Student Learning Outcome #7
The seventh student learning outcome is possibly the outcome that I'm most passionate about. I believe libraries can only succeed if we demonstrate their value to those who ask questions like "you need a degree to work in a library?" and "aren't library just books?" and the like. Its when we address these questions before they're asked that we provide libraries with the best promotion and communications possible.
During the summer between my first and second year, I took part in the 2018 National Library Legislative Day and critically analyzed the value of academic libraries and developed library programming that requires effective communication between the library and community partners. These are just a few of the ways I've accomplished the student learning outcome to apply advocacy, marketing, and communication principles for entrepreneurial librarianship.
- SLO #7: The student applies advocacy, marketing, and communication principles for entrepreneurial leadership.
During the summer between my first and second year, I took part in the 2018 National Library Legislative Day and critically analyzed the value of academic libraries and developed library programming that requires effective communication between the library and community partners. These are just a few of the ways I've accomplished the student learning outcome to apply advocacy, marketing, and communication principles for entrepreneurial librarianship.
Attending the 2018 National Library Legislative Day
Meeting with the North Carolina members of Congress revealed to me the importance of advocating for libraries on every level, whether national or within a campus or public community. So many libraries rely on funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to continue the services that they provide to patrons, so it's vital that our government understand the importance of libraries as well. While advocating for libraries on a national level, I learned the value of qualitative stories from constituents, as well as how quantitative information can support stories from community members.
These experiences provide evidence of my ability to advocate for libraries on a national level and to understand the connections that need to be made for advocacy, marketing, and communication. National Library Legislative Day has prepared me for any future experiences in my career that will call on my ability to communicate the importance of libraries.
These experiences provide evidence of my ability to advocate for libraries on a national level and to understand the connections that need to be made for advocacy, marketing, and communication. National Library Legislative Day has prepared me for any future experiences in my career that will call on my ability to communicate the importance of libraries.
The Academic Library Value Statement
During my introduction to academic libraries course, I was asked to communicate the library's value. In my value statement, I argue for the library's role as the brain of campus as well as a physical place where students can come to collaborate on projects, have place to study without distractions, and more. While I argue that the library is invaluable and its true value cannot be measured, I use these two veins of thought demonstrate how the library operates as a valuable campus entity. This paper provides evidence of my ability to critically analyze the library's operations within a college or university campus, and how it impacts students, faculty, and staff. It provided me with a foundation of practice for advocating, marketing, and communicating for the library that will assist me in the future during my career when I am required to accomplish the same task on a realistic level.
Value of Academic Libraries Statement.docx | |
File Size: | 22 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Outcome-Based Planning & Evaluation Programming Assignment
For my introduction to public libraries course, we were required to understand and apply outcome-based planning and evaluation to library programming. For the assignment, we used a Strategic Plan from the Skokie Public Library in Skokie, Illinois to inform our process. We also reviewed the first and second chapters of 5 Steps of Outcome-Based Planning & Evaluation for Public Libraries by Melinda Gross, Cindy Mediavilla, and Virginia A. Walter for the assignment.
Applying these resources influenced my decision to create a program of international cooking classes that engaged library users of all ages. I analyzed the materials needed and the outcomes desired while planning the program to influence its formation. For example, the Skokie population was noted to have 40% of community members between the ages of 30 and 59 years old. The Strategic Plan also revealed that more than one-third of households in Skokie were within the $50,000 household income range. Combining these community attributes, I created an international cooking class program that would provide members of the community with food, cooking, and cultural literacies.
My professor's assessment of my program included adding more measureable outcomes such as "patrons will be educated about food banks/pantries and resources in the area" instead of outcomes that were more like indicators of the program's success. This assignment helped me to grow in my knowledge of outcome-based planning and evaluation and serves as evidence of that growth. The assignment has provided me with knowledge of how to implement library programs that utilize outcome-based planning and evaluation that will assist me during my career as a think critically about what library patrons both want and need.
Applying these resources influenced my decision to create a program of international cooking classes that engaged library users of all ages. I analyzed the materials needed and the outcomes desired while planning the program to influence its formation. For example, the Skokie population was noted to have 40% of community members between the ages of 30 and 59 years old. The Strategic Plan also revealed that more than one-third of households in Skokie were within the $50,000 household income range. Combining these community attributes, I created an international cooking class program that would provide members of the community with food, cooking, and cultural literacies.
My professor's assessment of my program included adding more measureable outcomes such as "patrons will be educated about food banks/pantries and resources in the area" instead of outcomes that were more like indicators of the program's success. This assignment helped me to grow in my knowledge of outcome-based planning and evaluation and serves as evidence of that growth. The assignment has provided me with knowledge of how to implement library programs that utilize outcome-based planning and evaluation that will assist me during my career as a think critically about what library patrons both want and need.
OPBE Programming Assignment.docx | |
File Size: | 22 kb |
File Type: | docx |