Writer:

I've written and co-authored several books for information professionals, and have been published in a number of library-related journals. I am also the founding editor of, and a frequent contributor to, the Info Career Trends electronic newsletter.

See full list of publications. Recent publications include:

Books:

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. What's the Alternative? Career Options for Librarians and Info Pros. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 2008.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer, ed. Information Tomorrow: Reflections on Technology and the Future of Public and Academic Libraries. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 2007. Read the Library Journal review.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. The NextGen Librarian's Survival Guide. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 2006. Read the Library Journal review.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. The Accidental Library Manager. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 2005. Read the Ex Libris review.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. The Librarian's Guide to Writing for Publication. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2004. Read the Online review (scroll down) or the NYLA NMRT Voice review (p.3 of pdf).

• Gordon, Rachel Singer and Anne Wolfinger. Best Career and Education Web Sites: A Quick Guide to Online Job Search. Indianapolis: JIST Works, 2004.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. The Accidental Systems Librarian. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 2003. Read the ExLibris review.

• Nesbeitt, Sarah and Rachel Singer Gordon. The Information Professional's Guide to Career Development Online. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 2002. Read the ExLibris review or the Free Pint review.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. Teaching the Internet in Libraries. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2001. Read an excerpt (Adobe Acrobat format).

Regular Columns:

• "Computer Media," Library Journal, January 2002 - present.
• "Computer Book Prepub Alert," Library Journal, October 2006 - October 2007.
• "NextGen," Library Journal, January 2004 - Dec. 2004. Regular contributor, 2005-2006.
• "Publish, Don't Perish" Library Link, Sept. 2004 - Dec. 2007.
• "The Accidental Library Manager," Library Link, Jan. 2008 - present.
• "Tech Tips for Every Librarian" (with Michael Stephens 2006-2007, with Jessamyn West 2008-), Computers in Libraries, January 2006 - present. (Freely accessible examples: June 2006 and January 2006.)

Shorter Material (See full list of publications):

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. "Nontraditional Careers for Info Pros: Why Consider Alternatives?" FUMSI, March 2008.

• Contributed profiles to Library Journal's "Movers & Shakers" March 2008 supplement.

• Contributed profiles to Library Journal's "Movers & Shakers" March 2007 supplement.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. "Write Now! Publishing for MLS Students" How to Get Published in LIS Journals: A Practical Guide, 2nd ed. Elsevier, 2006.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. "Is There an Information Professional In the House? Library Jargon in a Changing Profession." Verbatim xxx:1 (Autumn 2006): 11-13.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. "Next Generation Librarianship." American Libraries, March 2006. 36-8.

• Contributed profiles to Library Journal's "Movers & Shakers" March 2006 supplement.

• Gordon, Rachel Singer. "Seven Deadly Sins (and Desirable Strategies) for Library Managers." FreePint no. 196, Jan. 5 2006. PDF version (p.7).

Speaker:

I'm available to speak to your library group or institution on multiple topics, including writing for publication, accidental library management, library career paths, alternative careers, marketing yourself online, accidental systems librarianship, and next generation librarianship and succession planning.

See full list of presentations. Recent and upcoming presentations include:

Upcoming Presentations:

• "The Cross-Generational Workforce," LLNE, Freeport, ME, Fri., April 25 2008.

Recent presentations:

• "Writing for Publication," FHSLA, Thurs., June 14, 2007.

• "Writing for Publication," SEFLIN, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Fri., June 15, 2007.

• "NextGen Librarianship: Where Do We Go from Here?" Soaring to Excellence Teleconference, College of DuPage, Friday, Feb. 9, 2007.

• "The Accidental Library Manager," Virginia Library Association, Williamsburg, VA, Wed., Nov. 8, 2006.

• "Writing for Publication," SLA Virtual Seminar, Tues., Nov. 7, 2006.

• "The Cross-Generational Workforce," Bloomingdale Public Library, IL, Friday, Oct. 13, 2006.

• "Mentoring and Developing Next Generation Librarians," Johnson County Public Library, Overland Park, KS, Fri., Sept. 22, 2006.

• "Mentoring and Developing Next Generation Librarians," NEST, Valley Falls, KS, Thurs., Sept. 21, 2006.

