Revisiting My Assumptions/Assertions/Beliefs about LIS

Back in January, I had just started my first semester of grad school in Wayne State University's Library and Information Science program. I wrote a blog entry called "Assumptions/Assertions/Beliefs of the Library and Information Science Profession", where I explored my personal assumptions, assertions, and beliefs of the LIS field. To recap, they were as follows.

• The LIS profession is made up of people who care about others. 
• The LIS profession is made up of people who know how to find information.
• The LIS profession is made up of people who strive to make a better future.

*Please see the original post to see the explanations for each bullet point. 

 

To be honest, I still strongly believe in these assumptions, assertions, and beliefs. Here's why.

• I took three classes this semester. While some were online and one was in class, I learned that all of my professors are truly passionate about what they do in the LIS field and about teaching others about it, what they do, and try to help students develop their own set of skills and passions.
• I learned very valuable lessons over the last few months. I learned that as a person in the LIS field, you cannot know everything. It's impossible for any one person to know everything....and that is okay. What we do in the LIS field is not to know everything, but know how to find information or at least know someone who does know the answers. While in a LIS grad program, you here about how small of a professional community we are. Just last week a person who graduated from the program a year ago said that she uses her networking skills to connect with people that specialize in specific areas of LIS and know the information she doesn't or even if they know more than she does.
• People in the LIS field (for the most part) believe in the free access to information for all. I say mostly because there are those who believe that certain explicit information should be restricted. Anyway by providing access, LIS professional DO strive to make the future just a bit brighter. People and learn and research and better their situations. Others can build businesses. I still, also, believe this is true through the digital preservation process, which if you follow my blog you know is close to my heart. By working in preservation and archiving, we can continue to explore our past and present and make them available to the future!

Needless to say much more, I have learned so much from my professors and colleagues. I have been truly challenged in certain areas, but these beliefs still hold true. Regardless, I look forward to the future semesters and how they will make me grow as a person and as a professional.

Thanks!

Mel