“It’s funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women. The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed.”
— Comedian and author Paula Poundstone, national spokesperson for Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA)
My first experience with working in a library was in high school, but it wasn’t until I finished my Bachelor’s degree that I decided to attend the University of Washington to get my Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. The reason I chose to pursue librarianship is because it’s the profession that combines customer service, working with a diverse population, technology, and supporting lifelong learning. This profession utilizes similar services and skills I used in academic advising at Edmonds Community College. I think that being a librarian would be the best career to allow me to continue to learn while helping others with their thirst for information.
The ideals that attract me to librarianship are equal access to information for all, protection of privacy, and freedom to choose what we read. These rights and privileges are worth upholding, and I will continue to advocate for the freedoms which make our society democratic and help our citizens to be informed.
These are exciting times for the transformation of libraries with the expansion of digital information. The age of Google will not displace libraries, however, since there will always be a need to organize, collect, and provide access to information. Although there is an incredible amount of information available now, people need and want help with finding and evaluating their sources.
Welcome to viewing my portfolio. As you explore these pages my aim is to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that I have acquired at the University of Washington, through my directed fieldwork in the Sno-Isle public library system, and my work in the Media Center for the past year in Odegaard Undergraduate library at University of Washington.