One of the reasons I always wanted to work in libraries is that I've always also loved stories, so I wanted to start out today by sharing one with you. Now, this happens to be a story about two characters named Frog and Toad -- those of you who work in a children's department, or who have children of your own, may be familiar with these guys. But for those of you who aren't, basically all you need to know is that our friend Toad has some issues… and that his friend Frog is often called on to help him work past his problems. And this is a story about an issue Toad had on one particularly windy spring day.

So one day, Toad wakes up. He yawns, he stretches, and decides: "Hmm. I think I will make a list of all the things that I'm going to do today, so that I can remember everything I need to do." So he grabs a piece of paper and a pencil and starts his list. "1. Wake Up." Well, that one he can cross off right away, which gives him such a feeling of accomplishment that he keeps right on making his list. He writes down, "Get Up, Eat Breakfast, Get Dressed, Go Over To Frog's House, Take a Walk With Frog, Eat Lunch, Go Home…." and so on until he has written down all the things that he plans to do with his day. (Yes, it's kind of a boring day -- but give him a break, he's a toad!)

Toad gets up. He eats breakfast, gets dressed, and crosses a couple more items off of his list. Then his list tells him it's time to go over to Frog's house and take a walk with Frog. So, over to Frog's house he goes. He knocks on the door, and says, "Hello, Frog. We have to take a walk now, because as you can see, it says so right here on my list."

Well, Frog (being accustomed to Toad's peculiarities) doesn't even bother to question him. He just grabs his jacket and they head out on their walk. And it's a beautiful day out (It's always Spring in Frog and Toad's world -- there's no guesswork as to what to wear, like there is in Denver in February!). The sun is shining, the grass is green, a soft breeze is blowing, and Frog and Toad walk through the trees and over the hills in perfect contentment. Until, all of a sudden, a gust of wind comes along and snatches Toad's list right out of his hand. The list blows up in the air and disappears out of sight over the next hill.

Toad watches his list blow away in complete disbelief. "Frog!" he wails, "What am I going to do! My beautiful list is gone!"

Frog, being a practical sort of guy, says, "Well, why don't we just run and try to catch it?"

"No, we can't!" cries Toad. "Why not?" asks Frog.

"Because! Running after the list was not on my list of things that I was going to do today!" So, Frog leaves Toad there and runs after the list to try and catch it -- but what does Toad do? He sits down on the grass and does absolutely nothing.

Now, the reason I tell you this story is that, when most of us started working in libraries, the Internet was not on our list of things we were going to have to deal with. It wasn't even on our radar. But in recent years, as the pace of technological change keeps speeding up, and as the Internet becomes more tightly integrated into every aspect of working in a library, we find ourselves faced with two choices. We can act like Frog, who adapts to change by taking charge and trying to resolve a stressful situation by taking action -- or like Toad, who avoids dealing with changing circumstances because that is just not on his list of things to do.

One of the reasons that we are so stressed by technology in libraries is that library work has traditionally been a helping occupation. We've been conditioned to think of any advances in technology in terms of how they will help us help others -- how the Internet will help our patrons find the information that they need, how we can find the money to add all those new computers so no one has to wait in line, or how that new automation module is going to speed up the process of requesting books through interlibrary loan.

This is all very well and good, and fits in nicely with the mission of libraries trying to connect people with information. But, sometimes we have to learn to help ourselves. Spending all of our time helping others can blind us to the possibilities of using technology in our own careers. It's a lot less stressful, and sometimes more useful, to look at the Internet in terms of how it can help you and your career -- and as you advance your own career, along the way you'll also build those skills that you need to more effectively do your job and help your library's patrons. Dealing with change by using it to your own advantage lets you take charge of your career and be proactive, rather than just reacting to each advance in technology only when it directly impacts the way you do your daily work.

Today I'll tell you three major ways in which you can help yourselves to information, and help you use the Internet to develop your own library career.

• First, you can use the Internet to search for a library job. This is the single most simple way to use technology to your advantage. Since posting ads online is both cheap and convenient (and, you've probably noticed by now, libraries are very fond of both cheap and convenient), many library employers are turning to the Internet as their first choice -- and sometimes their only choice -- for advertising open positions.

