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Introduction

My name is Michelle Navarro and welcome to the home page of my e-Portfolio. This website was created to display my knowledge, skills, abilities, accomplishments, and achievements during my time at San Jose State University (SJSU) in an organized, online environment.

The supporting evidence for each competency reflects my understanding of the contemporary library and information science (LIS) profession. Additionally, I hope my content indicates I explored the field's dynamic nature in the 21st century with a curious, thoughtful nature.

It was through SJSU coursework and my professional experience that I was able to present my evidentiary objects in each of the fourteen core areas that fulfill the requirements to obtain a Master of Library Science (MLIS) degree.

About Me

Prior to finding my perfect job path, I, like many others, went through a number of important transitions. I transferred to California State University Long Beach (CSULB) in 2018 and received my Bachelor of Arts in English, Rhetoric, and Composition after changing my major four times in community college. I worked as a freelance writer for technical or content articles after graduating, where I was able to get work, but I was feeling job burnout as a result of trying to balance being a full-time student and having a full-time job. My mother suggested I get some peace of mind by working part-time at a library. However, unknowingly to me, this marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

My librarianship began in 2018 when I was offered a part-time position at Torrance City Library. The librarians there advised me of other career paths at the library where I could combine my skills for creativity with my passion for community education. My intrigue evolved to the point that I decided it was an area to which I wanted to dedicate my time. However, the obligations of a part-timer are strict, and the city libraries struggled when it came to promotions due to budget constraints. My next opportunity of employment was as a full-time librarian assistant at Orange County Public Libraries (OCPL) in 2019. My goal at OCPL was to keep developing, and the mentors and coworkers there have had a significant impact on who I am now. I was given a lot of freedom to use my initiative, so I started programs, ran reading groups, and even joined internal committees. I entered San Jose State University (SJSU) in 2020 with the goal of becoming a librarian, and it was at this time that I felt more motivated than ever to pursue this vocation. My experience at SJSU opened my eyes to the variety of professional paths an MLIS degree may lead to and the versatility of the acquired skill sets. In 2022, I made the decision that I wanted to work in an academic library, so I applied to El Camino College, where I am now employed full-time as a library and learning resources technician II.

Process

The structure and content of my e-Portfolio is as follows:

Home: A brief introduction of the purpose of this website, an about me, my e-Portfolio process, and a gallery of images I have collected over the years working at an public library and at an academic library.
Core Competencies: Each competency has its own page, which includes an introduction, a description of the competency's scope and importance to the profession, preparation and the steps taken to understand the evidence, the evidentiary objects, a conclusion, and references.
Citation Format: I will be using APA citation style and format.
Conclusion: This section has my concluding statements and reflections on the MLIS program and the LIS field as somehow who had the opportunity to attend SJSU while working at the library.
Affirmation: The affirmation section confirms that the evidentiary work submitted is mine alone and has been prepared solely by me. Group work will be indicated with credit respectfully given.