Introduction
Hello, my name is Lindsay Davis. This website hosts my electronic portfolio for
graduation from San José State University's Masters of Library and Information Science program. Students pursuing the degree have the option to either write a thesis or complete an e-portfolio. "The goal of the e-Portfolio is to provide a program-based assessment to ensure that each student demonstrates mastery of all student learning outcomes (core competencies) for the degree before graduation" (SJSU SLIS, n.d.). The fourteen competencies, A through N, can be found at slisweb.sjsu.edu/slis/competencies.htm Competency O, "Contribute[s] to the cultural, economic, educational and social well-being of our communities" is demonstrated by the competencies taken together as a whole as well as the philosophy statement, which can be found in the second tab in the header above, Philosophy.
Before beginning my courses in January 2010, I read information about the thesis and e-portfolio options for the culminating experience, After reading the e-portfolio handbook in its entirety, the core competencies, and numerous portfolios submitted by former students, I decided that the e-portfolio was the more practical approach. While the field is marked by both theoretical concepts and applied skills, librarianship is a service profession, and many of the assignments I completed during the course of the last two years showcase my knowledge of service concepts, teaching, and technical skills to help connect library users to information they need or desire in order to be equipped as lifelong learners. A thesis would not have enabled me to demonstrate all of these skills.
While I began my journey into librarianship I knew that it would be beneficial for me--someone new to the field--to take classes in a variety of areas, including cataloging and classification, online searching, reference, information literacy, grant writing, and marketing, to gain a more comprehensive view of library and information science. Because I took a diverse course load, I was able to meet each of the fourteen competencies. While I did not do anything special leading up to the e-portfolio (except for this last term, I was a full-time student for the entirety of my library school experience), I kept separate folders for each course, and made sub-folders for each unit of every course to keep track of different assignments and subject areas. At the end of every term, I would look over every folder and make any needed adjustments to titles of files for later reference. In working on the competencies, I concentrated on two or three at a time as per the set-up of my e-portfolio adviser. I was not required to do the competencies in a certain order but worked on those competencies that first stood out to me. For example, competency G, which focuses on information description and organization, was straight-forward because I had taken both LIBR 248 Beginning Cataloging and Classification and LIBR 249 Advanced Cataloging and Information Description. Others, such as competency A, which focuses on ethics, I did later because I needed more time for reflection. Each person will understandably have his or her own approach to the e-portfolio, but as my professor noted, "This is not a race but a marathon." I am glad for the advice of Dr. Kemp because slow and steady was the best approach, and I am pleased with the work I have submitted here.
The past two years have gone by very quickly, and reflecting on the various competencies, courses I have taken, assignments I have completed, and work experiences I have had has allowed me to see how far I have come in the field. I also realize that there some areas in which I would like more experience. In my philosophy statement, I list several goals to help me continue learning and developing as an information professional.
Welcome to my e-portfolio! Thank you for your interest in my work.
References
SJSU SLIS. (n.d.). LIBR 289 handbook: LIBR 289. Retrieved from http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/289/index.html
Before beginning my courses in January 2010, I read information about the thesis and e-portfolio options for the culminating experience, After reading the e-portfolio handbook in its entirety, the core competencies, and numerous portfolios submitted by former students, I decided that the e-portfolio was the more practical approach. While the field is marked by both theoretical concepts and applied skills, librarianship is a service profession, and many of the assignments I completed during the course of the last two years showcase my knowledge of service concepts, teaching, and technical skills to help connect library users to information they need or desire in order to be equipped as lifelong learners. A thesis would not have enabled me to demonstrate all of these skills.
While I began my journey into librarianship I knew that it would be beneficial for me--someone new to the field--to take classes in a variety of areas, including cataloging and classification, online searching, reference, information literacy, grant writing, and marketing, to gain a more comprehensive view of library and information science. Because I took a diverse course load, I was able to meet each of the fourteen competencies. While I did not do anything special leading up to the e-portfolio (except for this last term, I was a full-time student for the entirety of my library school experience), I kept separate folders for each course, and made sub-folders for each unit of every course to keep track of different assignments and subject areas. At the end of every term, I would look over every folder and make any needed adjustments to titles of files for later reference. In working on the competencies, I concentrated on two or three at a time as per the set-up of my e-portfolio adviser. I was not required to do the competencies in a certain order but worked on those competencies that first stood out to me. For example, competency G, which focuses on information description and organization, was straight-forward because I had taken both LIBR 248 Beginning Cataloging and Classification and LIBR 249 Advanced Cataloging and Information Description. Others, such as competency A, which focuses on ethics, I did later because I needed more time for reflection. Each person will understandably have his or her own approach to the e-portfolio, but as my professor noted, "This is not a race but a marathon." I am glad for the advice of Dr. Kemp because slow and steady was the best approach, and I am pleased with the work I have submitted here.
The past two years have gone by very quickly, and reflecting on the various competencies, courses I have taken, assignments I have completed, and work experiences I have had has allowed me to see how far I have come in the field. I also realize that there some areas in which I would like more experience. In my philosophy statement, I list several goals to help me continue learning and developing as an information professional.
Welcome to my e-portfolio! Thank you for your interest in my work.
References
SJSU SLIS. (n.d.). LIBR 289 handbook: LIBR 289. Retrieved from http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/289/index.html