• Second, you can use the Internet to network with other library workers across the country -- or across the world. E-mail discussion lists in particular let you interact and exchange ideas in a way that was never possible before, and your participation can work to the advantage of both your career and your library.

• Third, you can use the Internet to locate and participate in educational opportunities, from finding and attending short workshops in your local area to earning a library certificate, associates degree, or entire MLS online. Being proactive in dealing with change also means giving yourself the tools you need to keep up, whether this is through participating in one-time workshops or completing a formal educational program.

The two things I most like about using the Internet for career development are, first, it's easy to fit your online explorations in around a job and other responsibilities. Second, in most cases using the Internet will be free. (I've worked in libraries for so long that cheap and convenient really seems like a plus to me, too!) Most of you probably already have Internet access at work, and if you don't, or if your employer limits its use, you can use the net at your local public library. Generally, the only time you will need to pay for using the Internet to develop your career is if you sign up for formal classes or workshops -- but, many of these are offered for a minimal charge, and, you may be able to find funding for continuing education or for library school through your state library or other institutions (I'll talk more about this later). The Internet is the best tool that I know of for helping you take responsibility for your own education, networking, and employability.

I'll be mentioning some useful web sites as we go along -- and all of these are listed on your handout. (Let me apologize to those of you whose handouts are printed crooked -- speaking of technology, the copy machine and I got into a huge fight, and it won. But, all of the information is still there!) So, let's start with...

Finding a Library Job

Let me just ask: How many of you have used the Internet to search for a library job?

OK, where have you looked -- Monster.com? E-mail lists? Newspaper classifieds? Large library job web sites like… oh… Lisjobs.com?

I may be biased, but I think that anyone working in a library should make the Internet their first stop in their search for a new position. And there is no "one right way" to search for a library job online -- the more ways you try, the more likely you'll be to find the listings that are right for you. I should have seen everyone's hand go up on every question I just asked. If you're serious about finding a new job, don't limit yourself to just one way of searching. Employers might only know of one place to post their job openings, so you need to check everywhere they might be likely to do so.

I've been running Lisjobs.com since 1996, and one of the questions I most often receive is why I don't maintain a separate section focusing on job opportunities for paraprofessionals. Now, the pessimistic way to look at this is that there are just not a lot of online employment resources aimed specifically at library paraprofessionals.

But the way I look at it is that the line between "professional" and "paraprofessional" library work -- which has always been fuzzy -- is becoming more and more so as nearly every aspect of working in a library is being transformed by the Internet age. Most online databases that contain library jobs don't make any distinction between types of positions; they just post jobs in libraries. And, the requirements for, and duties of, library positions are constantly changing. So never discount an Internet job resource that is aimed at librarians -- or at the more trendy "information professionals," because they generally contain a huge variety of positions for all types of workers in all types of libraries.

Also keep in mind that library employment is expected to grow at an amazing rate over the next few years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of jobs for librarians as growing at only 5% between 1998 and 2008 -- but pegs the number of jobs for library assistants as growing at a rate of 16%, and for "library technicians" at 18%! The "information age" is creating a huge demand for "information workers," both in traditional libraries and in other institutions that are starting to realize the importance of having people to manage the flow of information. And the BLS doesn't even count "non-traditional" jobs, which are accounting for a huge amount of growth.

I also see more and more employers posting ads for jobs that would previously have been available only to people with an accredited MLS, that now ask for the MLS or "equivalent experience." In the new workplace, skills, experience, and knowledge are what is in demand. You're in the right place at the right time, and your years of working in libraries count for more and more. So take advantage of being in demand -- even if you are comfortable in your current position and have no intention of changing, always keep an eye open to see what else might be out there. And if you don't choose to make a move, you can still look at descriptions in job ads to see where salaries and duties are going. Use that information when it comes time to review your own salary or to ask for a promotion. If you don't know what's out there, you won't know what to ask for.

