Professional Philosophy
An Academic Librarian is part research facilitator, learning styles/cognitive processes expert, faculty colleague, knowledge creator, copyright guru, technology wizard, metadata organizer, and social historian . . .

Realistic Optimist

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Some of these layers are more prominent depending upon the functional role of the librarian, but the best academic librarians encapsulate many of these aspects of the library profession. Oftentimes, the public is uninformed regarding a librarian's role; therefore it is important to have a philosophy for one's profession, which can be shared in order to educate and utilized as a modus operandi, helping to define what one does on a day-to-day basis.

My personal philosophy for academic librarianship defines information literacy as the objective, which means magical thinking processes must be held up to the light of critical thinking processes. In particular the academic librarian is a professional in his/her field and endeavors to be both learning mentor and faculty consultant, while providing excellent customer service to all members of the college community.

By cultivating their own interest in learning, the Academic Librarian serves as a learning mentor to students. The librarian models the importance of information literacy by keeping informed of the library profession and trends, utilizing information in everyday decision-making, as well as by promoting the belief that knowledge is important for its own sake. One leads by example. Sharing their best skills and knowledge with their community the academic librarian inspires others. The librarian has learned how to learn and can share their experiences with others. When the librarian has an aptitude toward writing, research, or presentations they go beyond being an information user to becoming a knowledge creator in areas in which they have expertise. Through being a learning mentor, the librarian interacts more effectively with students and faculty, stays relevant to the profession and the information needs around them.

While the librarian should be proactive regarding sharing subjects for which he/she has a passion, including critical thinking, learning styles, and research processes, the librarian's primary role is as a faculty consultant - one who is responsive, flexible, knowledgeable, and professional. Studies show that the best library instruction happens in conjunction with classroom assignments; therefore a librarian actively seeks to understand the community's needs and to consult with the faculty regarding their educational goals. Once these goals are clear, the focus is simple - to help the faculty and students succeed. The librarian uses his/her creativity to find ways to do this, whether it be preparing webliographies, developing a research learning module in conjunction with a classroom project, teaching web search and evaluation skills, or even possibly collaborating in research and writing projects with teaching faculty when there are shared interests. The later would be more an exception than the rule, but an ideal possibility when a good relationship has been established with another faculty member. In no instances should an academic librarian appear competitive with the teaching faculty role.

Finally, the Academic Librarian, as do all librarians, needs to be a customer service expert. This mindset of excellence in customer service must be primary if libraries of all kinds are to thrive in an increasingly computerized world. Academic Librarians need to be responsive and sensitive to the educational tempo of the institution, the goals of various departments and teachers, and to individuals as they walk into the library and as the librarian walks out of the library to meet the information needs of their community.

Communication is paramount and people are priority in any kind of professional information service. While tools and knowledge must be utilized, the state of one's heart is most important, because the professional faces the challenge of an ever more complex universe and the multitudes of people who inhabit it.

Though I could mention the ALA's (American Library Association) code of professional ethics, the elaborate set of information literacy competency standards adopted by the ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries), or even SLIM's set of professional values, it would not uniquely reflect my personal thoughts. Instead I want to elaborate upon and expand from the above statement to say what professionalism means to me and what I will be doing to grow in my responsibilities as an information professional.

In the seeking of my two professional degrees, I have become cognizant and humbled by the complexity of this vast universe, specifically each individual human being and their information needs. Knowing how to diagnosis a need or communicate effectively are important learned skills, yet the heart must also be inclined to hear and read between the lines. Care not only about what you do and how you do it, but more importantly care for those you serve and let it show in your interactions and professionalism.

This professionalism is a blend of humility and confidence, as I do recognize I need to be respected as a knowledgeable and thoughtful resource. This respect I hope to gain as I remain in the profession and keep informed by reading professional literature and continuing my own learning process. In the near future this learning will likely focus on music cataloging, website development, and music performance. Also I intend to publish at least one article in the next year based on my Thesis in Music Theory; sharing what you learn means your own intellectual expansion is not an end in itself, but also a means to bless others.

I believe I have become an information professional because I have acquired 1) just enough knowledge to know when I don't know something and need to use a neutral question to clarify, and 2) just enough sensitivity to realize when to refer someone elsewhere when resources have been exausted. Before attending SLIM I was asleep to the possiblities of information and how people used information to improve their lives. Now I find myself looking for opportunites to create new resources and striving to challenge the status quo in light of what the students and faculty at my institution need. This last quantity of course discovered through various needs assessment tools.

It is only in losing our lives or becoming engrossed in something outside ourselves that we truly make a difference. This self abandonment can be experienced on various corporeal and spiritual levels. However the best order for abandonment is 1) spirit, 2) soul, and 3) then body. In my life I have found that living lavishly beyond my limited human capacity only comes as I seek a deeper understanding of God's love in Christ. May He increase and I decrease. (See my paper on the history of the New Testament documents)

Favorite Quotes

Pensees, Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
The statement of a realistic optimist. (Who is another realistic optimist? Want a clue? See the sun icon above with his eyes symbollically wide-open.)
Sect. 7. 527. "The knowledge of God without that of man's misery causes pride. The knowledge of man's misery without that of God causes despair. The knowledge of Jesus Christ constitutes the middle course, because in Him we find both God and our misery."
(Though this French mathematician, philosopher, physicist, and theologian intended to write a huge treatise on apolegetics, Pascal's life changed dramatically when he became ill. As a result he spent the last years of his life helping the poor, and yet while only a portion of his planned grandiose treatise is now recorded in the Pensees, his writings have inspired many.) More on Pascal - I | II | III

Jeremiah 19:11-14a
The statement of a loving God wanting the best for the children He created in His image.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'"