Recently, Erica Findley shared some ideas on how to get library experience when you have never worked in a library. I, too was worried about how I would get a library job without any library background.
I am here to tell you that volunteering is a great way to get seasoned in the library world! Since the beginning of this year I have been helping the Jackson Middle School library in SW Portland transition to a new cataloging system. My job is to find and import bibliographic records for books that don’t have one.
So how has working at the Jackson library helped me to be a better prospective librarian?
-Actually doing cataloging hands-one made my cataloging class (LI814, Organizing Information) a lot more immediate and understandable
-You get to make valuable professional contacts
-It’s a great way to help people! Jackson’s library does not have the funding to pay someone to do the
detailed work that I do
-It can broaden your professional portfolio
There are all kinds of volunteer opportunities out there! It’s really worth it to find one that
fits you.
By Gordon Turner, SLIM-OR SCALA Vice-President
