by Aisha Conner-Gaten Traveling While Broke: Library Conferences and Scholarships For librarians and information folks, conference attendance can provide essential opportunities for networking, professional development, and, of course, gainful employment. Unfortunately, those seeking new jobs or just better pay cannot often afford conference housing and air travel that accompany exorbitant registration fees. Some conferences totals…
by Fallon Bleich, Head Editor, INALJ Arkansas Small Talk at Conferences: How to Survive It I have major social anxiety and therefore going to ALA conferences can be a huge chore for me. It’s not that I don’t love seeing all my fellow librarians and learning awesome new things, it’s that I have to face the dragon known…
by Katherine Kimball Adelberg, Head Editor, INALJ Michigan The Ins and Outs of Unconferences Have you ever attended an unconference? Neither had I, until I hosted one in March. It was an incredible experience; this was the first time I’ve ever seen participants in a training session stay late! I’m now an unconference convert. What is an unconference?…
Stephanie Sendaula, INALJ Associate Editor Non-Library Conferences for Librarians There are a lot of conference acronyms in our profession: ALA, SLA, SAA, ACRL, PLA, AASL, AALL, etc… But sometimes we’re not able to attend those conferences for a variety of reasons including funding restraints, time constraints, or even the specific location. (Haven’t we all wondered whether to…
by Rebekah Kati, Head Editor, INALJ North Carolina Attend Your Local Library Conferences! In mid March, I attended the North Carolina Serials Conference in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I had heard of this conference, but had never attended until this year. As I sat through various sessions on serials assessment, I began to think about why I hadn’t…
by Sara Dixon, Head Editor, INALJ Kansas Local vs. National Conferences Last weekend, I attended the Kansas Library Association Annual Conference, my first conference as a gainfully employed public librarian. And. It. Was. Awesome. It was great to meet so many librarians in situations similar to mine. I found out that my “small” town library…
by Mychal R Ludwig, Head Editor, INALJ New Mexico Can’t Miss Conferences, Conventions, & Events For New Mexico LIS Workers Becoming an active member of one’s community, as well as continuing one’s adult education, represent two crucial parts of being an LIS professional. What then, are some must-see conferences, conventions, expositions, and events going on…
by Fallon Bleich, Head Editor, INALJ Oklahoma Why You Should Attend Conferences As a job searcher and library student, one of the most valuable resources I’ve managed to gain and utilize is conferences. While they can be overwhelming, I think they have helped build my confidence in my job skills and have taught me the…
by Alexis Stapp, Head Editor, INALJ Minnesota Free Webinars, Courses, and Conferences (Feb-April 2013) It’s hard to focus on the education and skill-building aspect of professional development when you’re unemployed, underemployed, or just plain broke. It’s also tough to research new ideas and practices for your library with the tight budgets so many are facing.…
by Naomi House, MLIS The Week in INALJ Non-Library Job (and 1 Librarian Abroad) Interviews : June 22-26, 2020 Welcome to the 5th weekly summary of INALJ’s 2020 series on non-library jobs for library workers and those with their MLIS. This week I am adding in the summary for INALJ’s first interview in my newest…
This is an interview with Laura Pike-Seeley, a corporate librarian and knowledge professional currently serving as knowledge manager at HKS, Inc., done by Naomi House of INALJ. This is part of INALJ’s 2020 series on non-library jobs for library workers. Laura has provided us with further insights into her work as a Brand Archivist as…
by Naomi House, MLIS The Week in INALJ Non-Library Job Interviews : June 8-12, 2020 Welcome to the third weekly summary of INALJ’s 2020 series on non-library jobs for library workers and those with their MLIS. For the first weekly summary please read The Week in INALJ Non-Library Job Interviews : May 26-29, 2020. For…
This is an interview with Angela Pagliaro, Global Content Librarian at Merck Animal Health and formerly a Knowledge Services Consultant at ETS, done by Naomi House of INALJ. This is part of INALJ’s 2020 series on non-library jobs for library workers. On DAM (Digital Asset Management) Work : an Interview with Angela Pagliaro Q1: Thanks…
