– A person of color trained at the MLIS level in the profession, and, with my interest in social justice librarianship, this is a community I plan to be a part of because it seeks to provide educational programs and a safe and supportive community for Black and Indigenous folks, and People of Color (BIPOC) in library and information science (LIS) professions. It is a forum that aims to recognize, discuss, and intervene in systemic social issues that plague our professions currently and historically.
Library Juice Academy
Library Juice Academy provides online courses and professional development workshops that focus on in-demand library skills. The classes/workshops are instructed entirely by and for library professionals. I plan to use this resource to gain practical knowledge on current topics and highly sought-after skills; and keep my professional library skills up-to-date. I can also use it as an avenue to network with peers I connect with in workshops.
We Need Diverse Books
WNDB Advocates for change in the publishing industry, and promotes literature that young readers of underrepresented backgrounds can see themselves in. They organize a variety of programs and campaigns such as #BooksSaveLives, addressing challenges and bans against diverse books. As a black queer neurodivergent library professional aiming to work with teens and young adults, I recognize the need for diversity in media. WNDB will be a wealth of information for finding a wide variety of books about diverse characters from a diverse range of authors.
Zine Union Catalog, by ZineLibraries
I am so glad I bumped into this resource. This resource is a union catalog dedicated to zines. It allows libraries to share cataloging and holdings information, and lets researchers, librarians, archivists, and anyone in the general public discover zine holdings by searching a single catalog. I plan to use it because it draws from multiple sources and will allow me to discover Zines I otherwise might be aware of. With their growing popularity, and as they evolve for the digital age, I believe the full potential of Zines are still unexplored.
LibraryThing
I was introduced to this resource through my Knowledge Organization class. It is a fun tool for keeping track of and categorizing the contents of your personal library or for any small library. It also connects people based on the books they share. What I like most are the aggregated tags, ratings, reviews, and Common Knowledge (facts about a book or author, like series and awards). It allows users to contribute their own tags, reviews, etc. which improves cataloging data for everyone.
Currently Reading Podcast
Currently Reading is a podcast dedicated to the love of books and reading. Two bookish friends discuss what’s on their nightstands, in their earbuds, and on their Kindles right now, in addition to books they’ve loved forever, and a variety of other readerly topics. Listening to this podcast is a wonderful way to casually learn about interesting books.
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF)
With the proliferation of book challenges combined with my interests in public libraries, teen/young adult books, and engaging with comic creators; awareness of the CBLDF is important. The fund helps individuals and businesses who are being criminally prosecuted because of the comic books they read, make, buy, or sell. As a public librarian, this is a resource that could be useful in responding to challenges because their mission includes helping libraries gather resources to defend in face of graphic novel challenges.
Manga In Libraries
The Manga in Libraries webinar series is sponsored by the New York City School Librarians’ Association and the American Library Association’s Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table. The Manga in Libraries webinar series is hosted by Jillian Rudes.
Jillian Rudes
Jillian Rudes is a certified school librarian and the Japanese Culture & Manga Cooperative Collection Development librarian for the New York City Department of Education. https://twitter.com/JRLibrarian
References
American Library Association. (1996a). Public Library Association. Public Library Association. Retrieved November 2021, from https://www.ala.org/pla/
American Library Association. (1996b). YALSA Home Page. Young Adult Library Services Association. Retrieved November 2021, from https://www.ala.org/yalsa/
American Library Association. (2020, February 6). Rainbow Round Table (RRT). Rainbow Round Table. Retrieved November 2021, from https://www.ala.org/rt/rrt
American Library Association. (2021, June 22). GNCRT Round Table. Graphic Novels & Comics Roundtable. Retrieved November 2021, from https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. (2021). F.A.Q. – Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Retrieved November 2021, from http://cbldf.org/f-a-q/
Ettarh, F. (2021, November 9). About Me. WTF Is a Radical Librarian, Anyway? Retrieved November 2021, from https://fobaziettarh.com/about-me/
Hawkins, A. (2021). About Manga Librarian. Manga Librarian. Retrieved November 2021, from https://mangalibrarian.com/about-gaijin-school-librarian/
Rudes, J. [@JRLibrarian]. (n.d.). Tweets & replies [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved November 2021, from https://twitter.com/JRLibrarian
Rudes, J. (2021). About. Manga in Libraries. Retrieved November 2021, from https://mangainlibraries.com/about/
Schwartz, M., & Cobb, K. (2021). Meet The Hosts. Currently Reading Podcast. Retrieved November 2021, from https://www.currentlyreadingpodcast.com/the-hosts
Virginia Library Association. (2021). Home. Retrieved November 2021, from https://www.vla.org/