MLIS 2014
Librarian I
Yolo County Library
Davis, CA USA

What I am doing now.

I provide reference, readers’ advisory, and circulation services to a diverse group of library users, including all ages (primarily adult, but also teen and children). 40% of the position is Reference and Information Desk service, which includes providing technical support for users on the 24 public computers, on personal e-readers and Overdrive, as well as the printer, scanner, and copier. I am a Summer Reading Program committee member, Advisor for Yolo Reads (adult literacy) and English Conversation Groups. I assist in ESL material selection. Currently I am collaborating to develop and co-facilitate Families Together, a 10 week pilot program for probationers with children ages 0-5. The program includes early literacy skills training and participatory story times.   As a Collection Development Team member, I make recommendations for materials purchases and perform regular weeding. I am responsible for Government Documents public information records – currently developing processing and cataloging procedures and a retention period policy. I have Person In Charge duties and responsibilities – reconciling cash drawer, making bank deposits, delegating tasks to staff, securing subs and/or adjusting desk shifts to cover unscheduled absences, handling escalated customer service and behavioral issues, and writing incident reports.  I partner with other librarians, local organizations, and citizens to offer adult programming and a library-sponsored book group. Currently I am networking with local financial professionals to offer a financial literacy series. I provide outreach services at local events such as farmer’s markets, volunteer fairs, farm worker workshops, and day reporting centers

What are the most valuable skills I use in my job?

Important skills for this job are project management, organization, and time management, but also emotional maturity, empathy, and fearlessness (in troubleshooting technology tools & planning programming) go a long way in working in a public library. All of the courses I took during my time with the iSchool have been useful to some extent. I have found that they provide a base knowledge that is helpful in then learning the specifics within the particular library system. Collection development, database design, web user experience, research paper writing, cataloging, online searching, organizational management, and designing educational programs classes were some of the topics in my program, and they have all helped to a certain extent in understanding my job and getting up to speed quickly. 

Contact Permission

It is OK to contact this alumni.

Send email to: Maria Arcorace