California Public Library Staff Education Program

“I realized throughout PLSEP that simply answering questions or completing reference inquiries isn’t going to necessarily garner cultural competence or further my intercultural understanding. I am thankful for these last few classes especially; I have discovered that soft skills are fundamental to excellent customer service and to being an exemplary colleague, and I am bearing in mind to take care of my coworkers as well as I take care of our patrons.”

“One area that my courses changed my attitude is toward library access. As a library employee, I often follow rules and procedures that affect patron access. My courses have made me believe that as a librarian, it is important to err on the side of access whenever possible. If libraries are to truly serve as a resource for their communities, then it is necessary to maximize access and limit the administrative obstacles faced by patrons.”

“Learning about information access inequity, how information practices have impacted society, and how social justice movements have taken place in the library science field opened my eyes to the amount of inequity in libraries. It really made me think about the library’s role in digital equity, and how we are often the place people go when they want to learn about technology and digital practices. […] it inspires me to be more engaged in outreach to underserved communities and how we can listen to them about the resources they need rather than what we think they need.”

“I have learned how important it is to be an ally and advocate for those who do not have a voice. This has also helped me speak out when something is unfair in our practices or simply when something is not meeting the needs of our community and needs to be reevaluated. I have learned to create new programs that serve the interests of my local community i.e. Reading Lab – our literacy program for school-aged children.”

“I am now able to view my community as a driving force behind library decisions, budgets, and vision. Before these courses, I viewed staff as the primary stakeholders and decision makers. However, I now have a better view of how community members and partners are an incredible asset to making the best decisions – financially and otherwise – for the delivery of library services through collections, programs, and partnerships.”

“These courses have shown me that there is a lot that can be done for the community when your attitude is positive and community oriented. My new attitude will be shown through my commitment to the programs, reference, and outreach that I provide to all those I come across and seek. I am certain that my passion for the services offered to the community will exude in the way I carry out all events and interactions. This new attitude will also remind me that I am never done learning about new and upcoming services, skills, and all the ways that I can be an asset to the community. I am excited about the work that I will do for my community and hope to keep this feeling of excitement for the rest of my career.”

“My new skills will be demonstrated through my use of social media in my library work to reach new patrons and make accessing library resources more inclusive. […]  I have also learned how to analyze what information communities my library serves, and the importance of bringing a mindset of openness to cultural differences. It’s also very important to commit to ensuring that collections, programs, and staffing reflect the various communities the library serves. I will use all of these skills as I work at my current library and continue to move up in the library world.”

“Understanding the breadth of library and information services offered to the public has increased my feeling of responsibility, dedication, and pride. My desire to learn more in order to better fulfill patrons’ needs has been fueled by the information I’ve accumulated. The chance to make programming more accessible to underserved and at-risk communities is something I’m increasingly excited about.”

“My attitude has been demonstrated through my work by further being aware of the needs of those with disabilities or who are neurodivergent in the meetings that we hold and the way we present services to patrons. As I train new staff I am ensuring they understand the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and why they must remember to work with patrons at their level and not approach with assumptions or bias.”

“Thank you so much for the opportunity. My daughter has been going around telling everyone my mommy graduated. This definitely was a core memory for her.”

“I graduated a little earlier than planned and I got a full-time librarian position within two years.”

“As a first-generation college student of Mexican immigrant parents, money has always concerned me and impacted my decisions to continue my education after high school. This reimbursement has allowed me to take a step back from my hard work and feel as if I made the right choice by pursuing this dream of being a public librarian.”

“I am not sure I would be graduating soon if not for the funds provided by the PLSEP.”

“It also enabled me to use what I learned in class to the workplace as a public library worker. As a result, I was able to present at various library conferences such as YALSA because of the effect the PLSEP funds had on my library career.”

“Participating in the program also got me recognized by my superiors. I believe this recognition has played some factors in my advancement.”