Camp

Dominican University

Reflective Essay

Justin A. Camp

Submitted as partial fulfillment

of e-Portfolio for award of MLIS from Dominican University

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Over the course of the last few years I have learned much in the
way of libraries and information science. Perhaps, I would say that I
have learned more about myself, and where I see my professional
interest headed than anything over the last 18 months. My time at
Dominican has undoubtedly been one of the most enjoyable times as
both a student and as a professional. During the course of study in
graduate school for my business degree, there wasnt much of a sense
of community. This time around Im not sure if it happens to be the
gothic architecture, the ivy, of perhaps the genuine effort made by
faculty, but I feel a sense of comradery amongst those I have studied
with and learned from. For those that are close to me, they know that
due to my military service, I have a deteriorating disability that has
often times crippled my ability to communicate. In no particular order I
wish to thank Dr. Crowley, Dr. Stewart, Dr. Brown, Dr. Salvatore, Dr.
Huggins, and Dr. Snow. As faculty you have been gracious and
understanding, and I am eternally grateful. As my adviser, Dr. Snow
has given me very well worded and timely advice, and I thank her for
turning on the light bulb in my head that is cataloguing. As I have told
you, I dont know how you do the whole cataloguing thing so well,
but boy, is it impressive.
As I move through this reflective essay I will refrain from
dissecting the artifacts as I feel that is what the e-Portfolio is for, and

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Im not one for duplicity. Additionally, I will take some time to discuss
where my feelings as they pertain to library and information science,
as well how my perspective has changed over the years. Lastly I would
like to discuss where I see my career headed in the future.
Proud Artifacts
Each artifact I have presented as my body of work for the ePortfolio are ones that I feel best exemplify my coursework over the
last many semesters. However, some artifacts more than others hold
a special place in my LIS heart. Artifact 1c was the first I decided to
include. From the very first time I heard of the e-Portfolio requirement I
knew this assignment from my LIS 701 class was going to be my initial
entry. What better way to discuss core values as it relates to the
library and information profession than to assess those addressed by
the ALA.? I took pride in this assignment that focused not only on
addressing professional competencies, but how my education and
specifically my individual classes would meet those expectations.
Additionally, I was more than delighted when Dr. Stewart asked if he
could use my work as an example for future students. As someone
who has taught for a living, I understand the joy its puts in a students
heart when their professor recognizes their hard work. Thank you Dr.
Stewart for providing that joy.
My spring LIS 771Public Libraries class was one that I will
remember for the rest of my life. As a class we were small in numbers,

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but that works well in the fishbowl. This class provided some of the
most spirited debate I have witnessed in a classroom setting, but never
was insulting. My final paper (Artifact 1d) was the culmination of that
class, and my classmates viewpoints had much to do with how that
paper was formed. Our class was a lively bunch that fueled much
debate about the MLIS and the topic of professionalism. For this
artifact I thought of my paper written for this class entitled Attacking
Professionalism: How the MLS Should Be Wielded. Many of my
classmates would relate that I am ardent with the idea of what
professionalism means to me, and to librarianship. The MLIS is an
incredibly professional degree and should be treated as such. I believe
that one day we should license our librarians as we doctors, lawyers,
and teachers, and as such professionals we must learn to wield our
degree appropriately. Dr. Crowley, I thank you for lending your ear to
some of my tangents in relation to where I see this profession headed.
One particular artifact (Artifact 2b) I am proud of was during my
first semester LIS 770 class. I took on the topic of literacy having
learned much about it during the coursework for the semester.
Literacy, and the ability to read and write effectively are central to the
survival of mankind. As human being we recognize that outside of the
spoken word, our ability to read at a cognitive level separates us from
other species. In terms of policy issues, literacy has a global impact on
the success of mankind. The inter-generation problem of illiteracy

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reaches across the geo-political spectrum and influences poverty, and

education. As librarians we must do our best to actively pursue
avenues to stamp out illiteracy. This paper from LIS 770 was a personal
favorite, as it helped shed light on the true societal impact of
illiteracy.
Harkening back to my business school days, I prepared a
presentation (Artifact 2d) in regards to Library marketing and
community needs. In developing appropriate responses to community
needs one topic come to mind. Marketing, marketing, marketing! We
just dont do this enough as librarians. I have said in many classes
before, in the business world the library would be a complete winner in
that we are a funded organization, that is no profit to make, no specific
product to sell, yet people yearn for it. However, we can be better
marketers in the sense of tailoring our collections and events to better
serve our communities. I chose this marketing presentation as an
artifact by using a SWOT analysis and identifying market segments
within our community.
The Franklin Park Public Library had been my home for many
years. Throughout growing up and during high school, I made this
institution a part of my life. When I had a chance to conduct a
Reference 2.0 report (Artifact 3d) on a library, I naturally returned
home. Libraries play such a critical role in showcasing emerging
technologies. In regards to this artifact I visited my then local library of

