Previous by Date | Next by Date | Date Index
Previous by Thread | Next by Thread
| Thread Index
| LM_NET
Archive
| |
This has been a fascinating discussion. Those who know me as a librarian find this hard to believe but I used to be very afraid speak up in public. Job interviews and getting up in front of people made me physically ill. Three experiences changed my life. Two were in library school and one was ALA related. The first was my Children's Literature class that was taught by Julie Cummins, then Coordinator at NYPL. She insisted we get up in front of the class every other week and give an oral presentation. The presentation was timed and she insisted it be concise, to-the-point and we communicate about our assignment with enthusiasm. She made the point consistently that if we were planning to work with children we would be doing class visits, programs and many other job related duties that will require public speaking. I learned to be prepared and practice, practice, practice. My husband, my friends, my supervisor and the clerical staff at my library heard and timed my oral presentations. The second was a storytelling class taught by Amy Spaulding at the Palmer School. Still physically shaking and nauseated at the thought of speaking in front of people, she helped me find my voice. The more practice I had, the more confident I became. Again practice, practice, practice. I told stories to strangers and their children on the subway. (Still do) Cab drivers have heard Kiss the Cow and Tasty Baby Belly Buttons. I have spontaneously entertained a crowd of children waiting more than an hour for the mayor to arrive at our library for a photo op. He was late and I told the Elephants Wrestling Match, We’re going on a Bear Hunt, A Very Noisy House, and acted out Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Lastly I attended an advocacy seminar at ALA. It was called Library Advocacy Now. Not only did the presenters speak about how important advocacy was, this workshop taught me how to stay on message. (Practice…now was that a surprise?) I really understood that my job was to speak for librarians and my library. If not me…who? That public relations was a part of my job. What that means for me is participating in faculty orientations. This also mean volunteering to present at parent meetings, faculty meetings, presenting at curriculum meetings, having dinner with total strangers on accreditation committees to talk about our program. That it was up to me to speak up to anyone who would listen of the importance of pay equity. Saying yes when asked and worrying later. My stomach still turns over at the thought of giving a speech or standing up in front of a group but I do it anyway. And yes, I believe that these experiences have made me more confident and outgoing in other areas of my practice. I believe that those who know me now would describe me as enthusiastic but I am pretty sure that I am not now nor have I ever been bubbly or effervescent. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------