(One thing to keep in mind, though, is that you may not want to use your Internet access at work while you're job hunting. If your employer is likely to be monitoring your Internet use, or if there is a chance that your boss or a nosy co-worker may see what you've been up to, be very careful. You might want to limit your job searching to home or to public terminals at another library or Internet café.)

OK, so enough about being careful -- where do you find these job ads online?

First, start with the web site of the particular institution or library where you'd most like to work. Most academic and public libraries now have their own web pages, while for corporate libraries you'll want to start with the company's web site. (Libweb, listed on your handout, is a great place to start looking for library web sites.) Look for a link to current position openings. Bookmark it, and visit often. Sometimes libraries -- especially larger libraries -- will post jobs on their own web site long before they make their way into newspapers or other listings.

They may also list more ads online than they are willing to spend the money to advertise in other places. For example, I checked the Denver Public Library's web site in January, and it listed 15 job openings. They're probably not going to spend the money to list all 15 job ads in the local paper, so your best bet is to keep checking their web site every week or so to see what new jobs have opened up.

And, while you're there, be sure to check out the rest of your target library's web site. Do this even if they don't take the time to list their job ads on their site. The information -- or lack of information -- on a library's web site can help you figure out if this will actually be a place that you'd someday like to work. Be especially sure to go through the library's web site if you get called for an interview. Then, when you're being interviewed, be sure to work into your answers somewhere a line like: "Yes, I noticed on your web site that…" This one line shows employers both that you've done your homework and that you're used to using the Internet.

After you've checked the ads on specific libraries' web sites, then you'll want to move on to listings in your local area. The Colorado state library, for one, maintains an online jobline, and so does the Mountain Plains Library Association. Local papers are online and it's much easier to search their classifieds there than to get out your magnifying glass and squint at the Sunday paper. Keep your eye out for job postings on local e-mail discussion lists (which I'll talk more about in just a moment).

Lastly, check some nationwide listings. With these, start with web sites devoted to listing only library jobs, such as Lisjobs.com and Library Job Postings on the Internet. Visit every week or so to see what new positions have been posted. If you're interested in relocating to another state, use these sites to find links to local joblines around the country -- just about every state has at least one or two. Also use them to find advice on library interviews and resumes. Browse around and see what types of information are available.

Then try the major online job sites -- Monster.com in particular often lists positions for clerks, technicians, assistants, and other library workers. When you're on these general national databases, be sure to search in several different ways. Companies may list jobs under titles such as "records clerk," "technical assistant" or "documentation manager" without once mentioning the word "library." Try to think about what jobs you're interested in may be called in different organizations, and don't just search for "library."

Places like Monster.com will also let you post your resume online to be viewed by potential employers. Before you do this, browse through the job ads that are already listed in their database. See what types of skills library employers are looking for, and how the job ads are worded. Since Monster.com and other online resume banks use "keywords" to locate your resume among all the others posted online, you'll want to make sure that you list all the relevant skills you can on your resume. You may be talking more about this in the next workshop this morning, but just remember for now that a little bit of research and preparation ahead of time can make your resume stand out from the rest.

Also try never to disregard a job just because of its title. Look at the duties and qualifications for all open positions at the libraries where you'd most like to work. Job titles and responsibilities can vary tremendously from library to library and from company to company.

If you're applying for a job you saw posted on the Internet, be sure to mention in your cover letter or when you call where you found the listing! Don't just tell them you're replying to their recent ad, tell them you're writing in regards to their ad on Monster.com, or Lisjobs.com, or on their own web site. Just about every job in a library today requires a high comfort level with computers -- and if you tell a potential employer that you saw their ad online, they'll know right off the bat that you have a pretty good level of technological savvy.

Many employers are now also accepting resumes online or through e-mail. Again, you'll probably be talking more about this in the workshop later this morning, but for now, just remember that taking advantage of these online options shows your online expertise. Another great way to build the technological savvy that employers are looking for is to use the Internet to network with other library workers. This brings us to the second way of using the Internet to advance your library career….

Networking

I'd like to ask you guys to take just a moment and do me a favor. Turn to the person next to you, or in front of you -- try not to pick someone from your own library -- and take a minute to introduce yourselves. Tell them your name, what library you work at, and what you do.