This is an interview with Ashleigh D. Coren, Women’s History Content and Interpretation Curator at the National Portrait Gallery, done by Naomi House of INALJ. This is part of INALJ’s 2020 series on non-library jobs for library workers. On Curatorial Work : an Interview with Ashleigh D. Coren Q1: Thanks so much for taking the…
This is an interview with Kate Tkacik, Director of Development at St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD, done by Naomi House of INALJ. This is part of INALJ’s 2020 series on non-library jobs for library workers. On Development & Prospect Research Work : an Interview with Kate Tkacik Q1: Thanks so much for taking the…
This is an interview with Adaliz N. Cruz, Information Services Assistant at Bain & Company, done by Naomi House of INALJ. This is part of INALJ’s 2020 series on non-library jobs for library workers. On Information Services Work : an Interview with Adaliz N. Cruz Q1: Thanks so much for taking the time to help…
by Erica Calvert Professional Development: Doing it on your own Whether you are a novice into a degreed-field job hunt or are a veteran of the discipline, securing a job can be a daunting feat. Luckily there is a plethora of resources, organizations and websites that are dedicated to helping jobseekers. With this support system…
This interview is over 1 year old and may no longer be up to date or reflect the interviewee/interviewees’ positions Career Transitions for Librarians : 5 Questions with Ray Pun and Davis Erin Anderson by Naomi House, MLIS In this post, I interviewed the co-editors of Career Transitions for Librarians and asked them 5 questions about…
by Laura Miller previously published 12/29/14 A Substitute Librarian’s Survival Guide I have been a substitute librarian since February 2007 and find my work very rewarding. I work in two different public library systems and both systems have me working in multiple library branches- wherever the need for a substitute is. I love the variety…
by Rebecca Ciota 8 Reasons Informational Interviews are Useful I have always been a thinker and a planner. My mother recounts several times when, as a child, in a toy store, I would consider which toy would be the best purchase. If I was like that before I can even remember, it is no wonder…
Amber Clement: My Superior Librarian by Kevin Alexander I am very proud of my fiancée, Amber Clement. She grew up in the Upper Peninsula on the shores of Lake Superior near a small city which boasts the Soo Locks, with accessibility to Soo, Canada, the Mackinac Bridge and other amenities of wildlife and nature. She grew…
by Alexis Rohlfing, former Head Editor, INALJ New Hampshire previously published 1/14/14 The Door closed and a window opened WHERE? Making the most of any opportunity As one year winds down and another starts, this is usually the time that people pause and take stock of themselves, and create a set of New Year’s resolutions.…
Ask a Special Librarian – July Edition What to Do With That Stack of Business Cards: Tips for Post-Conference Networking Tracy Z. Maleeff Library Resources Manager at Duane Morris LLP in Philadelphia @LibrarySherpa & LibrarySherpa.com Joshua LaPorte Law Library Assistant – University of Connecticut @joshualaporte & https://www.youtube.com/user/JoshuaLaPorte In this installment of “Ask a Special Librarian,”…
Heidi Taylor-Caudill, former Head Editor, INALJ Kentucky previously published 5/13/14 Four Things I Wish I Had Done in Library School Next week, I’m graduating with an MSLS from the University of Kentucky’s School of Library and Information Science. As with any milestone, one has a chance to reflect on successes and failures, things done right, and things that…
by Claire Schmieder, Volunteer Manager Previously published 11/11/14 The Job Hunter’s Guide to Positivity Just about one year ago, I started working at my current job. Hooray! This upcoming anniversary has gotten me reflecting on the time BEFORE I started working, when I was a verging-on-desperate job hunter. After I earned my MLIS, I spent nearly…
by Naomi House, MLIS #SLALeftBehind for #SLA2015 I was supposed to present at SLA in Boston on Sunday, June 14th, but on May 29th changed any chance I had of attending. I had my 4th miscarriage and with the blood clotting disorder I have my Doctor recommended I not fly. We didn’t announce this miscarriage…
