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This series has given you ways of increasing your library intelligence. Wherever you are in the library and information science field, you need to continue to increase your knowledge of the field. You also need to increase your knowledge of what is happening in other areas.
If your library is expected to react to the world around it, then knowing what is happening around you is important. You cannot live in a vacuum. You cannot make the library your fortress against outside forces. You cannot ignore what is happening out in the community. You must be aware of what is happening and take time to learn about non-LIS things.
Take time to understand what is happening in your larger community - whatever that community might be. What are its issues, concerns, or joys? What is changing or needs to be changed? What's happening with the budget, land use, etc.? What are people protesting and why? Learn this so that when you need the information or a point of reference, you have it. Learn this so if something occurs that requires the library to act, you can do so quickly.
You can learn what's happening outside of the library through interacting with your community and your larger organization. You should also be paying attention to the news sources, which are relevant for your community. While you may be unable to read, listen, or watch everything that is relevant, you can read headlines and table of contents, and then read any articles that seems particularly useful. You might want to attend relevant meetings or information sessions in your community, as a way of learning more about what your community is discussing. Of course, don't forget that social media can help you stay on top of what your community is discussing. Just be sure that you're hearing from multiple sides on an issue.
As for use, this new knowledge which you have garnered is only effective if you utilize it. Be willing to be part of library conversations, whether that is with LIS students, LIS professionals, or members of your larger community. Share what you know about libraries but remember:
- Do not use library jargon. Please don't use library jargon with members of your larger community, because if you use words that they do not understand, they will just stop listening to you. Limit your use of library jargon with other members of the LIS profession, because the breadth of the profession means that we all don't actually understand each other's jargon.
- Listen. The saying is that you have two ears and only one mouth, so you'll listen twice as long as you speak. When you listen, you will actually have a better idea of what you should be talking about. If you're unclear about what you should be saying, ask open ended questions. By the way, some members of our community are rarely listened to. Being willing to listen actively and openly is a wonderful gift.
- Acknowledge that you don't know everything. There will always be topics that you don't understand. If it is a topic that you really do need to know more about, use your library skills to learn about it.
Previous posts in this series:
- Upping Your Library Intelligence: An Area You Need To Focus On
- Upping Your Library Intelligence: Words Matter
- Upping Your Library Intelligence: Reading, Listening, and Watching
- Upping Your Library Intelligence: Expanding and Tapping into the LIS Network
- Upping Your Library Intelligence: Get Digital
- Upping Your Library Intelligence: Put in the Time
- Upping Your Library Intelligence: An Ongoing Need
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2 comments:
"If you have comments, questions, concerns, or ideas, I hope that you will post them as a comment."
Done!
"If you have found this series useful, please comment and tell me why."
Because you've condensed a lifelong pursuit of learning into essential, digestible bits
"And if you know someone who should read this series, please pass it along to them."
About to do this, and hope we can use this for T is for Training soon.
Paul, thank you for ALL your comments. I look forward to how you're going to draw more people to this series.
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