Ok! You've all just networked. That was easy enough! But the next time you see the person you just talked to at a meeting, workshop, or conference, you'll know their name. Stop and say hello.

Now, the chaos you just heard in here was a lot like networking online. Whenever you send someone an e-mail message or post to an e-mail discussion list from work, your name and library are attached to what you just wrote. So everyone who reads your messages gets to "know" you a little bit by what you say online. And the Internet is becoming more and more important in creating these kind of networks between people in different libraries.

Why? Because it's cheap, and because it's convenient. Using e-mail, you can form networks with a lot of people at once, on your own time, and without having to pay for postage, phone bills, or conference fees.

I was recently reading the nominating criteria for Library Journal's Paraprofessional of the Year Award. The first couple were pretty much what you'd expect, calling for excellence in job performance, encouragement of the use of library resources, and so on and so forth. But the last one was interesting. It said that they were looking for someone "having made efforts to build support groups, networks, and organizations to promote new career paths, excellence in library work, better pay, improved communication in libraries, and the breaking down of barriers between support staff and the MLS librarians with whom they work."

Notice the emphasis here on networking and communication. People who don't work in libraries often have this image of library workers as spending all of their time sitting by themselves in a completely quiet room, reading books and working quietly all day long. Those of us who do work in libraries, though, know that's not usually the case. Library work depends on interaction with our patrons and with our coworkers -- and, to a great extent, it's starting to depend more on interacting with people in other libraries. E-mail makes these larger networks possible, it lets you pool your knowledge to accomplish more and allows you to deal with changes in your own library by talking to other people in similar situations.

One thing to keep in mind about networking is that your direct networks include everyone you know -- your indirect networks include everyone they know. E-mail has made this so much more flexible. For example, you have my e-mail address right there on your handouts. You've heard me speak, so now in one sense you know me. Maybe one day you'll e-mail me a question that relates to what I'm talking about here today. If I don't know the answer, maybe I have someone on my list of e-mail contacts who will, and I can put the two of you in touch. Think about the size of just your own e-mail network -- and multiply that by the networks of everyone you talk to through e-mail!

If you have a question about how other libraries handle a problem or procedure, e-mail one of your colleagues. She'll be able to e-mail you back at her convenience, and you won't have to play phone tag or run the risk of interrupting her in the middle of a busy day. If you have a comment on an article you read in a library journal or magazine, e-mail the author -- chances are they'll be glad to hear your reaction.

Start establishing your online network by joining a couple of e-mail discussion lists in your area of interest. Libsup-L is a great list for paraprofessionals, and recent topics have included everything from job postings, to useful web sites for paraprofessionals, to the importance of job titles and classifications. You might also consider joining Libnet, the Colorado library discussion list, and MPLA-L, the Mountain Plains Library Association list, to talk about issues facing Colorado libraries. Don't jump into joining every list in sight, because the flood of e-mail will soon become overwhelming. But join a list or two at a time, and see how the conversation develops. Find out whether a particular list will be useful to you and your career, and if not, it's easy enough to unsubscribe and find another list that will. If you don't find a list that meets your needs, start your own -- places like Yahoo! Groups will let you do so for free.

Joining local lists also lets you "meet" other nearby library staff online. You'll then have an instant point of connection when you someday meet in person at a meeting or a workshop, and you'll be able to talk through e-mail when the event is over.

Also use places like "Library-Oriented Lists" (on your handout) that give links to hundreds of library-related e-mail lists on subjects from circulation to reference to acquisitions to find e-mail lists in your area of interest. Libraries across the country are dealing with the same sorts of issues, and e-mail lists provide a way for you to pool your knowledge with that of all these other library workers. Why duplicate another library's efforts if someone in, say, Alabama has already solved a problem that your library is also struggling with? You can use the information you find on these lists to solve similar problems in your own library -- which, by the way, is a great way to demonstrate the importance of networking online to your supervisor or to your administration. If you need help with an issue, ask -- people on these lists are generally very willing to help each other and to provide information on what their library has done in a similar situation.

