datalis

Navigating Career Transitions in LIS: Embracing Diverse Skill Sets and Networks

A Creative Approach to Supporting Professional Development and Inclusion in Library and Information Science

Addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals at various stages of their careers in the library and information science (LIS) field, the team focused on supporting those in career transitions. This includes both LIS students entering the profession and established professionals seeking growth or change within their careers. The goal is to validate and leverage existing skills and networks while facilitating the acquisition of new ones to enhance professional support and impact.

How might we support people in career transition validate existing and build new skills and networks to increase their professional support and impact in the field.

Key Insights from the Proposal:

1. Recognition of Alternative Skill Sets and Networks: The team identified a crucial need to acknowledge and value the diverse skill sets and networks that individuals bring to the LIS profession, especially those from second careers or transitioning between library types. These existing strengths are often overlooked in favor of traditional qualifications, such as the MLIS degree.

2. The Prototype – A Metaphorical Staircase: The team’s prototype creatively illustrates the journey of career transition in LIS through the metaphor of climbing a set of stairs towards a locked gate, which represents career growth and opportunities within the profession. Traditionally, an MLIS degree acts as the key to unlocking this gate.

3. Introducing the Hatchet as a Tool for Validation: In contrast to the conventional key, the team proposes a hatchet to symbolize the act of breaking down barriers using alternative skill sets and connections. This powerful imagery advocates for a more inclusive approach to professional development, where diverse experiences and skills are actively validated and utilized to advance in the field.

4. Beyond the Gate – A Symbol of Growth and Support: The area beyond the gate is depicted as a flourishing landscape, symbolizing the potential for career growth, support, and retention in the LIS field. This vision reinforces the importance of creating an environment where all professionals, regardless of their path to the profession, can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

This team’s presentation offers a compelling vision for transforming the LIS profession into a more inclusive and supportive space for individuals undergoing career transitions. By reimagining the validation of skills and networks through the metaphor of a hatchet breaking down barriers, the proposal highlights the need for systemic changes in how professional qualifications and experiences are perceived and valued. This approach not only enriches the LIS field with a diverse range of perspectives and competencies but also ensures that it remains vibrant, adaptable, and responsive to the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

Team 16 Members

Thanks to these project team members for their collaboration with DATALIS and their contributions towards innovating professional development.

• Hannah Jones
• Jane Greenberg
• Carly Garzon Vargas
• Lynn Reeves

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Empowering Library Staff: A Financial and Time Allocation Model for Professional Development

Enhancing Staff Performance Through Targeted Support and Resource Provision

In addressing the challenge of facilitating access to professional development opportunities for library staff, content creators, and coordinators, the team refined their problem statement to focus on providing the necessary resources, knowledge, and support. This initiative aims to enable staff members to engage more actively in professional development courses, thereby improving their overall performance.

How might we assist library staff, content creator and coordinators in accessing resources, knowledge and support for role-specific professional development opportunities so they can take more courses and improve performances.

The team’s innovative prototype, symbolized by a dollar bill, identifies administrative support as a crucial factor in overcoming barriers to staff development. Recognizing that staff development coordinators often face overwhelming demands and that library staff typically operate under tight resource constraints, the prototype proposes a direct, tangible approach to empower individuals for professional growth.

Key Elements of the Prototype:

1. Financial Support: The prototype suggests allocating a budget for professional development, proposing an illustrative figure of $100 per staff member per month. This funding is intended to cover the costs associated with enrolling in professional development courses, thereby removing financial barriers to participation.

2. Time Allocation: Alongside financial support, the proposal includes a recommendation for dedicated time allocation, suggesting 3 hours per month for staff to engage in professional development activities. This acknowledgment of the importance of time reflects an understanding that effective learning requires not just financial resources but also the availability of time.

3. Administrative Involvement: Highlighting the role of library administration in facilitating this model, the prototype underscores the necessity of having strong administrative backing to ensure the success of the initiative. By prioritizing professional development, administrators can significantly influence the library’s capacity to support staff growth and improvement.

4. Motivation and Self-Actualization: The prototype envisions a positive cycle where the provision of resources leads to increased motivation among staff, which in turn fosters a culture of learning and self-improvement. This cycle is symbolized by a “Pyramid of Light” on the reverse side of the dollar bill, representing the journey towards self-actualization and the fulfillment that comes from personal and professional development.

