February 27, 2007

The last couple of days have been as fantastic as I could only have dreamed about.....My work as the "Mobile Librarian" is picking up speed. I had about 15 students come in, take some handouts, ask basic reference questions, and got some assistance from me about the best databases to use for their research papers due. Two students stayed in my space to work on homework and to ask me questions. The "IM" reference service is getting good responses. In this morning's IRIS meeting, Hector mentioned that IM chat stats have increased. This is a good sign that all the differing types of PR thats currently going on is reflective of the hard work everyone is doing reach out to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Notre Dame.

I have been ask to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Indiana Black Librarians Network spring meeting at the end of March. My keynote will address the benefits of library residency programs and to address some of the issues addressed in a report compiled by Denise M. Davis, ALA Office for Research and Statistics and Tracie D. Hall, Director of the ALA Office of Diversity. The report is entitled: "Diversity counts: Office for Research and Statistics-Office for Diversity. This document shows that the number of African American and Latino Librarians in the academy is decreasing. More minorities are in the para-professional positions in libraries then ever before. So far, this report brings some of the ambivalent feelings that I had about the profession because of some of my experiences as a library science student as well as when I intially entered as a professional librarian. My plan is to be very interactive in my presentation and at the same time address some of the possible ways professional librarians can work towards addressing how we can increase our ranks in the profession.


From Daily Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations for African Americans:

Collective Work and Responsibility

"If farmers do not cultivate their fields, the people in the town will die of hunger".--Guinean proverb

If we neither attend to the soil nor bother to sow any seeds, there will be no harvest, no bounty to sustain us or our children........Whenever we succeed, the outcome benefits us personally, and the African American community also benefits because we are in a position to "feed" others ---to help them directly or to inspire by our example.

February 23, 2007

The "Mobile Librarian" Chronicles........
This afternoon I was invited to attend a "Meet & Greet" of Africana Studies Majors in O'Shay this afternoon. I introduced myself and talk about my project as a way of aiding them in their research needs. The room was crowded and my internal furnace wasn't going to allow me to stay in the room past 20 minutes. I felt an impact; 2 students promised to come and see me in O'Shay because they really need help in doing research. We shall see........

Finally, an article to be published.......
I am not going to reveal just yet, what library journal is going to publish my article, but its finally going to happen after a couple of attempts to achieve this mark. I faxed over my author agreement/copyright statement this afternoon. I've done a couple of Book Reviews for Choice Magazine, but I think I've been in the profession long enough to have published a full length article for a library journal publication.

More affirmations that I am making the right applications for future employment
I heard from one of former supervisors via e-mail today. Even though we are no longer in the same employ, she still cheers me on with supportive, encoraging, and positive blessings in my direction. Being a librarian is empowering and humbling all at once. It is really good to know that people who have impacted my development as a librarian are still keeping me on their radar in "my cheering section". Woo-WHO!

From "Black Pearls: Daily Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations for African Americans":

SUCCESS: "I used to want the words "She tried" on my tombstone. Now I want, "She did it!"--Katherine Dunham

Most of us get to spend a decent number of years on the planet, which means we really ought to figure out what's important to us. If we find the things we love to do, our years will be rewarding and, when we exit, we'll do so with a sense of fulfillment, of good memories, and time well spent. Spend some time today doing at least one concrete thing that advances you towards one of your goals.

On that note, I bid you "ado"......
Leslie

February 22, 2007
I had an AWESOME FYC class Tuesday afternoon before going over to "Co-Mo". The students were engaged, they shared with me the topics they are considering for their paper. There assignment is to find scholarly articles relating to their volunteer experiences they have had in South Bend. This was an excellent topic; we strategized on search terms, and some of the students found articles relating to what they will write about. It occurred to me that the Instruction classes could be used as a tool to market my "Mobile Librarian" and Felicia's "drop-in" classes in the IL courses we have. Felicia is going to get some bookmarks made, I am going to get some digital images of my work so that Laurie M. will design me a bookmark as well. Aaah, the love of a team; it reminds me of my former affiliation with a dynamic group of Black Catholic Women in the organization, The Knights of Peter Claver-Ladies Auxiliary: "For the good of the order, we will accomplish our task".

