I believe that I, as a librarian, am the lifelong conduit to
information for users who wish to see it and must be the foremost advocate of
tearing down the walls where there are barriers that prevent it.
I believe that I, as a librarian, am the preeminent keeper of the
historical record.
I believe that I, as a librarian, must be the universal instructor to
those who need to learn how to access information, whether it is the treasures of
the print world or the dynamic electronic world.
As
a staff assistant at the University at Buffalo’s Libraries Annex (a remote
storage facility) for the past year, I have seen elements of all three of my
beliefs in action which is why I decided to pursue my MLS.
*I have sent information
to users on many occasions when they were not “eligible” to have access. I have found a way to make access happen.
*By definition, as a
remote storage facility (I am part of a team that houses low use material from
the libraries on the two campuses, attempting to do my part to be a “keeper of
the historical record”. Otherwise, the
material may have been discarded. When
the building is full, I will then assist in having the facility become a
digitization center to provide users with faster and easier access to archived
material.
*I do my best to instruct
users how to best access our materials and materials at other
institutions. It is also the reason why
I am going to library school. I am
seeking the education on how to be the best asset for our users now and in the
future.