My Two Cents on MLIS - Amy Wong

The UWO-CLA blog regularly publishes writings of its student members in order to allow our them to express their thoughts and opinions on issues in library and information science. These writings are not meant to represent the views of the UWO-CLA itself or the greater CLA organisation. Your comments and questions are encouraged on this blog. If you wish to contact the UWO-CLA directly please email claatuwo@gmail.com.

Some of you who were in the January 2013 cohort may already know who I am and what my library background is. For those of you of do, feel free to skip this little introduction; we’ll catch up with you a little bit later on. For those of you who don't know me, please let me introduce myself: My name is Amy. My hometown is Edmonton. My professional library background experience is with Edmonton Public Library. I worked as a library assistant from 2002 to 2012. I was there up until the last possible moment before transferring here to London for the 2013 school year for this degree. I arrived here on January 1, 2013.

There is a spectrum of reasons why you may be here for this degree at Western. Some of you may have known way back when that being a librarian was in your blood; that this was your calling. Some of you may have been mentored or inspired to be a librarian because of the local librarian, or a family member or friend. Some of you are here because this is a stepping stone to something else, whatever that something else may be. Some of you do not have any idea why you here: it could be that you’re here to avoid the job market and you want to stay in the cocoon of school. Some of you are here for professional development. For whatever reason you’re here, I think I can assume that for many of you, you’re here to get this degree to get a job.

Why am I here? Well, let’s back it up a little to 2002. When I finished my undergrad BA in the summer, it hit me like an elephant on my back- I needed a job. I had rent, student loans and other various bills to pay. With a Bachelor of Arts, what does one do? In my case, I fell into library work. It was never my dream or calling to be a librarian. I wasn't mentored or inspired to be a librarian; I just fell into this gig. Next thing I knew, I was ten years older in the same job without any other way to advance without an MLIS.

Originally I told myself that this MLIS was a professional development. And in many ways, it still is. I needed this degree to help me find another professional direction. I needed this degree to help advance me into “something else”, whatever that something else might be. Then a funny thing happened: I started this second term with my original intent still firmly in place, but then I had a class that made me really think about why I am here, and here’s the kicker- I  still don’t know. I don’t why I am here, personally. I’m still searching. When I figure something out, maybe I’ll tell you.

My point to all this rambling is to provoke you to examine and question yourself while you are here for however long that it is you are here. Why are you here? Yes, yes, you’re here to get your MLIS and get a job. But that’s too easy. You will get a job. Some of you will get the job of your dreams and some of you will end up changing jobs over and over again. And that’s ok. But whatever you end up doing with your MLIS, also ask yourself this: what does this MLIS really mean to you?

Does this all matter? What does this have to do with you getting a job? Who cares? Yes, everything and you. It matters because knowing why you are doing this MLIS means you will find a more fulfilling job and/or (hopeful) a career. It matters because you’ll find a job that you won’t dread going into work every day. When your personal life intersects with your professional life, you’ll know what your life priorities are. When you have to decide between personal or professional options, you’ll make a better decision and you’ll know why you made the decision that you made: That has a lot to do with getting a job. You should care. If you don’t, nothing else matters. Don’t just fall into whatever job that comes your way because that’s what the MLIS qualifies you to do. Think about how it will affect and influence you. Think about what you really want to do. Think about you.

--Amy Wong

On Neutrality - Thomas Haennel

The UWO-CLA blog regularly publishes writings of its student members in order to allow our them to express their thoughts and opinions on issues in library and information science. These writings are not meant to represent the views of the UWO-CLA itself or the greater CLA organisation. Your comments and questions are encouraged on this blog. If you wish to contact the UWO-CLA directly please email claatuwo@gmail.com.

"I hate these filthy neutrals Kif! With enemies you know where they stand but with neutrals? Who knows! It sickens me." - Zapp Brannigan (Futurama)

Undeniably the question of librarian neutrality is one of the most controversial philosophical issues that plagues the profession. One argument made for abandoning neutrality comes from Joseph Good in his article entitled "The Hottest Place in Hell." He argues that neutrality is equivalent to immorality; essentially he concludes that librarians must become actively engaged in society by taking stances on social issues and advocating for progress. My major concern with librarians taking stances on social issues is that such advocacy will drive patrons away from the library.

One problem with librarians advocating for progress on social issues is that progress is very subjective concept: what one considers progressive others may think is regressive. For instance, some may view the legalization of polygamy as progressive in regards to religious freedoms while others may view it as regressive in regards to women’s rights. If a library were to support one side, such support may offend some patrons who in turn may boycott the library as people don’t often patronize organizations or institutions that promote ideas contrary to their personal beliefs. Thus by taking a position on potentially controversial issues may drive patrons away from the library.

