Hello,

I begin this narrative by summarizing my process of building and organizing this e-Portfolio. Taking the advice of my initial professor, I created a digital file as a repository for the research papers, large projects, and other course artifacts that could be displayed in this e-Portfolio. Before I registered the website, I began setting digital copies of these works aside in that location.

When I started this graduate program in 2022, my expected outcomes of the program included two paths. I desired to gain a well-rounded foundation in library science. Additionally I desired to learn how to create informative materials that could be used to relay information to either library patrons or staff. I intended to leave this program with better tools and a larger knowledge base in order to be a more effective communicator. Over these few years in this master’s program, I believe I have gained richer competencies in these learning outcomes.

The competency of effective communication is crucial for building strong professional relationships, fostering understanding, and achieving desired outcomes - whether informing patrons or instructing personnel. It allows us to share ideas, solve problems, and collaborate effectively with others to achieve goals. Clear and concise communication prevents misunderstandings, promotes trust, and enhances problem-solving abilities. In personal and professional settings, effective communication is essential for building trust, resolving conflicts, and achieving goals. Therefore, the course Preparing Instructional Media significantly enhanced my ability to communicate information to others effectively. I learned to strategically plan and design content, to select the most appropriate media formats to engage my audience, and I gained proficiency in using various tools and techniques to create visually appealing and informative materials. Additionally, the course emphasized the importance of tailoring content to specific learning styles and considering audience needs, enabling me to deliver effective messages. I utilized each of these abilities to create an online quiz focus on the topic of notable Florida women in literature.

The course Foundations of Library and Information Science provided me a solid understanding of the history and evolution of libraries as information centers. Specific topics included learning how libraries have adapted to emerging technologies through the years. The course Basic Information Sources and Services began by ensuring I had a solid understanding of the core concept of information literacy. I learned to locate credible information sources and effectively evaluate those sources and the information to answer research questions. I also was tasked with presenting these findings in an effective and precise manner. Introduction to Library Administration taught me insights into the operational and managerial aspects of libraries. Even though I am currently holding a position in a library, this course revealed multiple aspects of the inner-workings of a public library as well as topics that are front of mind of library administrators. Managerial tools used for human resources and ethical considerations when decision-making were crucial topics in that course, from which I learned a great deal.

Research Methods in Library and Information Science equipped me with the understanding of the full research process. The professor emphasized the accurate manner to collect and analyze data. The projects in that course honed my skills in evaluating evidence and writing professionally on a research topic important to my field in library science. The information obtained in the Organization of Knowledge course will be utilized by me throughout my career. It instructed on the principles behind knowledge organization, the concept and use of metadata in describing and organizing information, and it included invaluable content regarding ethical considerations of information organizations. The course Collection Development and Maintenance was taken as I constructed this portfolio. Even the initial readings from this course offered invaluable insights into the history and core principles of collection development. Early on, I was able to acquire critical knowledge about the factors that influence the building of collections, factors such as the organization’s need, its budget concerns, and its institutional goals.

I am compelled to also state the professional preparation afforded to me by the electives I took during this program. History of Libraries, Youth Services, Preparing Instructional Media, while an elective, was foundational in its learning outcomes that are applied to my profession daily. Through these courses, I was able to delve into the evolution of libraries throughout time, across the globe. I was able to explore the role libraries have played in cultures beginning from ancient civilizations. Youth Services assisted greatly in my understanding of the needs and motivations of young people and children to visit libraries and information centers. I was able to interact with multiple library personnel who provide these services and I learned of the skill required to plan and implement programs that cater to these growing young patrons. Preparing Instructional Media offered extremely useful information to understand the principles of instructional design, use new technology resources, and understand copyright and fair use laws, to name a few. I was able to develop instructional media for this course and take those skills directly to my current position to create instructional media for library staff.

