NMRT (New Members Round Table)

Happy new year everyone! Now that 2021 is behind us, let's kickstart 2022 with this month's Networking topic. What does networking look like for you? How do you network? Do you find it difficult or do you find it easy to do? What are you looking to achieve by networking? Do you have any networking tips?

I graduated in May 2020, and as a new grad, I had many questions that needed answers and felt uncertain about the future. Much of my uncertainty was triggered by the pandemic. I needed guidance in navigating my path to enter the field in such a precarious time. I needed to know the next steps to take to stand out from other new grads. I needed to talk to those who already traveled the path that I was about to take. I knew that networking/connecting with others was the only way I would get those answers.

Networking gave me the opportunity to glean knowledge from so many wonderful people-seasoned and fellow new professionals- and helped me to gain confidence in the skills that I already possessed.

My networking involves the following:

• Posting my questions directly to group discussion boards. 

The responses that I've received in the past have been amazing! There were those who gave such detailed advice that I eventually began to compile a list from them. I've also connected with some of these individuals outside of the ALA Connect platform.

• Participating in activities that give me the opportunity to learn and grow professionally.
• Volunteering to serve on ALA committees. 
• Participating in mentorship programs.
• Attending professional conferences and events.

I'm a bit of an introvert and so networking was always difficult for me. To be honest, I still struggle with it but I've found ways to manage. For example, I make sure that I carve out some alone/quiet time during the week for myself. This prevents me from feeling drained and enables me to be my best self around others.

I'll pause there for now. Feel free to join the conversation and share your thoughts. I'm really looking forward to reading your responses!

------------------------------
Doreen Dixon
Electronic Records Archivist | Assistant Professor of Librarianship
Cowles Library, Drake University
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Hi Allen,
I'm glad that I was able to help!

I can't say whether or not there is a "best" major for preparing for an MLIS degree. My undergraduate degree was in graphic design, and while in grad school there were others in the program with various undergrad degrees. I suggest that you try to connect with more public librarians to hear their perspectives. I recommend posting to the PLA discussion board if possible. While in grad school, I posted my questions to discussion boards that were my areas of interest. I'm sure you'll get tons of responses!
Let me know the result if you decide to do that.

Please remember that you're NEVER alone. Happy new year to you too!

------------------------------
Doreen Dixon
Electronic Records Archivist | Assistant Professor of Librarianship
Cowles Library, Drake University
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 02, 2022 09:50 PM
From: Allen Buzzeo
Subject: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

Dear Doreen,

My name is Allen Buzzeo, and I am an undergrad student and also an introvert. It really meant a lot to me every word of guidance you gave and every single word you said. I just wanted to ask you, because I am struggling to decide on an undergrad major and my two public librarians told me that English is the best to prepare for a Master's in Library and Information Sciences. How do you feel about this? Thank you the most! I am really strongly wanting to become a librarian, maybe a public librarian if I had to pick now. It makes me feel less alone being an introvert and I know that networking will be a challenge for me, so your advice really means a lot to me. Happy New Year and a million thanks!

Sincerely,

Allen Buzzeo

Original Message:
Sent: 1/2/2022 10:51:00 PM
From: Allen Buzzeo
Subject: RE: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

Dear Doreen,

My name is Allen Buzzeo, and I am an undergrad student and also an introvert. It really meant a lot to me every word of guidance you gave and every single word you said. I just wanted to ask you, because I am struggling to decide on an undergrad major and my two public librarians told me that English is the best to prepare for a Master's in Library and Information Sciences. How do you feel about this? Thank you the most! I am really strongly wanting to become a librarian, maybe a public librarian if I had to pick now. It makes me feel less alone being an introvert and I know that networking will be a challenge for me, so your advice really means a lot to me. Happy New Year and a million thanks!

Sincerely,

Allen Buzzeo

Original Message:
Sent: 1/2/2022 10:51:00 PM
From: Allen Buzzeo
Subject: RE: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

Dear Doreen,

My name is Allen Buzzeo, and I am an undergrad student and also an introvert. It really meant a lot to me every word of guidance you gave and every single word you said. I just wanted to ask you, because I am struggling to decide on an undergrad major and my two public librarians told me that English is the best to prepare for a Master's in Library and Information Sciences. How do you feel about this? Thank you the most! I am really strongly wanting to become a librarian, maybe a public librarian if I had to pick now. It makes me feel less alone being an introvert and I know that networking will be a challenge for me, so your advice really means a lot to me. Happy New Year and a million thanks!