• "Your 21st Century Library Career," Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, Tues., Sept. 12, 2006.

• "The Accidental Library Manager," preconference workshop, Montana Library Association Annual Conference, Missoula, MT, Wednesday, May 3, 2006.

• "Your 21st Century Library Career," Montana Library Association Annual Conference, Missoula, MT, Thursday, May 4, 2006.

• "Your 21st Century Library Career," LINC, Itasca Public Library, IL, Wed., May 10, 2006.

• "The Cross-Generational Library Workforce," Utah Library Association Annual Conference, St. George, UT, Thurs., May 18, 2006.

• "Writing for Info Pros," Computers in Libraries, Washington, DC, Wed., March 22, 2006.

• "Jobs for Librarians & Info Pros," Computers in Libraries, Washington, DC, Thurs., March 23, 2006.

• "The Accidental Systems Librarian," SirsiDynix SuperConference 2006, Nashville, TN, Tuesday, March 7, 2006.

• "Developing Your 21st-Century Library Career," Spotlight on Your Career, Colorado Association of Law Libraries, Denver, CO, Sat., Feb. 25, 2006.

• "The Accidental Library Manager," Cleveland Area Metro Library System, Cleveland, OH, Wed., Feb 22, 2006.

• "The Accidental Library Manager" and "The Mouse Won't Bite," half-day workshops, Maricopa County Library Council, Phoenix, AZ, Tuesday, January 31, 2006.

Web Expert:

Web and online community projects include:

• Co-creator, Beyond the Job professional development weblog for librarians, 2003 - present.

• Blogger, The Liminal Librarian, 2006 - present.

• Webmaster, LISjobs.com site for job-seeking librarians, 1996 - present.

• Webmaster, Franklin Park Public Library, 2000 - May 2005.

• Founding editor, Info Career Trends electronic career development newsletter for librarians, 2000 - present.

• Forum host at eCompany.com (now Business 2.0), May 2000 - February 2001.

• Online discussion forum moderator at Inkspot.com (now Xlibris.com), July 1999 - March 2001.

Experience:

INFORMATION TODAY, INC. Books Division, Medford, NJ

Consulting Editor

August 2005 - present

FRANKLIN PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY, Franklin Park, IL

Librarian (part time)

Oct. 2002 - May 2005

• Maintained web site
• Staffed Reference Desk
• Responsible for collection development

Head, Computer Services Department

June 1999 - Sept. 2002

• Designed and maintained library's web site at http://www.franklinparklibrary.org
• Wrote and won grants for upgrading library's LAN, purchasing new Internet station, and acquiring collection of ESL materials.
• Planned, installed, and administered local NT network.
• Planned and implemented migration from Windows NT/98 to a Windows 2000 environment.
• Chair, consortial Automation Services Task Force, 2000-2001.

Reference/Computer Services Librarian

May 1998-May 1999

• Created and maintained both internal web sites and printed handouts to guide users of public-access Internet terminals.
• Organized and taught Internet training classes for patrons.
• Maintained and organized library computer equipment and software.

Reference Librarian

September 1996-April 1998

• Developed and maintained collection of Spanish-language materials for adults.
• Created and led bi-monthly book discussion groups.

VILLA PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY, Villa Park, IL

Reference Librarian (part time)

May-September 1996

FOREST PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY, Forest Park, IL

Youth Services Assistant/Circulation (part time)

January-May 1996

Education:

BA in religion

Carleton College, Northfield, MN

1992

MA in modern Judaism

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

1994

MLS, concentrating on Reference

Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, IL

1996

Involvement & Honors:

I have been a book reviewer for Library Journal since 1998, have reviewed for Reference Reviews, am a member of the American Library Association, and former member of REFORMA, LAMA, and NMRT. Member of the NMRT Speakers Bureau Committee, 2001-2002. Member, Beta Phi Mu. Member of the Illinois Library Association, 1997-2002.

Featured in the March 2002 "Movers and Shakers" supplement to Library Journal.

Awarded a 2004 EBSCO/ALA Conference Attendance Scholarship to attend the ALA Annual Conference in Orlando.

Listed in Marquis Who's Who in America, 2007- .

Contact Information:

E-mail (preferred): rachel@lisjobs.com

or...

PO Box 6931
Villa Park, IL 60181