For this portfolio, I selected artifacts that would be not only a good representation of my meeting core learning outcomes, but they would also be of a variety to demonstrate the myriad of deliverables created during this program. For instance, the selection of my qualitative study for the Research Methods course allowed me to apply my critical thinking, reflection, and problem-solving skills by going beyond simply reading a case study. I was able to improve my ability to evaluate data and think beyond my individual viewpoint. The video artifact from the Preparing Instructional Media course allowed me to utilize the foundations of effective communication skills. First, the process required me to think critically about the information I wanted to convey. I initially organized my thoughts by creating a storyboard. I was able to identify the key points I wanted to convey and the learning outcomes I wanted the viewers to achieve. For the Introduction to Library Administration course, critiquing the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative’s strategic plan strengthened my ability to evaluate information objectively, a crucial skill for navigating complex professional situations. Furthermore, critiquing the plan allows me to see the bigger picture and to understand how different library services interconnect, and how their plan aligns with the community's needs. Crafting a video tutorial instructing libraries how to build an augmented reality space helped me demonstrate leadership skills and innovation in a diverse and global environment. For the course Foundations of Library and Information Science, the artifact tackling the evolution of diversity in library information systems caused me to confront the ever-changing needs of individuals and communities. By understanding the evolution of information needs, I can analyze the diverse needs of current communities and propose strategies for libraries to keep pace with a constantly evolving information landscape.

Putting together an infographic about information resources is like building a user-friendly map. It forces me to think critically about the vast landscape of print and digital resources available. I need to categorize them by type (academic journals, websites, databases) and highlight their strengths and weaknesses. This analysis helps me understand how each resource fulfills different user needs. This assignment forced me to condense complex information about resources into easily digestible visuals and concise text. The artifact of the research paper examining the potential of blockchain technology in libraries pushed me to explore the intersection of information services and cutting-edge information technology. By delving into how blockchain's core functionalities like secure data storage and tamper-proof records can be applied to library systems, I gained a deeper understanding of how technology can revolutionize information management, collection, storage, and use.

For Project Management for Information Professionals, I created a project that dissected and evaluated the failed London Tower Bridge project through a presentation is a crash course in information wrangling. This process forced me to consider the most effective way to communicate each piece of information, choosing the format (text, image, data visualization) that best conveys the message to my audience. Ultimately, creating this presentation was an exercise in transforming a jumble of information into a cohesive and informative narrative. An altogether different project for Foundations in Library and Information Science, I crafted an infographic about library business management is a springboard for understanding how technology shapes knowledge representation in libraries. Beyond simple representation, the infographic becomes a tool to showcase the impact of technology in library management. Building an annotated bibliography on library and information science for the course Basic Information Sources and Services exposed me to the diverse applications of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Ultimately, creating this annotated bibliography equipped me with the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, recognizing their roles in uncovering a solid understanding of information needs, behaviors, and library services. For the course Organization of Knowledge, examining artificial intelligence’s role in automating document classification opens doors for me to identify exciting opportunities to utilize this emerging technology. By delving into the current state of document classification in libraries, I was able to pinpoint areas where manual processes create bottlenecks and inconsistencies. Using machine learning algorithms trained on library-specific data sets could achieve high accuracy. By considering the factors related to this innovation, the industry could implement solutions using artificial intelligence, but also incorporate user feedback and establish clear metrics to measure success in an actual public library environment.

I can already see examples of how I am able to use my knowledge and skills obtained while in the program in my professional career. As the Business Manager for the Monroe County Public Library System in the Florida Keys, I am able to create instructional materials for staff utilizing the foundations learned in Preparing Instructional Media. I am able to utilize computer applications such as Polaris with more efficiency thanks to Applications in Library and Information Science. I am able to contribute to managerial decisions that affect staff due to the information gathered in Introduction to Library Administration. I have used skills learned in Research Methods in Lib & Info Science to perform research to acquire staff responses and analyse it for better decision-making. Collection Development and Maintenance has already begun to produce dividends by informing me of foundational information needed to build a collection such as the one in my public library. Although this course may not be fully put into practice in the near future. I am confident that my future positions within this library system will greatly benefit from this critical knowledge learned in this course.

In conclusion, as I reflect upon my experience within this MLIS program, I extend sincere gratitude for the wealth of knowledge learned and the expanse amount of actionable, useful information and skills obtained. From specific points of information such as historical facts to more qualitative skills such as critical thinking and information validity assessments, I have honed several professional strengths, and gained a multiple of new abilities. As I continue to advance within my public library system, I am confident that I will utilize the skills learned in this program every day.