Library and Information Studies Career Guide : Beginning Your Career

*also available as an e-book

A state-of-the-art guide to the world of library and information science that gives readers valuable insights into the field and practical tools to succeed in it. As the field of information science continues to evolve, professional-level opportunities in traditional librarianship--especially in school and public libraries--have stalled and contracted, while at the same time information-related opportunities in non-library settings continue to expand. These two coinciding trends are opening up many new job opportunities for LIS professionals, but the challenge lies in helping them (and LIS students) understand how to align their skills and mindsets with these new opportunities.

*Available as an e-book

Whether you are just beginning your career or are a seasoned professional, navigating the academic library workplace comes with inherent challenges. You have to understand the official and unofficial mission of the library and the organization of which it is a part, maneuver within the political landscape, mesh with colleagues' personalities and roles, and learn how to do your job well. The 360 Librarian defines a framework for practicing librarianship with critical reflection, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. It can help you become more purposeful in your daily interactions with students, faculty, and staff, and create pathways to authentic engagement. An engaged library practice consists of continual give-and-take, careful assessment of yourself and others, and full-circle situational awareness.

Provides you with the framework, support, and direction to help you identify and pursue multiple opportunities to grow your career. You'll get to try out activities that will help you take a realistic look at where you are now, identify what possibilities might be available to you going forward, and determine how you can move in your desired direction to grow your career.

This resource will enable professionals at every stage of their careers to honestly assess their skills and knowledge. Utilizing the RUSA (Reference and User Services Association) Professional Competencies as a framework for reflecting on strengths as well as gaps in expertise, it guides readers through developing strategies to enhance their professional standing and potential, thereby leading to a more satisfying career. This book not only authoritatively tells practitioners, managers, students and educators what is expected of reference and user services librarians, but also points the way towards achieving those competencies.

This book will provide readers with a step-by-step process to gain the skills needed to have effective difficult conversations that hold themselves and others accountable. Activities throughout the book will encourage practicing skills to learn the concepts in more depth prior to an actual conversation. After reading this book, readers will be able to: Identify conversations that need their intervention in order to avoid unnecessary conversations, successfully prepare for and implement a difficult conversation in order to effectively manage change and handle personnel issues, understand the importance of follow up in order to effect change and hold employees accountable, and improve their ability to handle conflicts in the workplace.

For more than thirty years, Writing for Social Scientists has been a lifeboat for writers in all fields, from beginning students to published authors. It starts with a powerful reassurance: Academic writing is stressful, and even accomplished scholars like sociologist Howard S. Becker struggle with it. And it provides a clear solution: In order to learn how to write, take a deep breath and then begin writing. Revise. Repeat.

*Available as an e-book

This book will get librarians writing by dispelling the mythos surrounding "scholarly writing" by providing practical tools and advice. Though the authors have extensive experience as scholars, this book is written in a friendly, approachable, non-intimating manner.

This practical guide will supply the encouragement and direction for you to effectively communicate using the written word and start publishing, which will likely serve to boost your career. It explains the difference between traditional and self-publishing; supplies advice on picking a publisher and working successfully with a publisher; and provides useful information on copyright, open access publishing, and contract signing. While geared to all librarians, this book also includes text intended specifically for librarians on the tenure track and those who wish to experiment with new media.