Sharon Porter- Portfolio

Introduction and Reflection   

After thirty years of being a school librarian (or library media specialist, or library teacher- pick the title du jour!), I had what I thought was a thorough understanding of the library field. I knew about access services, reference work, readers' advisory, information literacy, educational technology, collection development, library management, interlibrary loan, and program assessment. What I didn't realize was that I had a working knowledge of all that from one perspective. Being in library school for two years has broadened my outlook to include information in multiple settings: academic, corporate, and public libraries. I have learned about styles of management, crisis intervention, leadership, original cataloging, nanotechnology, vendor integrity, professional ethics, and more than I can relate in this short introduction. Looking back over the last two years' work has been illuminating to think of how much can be produced in that span of time. I am grateful for my fellow students at the Library and Information Science Department at Southern Connecticut State University for collaborating with me on many projects and sharing your points of view in numerous discussions. Having colleagues spread all over the globe gives so much more weight than geographically-bound classrooms. I appreciate all that you have contributed to my learning.

The library school program at SCSU is dedicated to teaching for the "real world." Most of my assignments, discussions, and major projects were based on work in the field. I was startled when I looked back at two years of work about how much I engaged in work that was the work of the university where I am employed. Of course, there was some theory but almost always it was turned into practical applications as quickly as possible. This makes a more confident graduate having spent time in much of the territory of a working librarian. The assignments were so varied, too. We did not just write papers. I am looking forward to taking a class in Microsoft Access as soon as I graduate. What I have learned taught me what I still need!

From my magnificently supportive adviser, Dr. Arlene Bielefield, I have learned how much care and keeping it takes to be a great advisor. When I have the opportunity to mentor the next round of librarians, I will be ready, thanks to her tutelage. Dr. James Kusack taught me a great deal about management styles and how to find my own. He also lead me through the morass of the organization, funding and processes unique to academic libraries. Dr. Yan Liu opened up the world of digital libraries to me and I fell in love with the potential impact of this field for those seeking information. Local stewardship of artifacts became a role that I took very seriously in my work in the Archive at Pierce Library at Eastern Oregon University. From my initial exposure to collection development in that area, I got the opportunity to form my Special Project around my work with the creation of the Oral History of the Grande Ronde digital library. That project lead me to grant-writing with colleagues on campus. That one experience became the catalyst for learning in areas I had never pursued before. I am presently applying information literacy strategies to my teaching assessment and curriculum in the MTE program at Eastern Oregon University.

This portfolio is an exploration of the courses I have taken, the work I have accomplished, and the skills I have to offer a prospective employer. I am aiming for a position with an organization that has room for a creative, energetic, positive, organized librarian who thrives in an active, collaborative environment. Being service oriented, I work very hard at getting the highest-quality sources of information to library patrons in the most expedient manner possible. As a colleague, I support others' endeavors and revel in the individuality of all with whom I have the pleasure to work.

My contact information is:

Sharon Porter

Eastern Oregon University

sporter@eoni.com

sporter@eou.edu

Yahoo IM: sporter5120