Sincerely,

Allen Buzzeo

Hi Allen, 

I agree there isn't a best major. Sometimes librarians have specific interests or ideas about what library work is, so English seems like a good fit for them. It really depends on so many factors. My undergraduate degree is in psychology. It helps me approach working with others better and I'm a good researcher because of my experiences. I think an undergraduate degree should prepare you to understand projects, problem solve, find good information sources, collaborate with others, do well in writing assignments, contribute professionally and academically to discussion forums and other class participation tasks.  This is what I see as a lot of the base work required to do well in a MLIS program. If your undergraduate degree is doing well at that, then the point of the coursework is really meant to develop your interests more than your skills in my opinion.  I would look at MLIS programs you may be interested in and look at their paths or concentrations. A focus on something like community informatics can be very different than an academic library path. If you see some required courses that you feel you need more preparation for or courses you have no idea what they're even about, you could use your undergraduate degree to explore those areas to see if you're interested or particularly skilled in that area. It could help you decide how to pursue your MLIS.

------------------------------
Jessica Kirk
Arkansas State Library
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 02, 2022 09:50 PM
From: Allen Buzzeo
Subject: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

Dear Doreen,

My name is Allen Buzzeo, and I am an undergrad student and also an introvert. It really meant a lot to me every word of guidance you gave and every single word you said. I just wanted to ask you, because I am struggling to decide on an undergrad major and my two public librarians told me that English is the best to prepare for a Master's in Library and Information Sciences. How do you feel about this? Thank you the most! I am really strongly wanting to become a librarian, maybe a public librarian if I had to pick now. It makes me feel less alone being an introvert and I know that networking will be a challenge for me, so your advice really means a lot to me. Happy New Year and a million thanks!

Sincerely,

Allen Buzzeo

Hi Allen!

Another introvert here, so I totally get where you are coming from! There are a lot of us.

I have a degree in English. I can't say that it prepared me for the MLIS better than any other degree would have, though. There isn't a lot of grammar parsing or literary analysis in the MLIS program.

BUT, there is a lot of reading (so... many... articles), discussion, and papers. So, any bachelors that requires you to research, write papers, cite sources, write bibliographies, etc. is going to be the way to go. Because those are the skills you're going to need, and advanced degrees usually expect you to have learned it as an undergrad. (I say this because there are degrees that are not research heavy and I've seen those students struggle when they get to advanced degrees).

You don't know exactly where you'll end up or how your position will evolve, so having those skills to research, learn, to teach yourself, is going to be key in letting you fill in any gaps in your education on the fly.

I went into my MLIS intending to be an Academic Reference librarian. I got the Academic right, but I'm a cataloger/discovery (focused on the online catalog search's user design) librarian. I just taught myself programming in Python so I could write a script to solve a metadata clean-up problem so that records would look better in the catalog.
¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

You never know!  (I didn't HAVE to teach myself Python... but the problem was really annoying me and I hate the idea of the team manually fixing thousands of records if I can automate it). 


------------------------------
Jessica Kruppa
Metadata and Discovery Librarian
University of California - Riverside
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 02, 2022 09:50 PM
From: Allen Buzzeo
Subject: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

Dear Doreen,

My name is Allen Buzzeo, and I am an undergrad student and also an introvert. It really meant a lot to me every word of guidance you gave and every single word you said. I just wanted to ask you, because I am struggling to decide on an undergrad major and my two public librarians told me that English is the best to prepare for a Master's in Library and Information Sciences. How do you feel about this? Thank you the most! I am really strongly wanting to become a librarian, maybe a public librarian if I had to pick now. It makes me feel less alone being an introvert and I know that networking will be a challenge for me, so your advice really means a lot to me. Happy New Year and a million thanks!

Sincerely,

Allen Buzzeo

Original Message:
Sent: 1/6/2022 1:00:00 PM
From: Jessica Kruppa
Subject: RE: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

Hi Allen!

Another introvert here, so I totally get where you are coming from! There are a lot of us.

