School:

I’ve been admitted to the online MLIS program at Wayne State University, attended an on-campus orientation, and now am taking an introductory LIS class. I’m really enjoying my class so far.  I haven’t yet decided how fast I will go through this program as it depends on how successful I am at getting funding (I’m paying my own way) and whether or not I’m going to do the Information Management certificate. For now, I’m just relishing the experience.

Work Experience:

I applied for volunteer positions at the local libraries near me and found a volunteer position at Fletcher Memorial Library in Hampton, CT. I’ve been volunteering there for almost a month and I truly enjoy it. Now if I could just stop reading book jackets when I’m supposed to be shelving, I’d get things done faster.

I also interviewed for a paid librarian/tech support position (no MLS required) and didn’t get it. I’m in the process of applying for two similiar positions elsewhere, so we’ll see. *crossing fingers*

Networking:

I joined the Connecticut Library Association, the New England Library Association, the American Library Association (including the New Members Roundtable), and the Connecticut Affiliate of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. I attended the Connecticut Library Association conference in New Haven, CT earlier this year and will also attend the New England Library Association conference in Hartford, CT next month. I’m really, really, REALLY shy but am hoping to come out my shell a bit for next month’s conference, so I can get to meet people.

I also joined ALA Connect and am trying to figure it out (here’s my profile).

Upcoming Projects:

• Send out thank-you cards/emails for the librarians who’ve helped me thus far.
• Continue to work on my essay for the BCALA E.J. Josey Scholarship Award.
• Complete applications for the two library positions and send them out.
• Continue my MLIS studies at Wayne State.
• Work on improving connections in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
• Sign up for an ALA committee or two for 2010-2011 (press release here). They’re currently taking volunteer requests until December4th.

This is a great resource for new librarians.

Have you been a librarian for 5 years or less? Do you sometimes feel you have professional questions to ask and no one to direct them to? Do you find yourself wondering, in the midst of hardcore budget season, or in that massive collection development strategy meeting…What are they talking about? Well, through NMRT’s Mentoring Committee, help has arrived! Here’s your chance to meet a new librarian ally, and to have someone to ask all those questions you can’t really ask!

The NMRT Mentoring Committee will pair up “newbie librarians” with “seasoned vets” as part of our Career Mentoring program. The program will last from October 2009 to July 2010. Conference attendance is not required. Membership in ALA is required, and NMRT membership is encouraged. Applications are due September 25, 2009, with the goal of notifying the matching pairs by the middle of October.

If you are interested in additional information or would like to be paired with a mentor, please complete the online application at: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/nmrt/oversightgroups/comm/mentor/mentoringcommittee.cfm.

Welcome to the Starter Librarian!  I created this website to be a resource for all new librarians and librarians-to-be.  As you most likely have found (as have I), there’s a lot of helpful information and helpful people out there willing to help you begin your career as a librarian.  Unfortunately, this information is scattered all over the web. I decided that I would collect this information and organize it in one place and share some of my perspectives thus far, in the hopes of making other folks’ lives easier.

I chose the name “starter librarian” smply because the newlibrarian.com and .org domains were taken, forcing me to be a bit creative in selecting another domain name. After some thinking, I decided to call it the starter librarian website because a) the name is catchy and easily remembered — almost the same general category as “starter wife” or “starter home” and b) it’s an appropriate way to describe my intended audience.

Well, my MLIS applications are nearly complete with the exception of my references and the waiting game begins. I had hoped to begin in Fall 2009, but it looks like Spring 2010/Fall 2010 is more realistic, especially where finances are concerned. My goal is to fund my MLIS entirely from savings/tuition reimbursements/scholarships and fellowships and (hopefully) no student loans. This is ambitious, but I’m determined to get it done.

The general consensus among library professionals is that library experience is a must, especially if I’m seeking to break into the library field. However, it is extremely difficult to find entry-level positions that do not require a MLIS so I’m looking at paid library page and library assistant positions as well as volunteering at my local public library. Hopefully, I’ll be able to find something soon.

As I’m typing this, my throat just feels awful right now. It’s not as “scratchy” as it would be if I had a real sore throat, but neverthless, it does hurt to swallow. I’ve had this for almost two weeks now and it doesn’t seem to be going away.  I’ve been surfing around on the Internet and it seems that I might have strep throat. Therefore I need to go see a doctor asap as strep throat can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Bother.