Values
Values that I will be entering my future careers as a librarian with align not only with those taught in the MIS program, but also those currently being promoted by the Ottawa Public Library. Some of my main professional values include intellectual freedom, fighting the spread of fake news, and the importance of public libraries in communities.
Just as courses like Information and Society and Ethical Values and Information Dilemmas discussed the importance of intellectual freedom, the OPL teaches its employees that it is an essential part of working in a library. I hope to one day uphold this belief, as well as the values of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Federation of Library Associations, and the Ontario Library Association that are included in this statement on intellectual freedom and serve as an example for the OPL to follow.
Intellectual
Freedom
I am also dedicated to assisting the public retrieve trustworthy, authoritative information in order to combat the amount of misinformation and fake news that is circulating today. I believe that libraries remain one of the best resources for patrons seeking information, not just with the helpful professionals in branches and the numerous resources at their disposal, but also in how these services are provided to the public at little to no cost. I am excited to have the opportunity to join this service, and I know that my information retrieval skills, digital literacy, comprehension of ethical values and communication skills will assist me in providing the public with information they can trust.
Fighting Fake News
The Ottawa Public Library's Community Development Toolkit helps to outline the dedication and the tactics being used to best cater to its communities, and the 2015 interactive report discussing the library's impact is a great resource for understanding the importance of public libraries in communities. I hope to not only maintain these standards, but use the knowledge and skills that I’ve gained from the MIS program to help move the library forward and increase its impact. As a lifelong patron of the OPL, I understand first hand how vital programs, resources, and services are for patrons of every age, and I intend to ensure that public libraries continue to benefit and grow with their communities.
Public Libraries & Communities
