Narrative Statement
My MLIS Portfolio is embedded within my personal professional website as part of the Academic Work section. Rather than creating a standalone portfolio, I chose to integrate it into a broader professional presence that reflects both my academic work and my development as a library and information professional. The portfolio is organized into several major sections: an About page, a Statement of Integrity, this Narrative Statement, the Student Learning Outcomes, core course pages, and School Media Specialist course pages.
The Student Learning Outcomes section serves as the primary organizational framework for the portfolio. Each learning outcome has its own dedicated page featuring one or more artifacts that demonstrate my proficiency, along with a reflection explaining how the selected work aligns with that outcome. In addition, every core course and library media specialist elective course completed in the program has its own page that highlights the major assignments and projects completed during the semester. Each artifact is presented on its own page with the original work embedded directly into the site alongside a description of the assignment and its connection to a specific learning outcome.
I intentionally organized the portfolio in two complementary ways: by learning outcome and by course. Organizing artifacts by learning outcome clearly demonstrates how I have met the expectations of USF's MLIS program, while the course pages provide a more intuitive way for prospective employers and other site visitors to explore the breadth of my work. While some users may approach the portfolio through formal program outcomes, others may understand it more easily through courses, assignments, and professional experiences. This dual organization supports multiple paths to discovery and reflects an important principle of library and information science: information should be structured around user needs, not just institutional categories
This portfolio was created using Hostinger’s website builder and developed incrementally throughout my time in the MLIS program. My goal has been to create both an academic and professional resource that I can continue to expand and maintain throughout my career.
Professional Growth through the MLIS Program
The coursework I have completed throughout the MLIS program has prepared me for library and information work by giving me both a broad foundation in the profession and a set of practical skills that apply directly to my role as a school media specialist. The core courses provided an overview of how information is organized, accessed, evaluated, researched, and managed, while the school media specialist electives have given me opportunities to directly apply those principles to the elementary school library in which I work. Together, these courses have helped me connect the theoretical foundations of library and information science with the day-to-day responsibilities of managing a school library, supporting instruction, developing collections, and serving students and educators.
The first group of core courses helped establish my knowledge base in library and information science. Foundations of Library and Information Science introduced the history, development, values, and responsibilities of the profession and helped me understand how libraries have evolved alongside changes in technology and information access. Basic Information Sources and Services focused on the tools and practices used to connect users with reliable information and emphasized accuracy, ethical service, and understanding user needs. Organization of Knowledge I introduced systems and standards such as MARC, Dublin Core, metadata, controlled vocabularies, and classification, giving me a stronger understanding of how information is organized and made both discoverable and usable across institutions. Research Methods in Library and Information Science complemented these courses by providing a framework for developing research questions, collecting and analyzing data, and using evidence to guide professional decisions.
The remaining core courses focused more directly on the practical responsibilities of operating and improving a library. Introduction to Library Administration examined strategic planning, personnel, budgeting, assessment, communication, and project development, helping me understand how library leaders establish priorities and translate goals into workable plans. Collection Development and Maintenance focused on the ongoing management of library collections through selection, purchasing, inventory, assessment, and weeding. Together, these courses have strengthened my ability to evaluate existing services and resources, identify areas for improvement, and make decisions based on data, organizational goals, available resources, and the needs of the community being served.
My four school media specialist electives then allowed me to apply this broader preparation to the specific needs of a school library. Organization and Administration of the School Media Center examined the media specialist as a collection manager, instructional partner, technology resource, program leader, and support for the entire school community. Preparing Instructional Media provided practical experience creating digital, print, audio, and video materials for instructional purposes, including materials I was able to use in my own media center. Multicultural Literature strengthened my ability to evaluate materials for cultural authenticity, representation, and the perspectives of the communities depicted, while Books and Related Materials for Children focused on selecting and evaluating resources according to developmental appropriateness, literary quality, instructional usefulness, and reader appeal. Together, these courses have prepared me to approach school librarianship as both an information profession and an instructional role, with responsibility for creating a media center that supports learning, reading, access, and the needs of the entire school community.
Reflection and Future Directions
Overall, the MLIS program has prepared me well for the realities of working as a school media specialist. Each course provided opportunities to put the theory into practice immediately. Additionally, throughout the program, I have tried to approach each course critically and have provided feedback when I believed additional practical content could strengthen the curriculum. For example, I believe Collection Development and Maintenance would benefit from instruction on the physical repair of library materials, since school libraries often need to extend the life of books because of limited funding. I also believe Books and Related Materials for Children would benefit from more explicit instruction on professional trade journals, review sources, and book-selection tools. Because librarians frequently make purchasing decisions without being able to read every title in advance, the ability to evaluate and use professional reviews is an essential part of responsible collection development. Even with areas where I saw opportunities for improvement, the program has given me a strong foundation in information services, organization, research, administration, collection development, instructional support, and professional practice.
Looking ahead, my immediate goal is to continue growing in my role as a school media specialist and to deepen the skills I have developed throughout the MLIS program. I am now most strongly considering pursuing an Education Specialist degree in Librarianship at the University of Central Missouri as my final graduate degree. The program would allow me to build on my preparation in library and information science while developing more advanced expertise in librarianship, leadership, and professional practice. I believe this path would complement both my MLIS and my experience as an educator while preparing me to contribute more broadly to school library programs and the profession. Although my immediate focus remains on continuing to grow in my current role, the Ed.S. represents the direction I am most likely to pursue as the next stage of my professional development.
