Final
Thoughts and Reflections
I have enjoyed the process of completing my MLS. The online program has enhanced my technology skills, my organizational skills, and given me exposure to a diverse student body. I feel that I have learned very much in the process, and have been challenged to develop my own path to meet my needs in becoming a medical librarian.
My advice to incoming students who are interested in special library work is to seek out every opportunity to learn more about their areas of interest. One program cannot possibly meet all of the individual needs of each student. It is extremely important to seek additional instruction and experience in one’s area. By joining the Medical Library Association, the Special Library Association, the Connecticut Library Association, and the American Library Association, I was able to learn of important issues in the field and participate in conferences and workshops. I also learned a great deal by participating in mailing lists, such as MEDLIB-L for medical librarians. My work experience in a hospital library was invaluable. It was in this setting that I acquired some of the most useful skills for future employment. I was able to use this experience to complement my studies in this program. I was also able to incorporate actual problems or issues from work into many of my course assignments and projects. The MLS program allowed flexibility in customizing assignments to meet students’ areas of interest. For example, in my government documents class, I was allowed to select a health care topic to research using government sources. In this way, I was able to apply classroom theory to the practical challenges I will encounter in a medical library.
Perhaps the most important way in which I have gained an understanding of the field of medical librarianship is through my relationships with other medical librarians. I found this group of professionals to be very willing to help and quite receptive to assist a student, and, as a result, I never hesitated to access their knowledge and expertise. I greatly appreciated their willingness to share information and to help mentor the next generation of health science librarians. By participating in the Connecticut Library Association's mentor program, I was able to deal with issues and areas not addressed in formal study or on the job. My Connecticut Library Association mentor experience has had a very positive impact on me, and I developed a personal relationship with my mentor which, I am sure, will continue throughout my professional career. Once I have gained enough experience in this field, I plan to volunteer as a mentor through the CLA or MLA programs.
Everything has coalesced to help me form a more complete understanding of this field and the medical specialty within it. Online learning was very challenging and exciting. I am glad that I had this option available to me when selecting a program. I look forward to a fulfilling career in the field of medical librarianship.