Another problem with Goods’ argument is that it is short sighted. Certainly there are certain beliefs that the majority of society subscribes to, while it may appear harmless to support these beliefs we must remember that any issues that an organization advocates for may have future repercussions. Just because current society subscribes to certain beliefs does not mean that these beliefs can’t change. Thus what we may consider moral now our descendants may call immoral. By advocating viewpoints that are currently accepted in society, progressive librarians jeopardize how libraries will be perceived by future generations. For instance had libraries advocated for common societal beliefs a few decades ago, they would have likely been one of the most vocal opponents of same-sex marriage for generations. Therefore many of us in the present would denounce the library for its role in opposing what many Canadians now consider just. It is impossible to know what beliefs future generations will hold, however we can predict that some beliefs will change. If said generations have a negative perception of libraries because of the role they played opposing their beliefs these individuals are unlikely to patronize libraries.

It is my belief that librarians exist to serve the public, however if librarians begin to take stances on societal issues we risk driving patrons away. If a library has no patrons it has no future and will simply vanish.

--Thomas Haennel

A New Beginning for the UWO-CLA


Upon foundation, the UWO CLA was envisioned to be a student group that creates professional development opportunities for MLIS students by building on practical skills and cultivating invaluable networks. This vision continues today.

Our membership is made up of University of Western Ontario Master of Library and Information Science students who wish to connect with our community, network with experts and develop professionally. Although the group experienced a temporary hiatus, it is back strong and ready to host exciting events in a positive, welcoming environment.

Our hopes with this blog are to inform our local and national library communities about the issues that are important to us and the values we wish to uphold. Our hopes are for this semester are that we gain a firm base in UWO’s MLIS community and offer professional development events that meet the needs of our fellow students.

I encourage you to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date and informed about UWO CLA events and weekly postings. If you are interested in joining or have any questions/comments, please feel free to contact me at rtravis5@uwo.ca

The UWO CLA is very excited about the upcoming semester and making a positive impact on our MLIS community.

Sincerely,
Robyn Travis
UWO CLA Chair (Summer 2013)

Meeting Minutes: May 7th, 2013


CANADIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (WESTERN) MEETING MINUTES
Exec. attendance: Robyn, Cas, Sam, Lukas, Melissa, Lee, Rita
Absent: Erin, Meghan
7 May 2013
Time: 12pm
Location: Grad Club Board Room

Introductions
(Sending around email sign-up)

UWO CLA(W) partnership with CLA and students
  • career development, mentorship, and resume writing
  • we have contact with CLA, we still have official status, $300 for us in their hands

Official meeting times?
Mondays? 4:30?
Tom: preferably noon
Thursday at noon, NCB 266 might keep it at the grad club
Green board will have updates

CLA – professional affiliation $25 membership fee
Join listserves, Feliciter access, additional job postings

Constitution
  • redoing constitution
    • we have the bare bones of it, there will be a constitution committee meeting
    • official roles, rules, policies, values,

Future projects
- One-day career planning workshop, tickets, keynote speaker, resume writing and interview skills, career choices
- Talking with the moderator this week

Q: membership fee? what publication?
Robyn: it’s monthly publication, comes up in courses, opportunity to write for them, complete access to their website, for a year
Q: affiliation between different associations (CLA and OLA)?
R: all separate, CLA all of Canada, different associations, CLA government libraries
Find out where you want to have your specialty
CLA is wherever your interest is, not specific to different types of libraries
Extra curriculars is what makes you stand up

Q: how long are the meetings? Are they weekly?
R: there will be events so they will be weekly and no more than an hour, we don’t want to take away from your responsibilities for school,
First term reps? Next week we can do a Facebook post with a list of duties, have a write up ready, and we’ll have an election
Lee: spread the word, there will be a pizza luncheon in two weeks
R: Thursday May 16th for representation elections:  short blurb, 3min or less. You will represent your cohort officially
If this is the kind of audience, it should be an official role
Will get in touch with the cons committee this week

Duties: You’ll get small jobs, you’ll be able to give input, see a gap in your professional development? Bring it to us.
Blog posts? Writers? R: first post this week revival
Can be about any issue, something in your course, 250, social media updated often, minimal effort. Tom will write the next one by Friday May 17th
Meeting with professional group for the conference
TOM: cons meeting will meet? R: anyone who wants to be involved?

R: we can cater to what you want to get out of the group
We can Skype in guest-speakers

MEETING ADJOURNED.