Lauren Corder

University of  Washington

Distance Master of Library and Information Science

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My Resume

My Work

Reflections and Goals

For good or ill, I am one of those kinds of people who ask themselves constantly, "What is my purpose in life?" Though I had been happy running my little home-based business over the last several years, I felt that I could do more to use my talents to help people. When I was a high school teacher, seeing my students succeed and grow was one of my most rewarding experiences. I have missed that.

I had wanted to work with adults too, especially older adults. One part-time job that I had several years ago (not mentioned in my resume) was working in the dining room at an assisted living center. Getting to know and help the center's elderly residents was a joy.

What kind of career could I have in which I could work with all kinds of readers--from little people to senior citizens--and help them to learn? Becoming a librarian was the solution! And what better place than the Olympic Peninsula, which is ideal for raising children as well as retiring.

As a librarian, I can use skills I have already developed in my past job experiences--such as teaching, web design, and even bookkeeping--to augment my newly acquired knowledge gained through the iSchool.

My Degree and Library Experience

Paired like an entrée with the perfect wine, what I have learned in my degree program has complemented well the experience I have gained working in the Sequim and Port Angeles branches of the North Olympic Library System.

The North Olympic Library System has provided me with invaluable experience. They first took me on as a volunteer, then as a substitute public service assistant, and now as an intern for my directed fieldwork experience (LIS 590). Everyone--the library director, the Sequim branch manager and assistant manager, the Port Angeles branch manager, the librarians in Port Angeles, and all of the staff--has helped me to learn the skills I need. My internship will take me a step further along this path.

I invested in this degree program because I knew I had something good to contribute to society, but I needed the education. The University of Washington's iSchool provided me with one of the best Master of Library and Information Science programs in the United States. My education has been well-rounded, an excellent balance of theory and practice.

The pyramid reflects how I grade my performance as a master's degree student and as a beginning librarian. It is the foundation of a lifetime of learning and growth--both for me and for the patrons I will serve. Where I feel I have the most to learn is in the areas of leadership and technical skills. I led high school students in my classroom but have not had the opportunity to lead adult employees as a manager.

Ironically, I took a large portion of my courses from the technical pool of the iSchool's offerings (LIS 54X), but this is an area where I feel I still have much more to learn. This is not because the courses were inadequate; rather, it is because the more I learned, the more there was to learn! I hope to get the opportunity throughout my career to take continuing education courses to learn more about integrated library systems, database design, and networks. This foundation will serve me well as I begin my first years as a librarian.

Career Timeline as I See It in 2007

My First Five Years

The region's population is growing rapidly, and I see all kinds of opportunities for library growth here. The public library system is projected to expand, and within the next several years the city of Sequim will likely build a larger branch library. Additionally, tribal entities are seeking to enhance their library services in order to provide their citizens with educational opportunities as well as giving them avenues for preserving their rich heritage. I would be excited about the prospect of getting to do some teaching again--this time in the library context. I enjoy working with both children and adults and want to teach information literacy. I am interested in historical preservation in the form of digitization and archiving projects.

These goals have a necessary and realistic component to them as well. I am now 40 years old and am an only child. My parents have chosen to move here in order to live near me. Knowing their intentions, my partner and I purchased a home here and intend to live in this area for the foreseeable future. What could be more fulfilling than to work at something I love where my family and I live?

Five to Ten Years Out

After I have gained some years of experience, somewhere along in this time frame, I would like to take on more responsibility as a senior librarian or manager. Throughout my career I intend to continue my education to learn more about library administration as well as additional technical and reference skills.

Ten to Twenty Years Out

I would like to learn more about the fiscal and personnel aspects of libraries and how to manage them, perhaps to pursue a library director's position at some time.

A Rewarding Experience

This has been a rewarding journey. My group members from LIS 510 have become treasured friends as well as colleagues. We made this trip together and shared in trials, errors...and many successes! I would not trade this experience for the world. Now it's time for me to join one of the most interesting and challenging professions. I am a librarian!

Here we go! I'm ready to step inside!

"Some men see things as they are and say why.
I dream things that never were and say why not."
Robert F. Kennedy

Growth | Technical Skills | Teaching | Leadership | Service | Goals