Stories of Librarianship

“A new librarian’s stories and perspectives on libraries and the profession.”

As a budding library professional, I thought it was about time I started my own blog. This blog began as I was trekking through my final semester in library school in fall of 2007. There isn’t a clear focus, since my positions and experiences keep changing (as does the entire profession, it seems!). But I do hope this blog will help facilitate discussion of various outreach and professional development activities, new technologies & other methods of reaching communities, and the future role of libraries and librarianship.

About me, I obtained my MLS from the School of Information Resources & Library Science (SIRLS) at the University of Arizona (UA). I began the program in the fall of 2005 and graduated December 2007. I was President of the Library Student Organization, our ALA Student Chapter, Spring 2006-Spring 2007, which was a fantastic experience. I also co-chaired the planning for our 3rd Annual Graduate Student Symposium held in November 2007.

I was full-time staff in the Materials Access Team (access services) at the UA Library starting in 2005, and held the title of Library Specialist, then Library Information Associate, and finally Library Information Analyst. Prior to becoming staff I was a student worker (shelving, paging, maps, newspapers, circ desk, scanning, photocopy, you name it) for two years. In January 2008 I landed a temporary Assistant Librarian position with the Undergraduate Services Team; later that year I was hired on permanently. So now I work primarily with reference services, outreach, and instructional services for undergrads. I am a learning environments scanner, an instructional designer, and a public services strategist.

I have a passion for librarianship and its values, particularly teaching information literacy, promoting equity of access & freedom of information, participating in outreach to communities, and encouraging continuous learning.

I hope you enjoy the blog. Thanks for visiting!

Rebecca Blakiston

See my interview as “featured student” in the SIRLS blog

See my profile on the ACRL Insider as ACRL Member of the Week

E-mail me