“Librarians are tour-guides for all of knowledge.”

Patrick Ness

Although public libraries stand as traditional dwelling for our knowledge base, and is the stereotypical environment for the MLIS degree holding professional, the world of special libraries and information centers is “vast, varied, and exciting, yet it is often the sector of librarianship that people are least familiar with.” (Megaridis, 2018, p. 106) Today, a wide variety of parent organizations are the home to special libraries and information centers. These special libraries and information centers provide resources and services in support of organizations, such as government agencies, museums, hospitals, and other companies. (Megaridis, 2018) In traditional libraries as well as these non-traditional settings, information professionals serve the unique requirements of a distinct population of customers or clients, provide information products that are decision-ready, create and manage knowledge bases, and identify insights to discern competitive advantages by analyzing data. (Megaridis, 2018)

Rapid advancements in technology provide new opportunities for the information professional. In this Information Age, clients and patrons alike are often digital natives, whose expectation it is to have a fast response for their information needs and questions. Regardless of setting, information professionals can meet those needs by remaining knowledgeable of current trends and experimenting with the implementation of new technologies. (Megaridis, 2018) With the extreme fluidity of today’s information environment, flexibility is key. Maintaining an extensive professional network, as well as keeping up to date with technology, are vital to success in both the traditional and non-traditional settings of information professionals. (Bedord, 2018)

Info 204 - Information Professions

The purpose of this foundational class was to examine the organizations and environments in which information professionals work. The course explored different specializations and career paths, professional communities, networks and resources, ethical and legal frameworks. We were also introduced to management and leadership theories and concepts and applied them to different information environments. A special focus was placed on management responsibilities in order to emphasize the importance of these skills in the professional workplace.

I learned how to describe the role of information and the information profession in various contexts; from historical, current and future perspectives. I identified and discussed the professional values and ethics of library and information science. I explored a number of professional opportunities and related supports available to information professionals. I learned how to identify, discuss and compare key management concepts such as leadership, change, advocacy, and decision making, as well as the roles and activities of managers and leaders. I achieved an understanding of analytical and strategic planning processes and utilized skills to identify various information stakeholders and the information environments that provide for their needs. I also gained experience assessing and working in teams. I practiced the skill to review, use and properly cite the professional and research literature of management and leadership.

This was accomplished with assignments including a discussion forum, an exploratory essay, an organizational analysis, career development, and culminating in a demonstration of professional synthesis.

Info 287 - Cybersecurity

This course provided an overview of the challenges and strategies relating to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and information resources. Topics included information systems security (ISS) fundamentals, ISS within the seven domains of a typical information technology (IT) infrastructure, risks, threats, and vulnerabilities found in a typical IT infrastructure, and security countermeasures for combating risks, threats, and vulnerabilities commonly found in an IT infrastructure. We also explored compliance laws and standards that affect organizations today.

Over the semester I learned to recognize of the need for cybersecurity or information systems security and understand the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information resources. I practiced how to recognize information security threats and vulnerabilities and understand information systems security controls. I analyzed the impact of cybersecurity on individuals, organizations, and society, including ethical, legal, security and global policy issues and used current techniques, skills, and tools necessary to protect and safeguard information resources.

Assignments that supported these class learning outcomes included “hands on” virtual labs where I gained practical experience working with information systems, risk management projects, and a cybersecurity research project with research report and presentation.

Interview with a Manager of Library Services: Public Libraries

Like the SFPL Jails and Reentry Program Letter, this artifact is also from Info 210 - Reference Services, and an early instructional influence to my MLIS journey. Reference and Information Services is a field that is constantly evolving. How these services are provided vary greatly from one library type to another. It is important to understand how information professionals today define, plan for and provide their services. To contribute to my understanding of the public library setting, I conducted a formal interview of the Head of Information Services at the Boulder City Public Library and wrote up a summary of, and reflection on, the interview. I bolstered my observations with readings and supplementary articles.

Competencies in the Age of Information: Cybrarians & Special Libraries

For this artifact I present an exploratory essay written for Info 204 - Information Professions. Dr. Fraser-Arnott is a recent graduate of the San Jose Gateway PhD program and has researched the transferable skills developed in a LIS program. Her analysis leads in two directions (1) the types of non- traditional jobs that are available to LIS professionals, and (2) how LIS students and professionals can take advantage of these opportunities. (2018) I began with the Fraser-Arnott article and then conducted additional research with regards to the information professions. I located several scholarly articles describing the skills, knowledge, and competencies and specifically explored the areas of digital librarianship and special libraries.

Cybersecurity Team Project: Organization Risk Assessment

Information professionals can lend their expertise practically anywhere, and to almost any organizational setting. For this artifact, I worked with a teammate to create an Organization Risk Assessment for Girl Scout Troop 555, the troop for which I am a founding leader. The report begins with an identification of assets, the value of these assets, data classification, and security categorization for the organization. It also includes identified threats and vulnerabilities that could damage these assets, and risk mitigation strategies/controls for each.

Reflection

There are an abundance of options available for information professionals today to implement their trade. Although there are a multitude of settings in which information professionals can and do practice, they all have something in common. Any organization with a knowledge base that needs wrangling is within the realm of the information professional. I hope to realize a career with such a knowledge base on which to practice my skills.

References

Bedord, J. (2018). Where Can You Work with an MLIS? Extending Your Career Reach. In K. Haycock & M. Romaniuk (Eds.), The Portable MLIS (2nd ed., 69-82). Santa Barbara: Libraries Unlimited.​​

Fraser-Arnott, M. (2013). Library and information science (LIS) transferable competencies. Partnership: The Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, 8(2), 1-32. ​​

Megaridis, C. (2018). Working in Different Information Environments. In S. Hirsh (Ed.), Information services today: An introduction (2nd ed., 106-116). Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.

Ness, P. (n.d.). GoodReads.com. Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/406884-librarians-are-tour-guides-for-all-of-knowledge