Libraries, hey? That could be a dissertation topic by Jen Li, INALJ Contributor I begin with a confession. I claim to be a lover of books, reading, and libraries, and indeed during the course of my PhD research, I have visited over seventy libraries in several countries, amassed a number of library cards, and borrowed…
4 Tips for Making the Most of Your Project Archivist Position by Amanda Axel, INALJ Contributor Finding a job in an archive early in one’s career can be very difficult. For any given position, we may be competing against hundreds of candidates that are just as qualified as we are. We may also be up…
by Samantha Read, former Head Editor, INALJ New Brunswick previously published 6/10/14 Avoiding that “Conference Itch” Well, folks, we’re in full conference season now. A relative newbie to this scene (I just started in my position as Archives Advisor at CANB in February), I attended the CNSA conference the other week and will be at the APLA conference…
I Survived Rejection after an Internal Interview, and So Can You! by Laura Birkenhauer It’s a worst case scenario for most, combining some of our greatest fears: fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of being inadequate. Imagine: Your dream job opens up at the library where you already work. You interview for the position…
Julie Todaro – Candidate for President of the American Library Association I Needed A Library Job, Too! Do I want you to vote for me for ALA President? Yes, I do. And I could spend a great deal of time articulating why I think I am the best candidate, but instead let me just say…
Ask a Special Librarian – April Edition Tracy Z. Maleeff Library Resources Manager at Duane Morris LLP in Philadelphia @LibrarySherpa & LibrarySherpa.com No money, more problems? I once overheard someone lament, “I can’t even afford to job hunt right now.” It’s true that it could be a costly proposition to get new clothes, business cards and…
Off the Beaten Path: a Blueprint for LIS Career Moves Q&A with Dr. Sandra Hirsh by Alison Peters, INALJ Contributor As a San José State University iSchool student, I’d heard of Dr. Sandra Hirsh, iSchool Director, and her many, many accomplishments, projects and accolades. But I was not expecting to speak with such a happy,…
Librarian Certification and Good Vibrations by Rose Noel, Senior Assistant, INALJ Kentucky I felt the vibrations as I entered the library. There was a new energy pulsing through the beautiful, but normally serene public library building. I wondered as I stuffed my purse into a spare employee locker whether I had forgotten a particularly grand…
Tips for Boosting Your Presence in the LIS Community by Angie Solis, Senior Editor Being a part of the INALJ team means that I’m surrounded by many amazing people who rock my world every day with their knowledge and ability to be superstars in the LIS community. Seriously, it’s like I know celebrities. I find…
by Courtney Baron, former Head Editor, INALJ Georgia previously published 3/18/14 10 Ways Waking up Earlier Will Help You Become a Successful LIS Professional Time management is a geeky interest of mine. I love reading books and articles on the subject and I’m inspired by the way successful people fit it all in simply by…
Librarian in a Box! by Kate Kosturski, Volunteer Coordinator and Senior Editor, INALJ Ontario and INALJ Quebec Today, you can just about get anything in a subscription box, delivered to your door on set intervals – from makeup (Birchbox) to clothes (Stitch Fix) to intimates (Wantable – and yes you read that right, there is a subscription box for…
What to do when you are #ALAleftbehind by Leigh Milligan, Senior Editor Unfortunately, I rarely get to go to ALA conferences, unless it’s local in or near Philadelphia. I currently don’t work in a library so my employer will not pay for it and I have yet to receive funding from different conference sponsorship…
by Kate Kosturski previously published 1/31/14 Don’t Get Chopped in Your Job Search My partner and I are big fans of the Food Network show Chopped. If you’re not familiar with the program, it is a cooking competition featuring four chefs who have to prepare three meals (appetizer, entree, and dessert) with mystery ingredients –…
8 tips to pay your way to ALA by Angie Solis, Senior Editor Each year librarians all across the world are invited to attend ALA’s Annual and Mid-Winter Conferences. But at $255.00 (super early bird special) for the ALA Annual Conference plus hotel and airfare we’re looking at a nice chunk of change to…