Final Reflections

I am a little stunned to have finished all the readings and posts for this course. In the end, I read each lesson at least twice, and feel I could go back and do it again, and still have more to learn.

As a bit of a perfectionist, I found this class to be overwhelming. Creating a digital library was a HUGE task, but it has drawn many kudos already. I enjoyed making it, and demonstrated to myself and others that finding, organizing and linking relevant online resources is an important job of the librarian.

Perhaps librarianship draws perfectionists or perhaps it draws us to drink as once into the depths of the course, I found more and more problems in the library system. When working with the DRC support, I asked her if anyone else had these issues and she said, "oh probably, but no one else has time to care." I can't imagine that other school also cannot find resources, but since I had to do a collection analysis for my other course, and in the light of this course, I was able to figure out the error in the system. I'd imagine that others don't know it's a problem?

Essential Understandings:
1. MARC. Before the course, I had no understanding of marc except that I downloaded them into my database. Now I understand the complexity, and am terrified that we may lose our support, in the budget cuts, for the creation of these records. At least now I have a greater understanding of the process and complexity so I can advocate for the help we need to make sure our records are functional.
2. Database: I understand a great deal more about how my database functions. Strangely, although this was only a minor piece of one of the last lessons, imagining each marc number as a folder of data really helped me to see how the data base works. If I search all NF, then I get all NF b/c they are in the NF folder. This explains why when I discovered yet another error, some FIC were in the NF, b/c they had been imported incorrectly somehow in the new L4U version. (We fixed it with a global change.) I think this knowledge will help me create the reports I want, as this has been an ongoing issue.
3. Digital World: Spending time with digital sites and resources helped me to understand that librarians need to help both students and staff find good quality online resources. A simple google search may not bring up the best sites for a particular topic. I also realized, that while I have better technology skills than most, that my understanding of the school technology is mediocre.
4. Digital World: Websites-- as I delved into creating my library's website, I became more and more aware that being perceived as not-knowing or not-understanding limits the conversations one can have with supervisors. I really feel that I need to focus on these skills to a greater extent.

In the end, I would like to become a librarian who is referred to as an expert. I would like my library website and our program to be used as exemplars for new librarians. I wonder how on earth this can happen with such limited time in the library and I honestly wonder if Valenza has a life outside of her library!