I have always loved the library.

I have always loved books. That is largely due to the influence of my school Librarian. Growing up in a very rural area, the books she introduced me to were a whole new world. Through those books I experienced history. I experienced art. I traveled to places that I barely even dreamed of visiting. I have carried the love of those things with me for my entire life, and I had to share that with others. I spent my high school years as a Library Assistant, helping elementary school children learn to love reading. I went on as an undergraduate to study art and art history. But, as I’m sure we all know, life can be a complicated thing! My career path took me in a very different direction. Now, after 15 years in the Insurance industry, I am making a change. As I began my new journey, I found myself most interested in archives or special collections cataloging. I have explored these areas as much as possible throughout the course of my studies. During my coursework I have been working full-time in my current industry so I have set a series of personal goals for this transition. This includes self-study, course work, volunteering and personal development.

I have divided my goals into two categories:

Short Term – to be completed within 2 years

Long Term – to be completed within 3 – 5 years.

Short Term Goals:

Graduate with an MLIS degree from UNCG

Obtain Public Library Certification

Continue volunteering to gain hands on experience

Obtain a full time library position – ideally in archives/special collections

Attend at least one professional conference per year

Maintain membership in professional organizations (ALA, NCLA, SNCA)

Increase technology skills through online study in HTML and CSS

Long Term Goals:

Obtain archival certification

Attend  a course at Rare Book School at the University of Virginia

Continue to develop technology skills

Develop professional relationships

Grow in my role in an archival or special collections environment.