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Things You Didn't Learn in Library School Report from event Renee Remlinger Chapter Reporter More than 60 people—including professionals and students from the University of Washington's Information School—attended the Special Libraries Association Pacific Northwest Chapter's February 3, 2003 event at the Husky Union Building on UW'S campus. The event featured two speakers: Cindy Romaine, the "librarian of the stars" at the Nike Design Library in Beaverton, Oregon, and Dr. Joseph Janes, an assistant professor and chair of the master of library and information science (MLIS) program at UW's Information School. During her presentation, "Things You Didn't Learn in Library School", Romaine discussed some of the skills necessary to become a successful information professional. Examples include dealing with stress, adapting to corporate culture, taking risks, budgeting, hiring and firing, negotiating and networking. She also outlined five qualities of effective librarians: dedication, responsibility, education, attitude and motivation. Romaine ended her presentation by telling the audience "if you dream, you'll make a fabulous contribution to the library profession." Janes shared his perspectives of the current MLIS program and the iSchool. With the school's admission rate at 50% this year, potential students must sell themselves and demonstrate their creativity, assertiveness, leadership qualities and a commitment to lifelong learning. "I don't want people without these characteristics in my profession," Janes said. He asked professionals to send their best people—students, interns, paraprofessionals—to the iSchool. The iSchool's aim is to educate students for their careers, not only for their first jobs, Janes said. The new MLIS curriculum is based on what students need to be able to do no matter where they end up working. The new core courses include a class in teaching and training and one in management for information professionals, among others. In addition to the core curriculum, students choose electives to go into more depth in specific areas. Group projects are common throughout the program. By working with others, students learn how to negotiate and work in teams. Janes emphasized the importance of students taking responsibility for their own education and reflecting on what it means. That is the idea behind the MLIS portfolio, which is a graduation requirement that replaced the final master's exam. The MLIS program is the beginning; professional preparation is never over, said Janes.
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Events