LIBRARY WORK
Employment
City of Destin Public Library: Library Assistant (July 2020 - Current)
For the last three years, I have worked at the Destin Library. As a part of my job, I regularly check out items to patrons and check in returned materials using integrated library software. I also help patrons search for information and/or materials, provide technology assistance, answer reference questions, and organize collections. In addition to my responsibilities at the front desk and managing the circulation of materials, I assist with library programming, acquisitions, and outreach. I have been trained in book processing along with collection development. Specifically, I have been instructed to wrap new books and process them in the catalog system. I was also trained to place orders for new children’s materials with the guidance of Youth Services Librarian Laura Harris (former) and Library Director Wen Livingston. I also assisted the Director with annual library reports required by the City of Destin, Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative (OLPLC), and State of Florida. I have experience with the RFID Library Management System and the process of implementing this tagging system in a public library. Throughout the length of my employment, I have routinely completed core trainings required for Library staff and City employees along with webinars and conferences for professional development. Overall, my experience at the Destin Library has confirmed my passion for a career in librarianship. In the last three years as a library assistant, I have developed skills and experience in various areas of a public library setting:
Circulation
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Processed circulating items
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Answered reference questions, both in person and virtually
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Provided readers' advisory to patrons (e.i., youth, young adults, adults)
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Shelved and located materials
Cataloging
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Completed interlibrary loan (ILL) requests, both ingoing and outgoing
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Wrapped new and/or damaged books
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Checked records of newly cataloged books
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Weeded and deleted collection items
Programming
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Collaborated with other staff and community members to plan events
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Participated in library programs across all age groups
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Supervised youth volunteers
Youth Services
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Placed book orders under the guidance of the Youth Services Librarian
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Assisted with youth programming and volunteer coordination
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Led and recorded children's storytimes
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Promoted and participated in annual summer reading programming
Graphic Design & Presentation of Items
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Planned bulletin boards and book displays
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Designed posters, infographics, and other promotional items for display following the City's official brand kit
Additional Items
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Created an index for the library's content management system
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Assisted the Library Director with annual reports required by the City, Cooperative, and State
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Developed and added a Diversity Statement to the Material Selection and Collection Development Policy with the Youth Services Librarian
Completed Trainings & Professional Development
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A Librarian's Guide to Homelessness (Ryan Dowd Course)
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2023 Women in Leadership Conference, University of West Florida (UWF)
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Panhandle Library Access Network (PLAN) Staff Academy Certificates *see below
Software
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EnvisionWare
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RFID Library Management System
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Koha Library Software
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Microsoft 365 (e.i., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, Teams)
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Canva
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Hoopla
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Beanstack
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OverDrive
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Libby
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Tumble Book Library
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Teen Book Cloud
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Storygraph
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ByWater Solutions
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Aspen Discovery
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FLIN SHAREit
Overall, this position allowed me to engage with the community, connect my coursework to my workplace, and pursue my passion for a career in librarianship. I look forward to full-time work relating to libraries in the near future.
Work Examples
Graphic Design
Storytimes
Book Displays
Programming
Internships
City of Destin Public Library: Young Adult Summer Library Internship (2015 - 2016)
My work in libraries began when I first interned at the Destin Library for the annual Young Adult Summer Library Internship. During the summers of 2015 and 2016, I regularly assisted the patrons of Destin, Florida. The library’s programs sought to involve the residents and unite the community. During the internship, I learned about information management and was trained to locate information for patrons. Additionally, I organized collections of materials and maintained records of items. I interned for two consecutive summers under Will Rogers, Destin Library’s Reference & Youth Services Librarian (now retired), achieving over fifty hours of volunteerism. My experience at the Destin Library inspired me to pursue an obsession with books, literature, and serving the community.
The Learning Resources Center (LRC) at Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC): Student Internship (2018)
During the summer of 2018, I had the opportunity to formally intern with an academic librarian. For my fieldwork, I trained with an academic librarian at the Learning Resources Center (LRC) at Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC). Mrs. Rhonda Trueman, the Access Services Librarian, served as my expert and guided my fieldwork. This internship allowed me to gain formal experience within a college library and explore the career of an academic librarian. Those involved in my fieldwork included my expert and the rest of the staff at the library. During my internship, I processed materials in circulation and reviewed inventory for collection development. I also worked alongside academic librarians and the other staff members at both the reference and circulation desks. This gave me firsthand experience of working within an academic library and assisting students.
I have years of experience using the following software programs: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, WordPress, Wix, Adobe Spark, Figma, and Canva. In addition, I possess technical skills pertaining to web development and content design. My previous internships and college courses especially developed these skills. For example, I gained formal experience using social media for promotional purposes during this internship. I created professional displays within the library and advertised them on social media platforms. For the service component of my project, I developed new information sources including InfoGuides, also known as LibGuides. Specifically, I assisted in the creation of a new resource guide, the Collegiate High School (CHS) Capstone Resources LibGuide. This formal internship confirmed my interests in social media, database management, information services, user design, and the application of online tools for library services.
