Shiloh Moore …Success Story

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Naomi House’s interview with success story Shiloh.

shilohmNaomi:  How did you find your current job?
Shiloh:  After graduation I looked at the internship listings from SJSU and saw that Los Angeles Harbor College welcomed recent graduates, so I called the library. I became an intern in February and began working at the library 2 days a week from 10-2 at the Reference Desk. The Department Chair was advised that the college had funds to keep the library open over the Summer Session, unlike the last 2 years, and it allowed for him to hire me for a Summer Assignment as an Adjunct Faculty Librarian with the Los Angeles Community College District. Not only was I in the right place at the right time, I had the skills he was looking for in a new Librarian. As an Adjunct Librarian I am able to work at all 9 campuses within the district when needed to fill in as a substitute. My goal is to acquire a full time position, in the mean time I continue to intern and look forward to my paid Summer Assignment which begins in June.

Naomi:  Favorite library you have been to?
Shiloh:  The library of Celsus was built for Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus and completed in AD 135 in Ephesus, Turkey. Celsus’ son, Gaius Julius Aquila (consul AD 110), built the library in honor of his father who was consul in AD 92, former governor of Asia in AD 115, and a wealthy and popular local citizen. The library was built to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as a monumental tomb for Celsus. It was unusual to be buried within a library or even within city limits, so this was a special honor for Celsus.

Naomi:  Favorite book?
Shiloh:  The Da Vinci Code. And every other book by Dan Brown. I like how he combines history, research, and mystery into his fictional stories.

Naomi:  Favorite thing about libraries/ library technology?
Shiloh:  Helping others find the information they need and teaching students how to do “real” research using scholarly databases and reliable sources is very fulfilling. I also learn something new everyday by working at the Reference Desk.

Naomi:  Any websites or feeds or blogs we should be following?
Shiloh:  Tame The Web: Libraries, Technology and People by Michael Stephens (my former professor).
http://tametheweb.com/

Naomi:  Best piece of job hunting advice?
Shiloh:  Volunteer and Intern at as many places as you possibly can. Networking and keeping your name out there can lead to great opportunities. Be active in social media and make new connections daily, you never know who you will meet! I recently met the head of Human Resources from a local university at my own garage sale, she lives in my neighborhood. Always mention you are a Librarian, not only to promote our profession, but to use every situation as a networking opportunity.

Prior to earning my MLIS from San Jose State University in Dec of 2012 I felt I did not have enough “library experience” and questioned my worth as a Librarian. While at the CLA convention in Pasadena I was told by library futurist Joan Fry Williams that the “library world” needed people like me-that day changed my life! For the first time I understood how my past experience could benefit library services and programs. What I lack in library experience I have in “real world” experience and my background of working with the public has prepared me how to interact and treat my “customers” who visit the Reference Desk and attend my instructional workshops at Los Angeles Harbor College. I am a Southern California native and grew up in South Torrance/Redondo Beach CA. I currently live in Long Beach CA and have 2 children: Hailey (12) and Cooper (10) and have been married to my husband Billy for 15 years. I have been a stay at home mom for the past 12 years. During that time I owned a Home Childcare business for 6 years and was a Pampered Chef Consult. Prior to staying home I was an Interior Designer and Sales Manager at Ethan Allen for 9 years. While at California State University Long Beach I worked for a small Interior Design firm for 5 years as the Library/Showroom Manager. During High School I worked at Del Amo Mall in Torrance at Macy’s and Judy’s. I am a people person, and have the gift of gab. I actually was asked by a student to be quite in the Library where I work. In my spare time I love to garden and watch my children play baseball and softball. I have to mention my mentor: Nancy Paradise. I met her at Story Time at my local library. She encouraged me to go back to school and told me I would be a wonderful Librarian. I am on my way!