Almost Done!

Wow! In some ways this has been a long semester, just getting back into the groove of being a student, learning the systems, getting through ALLLLLLL of those readings...but mostly this semester has just gone by in the blink of an eye. Tomorrow is the official last day of class, and aside from another post or two in this blog, I believe I have completed all of my class assignments. 2 classes down, 10 to go! Not bad really - one-sixth of the way through my Master's degree. Next semester I will be taking "Retrieving Information" and "School Library Management." I'm sure that Retrieving Information will be full of new (and frustrating) technology lessons, which is really good for me as much as it makes me want to pull my hair out. But mostly I am excited about the School Library class - I'm really anxious to take some classes directly related to my primary interests. Yesterday I also signed up for an online class through the local community college, Educational Psychology, which will satisfy some of my education requirements. Will be interesting juggling 3 classes, but I *think* I can do it!

Yippee!!!!!!

I just posted my last major assignment for my LIS2000 class. It was due by end of day today, so nothing like waiting til the last minute! For this assignment, I did give in to just skimming if not altogether skipping several chapters in each of the books, and I wasn't really sure if I would be able to put together as convincing and relevant response as I feel I have for the earlier book reviews, but all in all I'm pleased with the finished product. As the instructors reiterate, "Completion not Perfection!" This is actually a fairly difficult concept for my personality to embrace, but with a full-time job, THREE classes on deck for next semester and a baby on the way, I guess I am going to have to learn! :)

Flyby

Holy cow, this week is just flying by! And amazingly, that means this first semester is just about over! With the exception of keeping up my blog, the only assignment I believe I have left is the final book discussion! And THANK YOU Sue & Chris for deciding on an online discussion vs a 1500 word written report. This relieves my stress exponentially! Although..still not sure how to respond in 25 words or less, (God, can I ramble!) but I'm sure I will manage. :) Okay, that's all for now because this is one busy weekend!

Anti-Librites

Okay, that is my attempt at a spoof of the Seinfeld Anti-Dentite episode... :)

I've decide my neighbors are anti-librites! I was so pumped up about my MLS program, and was rambling on about the wonders of library school and trying to fire everyone up over the issue of Network Neutrality, and my neighbors tried their very best to rain on my parade. Granted it was 11:30 Friday Night and we were sitting around a chiminea and mostly everyone was intoxicated but I was miffed. Some of them were only jokingly giving me a hard time, but several friends that are teachers were relaying horror stories of their school librarians and telling me I don't have a snowball's chance in hell at making a difference. That I am just going to turn into a big frumpy shusher. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. For the record, I let it all roll of my back, but I was suprised at all of the *anti-librite* feelings!

Why I Love Being a Library Sciences Student

1) Librarians are cool. I love my fellow students! I have to admit even as a member of this group myself, I wasn't quite sure what to expect of my peers. My mind was full of visions of frumpy bespectacled shushers. Totally not the case. The students I had the opportunity to meet last week during my on-campus visit for my Masters program are passionate, motivated, intelligent, diverse people with such a broad mix of interests, backgrounds, and desires for their careers. It was really inspiring. Although, one stereotype was correct - my program has to be at least 80% women. But women rock. :)

2) Learning is stimulating. It has been way too long since I really learned anything. I mean I read and at work there is always a new process to adapt to, but its been years since I've had a true "ah-hah!" moment. Or added a REAL new skill to my portfolio. Or came home so excited about something that I felt compelled to talk everyone's ears off about my new found knowledge. And being on campus, cruising around with my back-pack, joking about my professors, stealing away for vending machine breaks...how freaking refreshing from working on Excel spreadsheets and listening to corporate conference calls. I felt like an 18 yr old let loose for the first time. School agrees with me.

3) My program is kick-ass. Which I should have known BEFORE applying and accepting, but the University of Pittsburgh's MLS program is really top-notch. As in top 10 in the country. I pretty much chose it without considering alternatives because of the convenience of a 100% online degree program at a local school, but I was really proud to learn more about the credentials of my program. The creators and directors of the program are extremely focused on making sure that on-line students have virtually the same experience an on-campus student receives and they do it very well, employing technology, required on-campus visits, and using a Cohort concept, which bands all of us students who start together in a group that moves through the program together. I am so happy with my educational experience so far, and believe I am going to appreciate it more and more as I move through the next 2 years.

4) It's not just about the books. Most people that find out I am studying to be a librarian look at me like I am telling a funny joke. They think librarians are old ladies shelving books according to the Dewey Decimal system and telling patrons to "Shh." I do love books but there is SO much more to this field, especially now, as the Internet continues to develop. You wouldn't believe all of the political and legal issues that are at the forefront for library professionals. I am absolutely enraged about some of the changes that could be coming if librarians (and other people) don't successfully advocate for the public. And for the first time in my life, I don't feel totally helpless about legal and political issues that upset me. I feel like with this new profession and the support of fellow library science professionals and membership in the American Library Association, maybe little old me can make a difference. But it feels good to be in a position to be motivated to try and make a difference.

5) A job I love...is it possible??? I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. Except a Mom. That's the only thing I ever felt passionate about. And that isn't about to change, but I also know that I am going to need more in life. When my children are in school and as I get older, I need to make a difference to the world outside of my immediate family, and I finally have a career to put with that desire. During this on-campus week, I had several group and personal meetings with my adviser who runs the School Library track of this program. I am SO excited about being a school librarian. Encouraging a love of reading and an excitement for knowledge in young people could be MY job. There is SO much information out there, and being able to filter through it, and access the right information in a way that is meaningful to everyone from the class brainiac, to the class clown, to the child with learning disorder could be MY job. Being an aide to teachers so that they can focus on their specialties and not collecting and disseminating resources for projects could be MY job. Teaching children that the best research paper isn't necessarily founded on information collected from a google search and helping them find fun, easy ways to access more reliable information could be MY job. I just can't contain my enthusiasm!

Leonardo's Laptop

I'm finding this book to be very refreshing, it is so whimsical and positive; it is a nice change from some of the scary messages conveyed in the works on copyright or the other works that drag on with technical mumbo jumbo. As a person with an interest in literature, art and history, it is interesting to see the digital world and technological innovations aligned with the thoughts and philosophies of DaVinci. Some of the authors ideas on how technology can be used by individuals to enhance their life, relationships and hobbies sound almost too good to be true...but I hope that is not the case!

Hmm - for some reason, I haven't been able to add a title to my posts for about a week. I wonder if it is a blogger.com issue or something I am doing wrong...

Anyway - just dropping in to say, I am so looking forward to the on-campus visit next week!!
It is so exciting to finally meet some of the people "in real life" that I have worked with via discussion boards, online chat sessions, skype and other collaborative software. Since I work from home for my job, I have often had the experience of meeting my co-workers in real life after working with them virtually for many months if not years. I have found I am not very accurate in my imaginations of people. Regardless, it always makes for a better working relationship to meet someone face to face.

Also, I can definitely use some time away from work, even if it isn't for a relaxing vacation. Although I could go for one of those too! Not until September though... I just have not been in the right mindset at work lately, and a break will surely do me good!