Description: The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach drives and supports activities around three focus areas which collectively support equity and inclusion as fundamental values of the Association: diversity, literacy and outreach to underserved populations. Relationships and major initiatives across these three areas help ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives within the profession and the Association and support equitable access to information.
The Director of the ALA Office for Diversity/Literacy/Outreach has both an external and internal leadership responsibility. S/he is a principal representative of ALA to individuals and institutions addressing diversity (through recruitment, education and professional development, and organizational change), equity of access, and adult and family literacy. This is also a management position with overall responsibility for the operational and fiscal management (including some revenue generation) of the Office, under the general supervision of the Senior Associate Executive Director, ALA. The Director is responsible for advising on ALA plans and preparing recommendations on priorities, programs and other issues; meets regularly with other ALA managers; and communicates, cooperates and coordinates the activities, as well as related ALA committees and groups to which it has liaison, with those of other ALA groups.
Why I want this job: Throughout my life I
have been excluded from events and groups because of my gender and age. I know
what it’s like to feel like no one listens to you or cares about you. I want to
help those who feel like they have no place to go find solace and community in
their library. I find it heartbreaking that some areas, due to poverty or
geography, do not have access to resources like books, computers, eMaterials,
and the Internet. I want to work to eradicate the lack of information to these
areas. There are so many opportunities to try new and out of the box methods
for old problems. My love of creativity and not saying no to any brainstorming
idea makes me open to the possibility of actually making change where none or
little has occurred.
The Plan
Skills, competencies,
and knowledge required: A Master’s degree from an ALA-recognized program in LIS or
other graduate-level education is preferred. A minimum of 7-10 years preferably
in a nonprofit and/or association environment. A general knowledge of issues
related to diversity, adult and family literacy (including English-language
learners), equity of access, and inclusion.
Collaborative management skills and strong written and verbal
communication skills are required.
What skills,
competencies, and knowledge you bring to the table today: My passion is the
biggest asset I bring to the table today. I don’t like to invest my time or
effort into anything that I’m not going to give 100% to. I don’t want my job to
be my life, I want my passion for my career to be. The skills and knowledge
will come once I’m in a job and am learning hands-on about it. But I really
honestly think that my passion for what I want to do will take me farther than
any certification or previous skills ever will. When times get tough, I roll up
my sleeves and get dirty. When it seems hopeless, I remember why I started,
when I start to doubt myself I remember all the people I will let down if I
don’t stay strong.
I
am an incredibly organized and detailed oriented person. I am able to delegate
tasks and explain the tasks in an easy to understand manner. I work well with
others because I am calm under pressure and enjoy collaborating with others. I
am an incredible listener and I pick up on sub context and body language really
well. I lead by example and am the first to own up to mistakes. I know that
making mistakes means you’re taking risks and trying new things. Making
mistakes means you are pushing yourself and earning your skills. I treat
everyone the way I would like to be treated. I always try to have a smile on my
face because in the end, we are all trying to be happy, so why not start the
chain reaction with a big smile and a friendly demeanor.
The steps, education,
certificates, etc., you need to develop or pursue to prepare for your selected
job:
The first step is to obtain my MLIS degree. I want to then get a position in a
library as an outreach librarian, creating programs and open dialogue about a
variety of topics related to diversity, literacy, and underserved populations. I
will also start volunteering at non-profits that relate to these issues as well
to get front line experience and to talk to the people personally and directly affected.
I will continue to educate myself on these topics by reading articles and books
related to the subject. It would also be helpful to go out into the field on my
own and interview people affected to really get to know where they are coming
from and listen to what they truly want or would use.
After analyzing the
job, consider whether you should revise your personal goals and objectives posted
earlier in the semester: At the beginning of the semester my goal was to be a
Library Director and at some point get my PhD in psychology. My main career
goal was to attain my MLIS and to actually feel like I belong and flourish in
a field that not only energizes me, but that I am passionate about and want to
contribute to its many successes. My beginning of the semester objective for
the class and the entire program was to pick a specialty and seeing that is
conducive to my strengths. I also noted that I am going to remain open-minded
to the available avenues this degree can take me and that my passion and love
for the library is my driving force from here on out.
After analyzing the job, I don’t know if I would revise my
personal goals or objectives all that much from what they were at the beginning
of the semester. I think I would love the job posting I discussed above, but
nothing is set in stone. I might take a class later on in the program and
decide that I want to become a cataloger or a reference librarian. I don’t want
to back myself into a corner and not stay open to all the possible outcomes of
this program and degree. For the first time in my life, I am not fretting about
the future and what will come of it. I know I am in the right profession now
and I’m happy and excited to see what comes. I know that no matter where my
career takes me, my passion and desire to help others will guide me down the
right path.
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