Library School: Where Seminole County Library Staff Take Their Skills to the Next Level

When you hear the word librarian, what comes to mind? Many people think a librarian is anyone who works in a library. While running a library takes teamwork and a staff with different specializations and responsibilities, the librarian’s role is a specific one.

At the Seminole County Library, a librarian is someone who provides information-finding assistance (known as reference assistance) to the public, helps develop and maintain the library collection, leads public programs, and sometimes provides technology support to library users. Other staff members do a variety of critical work that keeps the library functioning, such as checking out books for users, transferring books between branches, and reshelving them when they’re returned.

Librarians learn the specialized skills needed for their jobs by obtaining a master’s degree in library and information science, which is often referred to as going to library school.

The Seminole County Library currently has six staff members who are in library school. We are so proud of them for taking the initiative to further their education and learn new professional skills. Their classes cover subjects such as how to locate reliable sources of information (Google isn’t one of them), how to conduct a reference interview to understand what a user is looking for, how to create digital records corresponding to library items, how to select materials for a library collection, and how to weed out materials that are dated. Those interested in children’s services also take courses on youth literature and early literacy programming.

We asked a few of our staff members in library school about their coursework so far. Myla Corn’s favorite classes have included a course on cataloging (creating digital records for materials) and library administration. She was inspired to learn about some of the creative services that libraries have begun to offer, such as Library of Things collections. These collections allow users to borrow items like telescopes, metal detectors, or American Girl dolls. The possibilities are endless. Watch for Seminole County Library’s very own Library of Things collection to debut next year.

Kristen Montalvo’s coursework in youth services taught her to design more inclusive children’s library programs. Vanessa Williams learned to create libguides, which are compiled lists of resources for specific, popular topics. Amy Barrett says library school has helped her better assist users who feel left behind in the wake of the digital divide – as computer literacy and a smartphone are increasingly required to fully participate in society. As Amy learned more about the digital divide, the idea of helping people who are experiencing frustration with it resonated with her.

“Librarians are not just people who love books, although most of them certainly do,” she says. “Librarians have a heart for helping people, whether that is through providing books, programs, classes, or access to computers. Attending library school with a diverse group of people from all over the United States has broadened my understanding of the importance of libraries and the continued need for libraries to lead the way in providing practical, equitable services in an ever-evolving society.”

Visit any Seminole County Library branch to access technology, research assistance, books (physical and electronic), and enriching community programs for all ages.

Sara White is the Youth Services Senior Librarian at the Seminole County Public Library.