Introduction

It is hard to remember every assignment done over the course of two years. This is why
in order to start choosing artifacts I first sat down and, by memory alone, jotted down the
assignments that I remembered the most vividly and that had helped me later on. In order to
create my portfolio, I wanted a clear structure without clutter. Putting more than one classs
artifact on the same page would force me to label each repeatedly with the course title and took
up a lot of space. It looked cluttered and lengthy. I decided to separate my pages by course in
order to have a less cluttered look. I tried to include a bit of why each project was included and
what it meant to me as well.
To me, competency is the ability to complete a task proficiently with the ability to pass
that knowledge onto others. It was Albert Einstein who said if you cant explain it simply, you
dont understand it well enough. Being competent means knowing not only how to complete the
task yourself, but the ability to teach the task to someone else as well. In Libraries, much of what
is done is teaching others who seek to learn so being competent is a requirement. I consider
myself, after these two years, to have competently met the learning outcomes that the program
desires.
There are four main outcomes that the MLIS program worked to prepare me for, the first
of which is Leadership and Innovation. I was exposed to a whole new world of materials and
programs that I had never used before. It was my duty to take initiative and complete tasks that I
had previously no experience with in order to gain that experience. In interviewing Colleen
Barany for my A Day in the Life of a Reference Librarian article for LIS 5020 Foundations of
Library and Information Science, I had to take leadership and demonstrate effective
communication skills in order to get my point across and be granted an interview in the first
place. A lot of my course work including the management portfolio that I put together in
LIS6455 Organization/Administration School Media Center required me to get out into the field
and talk with many librarians. Being able to problem-solve is another important key to leadership
which is a skill that I needed with most of my projects in fact. Most times things do not go as
planned and being able to come up with new solutions is critical. I was denied interviews a few
times leading to plans B and sometimes C, other times I was not allowed to record and had to
hastily jot notes down while trying to retain the information thrown at me.
Another important goal is called systems and services. This has to do mainly with
understanding information technology and the ability to discover the information needs of
communities and individuals alike. My artifact Advertisement Data to Create Optimal Marketing
Plans for Libraries completed in LIS 6271 Research Methods in Library and Information
Science showcases my ability to ascertain user lifestyle within a community and demonstrate
how to reach them. The assignment Cape Coral Public Library Collection Development Policy
in LIS 6511 Collection Development and Maintenance demonstrates my knowledge of a
community of patrons and their collection developmental needs.
The next outcome is knowledge representation which is essentially the ability to
get my point across multiple technological platforms. I demonstrate this ability in my e-portfolio
where I create a website using Weebly to present myself and the work I have done throughout
the MLIS program. In LIS6303 Preparing Instructional Media, for the project Toddler Tales I
created my first YouTube video. Then in LIS6455 Organization/Administration School Media
Center, for the project Management Portfolio I used weebly for the first time to create a website,
constructed a powerpoint using voice cues, and made tables in powerpoint. For LIS 6603 Basic
Information Sources and Services, I used a program called JING to screencast how to navigate
the Lee County Public Library website. I have learned how to share knowledge in a variety of
ways which will continue to impact my career.
Lastly, Theory and Praxis is the final outcome that I have been able to
demonstrate with my work. The project from LIS 6711 Organization of Knowledge I, Research
Paper: Dewey Decimal Classification showcases an in-depth look at the Dewey Decimal
Classification System drawing upon research done by previous scholars. Furthermore, the
artifact Advertisement Data to Create Optimal Marketing Plans for Libraries completed in LIS
6271 Research Methods in Library and Information Science uses qualitative and quantitative
data to determine the optimum marketing strategy.
Each and every one of the artifacts included in this portfolio have shaped my learning
experience and thus shaped my future career. I chose to specialize my courses to the route of
School Media Specialist which is why my management portfolio from LIS6455
Organization/Administration School Media Center is included.
The MLIS program has taught me a great deal more looking back upon it that I tend to
put thought into daily. From new technologies to applying research theories and everything in-
between, it has been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. I do consider myself,
especially after this program, to be technologically proficient. I would say that one of my biggest
strengths is being able to pick up on and easily teach others how to use new technology. I would
also say that I am very good at improvising. Many times assignments and daily objectives do not
go as planned, which is why being able to come up with new solutions on the spot is a valuable
skill to have. I have had to visit multiple libraries before being granted an interview, worked
around technological difficulties, and even other people at times.