rotary classification talk
TRANSCRIPT
TITLEClassification Talk Presented by Austin StroudSeptember 8, 2015
IntroductionName: Austin StroudHometown: Mitchell, IndianaCurrent Town: Bedford, Indiana Classification: Librarian Current Employers: Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public
Library (5/14 – Present) & Ivy Tech Community College (8/11 – Present)Current Job Titles: Library Director & Adjunct Faculty Education: BS – Labor Studies (Indiana University)
MS – Education/Instructional Systems Tech (Indiana University)
MLS – Library Science (IUPUI) Areas of Interest: Library Technology, Instructional Design, Distance EducationOther Organizations: American Library Association, Career Success Coalition, Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Library, Greene County Alliance, Indiana Library Federation, Literacy Coalition
Why did I become a librarian? • Early experience• Positive mentors • Educating/training others (Digital Divide) • Challenges (why I’m a director) • Changes in the field (especially technology) • Community impact
Rewarding & Difficult Parts of the JobRewarding: •Educating others •Community involvement •Colleagues•Variety
Difficult:•Funding •Perceptions of libraries •Underserved populations
Career Forecast/Advice for Future Librarians
From the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Thinking about becoming a librarian?•Get volunteer or library work experience (Reading books isn’t enough!)•Keep up with new technologies/trends •Obtain a second graduate degree for more opportunities•Be flexible and open to relocation or working in related fields •Adapt and accept change as a major part of keeping libraries relevant
Technology/Government/Environmental Impacts on Libraries Technology: •Maintaining relevancy •Continuous learning •Improved efficiency •Increased availability •Collection•Online resources Government Regulations: •Decreases in funding (property tax caps and income tax reductions) = budget shortfalls•Unserved townships Environmental: •Education •Responsible recycling and use of materials
Ethical Issues in Libraries • Censoring/intellectual freedom • Confidentiality • Served versus unserved patrons • Quality of information • Conflict of interest • Neutrality
There are others – these are some big onesthat come to mind.