This team’s presentation proposes a practical and impactful solution to the challenge of professional development within libraries. By advocating for a combination of financial support and dedicated time for learning, the prototype presents a holistic approach to empowering library staff. Administrative support is identified as a critical element in this model, underscoring the need for a culture change at the institutional level to prioritize and value professional growth. This approach not only benefits individual staff members by enhancing their skills and motivation but also contributes to the broader organizational goal of improving library services through continuous learning and development.

Team 15 Members

Thanks to these project team members for their collaboration with DATALIS and their contributions towards innovating professional development.

• Hanlin Zhang
• Sam Eddington
• Pauline Lance

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Harmonizing Professional Growth with Strategic Library Success

Cultivating a Culture of Skill Development Aligned with Community and Organizational Goals

In an insightful presentation, the team tackled the challenge of fostering a culture within libraries that not only values and rewards skill development but also intentionally connects personal and professional growth to the strategic success of the organization and the broader community it serves.

How might we help library leaders, staff, and community partners foment culture change that values and rewards skill development and that intentionally ties personal professional development to organizational strategic success.

Core Components of the Proposal:

1. Addressing Disparate Needs: Recognizing the varied needs and aspirations of community members, library staff, and leaders, the team illustrated these differences through a metaphorical representation reminiscent of a banjo with unsprung strings. This imagery underscores the initial misalignment between individual objectives and the collective mission of the library and its community.

2. A Three-Layered Matrix of Success: At the heart of their solution is a conceptual matrix consisting of three concentric circles. The outermost ring represents the thriving community and its success, encapsulating the broader objectives that the library seeks to contribute towards. The middle ring focuses on the library’s strategic goals, defining the organizational objectives that guide its operations and services. At the center lies the library staff’s professional development, highlighting the importance of individual skill enhancement and personal growth.

3. Cultural Shift Towards Alignment: The team emphasized the need for a cultural transformation within libraries to bridge the gap between these layers. By fostering an environment that actively links staff professional development to the library’s strategic goals, and in turn, to the community’s success, the proposal envisions a harmonized approach where individual achievements and organizational objectives are interconnected.

4. Aligned Action and Goals: The envisioned outcome of this cultural change is a scenario where the disparate needs and goals of all stakeholders are brought into alignment. This alignment does not imply uniformity but rather a synergistic relationship where personal growth supports organizational strategy, which in turn, advances community well-being.

This team’s presentation offers a compelling vision for libraries seeking to create a culture that celebrates skill development while aligning it with the strategic success of the organization and the needs of the community. By proposing a framework that integrates individual professional development within the broader context of organizational and community objectives, the team outlines a path towards creating a more cohesive, strategic, and supportive library environment. This approach not only enhances the professional satisfaction of library staff but also ensures that the library remains a vital, responsive, and integral part of its community.

Team 13 Members

Thanks to these project team members for their collaboration with DATALIS and their contributions towards innovating professional development.

• Juliane Schneider
• Steve Mandeville-Gamble
• Rachel Frick

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Uniting for Advocacy: Enlisting Public and Policy Maker Support for LIS

A Novel Approach to Strengthening Information Services Through Strategic Partnerships

In an engaging presentation, the team redefined their problem statement to address a pivotal challenge: enhancing advocacy for the library and information science (LIS) profession to amplify the benefits of information services for all. Moving beyond the initial focus on empowering librarians to advocate for themselves, the team expanded their vision to include fostering partnerships with key stakeholders—namely, the public and policymakers—as advocates for the LIS field.

How might we help the public and policymakers advocate for the LIS profession to improve the benefits of information services for all.

Key Elements of the Proposal:

1. Broader Advocacy Vision: The team recognized the necessity of broadening the advocacy scope beyond librarians. By engaging both the public and policymakers, the strategy aims to create a stronger, more unified front in promoting the value and needs of the LIS profession.

2. Introduction of a Mascot, ‘Advocat’: To symbolize this concerted advocacy effort, the team introduced a mascot named ‘Advocat.’ This character serves as a rallying symbol for the battle against misinformation, embodying the spirit of cooperation and determination that underpins the team’s strategy.

