Apply the fundamental principles of planning, management, marketing, and advocacy. A satisfactory statement of competence – Demonstrates the ability to participate in long-term planning or carry out project management Demonstrates understanding of how management theory can be applied in the workplace Shows the ability to market his or her work to users/clientele within or outside of the organization Shows understanding of how an information professional can be an advocate for a specific information entity Demonstrates an understanding of the impact the organizational setting has on the application of marketing and advocacy techniques
In the library profession, the ability to plan, manage, market and advocate in an organizational setting is invaluable. One of the ways to demonstrate this is by participating in long-term planning and carrying out project management with a team. This can be done by participating in a SWOT analysis by collaboratively coming together with various stakeholders to decide on a future plan to help an organization succeed. I was able to conduct this analysis for the Mills College Library(F.W. Olin Library) based on a recent WASC report. Another way to show competency, particularly with marketing skills is also demonstrated in a poster for a phone app proposal I led in a workshop for community college students. This is another opportunity to apply principles in planning and especially marketing in my organizational setting.
Justification of the Evidence
Evidence #1: SWOT Analysis: F.W. Olin Library
In a collaborative effort to analyze an academic library’s services and budget and future direction we conducted a SWOT analysis. By brainstorming strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the library based on the WASC report we are able to participate and make considerations for the library based on internet research about the library. We consider both the external and internal environments, the mission of the campus as well as the library, and come up with strategic outcomes based on the analysis. For each strategic area, whether on technology, digital outreach or civic engagement we created supporting statements to describe how each strategy would be translated into practice.
Evidence #2: ARIS Game Proposal: Troll-Free Berkeley
In my internship at the community college, I noticed many incoming students were feeling disoriented when entering the library and also asking about where to find various locations on campus. As my final project in my Gamification course, I decided to create a location-based game on a phone app for students to pilot the following semester. In collaboration with my course instructor and library department chair I was able to give a live workshop on the game called “Troll-Free Berkeley.” In the process of creating the game, I created a game proposal describing the steps I took to invent the game as if presenting to the library staff and a possible idea for a grant proposal if the college could qualify for outside funding. In this slide presentation, you can see on slide 9 an example of how the library might promote the game by displaying an engaging poster with the catchphrase: “Don’t Let The Trolls Win!”
Conclusion
The experiences I have outlined above are examples of planning, market and outreach, and implementation and actual application of various techniques. Both of these examples take place in academic library contexts that will significantly inform my approach and perspective in library management. It was especially important to learn how to collaborate with multiple stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of how to approach library outreach. In future endeavors to start new projects, I plan to continue applying these important principles to my professional practice. I will join committees that talk about ongoing campus projects that the library can also participate in, and intentionally return to the guiding principles I have gleaned of SWOT analysis that has proven to be an efficient method.