Continuing Education for Librarians

It is an exciting time to be a librarian. Advances in technology have let libraries expand far beyond walls and lead the way in information delivery, while transforming the physical library into a place where customers can connect to information in new ways.
It is also a challenging time to be a librarian. With continual change as the new normal, staying current can seem overwhelming. Even as they face budget shortfalls and staff reductions, librarians are tasked with finding the time and resources to keep abreast of rapid changes.
This book offers a cornucopia of practical advice about how to acquire new skills (and formal and informal credentials) through all stages of a career. The 27 essays cover formal and online education, conferences, fellowships, workshops, networking, teaching, mentoring, balancing personal with professional lives, and money matters—and are filled with practical, honest and real-world advice.

A Michigan resident, Carol Smallwood has practiced in school, public and special libraries. Her primary interest is practical librarianship, and she is the author of journal articles and editor of numerous books.
Kerol Harrod, Denton, Texas, librarian, is the creator, writer and co-producer for the children’s television show Library Larry’s Big Day.
Vera Gubnitskaia has worked as a library manager, consultant, and reference librarian in public and academic libraries in Russia and the United States. During her career as a writer and editor, she contributed chapters to several professional publications, edited multiple anthologies, and published book reviews. She is currently an art fellow at Crealde School in Winter Park, Florida.

Edited by Carol Smallwood, Kerol Harrod and Vera Gubnitskaia
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 224
Bibliographic Info: bibliographies, index
Copyright Date: 2013
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6886-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0131-1
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Foreword  Robert P. Holley 1

Preface  Carol Smallwood, Kerol Harrod and Vera Gubnitskaia 3

Part I. Formal Education

 1. Pride and Perseverance: Pursuing the Doctoral Degree for Librarians (Sue C. Kimmel and Kasey L. Garrison) 5

 2. Graduate Certification (Megan McGlynn) 13

 3. How I Spent My Summer Vacation (And All My Other Free Time): Earning an MBA (Nathan Rupp) 22

Part II. Online Education

 4. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for Professional Development and Growth (Paul Bond) 28

 5. How to Successfully Take an Online Class (Mary Francis) 35

 6. Getting Your MLIS Degree Online: Tips from a Recent Grad

(John M. Jackson) 42

Part III. Conferences, Fellowships and Workshops

 7. Professional Development Workshops for Special Collections Librarians (Karen A. Mason) 49

 8. Presentation Preparation: A Learning Tool (Tiffany Benson) 56

 9. Make the Most of Your Days Away from the Library: Spend Them Learning, Discovering and Sharing Your Calling with Others (Betsy Butler) 63

10. Using Theatrical/Acting Training to Improve One’s Interaction with the Public; or, Role Playing to Expect the Unexpected (Sara Rofofsky Marcus) 71

11. Conducting a Yearlong Fellowship Program: Lessons Learned from “Transforming Life After 50” (Cindy Mediavilla) 79

12. Hosting a Conference (Trudie A. Root) 88

13. Traveling Abroad for Professional Development (Kate Wise and

     Heidi Blackburn) 98

Part IV. Networking

14. Learn by Association (Dana Braccia) 105

15. Developing Your Personal Learning Network (Nicole A. Cooke) 111

16. Professional Association–Based Professional Development

(Lesley S. J. Farmer) 119

Part V. Teaching

17. Professional Development Through Teaching (Celia Ross) 127

18. Teaching to Learn: Expanding Your Horizons as a Classroom Faculty Member (Paula M. Storm) 133

19. Librarians as Educational Leaders in Schools (Stephanie Sweeney) 141

20. Giving Back to Get Ahead: Adjuncting as Continuing Education

(Andrea M. Wright) 148

Part VI. Mentoring

21. Service Learning and Mentoring in the Preparation of LIS Students: One Method of Keeping Current (Stacy L. Creel) 156

22. Mentoring: Planting the Seeds for Learning and Growing in the Library Profession (Alessia Zanin-Yost) 164

Part VII. Personal Life

23. Bang on the Drum All Day: How Personal Interests Can Positively Impact Professional Development (Matthew Cook) 172

24. Balancing Act (Sarah Laleman Ward) 178

25. Juggling Work Responsibilities, Family Life and Continuing Education Without Dropping a Ball (Adam Winger) 185

Part VIII. Money Matters

26. Paying Your Way: How to Find Scholarships to Support Your MLS Program (Jennifer K. Sheehan) 191

27. Continuing Education for $0 (Aline Soules) 199

About the Contributors 207

Index 211

“recommended”—Australian Library Journal; “essays outline various types of continuing education for librarians and related aspects”—Reference & Research Book News; “In today’s landscape of ever-changing technologies, tightened budgets, and job competition, education for library professionals should not end with a traditional library science degree. Continuing Education for Librarians does a wonderful job of navigating the many creative ways that learning can be a career-long pursuit”—Dyani Feige, Preservation Specialist, Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “This book is a timely and necessary tool for professional development in librarianship. A creative industriousness particular to energetic, forward-reaching librarians is presented in engaging ways.”—Karl Madden, Charles Evans Inniss Memorial Library, New York; “A volume chock full of ideas and experience for any librarian considering a career transition, an advanced degree, or simply refreshing skills.”—Erin Foley, Director, Rio Community Library, Rio, Wisconsin; “From surviving the Master’s degree to obtaining a PhD or gaining additional certification, this resource includes guidelines for getting it all done and staying sane. I could have used the advice on navigating online courses when I was getting my MLIS.”—Rose Fortier, Digital Projects Librarian, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; “An amazing book filled with wisdom and knowledge. A must have for anyone seeking to grow and evolve in the library profession.”—Anastasia Weige, University of Maine.