CONCLUSION
After working at the circulation desk at a public library for over ten years, I decided to go back to school and get my Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLIS), as well as my teaching certification, with the realization that in the library world, you need a master’s degree in order to advance your career. I thoroughly enjoyed working at the circulation desk, going to work was my sanctuary, as I had three rambunctious boys waiting for me at home. My first son was born in October, 2000, my next two, a set of identical twins, were born sixteen months later in February, 2002. To say I was busy was an understatement. Then my oldest was diagnosed with multiple, life-threatening food allergies. As if this were not enough, at the age of two and a half, he was then diagnosed with cancer, specifically Wilms’ Tumor. I am forever grateful to say, thanks to the amazing doctors at Dana Farber Cancer Center, after two long treatment filled years, my son has been cancer free for 16 years. Unfortunately, he has not outgrown any of his allergies, but those we can manage and live with. Over time, as the boys got older, both my hours and my responsibilities at the library increased.
I was able and assigned to do more than strictly circulation tasks—although I liked working at the desk, and I loved interacting with the patrons. I had a number of regular patrons that I interacted with at least on a weekly basis, sometimes daily. I did not consider going to library school for a long time, my boys were young, and I was happy and comfortable with the job I had, until I wasn’t.
As I discussed in competency M, my first experience with a library director was wonderful, my second experience, horrible. Without going into detail, the library evolved into a toxic environment, making me second guess if this was what I wanted to keep doing. In the end, I knew I wanted to work in a library, and I knew I wanted to work with children in some capacity—which requires a degree, and I also knew that in order to effect change, I would have to get a degree.
Before I could get my master’s, I first had to go back and finish my undergraduate degree (I completed an associate’s degree out of high school). Because I worked full time, and had three young children, it took me 5 years to earn my BA. I did not start my master’s program immediately, I waited an additional three years, in order to focus on my boys. Once they were all driving, and seemed to not be so dependent on me, I decided I would begin the journey to finally get my master’s. I set out to find an accredited, flexible, affordable program for library and information school. SJSU checked all of those boxes for me. I chose the school library track because not only do I get to work with children, I also get to have nights, weekends, and summers off! A luxury that I will not take for granted.
The summer I began SJSU, I went from working at the public library in my town to being offered an opportunity to work at the high school library my three boys attended! I have not been disappointed transitioning from a public to a school library, in fact it helped solidify my decision that the school library track was the right choice for me. I also feel extremely fortunate that I chose to go to a virtual school. One definite advantage of being strictly online, when the pandemic hit, I didn’t miss a beat, and felt grateful that I was already familiar with many of the technology tools much of the world was being introduced to for the first time.
Although one of the main reasons I chose SJSU was because it was strictly online, at times, it has felt a little strange that I have never met face-to-face with any of my classmates or professors. I did, however, meet some really great people through group work, and class discussions, that I really enjoyed working with. In my summer 2020 course, I made a connection with a fantastic, diverse group of women from all over the country, and we formed our own camaraderie group. We meet weekly through zoom, and we also communicate regularly through email. I am not sure if it was COVID19, the particular course, or that we just clicked, but this has been a wonderful happenstance that I am grateful to be a part of. We encourage and help each other, we share resources, discuss coursework, the eport, graduation, current jobs and job aspirations.
It feels a little surreal that after three years, I am writing the conclusion to my eport, and my graduation is around the corner. Thanks to a combination of my time at SJSU, my professional, and my life experiences, I feel confident that I am capable of leading a 21st century school library. I also realize that although this is an end to my formal education, I will continue to be a lifelong learner, dedicated to being an asset to the library community.
AFFIRMATION
1. All introductory, reflective, and evidentiary work submitted is mine alone (except where indicated as a group or team project), and has been prepared solely by me.
2. I am protecting the privacy of the contents of my e-Portfolio by password protecting it or by sharing the URL only with my e-portfolio advisor.
3. Before making my e-Portfolio public I will respect the privacy of others by removing mention in this e-Portfolio of information that could lead to the identity of individuals (team members in group projects, internship supervisors, interviewees, etc.) and institutions.
4. Jennifer McGillis