3. Battling Misinformation: The choice of misinformation as the primary antagonist in this narrative highlights the critical role libraries and information professionals play in ensuring accurate, reliable access to information. Advocat, armed with the support of the public and policymakers, symbolizes the collective effort required to counteract misinformation effectively.

4. Strategic Partnerships with Stakeholders: The inclusion of the public and policymakers as partners in advocacy efforts underscores the importance of collaborative approaches in enhancing the impact of LIS services. These partnerships are pivotal in advocating for necessary resources, policy support, and public recognition of the value LIS professionals bring to communities.

5. Real-Life Application: The presentation suggests practical pathways for turning this narrative into actionable advocacy efforts. By leveraging the symbolic power of Advocat and fostering real-world collaborations, the team envisions a more engaged, informed, and supportive environment for the LIS profession.

This team’s presentation brings a creative and inclusive strategy to the forefront of advocacy efforts within the LIS field. By conceptualizing a united front against misinformation through the character of Advocat and emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships, the proposal highlights the potential for significant advancements in the recognition and support of library and information services. This approach not only seeks to elevate the LIS profession but also addresses broader societal challenges related to information access and literacy, showcasing the vital role of libraries and information professionals in fostering an informed and engaged public.

Team 12 Members

Thanks to these project team members for their collaboration with DATALIS and their contributions towards innovating professional development.

• Mace Jones
• Katie Burns
• Erik Mitchell

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Reimagining Leadership in Libraries: A Flexible Framework for Inclusive Communication

Team’s Creative Approach to Encouraging Diverse Leadership Styles and Continuous Improvement

In their presentation, the team explored innovative strategies for transforming traditional hierarchical leadership structures within library settings. Their vision challenges the conventional understanding of leadership, advocating for a more dynamic and inclusive approach that accommodates various communication styles and encourages engagement across different organizational levels.

How might we empower library workers to pursue skills that will enable better communication and decision-making at all levels of the library and foster a positive experience that reflects the needs of all stakeholders, including library leadership, workers, and users.

The core of the team’s prototype is a visual representation that emphasizes the flexibility and adaptability required in modern leadership roles. This approach acknowledges that effective leadership and communication are not one-size-fits-all but should be tailored to suit the diverse needs and situations encountered within library environments.

Key Components of the Prototype:

1. Diverse Communication Styles: The prototype illustrates the necessity of employing different communication styles, represented by arrows of various colors. This diversity acknowledges that interactions within a library can vary significantly, requiring leaders to adapt their communication methods to effectively reach and engage with their audience.

2. Acknowledgment of Overlooked Stakeholders: A critical aspect of the prototype is the recognition of individuals or groups who may have been inadvertently excluded from traditional leadership models. By identifying these overlooked stakeholders, the team highlights the importance of inclusive practices that ensure everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

3. Foundation for Future Research: The prototype includes an element that underscores the inevitability of gaps in current research and practices. It invites ongoing inquiry and development, suggesting that leadership models should continuously evolve to address previously unrecognized needs and perspectives.

4. Flexibility in Leadership Roles: A notable feature of the prototype is its depiction of leadership as a dynamic and changeable force within the organization. The concept of “sticky” leadership roles—easily adjusted or repositioned—suggests that leadership can and should be fluid, with responsibilities shifting as needed to respond to different contexts and challenges.

This team’s presentation brings a fresh perspective to leadership within the library sector, proposing a model that values flexibility, inclusivity, and continuous improvement. By challenging traditional hierarchical structures and advocating for adaptable communication styles, the prototype presents a pathway toward more responsive and effective leadership. This approach not only enhances the internal dynamics of library organizations but also ensures that they are better equipped to meet the diverse needs of the communities they serve. Through their creative visualization, the team encourages a reevaluation of leadership roles in libraries, promoting a culture of ongoing learning, adaptation, and inclusiveness.

Team 11 Members

Thanks to these project team members for their collaboration with DATALIS and their contributions towards innovating professional development.

• HyunSeung Koh
• Oscar Gittemeier
• Mara Sedlins

Evaluate This Project

Please review the story and answer the five questions based on your knowledge, experience, and perspective. Your feedback will help us to innovate professional education that impacts recruitment, growth, and retention.