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Franklin Park. This library hasnt been updated in a number of years

and suffers from a demographic that has better options in neighboring
suburbs. The library uses a number of services such as Tumblr,
Instagram, etc., however they arent used extensively and this can be
problematic for newer generations of library users. Moving forward,
librarians must be willing to try new technologies and be ready to
elaborate on how they benefit the community.
One of my great joys in life has been the opportunity to teach.
When reviewing this artifact (Artifact 4d) and focusing on facilitating
learning I immediately thought of the libguide I created for LIS 704.
Libguides are great for informal learning within the library. By creating
such guides, patrons have an opportunity to learn in the fly, and to get
a wealth of information in a small amount of time. In selecting this
artifact I focused on sources available to criminal justice students for
their reference. The ability to accurately reference material is
paramount to student success.
Without exception, I believe that the single largest problem
libraries face is the inability to effectively market their services.
Understandably, some are better than others, however the bulk of their
body of work is lackluster. This is an opinion of course, however its one
based in real time observation over the course of the last few years.
This artifact (Artifact 5a) was one that I was personally proud of to the
point that the topic, library marketing, became my swan song for my

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studies here at Dominican. Effective marketing is critical to the survival

of libraries of the future. As budgets begin to shrink library personnel
must do their best to market what their library does better than others
or risk consolidation.
Lastly, for LIS 791 I participated in a classroom advocacy
campaign for disabled individuals within the library services realm.
Often times the paperwork, documents, online forms, and other
requirements to file for, and research disability claims is a tough ocean
to navigate. I designed a poster (Artifact 5b) with the intent that
should I work at a library, I would have free services as it relates to
copies for disability related issues, as well as be informed about how to
help those with disabilities navigate the rough waters of being
disabled. As someone with a disability, I ask that librarians know that
we are disabled, not unable.
Nothing More Than Feelings
I feel quite proud of my work on this e-Portfolio, and when I look
back to this seemingly daunting task of its creation and laugh to
myself. In a previous bout with grad school my last semester or two
involved heavy rounds of drafts and revisions for a thesis, and some
back and forth with IRB approval forms. I appreciate the effort given
by Dominican in regards to the e-Portfolio, to let students have a wellcrafted and tangible asset at their disposal as they begin their careers.
Therefore as I reflect on my e-Portfolio as it relates to becoming a

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library/information science professional, I feel prepared, and able to

readily articulate my positions within the discipline.
Gaining Perspective
I remember during one of my classes some students gave me
the evil eye when I spoke about the requirements and degree needed
to become a librarian. To be honest, I said that the MLIS was a
pretentious degree. Sure there were some scowls, but there was a
bigger argument I was trying to make. One of the key perspectives I
gained during my time here at Dominican was to continue to bang the
drum of professionalism for the MLIS. We are librarians, and we have a
professional degree. Why arent we licensed like professionals? MD,
JD, MLIS? Why are there medical librarians and legal librarians?
Shouldnt these professional degrees suggest that they find
themselves able to accurately cultivate information? My position to my
classmates was that surely we must fight for a standard in regards to
licensure for information professionals. There are of course various
credentialing bodies for specific areas of interest, but none that would
carry the weight of a something akin to an MD, or JD. Further delay in
regards to lack of professional status lends us to fitting the definition of
pretentious in that the MLIS purports to be of greater importance than
it actually is. I assure the faculty at Dominican that this isnt a slight at
the degree. However, I do feel that we need to be better recognized as
a professional entity.

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Where to Go From Here

Many of my classmates and some of my instructors know the
struggles I have maintained with finding a library job. I have now two
graduate degrees, and often times the only jobs open are part-time
10.00/hour library assistant jobs. Even then the entry-level and really
terminal-level degree needed for these jobs is an MLIS. Often times
when responding to the job postings, I would get one of the following
responses: Youre just too overqualified for this position, Sorry, you
have no library experience, or What, no MLIS? Imagine how
frustrating this can be. I can assure you, that it gets even worse on the
west coast. However, I understand having gone through the process at
Dominican of being protective of our library positions. I do think that
we can do a better job however at giving opportunities to students and
those coming from an outside business environment. In the end I see
myself settling down in a small community college academic library, or
a very far out of the way small library outpost here in the Pacific
Northwest.
Conclusion
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to the fine
faculty at Dominican University. Over the course of my time here, I
have come to realize the practical and philosophical realties of being a
librarian. Through challenging coursework, excellent discussion, and a

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sense of compassion the MLIS has never looked as great as it does
now. In the rear view mirror! Thank you all.

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