Great August 27 Gathering with Tom Wilding

A small and intense group of 12 enjoyed a most pleasant couple of hours with each other*, and with Tom who patiently and thoroughly answered a wide variety of questions and gave us his sense of SIRLS (upbeat and optimistic), librarianship as a career (very positive), and a bit about his personal methods of teaching and advising (again,  positive and encouraging).  He is meeting via phone regularly with Brian,  who begins October 1. Tom suggested; that we do not ever give up, that we persist, that we consider alternative jobs while staying focused on our real goal, that we network, network, network, we take continuing education classes often, that we use every opportunity to stay current, join associations, and stay in touch with colleagues and friends.  Tom urged students and grads to contact him directly with questions and “issues”. We could have kept him longer with more questions and discussions but wanted him home at a reasonable hour!  Many thanks to several folks who brought and shared treats!  He promised to bring Brian, our new dean with to us within the next few months.

I will plan our next meeting as a sharing session to include what works and doesn’t in this job-hunt phase, how to use Web 2.o tools as an integral part of that process, resume and cover letter critique and whatever most interests you.

Let me (Jacque) know your preference for dates, please!   Survey HERE.

• Thursdays, Sept 10, 17 and 24 or
• Tuesdays, Sept 15, 22 or 29

*Attendees:  Kathi K, Jean B, Candace L, Kelly B, Jarrod G, Noah R, Sarah S, Tim P, Judy S, and Betty M.

Your thoughts needed!

In that our November 18 meeting will be the last event of the year, I have several questions of you!

#1–does this (<-) program about solo librarianship interest you? Shall we organize such a program here?

#2–Shall we create an LSO like the one in Tucson?

#3–see the list of topics mentioned on October 27 (here) and tell me your priorities, or add new ones!

In case you cannot join us on Sept 9, please give us your feedback NOW!!!

Phoenix Friends of SIRLS Gathering, Tuesday, September 9, 6:00 pm +

Please share your needs and interests for this group below:

¨     Career development

¨     Conference Reports

¨     Finding a job

¨     Library research

¨     Library Tours (specify)

¨     Library trends and issues and directions

¨     Networking

¨     Personal accounts of any of the above

¨     Resumes & cover letters

¨     Specific Skills, e.g., reference Interviews, digital collections, database searching     (specify below)

¨     Types of libraries & librarians

¨     Other, please specify below!

 

Last year:

·         Peter Boticelli (digital collections and the “DIG-IN” program)

·         Jana Bradley (new directions in the library profession)

·         Tom Wilding (academic librarianship as a career;

·         SIRLS academic advising)

·         A panel discussion with 5 recent SIRLS graduates talking about their first year on the job.

·         A discussion by 2 SIRLS students on their experiences at the ALA Conference.

·         A presentation by 2 Mesa Community College librarians on career path opportunities in community college libraries.

·         A resume and interviewing skills workshop by Sandy Kramer.

·         Presentations by 2 academic librarians at ASU about their jobs and their research interests (one in life sciences and one in Asian Studies)

Conclusions and goals based on survey results…

Okay, I have some direction and ideas. What I am concluding you would like is:

1. Email communication, but not TOO often, and including links to the blog.
2. Meetings held not too early in the evening, but early enough to not make it a long night and drive home, say, 6:30 or so.
3. Occasional meetings over a meal or snacks
4. Meetings held at rotating locations around the valley and/or in central or downtown Phoenix.
5. Informal presentations and facilitated networking sessions.
6. Desired topics are wide-spread but to include choosing a library setting and developing a career path.

I will work to set up some gatherings. It appears that days and times should vary as well, as it will be impossible to get everyone what is good for everyone all the time!

So, please don’t wait for me to survey you again. If you:

1. would like to speak on a topic that interests you,
2. would like to facilitate a discussion on such a topic
3. have a guest you would like to bring or suggest, or
4. have a specific discussion topic or speaker to suggest…

Call or email me when the spirit moves you! I am at 602-827-2031 and email: jddoyle@email.arizona.edu

What shall we talk about?

Here are some topics for future posts and/or meetings. Please let me know where your needs and interests lie:

1. finding your passion
2. finding the job
3. understanding what types of work is “out there”
4. understanding types of libraries
5. knowing library people in arizona
6. preparing a resume/cv
7. preparing for an interview
8. Other??? please share!