Use Library 2.0 to Help You Shine

Career Blog

Published: June 13, 2017 by Kate M. Spaulding

Four concrete ways Library 2.0 can benefit you and your career

Last week, the iSchool hosted another Library 2.017 mini-conference; this time, the theme was “Digital Literacy + Fake News.” Perhaps I should back up a bit – do you know about the free, virtual, Library 2.0 conferences that happen throughout the year? If not, you should definitely check them out, as it’s a pretty amazing collection of events that the iSchool puts together for the LIS community.

I wasn’t able to attend live this time, but one of the great things about webinars and online conferences is that you can view the recordings at your leisure. I’ve started watching them, and, although this conference didn’t have a career development theme, I see a few ways it relates:

  1. Program Ideas – In part because the theme was so topical, this mini-conference is a great source of ideas to help you succeed in your career. Whether you’re looking for new programs to implement (and make yourself stand out at work) or want to have some in your back pocket for your next interview, there’s a lot of content that will spark ideas.
  2. Emerging Trends – Again, thanks to an “in the news” topic, taking in the kind of information presented here will help you stay abreast of what’s new in library land. This will make you sound smart at work, at events, and in interviews. 
  3. Understanding Your Community – As the conference website says, “Invited panelists and presenters will look deeply at the foundational relationship of libraries and librarians to media, information, and digital literacy.” Whether you’re new to the library and information world or not, understanding the historical and underlying themes of the LIS community will make you a better citizen and participant.
  4. Continuing Education – Yep, you will learn stuff, which can only help you grow in your career. Not everyone takes the time or makes the effort to keep up with the scholarly side of things once they leave school, so attending (live or asynchronously) demonstrates your commitment to the profession and your own development.

The next mini-conference, on October 11, is all about makerspaces! The call for proposals opens in August and registration is, as always, free. Need more convincing? Read about more ways to boost your career at Library 2.0!

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