After I finished library school, I didn't spend a huge amount of time reading books on library science. Instead these days I read a lot of articles, book reviews. read blogs and go to workshops and webinars (low budget stuff or no budget stuff). I did take a class online through ALA RUSA, on spatial literacy and online mapping. Great class, I would definitely recommend it.
If you are looking for learning opportunities... they are out there. Look for them. I think most librarians like to keep on top of what is going on and generally like to share their knowledge with others.
Most of the workshops I go to are regional, usually limited to Connecticut, although I have gone to some in Mass., and I do love going to BEA in NYC. Have you every heard of BEA, or been there yourself? What an experience. I went the first time with my co-worker, Jennifer (YABookNerd)..and it is nuts! Pretty amazing actually, you get to talk to publishers, people in the book industry and of course, the authors. There are thousands of people rushing all over the place and snatching up copies of yet to be released books and talking to some pretty famous authors. Yup, Jennifer and I met and talked to James Patterson...and he was awesome.
I have to say I do love learning, and trust me...I learn something new everyday on the job (some things, I wish I never knew). But, it is always great to go to a more formal learning environment, whether it be in-person or online to get you thinking in a different way or help you out of a rut.
Adore BEA - great time talking to bookish people about Books, blogs, authors, and libraries!!!
ReplyDelete