College of DuPage LTA Student Interview #2

By Amanda Musacchio

This is the second in a series of interviews with College of DuPage Library and Information Technology students. These interviews were conducted by myself, Amanda Musacchio, Program Chair and Instructor at the College of DuPage. The Library and Information Technology Program includes a 30 credit Library and Information Technology Certificate as well as a 64 credit Associate in Applied Science Library and Information Technology Degree. For more information, please contact me at musacchioa@cod.edu.

This interview features current student, Susan Ciano.

1. What would you like to share about yourself?

Hi, my name is Susan Ciano and I am a first-year student in the College of DuPage Library and Information Technology Program. I hope to graduate with a Library Technical Assistant Certificate in 2020. I am currently employed part-time at the Rolling Meadows Library as a Readers Advisory Associate and I am cross-trained to staff our Welcome Desk. I enjoy helping people find materials in our collection and use OCLC WorldCat for Interlibrary Loan requests. The Readers Advisory and Introduction to Reference classes have helped me to be well prepared to assist patrons and present the most current resources to my supervisor. My classes have helped reinforce my goal to obtain full-time employment in a library as my chosen career field. My hobbies include writing, photography, and reading literary fiction and nonfiction writers.

• What are you excited about that is happening in Illinois libraries (and beyond)?

In class, we discuss the current trend of public libraries eliminating fines. In addition to reducing barriers for those patrons who have been unable to pay their fines and receiving materials, an added benefit of fine elimination is an increase in patron visits. In the spirit of helping others beyond Illinois, I hope to be able to join other library professionals with a nonprofit organization such as Librarians Without Borders who volunteer to build libraries in other countries to address resource inequality. The thought of working together to help build a library where there is none is very inspiring to me and I hope to apply to volunteer after I become established in a full-time position.

• What is something interesting you have discussed in your classes?

Before taking classes I knew nothing about the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement, stating the freedom to read is essential to our democracy, and the Library Bill of Rights, the right to privacy and confidentiality in patron’s library use. In class, we discussed various scenarios in detail to help us understand how to apply these principles fully. I appreciate these rights and follow these rules in my professional work to ensure freedom of inquiry is protected. In our Introduction to Reference class, I learned resources and interview techniques to not only assist patrons with their genealogy research but as an assignment, researched my own family history as well. I currently volunteer as an English as a Second Language tutor at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library and have applied to volunteer in the Shackley Room which serves the genealogical and local history interests of patrons. Dovetailing my classwork I have learned research skills from the local history librarian to help me better serve patrons with their research.

• How do you see yourself contributing to the Illinois Library world in five-plus years?

My classes, coworkers, and patrons open my eyes to the diverse opportunities that exist in the library field. With my education at the College of DuPage, I hope to better be able to serve patrons from all walks of life.

• What do you like most about the College of DuPage Library and Information Technology Program?

I think I especially appreciate the competency of my instructors and their consistent focus on my success in the library field. We routinely discuss real-world career opportunities and have toured several local libraries. I have enjoyed guest lecturers on subjects that I knew nothing about that were very enlightening. Regarding questions from patrons regarding medicine and law, we are trained to refer patrons to other sources for further information. I appreciate that instructors schedule appointments at convenient times for questions about class assignments as well as the friendly assistance I have received from the College of DuPage Library staff. I have also visited with a College of DuPage Career Services advisor who assisted me with revising my resume and cover letter and practicing with me interview techniques and salary negotiation skills. I was immediately impressed with the well-tended, well-designed, and spacious campus when I first toured the College of DuPage.

I took this photograph inside the Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago’s first central public library.  Originally completed in 1897 and restored in 2008, in 1991 it was established as a free cultural venue for all visitors to enjoy. The site includes sumptuous mosaics of Favrile glass, colored stone, and mother-of-pearl, as well as marble, rare hardwoods, and polished brass. The word “literis” is second-person singular present passive of “lito”. A word spoken in several languages, one meaning of lito is “I devote, consecrate.” How appropriate that libraries promote the love of reading and learning for the common good.