My "Mobile Librarian" work is beginning to pick up some speed. I have walked around Coleman-Morse and O'Shaughnessy passing out pens, bookmarks, and asking different departments to post my flyer around campus. Its starting to work. Dr. Sandy fed me dinner along with her class Tuesday night; she also provided a decadent chocolate/cherry cake for dessert. After all, it was "Fat Tuesday" and I enjoyed every morsel of that cake. I answered some general reference questions re: the library catalog and talked about the librarian profession with some of the students; it was a good experience. 11pm on Sunday night and 7pm on Tuesday night came so fast!

My "Mobile Librarian" project is a wonderful opportunity for me to build community with others (staff, faculty, & students) at Notre Dame outside of the library. There is a strong sense of community with the First Year staff & faculty in "Co-Mo" as well as in "O'Shay". Yesterday, I chatted with Dr. Pierce and Dr. Tillery about the recent C-Span documentary celebrating Abraham Lincoln's decision re: the Emancipation Proclamation. That was an eye-opening discussion, to which Dr. Tillery answered some questions for me, that I had about the C-Span presentation. Dr. Alvin Tillery, Professor of Political Science is leaving Notre Dame for Rutgers University. He's from the east, and he is returning "home". He is such a dynamic and influential scholar in political science and he will be missed. Some students also joined in, and it was a good mesh of thought provoking opinions and comments going all around. This experience taught me once again that I have chosen the right profession. I can take my big ball of experience, education, and wisdom and share it will a community of learners who are generally interested in what I have to say. This energizes me to no end!

Today's reflection from Black Pearls-Daily Affirmations and Inspirations for African Americans (Eric Copage) focuses on the theme of Role Models:

"As we achieve, we become role models for others; people look to us for inspiration, asking how we did it, hungry for advice on how they, too can reach their goals. While we are first responsible to ourselves to lead sober, sane, and healthy lives, it is obvious how important our doing so is to our people. By being industrious, committed, concerned and creative, we define ourselves in positive terms." "I could see that my significance as an individual was small....I had become, whether I liked it or not, a symbol, representing my people....I could not run from that situation."--Marian Anderson

My weekly "Shout-Outs" go to: Dr. Sandy (First Year Studies), the students of "Co-Mo" and "OShay", Diane Kennedy, Angie Chamblee, Beverly Love-Holt, Felicia Smith, Lothar Spang, Debbie Tucker, Dee Calloway, Sherri Jones, and Laurie McGowan. You guys are the best!

February 19, 2007

The Mobile Librarian - an update
I worked my first Sunday evening in Coleman-Morse last night. I had a lot of curious onlookers peek into my space to say hello. I even managed to answer about 4-5 questions last night. I spent most of the evening walking around "Co-Mo" passing out bookmarks and writing pens to all students present. They were of course a hit, as the semester progresses, I can anticipate more students seeking out my assistance.

Today was my first day in O'Shay. I was warmly received by students in the building. I gave out more pens, and distributed flyers to various departments about the Mobile Librarian project. I answered three reference questions, and answered 2 general information questions. This was fantastic! I am grateful to Beverly Love-Holt who has warmly received me in the office and made sure that the scholars present know what my purpose is as the Mobile Librarian. As a result, I have been invited to join a discussion session with lunch included on Friday afternoons. This will also give me another opportunity to engage the scholarly community in a warm and inviting community atmosphere.

It is really a blessing to be in this place.......

Leslie

February18, 2007

The Mobile Librarian notes...........
My first Sunday evening in Coleman-Morse Hall. Throughout the evening, students have been peering in the doorway to send a smile my way, and pick up the handouts that were provided me from Laurie and Cheri. The new pens are a hit! I gave away about 35 pens away this evening, I answered 4 reference questions and one question via my e-mail. I brought over some more flyers to Coleman-Morse. Tommorow morning, I will be treking over to O'Shay to market this service to students and faculty. I surmise that business will pick up as the weeks go by....I am so glad that I have this opportunity to be here.

