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A slightly grinchy post for preservice folks
My latest arena of professional guilt:
Around once a week now, I get email from a library school student asking me to answer five to ten questions about what it’s like to be a practicing librarian. (I see these as posts on the lists too, so I know I am not the only one.)
I want to go on record as saying–I can’t do this. (Well, maybe if I knew and loved the student I could, but really, I can’t.)
If they were the same questions over and over again I could paste from a standard document, but they’re usually not. Some are about collection and some are about management and some are about technology. You get the picture. And there’s this–I hate templates.
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My guess is that the assignment is likely meant to be an interview, some kind of personal interaction where the student and I chat and there’s winky subtext and energy and dialog and all that really good stuff.
That just doesn’t happen when I stop for an hour to write a disconnected email essay.
My usual solution is to ask the student to phone me and I will talk as I wander around the library or I will talk at home while I fold the laundry.
And if they are local, I’ll invite them to visit. We have lots of visitors.
I don’t want to appear unflattered, or unhelpful. I visit many preservice classes, physically and virtually. I think the learning that goes on in these programs is critical. Practical exposure and professional connections are among the most essential elements of this learning.
I really want to help. But please, don’t ask me to write another essay.
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About Joyce Valenza
Joyce is an Assistant Professor of Teaching at Rutgers University School of Information and Communication, a technology writer, speaker, blogger and learner. Follow her on Twitter: @joycevalenza
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