One fourth of YALSA members are library science students or new librarians. I am proud to be one of them. Last Feburary on top of my SLIS classes I signed up for a YALSA class, and there I was able to meet librarians from all of the United States. After the class ended I was invited to blog on the YALSA blog, and got involved in YALSA’s committees. The best experience I had was volunteering to represent YALSA for an hour at a conference I was already attending.
Getting involved while still in school was was a great way to become a professional, and now YALSA wants to do the same for you. Do you have a hobby or a special skill that relates to new technology, or teen culture? Have you worked with teens and young adults whether college freshman or a sixth grade boy/girl scout troupe? While in library school you should explore what area of librarianship that interests you, but also gain experience by volunteering when possible.
If you would like to learn more about being a professional librarian, connect with future colleagues, or get information pertinent to students, consider participating in the Student Interest Group. You must be a member of YALSA to serve on committees and access archives of web casts interviews with professionals.
The first web cast we will have is open to all students and new librarians. Join us Sunday October 29th at 6pm EST with Lori Bell of the Alliance Library System and Second Life Library. This innovative individual will be available to talk with participants about getting involved when you have little experience. Details about accessing this presentation will be provided later. Leave a comment if you are interested.
Please stay tuned and give us feedback about anything you would like to see offered from this group. I am just one, and it is up to you to make this group a success.
I hope to see you in the future at a conference or online. In the mean time take some time to explore the social software featured on the YALSA blog for the next month. Maybe start a professional blog and write your own comments on it.