Woooo........Hoooo!.....
I am excited about the announcement Nigel sent out on the ULON for a faculty library position that I qualify for. I am fortunate to have colllegial support in and out of the libraries at Notre Dame. I have current & former colleagues sending up many prayers on my behalf. This is a good place for me to further develop my academic career. All of my references have given me the "go-ahead" to list them for contact by the search committee. This is a very important time in my life as an academic librarian.

Another Publishing Opportunity......
I have finished my draft of an article I am submitting to an library journal tommorow morning. This is so exciting..........

My Shout-Outs for the last couple of days:
Laurie, Laura, Dwight, Pascal, Jessica, Dr. Sandy Harmatiuk-First Year Studes; All of you have made the last couple of days a humbling experience for me!

-Leslie

February 14, 2007
I'm back! I am behind in my blogging due to my many Library activities! This is no complaint...I am doing what I love to do. My colleagues here at Notre Dame are so supportive of my work, and its gratifying to be in this environment.

"Taking the library on the road: The Mobile Librarian"
This is my project for this rotation and its going fabulously! Dean Page and Associate Dean Chambliss of First Year Studies have given me an awesome space to be the on-site librarian in Coleman-Morse. It was a terrible snow storm my first evening in "Co-Mo" and so the workshops scheduled for that evening were canceled. I did however, answer three reference questions and I spent time walking around the 2nd floor where I'm located to pass out library pens and bookmarks; I also informed students that I will be around on Sunday evenings to assist them with their reference needs in addition to my Tuesday evening presence. Dean Chambliss had her staff hang my Posters announcing my project and the IM chat Reference Service we now provide to our students at ND. This project brings alot of fond memories of working at the Undergraduate Library at WSU during the evenings and weekends helping our freshman/sophmore undergraduate students. I am real fortunate in being able to service this population of students again.

My AWESOME Boss for this rotation, Sherri Jones is very supportive of my work. I am very fortunate to have her in my professional corner! Starting Monday, I will be in O'Shay doing this same project on Mondays & Wednesdays. To make sure I don't overwhelm my schedule during this rotation, I am working Sundays thru Thursdays until the end of the semester. This is going to work well for me in that I am able to continue my community service iniatives I am currently involved in.

LibQUAL+ Project
Sherri, Jessica and I have been working on advertisements that will be placed in The Observer campus newspaper advertising how we are addressing students needs and concerns from the survey we completed in 2006. I think we have finally narrowed down what we are going to advertise.

IBLN-Indiana Library Federation
I have been invited and I have accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Indiana Black Librarians Association meeting at Indiana Tech University in Fort Wayne, Indiana on March 31, 2007. The focus of my address will talk about the benefits of a Library Residency as well as resident programs in general, and also to speak on issues of diversity in Librarianship. I am working on a dynamic presentation with bibliographic sources. I have also been asked to speak on why libraries (particularly academic institutions should adopt residency programs in their libraries).

ACRL Conference
I really wanted to attend the upcoming conference in Baltimore, but to no avail, I couldn't find a hotel room or a roommate. The opening keynote address is by a dynamic and very influential speaker, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson ( a fellow former Detroiter from the Westside---hey). I have had the occassion to have met and chatted with him twice in my work life, once at the University of Detroit Mercy, and once at Wayne State University. Hi Elizabeth: I should have called ya, we could have been roommates, but alas, I have committed to speaking at the IBLN conference..I am looking forward to seeing you again in April! (Smile)

My Shout-Outs for the last couple of days & weeks.........
Dean Page, Dean Chambliss, Dr. Richard Pierce, Sherri Jones, Jessica Kayongo,Laura Bayard, Nigel Butterwick, Sue Dietl,Cheri Smith, Laurie McGowan,Clara Enriquez, Pascal Calarco, Ross Fergueson, and last but certianly not the least, Elaine in 221=My gratitude for helping me these last few weeks in my work; I am successful in my work at ND because of you!

--Leslie