I have a degree in English. I can't say that it prepared me for the MLIS better than any other degree would have, though. There isn't a lot of grammar parsing or literary analysis in the MLIS program.

BUT, there is a lot of reading (so... many... articles), discussion, and papers. So, any bachelors that requires you to research, write papers, cite sources, write bibliographies, etc. is going to be the way to go. Because those are the skills you're going to need, and advanced degrees usually expect you to have learned it as an undergrad. (I say this because there are degrees that are not research heavy and I've seen those students struggle when they get to advanced degrees).

You don't know exactly where you'll end up or how your position will evolve, so having those skills to research, learn, to teach yourself, is going to be key in letting you fill in any gaps in your education on the fly.

I went into my MLIS intending to be an Academic Reference librarian. I got the Academic right, but I'm a cataloger/discovery (focused on the online catalog search's user design) librarian. I just taught myself programming in Python so I could write a script to solve a metadata clean-up problem so that records would look better in the catalog.
¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

You never know!  (I didn't HAVE to teach myself Python... but the problem was really annoying me and I hate the idea of the team manually fixing thousands of records if I can automate it). 


------------------------------
Jessica Kruppa
Metadata and Discovery Librarian
University of California - Riverside
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Hello Doreen,

I have always had a difficult time networking. I have a large group on LinkedIn and Facebook, but always feel a little embarrassed to ask questions or solicit advice from those platforms. I am also very introverted, which makes me anxious whenever I speak to colleagues. Interestingly enough, I don't have those issues when speaking with students or patrons. It's almost like I begin playing a character in front of others.

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

------------------------------
Adam Harness
Digital Collections & Initiatives Instructional Librarian
Charleston School of Law
------------------------------

Hi Adam,
I've only posted my questions (to large groups) on the ALA connect platform. As a grad student this is the platform that I chose to ask all my questions and found that people were extremely welcoming and willing to share information. It was extremely difficult for me to do at first but I was intentional in giving myself that push. It started with a simple question and it got a little easier for me after that.

In regards to your anxiety in speaking with colleagues.  I always try to find the source of my anxiety in certain situations. Finding the source helps me to develop a strategy to remain relaxed in those specific situations. Sorry I couldn't be of more help with this.

------------------------------
Doreen Dixon
Electronic Records Archivist | Assistant Professor of Librarianship
Cowles Library, Drake University
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 03, 2022 09:18 AM
From: Adam Harness
Subject: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

Hello Doreen,

I have always had a difficult time networking. I have a large group on LinkedIn and Facebook, but always feel a little embarrassed to ask questions or solicit advice from those platforms. I am also very introverted, which makes me anxious whenever I speak to colleagues. Interestingly enough, I don't have those issues when speaking with students or patrons. It's almost like I begin playing a character in front of others.

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

------------------------------
Adam Harness
Digital Collections & Initiatives Instructional Librarian
Charleston School of Law
------------------------------

Love this topic, thanks so much for sharing, Doreen!

I have always felt kind of uncomfortable with the idea of networking, but I've reframed it for myself as being curious about other people and what they do and what gets them excited, and that has really helped me. Most people enjoy talking about how they spend their time, and it's such a great way to learn and get excited yourself. That framing helps me to feel less like it's a transactional interaction (like, let me add you to the list of people I know, eep), and more like a genuine conversation rooted in learning and mutual interest.

+1 on being an introvert, and naturally pretty shy! One of the reasons I started trying to present at conferences (even short things like lightning talks) was so that other people might come up to me and initiate the conversation. I'm over that barrier now, but it was really helpful to me early on!

------------------------------
Dani Cook
Associate University Librarian, Learning and User Experience
UC San Diego Library
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Yes, I was thinking along these lines and you expressed it well. There's something about the term networking that doesn't feel quite right. I was going to say I'm often accidently networking because I'm  simply interested in others.  Naturally making connections feels more comfortable. You really do end up meeting really smart people who are interested in talking about what they love  when you engage in professional organizations.  That's the draw for me. 

I'm not great at talking about myself in person or expressing the skills I'm comfortable with. So building up that reciprocal relationship is an area of growth for me.  I like the suggestion of being more willing to present professionally. How else does one have people remember you and remember you can be a resource if you're just absorbed in learning about what they're doing?

