Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Thing 1

To start off your cpd23 blogging write a post about why you're taking part in the course. You could talk about where your career is now and where you'd like it to go, what you're hoping to learn from cpd23, which of the Things you're most (or least) looking forward to, how you feel about being a new blogger or how you'd like to improve your blogging, or anything else that relates to why you're doing this!

I finished my MLIS in 2007 at San Jose State University (in San Jose, CA) and have worked in libraries since 2000. I have worked in public and academic libraries, almost always on the public service end, with a brief turn as a book and media cataloger.

I recently began a job as a Project Manager for a digitization grant at a science museum and research organization. This is new ground for me as it is my first real job at a special library (other than an internship), it is completely back end with no reference or instruction, and it is working with archival materials.

My new job is very exciting and has been a great experience. However, since it is a three year grant funded position I am concerned with how my skills will transfer when my position ends. I am hoping that CPD23 will help me keep aware of the larger library world as well as options are museum libraries. I would also like to use Web 2.0 applications to market myself professionally, as I have primarily used them for my personal life.

7 comments:

  1. Hi Daina,

    Thanks for your message, it's good to know there's at least one other museum Librarian on the cpd23 list even if you are at the other side of the world! Your job sounds really interesting I hope you will share more about it in your blog.

    Lovely to virtually meet you!

    Sally :)

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  2. Your job sounds fascinating! I'm a librarian who's had to learn about archives too (though in a rather less practical way!), so I'll be really interested to hear more about your experiences.

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  3. WOW, I am excited to see your journey in Cpd23 & Beyond. Archives is an interesting career path. I am interested in learning more about it from a 'digital' perspective. I'm looking forward to waiting your blog grow.

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  4. Daina,

    I'll be following both you and Sally during this program, as I, too, am glad to see museum Librarians on the cpd23 list. I decided to pursue librarianship as a possible gateway to a museum career (I thought it a more flexible alternative to pursuing an art history or museum studies degree). Although I haven't made it into a museum yet, I work with digital projects in an academic law library's special collections (rare books and archival materials), which is pretty exciting. I would venture to say that your public service experience and new skills acquired in your digitization grant work will prepare you well for future positions in academic libraries, at least.

    Looking forward to hearing more over the coming weeks.

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  5. Hi Daina,

    I also work in a museum library. Your job sounds really exciting, and I have to agree with Melanie that you shouldn't have to worry too much about how well your skills will transfer. Digitisation is becoming increasing popular with organisations keen to get their collections out to wider audiences, so I'm sure you're going to find your skills are in demand once your project ends.

    I look forward to hearing more about your experiences.

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  6. Hi Daina,

    I recently finished a three-year project working with archival materials (though that didn't include any serious digitisation). I was a bit worried about whether that would pigeonhole me, especially as it was my first post after getting my LIS MA, but I've managed to move straight into something else from that, so I think the skills learnt (things like project management etc) outweigh the risks of being in something quite niche. And as others have said, digitisation knowledge will surely only be more and more in demand in the future.

    Katie

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  7. Daina,

    I really started using Web 2.0 after I lost my library position in New Mexico in late 2008. These tools are fun to use and a good way to keep up with new library technology. Like you, I wonder about my skills at my current librarian position and whether they'll transfer to other library jobs. That's one of the reasons I signed up for the CPD course.

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