------------------------------
Jessica Kirk
Arkansas State Library
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 04, 2022 11:56 AM
From: Dani Cook
Subject: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

Love this topic, thanks so much for sharing, Doreen!

I have always felt kind of uncomfortable with the idea of networking, but I've reframed it for myself as being curious about other people and what they do and what gets them excited, and that has really helped me. Most people enjoy talking about how they spend their time, and it's such a great way to learn and get excited yourself. That framing helps me to feel less like it's a transactional interaction (like, let me add you to the list of people I know, eep), and more like a genuine conversation rooted in learning and mutual interest.

+1 on being an introvert, and naturally pretty shy! One of the reasons I started trying to present at conferences (even short things like lightning talks) was so that other people might come up to me and initiate the conversation. I'm over that barrier now, but it was really helpful to me early on!

------------------------------
Dani Cook
Associate University Librarian, Learning and User Experience
UC San Diego Library
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

Doreen, this is such a great topic! Like Dani, I think focusing less on the idea of networking and more on the idea of getting to know someone has made networking easier for me. In my previous career teaching, too, there were always things I had questions about so I started getting comfortable just asking people questions - something that I've realized is inadvertently is a great way to network when you're at things like conferences. It took time, and I still wouldn't say it's easy just to approach people (whether online or in-person), but most people I've asked questions of within the field have been overwhelmingly kind and helpful. They enjoy sharing what they know and offering their advice/perspectives. I still prefer talking to someone in-person which has been difficult over the past couple years, but I've also tried to make use of the conferences I've attended by taking notes on presentations that stood out to me so I can reach out to presenters beyond conferences if I think their research either aligns with my own or is impactful to my work. 

On the other hand, my LinkedIn looks pretty sparse. I don't grasp that type of online networking (yet) because it doesn't feel as natural to me. Finding what works best for your personality, and maybe reframing it and not calling it networking, I think can be really important.

------------------------------
Ella Gibson
Online Learning & Instruction Librarian
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------

I think that there are different "levels" of networking- there is local networking, within your library system/cohort, and within your community. For example, outreach and connection with local schools was a large part of my previous job (with a public library as a children's librarian) and that work helped me to get my current job (with an academic library as a K-12 Librarian). Those connections are definitely valuable, but they aren't made online or with other librarians. You can be fully networked locally and not know another librarian in another state or even county! There is also networking within the profession, on a state and national level. This is what I think we are thinking of when we talk about networking, (at least it's what I think of) and what can be harder for most. This usually requires at the very least conference attendance on a division, state or national level, which can be expensive and demanding of time. I find that it's much easier to make connections if you are a member of a subcommittee (like this one!) and even within that, trying to get on a round table or committee or board. This makes a large organization seem smaller and more approachable, and gives you a purpose to attend the various conferences and meetings. Sometimes just going to a conference as an attendee can be very rewarding, but it can give you more of a 'purpose' if you are there to also attend meetings, or organize gatherings, etc. It's easier for me to be comfortable if I have a larger purpose at a conference, and that also helps with networking. I am friends with some prior committee members on goodreads, instagram, etc. and have used them for letters of recommendation and even references. They are definitely valuable professional contacts for sure.

------------------------------
Morgan Brickey-Jones
K-12 Librarian
University of Texas At Arlington
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 1/6/2022 10:03:00 AM
From: Morgan Brickey-Jones
Subject: RE: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

I think that there are different "levels" of networking- there is local networking, within your library system/cohort, and within your community. For example, outreach and connection with local schools was a large part of my previous job (with a public library as a children's librarian) and that work helped me to get my current job (with an academic library as a K-12 Librarian). Those connections are definitely valuable, but they aren't made online or with other librarians. You can be fully networked locally and not know another librarian in another state or even county! There is also networking within the profession, on a state and national level. This is what I think we are thinking of when we talk about networking, (at least it's what I think of) and what can be harder for most. This usually requires at the very least conference attendance on a division, state or national level, which can be expensive and demanding of time. I find that it's much easier to make connections if you are a member of a subcommittee (like this one!) and even within that, trying to get on a round table or committee or board. This makes a large organization seem smaller and more approachable, and gives you a purpose to attend the various conferences and meetings. Sometimes just going to a conference as an attendee can be very rewarding, but it can give you more of a 'purpose' if you are there to also attend meetings, or organize gatherings, etc. It's easier for me to be comfortable if I have a larger purpose at a conference, and that also helps with networking. I am friends with some prior committee members on goodreads, instagram, etc. and have used them for letters of recommendation and even references. They are definitely valuable professional contacts for sure.

------------------------------
Morgan Brickey-Jones
K-12 Librarian
University of Texas At Arlington
------------------------------

Hi Everyone!

I can't thank you enough for the outpouring of support, guidance, welcome, and wisdom you have all given me. I am going to thank you all individually in a future post here. Everything you all said really means the absolute most to me and is the absolute biggest help to me at a time when I am trying to decide on an undergrad major. This semester I am going to try out being a BS in Music major only because I am already signed up for it, but I am really feeling drawn to Psychology. I love English too, but I am clinically diagnosed with OCD and I am nervous about writing research papers in any field. Thank you the most for everyone saying what they majored in. That really means the most to me. And I agree with wanting to go ahead with an undergrad major that emphasizes research. This really means the absolute most to me how you all welcomed me into your community. Thank you the most for all of the work you do in your careers! I look up to all of you the most. In a future post I am going to thank everyone individually for all of the invaluable help that you have given me. Thank you for everyone who said they are an introvert like me, too.

Thank you the most,
Allen

------------------------------
Allen Buzzeo
He/Him/His
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jan 06, 2022 12:20 PM
From: Elizabeth Boniface
Subject: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

Depending on the association, you don't always have to attend conferences to network.

The Special Libraries Association has local chapters with happy hours and panel discussions people can attend in their area.

When the pandemic hit, these events became virtual.

State library associations also have educational events and happy hours people can attend at a local level that are not as expensive or time consuming as conferences.

I hope this helps!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Boniface 

Original Message:
Sent: 1/6/2022 10:03:00 AM
From: Morgan Brickey-Jones
Subject: RE: Online Discussion Forum January 2022 Topic: Networking

I think that there are different "levels" of networking- there is local networking, within your library system/cohort, and within your community. For example, outreach and connection with local schools was a large part of my previous job (with a public library as a children's librarian) and that work helped me to get my current job (with an academic library as a K-12 Librarian). Those connections are definitely valuable, but they aren't made online or with other librarians. You can be fully networked locally and not know another librarian in another state or even county! There is also networking within the profession, on a state and national level. This is what I think we are thinking of when we talk about networking, (at least it's what I think of) and what can be harder for most. This usually requires at the very least conference attendance on a division, state or national level, which can be expensive and demanding of time. I find that it's much easier to make connections if you are a member of a subcommittee (like this one!) and even within that, trying to get on a round table or committee or board. This makes a large organization seem smaller and more approachable, and gives you a purpose to attend the various conferences and meetings. Sometimes just going to a conference as an attendee can be very rewarding, but it can give you more of a 'purpose' if you are there to also attend meetings, or organize gatherings, etc. It's easier for me to be comfortable if I have a larger purpose at a conference, and that also helps with networking. I am friends with some prior committee members on goodreads, instagram, etc. and have used them for letters of recommendation and even references. They are definitely valuable professional contacts for sure.

------------------------------
Morgan Brickey-Jones
K-12 Librarian
University of Texas At Arlington
------------------------------

Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for joining the conversation! I really enjoyed reading your responses and suggestions. 

You're absolutely right! It's best to reframe the idea of "networking" from a transactional approach to one that is relational. Focusing more on genuinely connecting with others and getting to know them removes the burden often associated with the word "networking".

Morgan, I completely agree when you said that "I find that it's much easier to make connections if you are a member of a subcommittee (like this one!) and even within that, trying to get on a round table or committee or board. This makes a large organization seem smaller and more approachable, and gives you a purpose to attend the various conferences and meetings."

So far, I'm seeing that we should:

• Focus more on genuinely connecting with people (relational approach). The connection is formed more naturally.
• Consider presenting professionally.
• Participate on a committee, roundtable, or board.
• Remember that there are different levels of networking (within your library system/cohort and community, and within the profession, on a state and national level)
• Attend virtual events
• Ultimately, find what works best for your personality

Let me know if I missed anything. Please feel free to continue this great conversation!

------------------------------
Doreen Dixon
Electronic Records Archivist | Assistant Professor of Librarianship
Cowles Library, Drake University
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------