The most important thing, then, about networking through e-mail is that you should always be willing to help others -- whether they e-mail you directly, or whether you see a question on an e-mail discussion list that you're able to answer. Yes, it's just a nice thing to do -- but getting a reputation for being helpful and for knowing answers will also help you advance your library career.

As my grandmother used to say, "what comes around, goes around." Now, she generally meant this as a threat… but it's very true in a positive sense as well!

Let's say you're applying for a new job one day. Your potential employer is going through the pile of resumes and recognizes your name. Maybe you once helped her find a piece of information that she needed, or maybe she kept one of your posts from an e-mail discussion list to refer to when doing a project at her own library. Who do you think she is going to call for the interview -- the person she remembers as being helpful and knowledgeable, or someone whose name she's never seen before?

Here's another cliché for you -- you've all heard that in life it's not what you know, it's who you know? Well, really, it's both -- but who you know, or who knows you, can get you in the door.

Here's another example. Let's say that you decide you want to run for office -- say, in the Mountains and Plains Parapros, or in ALA's support staff round table. When the ballots come out, people will be much more likely to vote for someone whose name is familiar, and will be sure to check off your name if they've had a pleasant experience dealing with you online. E-mail lists provide an easy way of staying active and getting yourself known.

Even if you don't have the time or interest to get involved in library associations in person, e-mail lists give you another way of participating. This is great if you're shy, or if you don't have the time to attend conferences and meetings in person. E-mail is also a great way to keep in contact between in-person get togethers. E-mail and discussion lists not only help you build the name recognition and the networks you need to advance, they are also a great place to find job listings. Sometimes positions will be posted on these lists before they are listed anywhere else. Someone in the library that has the open position and belongs to one of your lists may decide to share the ad with the list, or an HR department that is specifically looking to fill a support staff position, or a Colorado position, may post the job on the appropriate e-mail list.

E-mail lists are also a good way to locate workshops, classes, and other educational opportunities -- which brings us to the third way of using the Internet to advance your library career… you guessed it…

Finding Educational Opportunities

Now, I'm going to share something a little embarrassing with you, here. I don't know if this is just me, but… I've been out of school for a few years now, and still, every once in a while, I have The Dream. You know, the one where you're taking a class, and you walk in, and it's the final exam, and then you realize that you haven't been to class all semester and you have no idea what subject you're even going to be tested on… and then, if it's a particularly bad night, you look down and you're naked?!

Well, luckily, classes and options have changed some lately, and aren't necessarily such a traumatic experience!

You can use the Internet to identify and participate in all sorts of educational opportunities. Education is always power. Not only does it help you be more effective in your job, you can always use the fact that you have participated in workshops or have earned a degree or certificate to argue for a raise -- or find a better position. The Internet has opened up opportunities that were previously unavailable unless you were geographically mobile, your employer was very flexible, or you had a great deal of money to spend on your education. You can look online both for traditional classes within your library system or local schools, or for classes you can participate in entirely over the Internet.

Companies and libraries are starting to realize the importance of keeping up with change. Many are embracing the idea of "lifelong learning," where what you know, rather than just how long you've been with an institution or your degree status, is what makes you a valuable employee. Since what you need to know to be successful at your job changes over time, those people who never stop learning are those who are most valuable to their organizations. Obviously, formal workshops and classes are only one way of learning, but they do provide a way for you to educate yourself and to show your employer that you are committed to self-improvement.

Lifelong learning becomes even more important in the library environment, as paraprofessionals are being asked to take on increasing responsibilities. Libraries are having a harder time filling positions and budgets and staff levels are shrinking. Increased responsibility can bring with it increased status and compensation, but it also brings additional stresses. Paraprofessionals today need to keep up with technology and with changes in the way libraries are run. Even ALA is recognizing this in starting to plan a third "Congress for Professional Education," focusing on professional development issues for non-MLS library personnel.

Don't wait for ALA to act, however -- the Congress is a good step, but by the time it makes its recommendations and a committee is appointed to study the recommendations and another committee is formed to make a proposal on how to act on the recommendations and another one is created to study the proposal on how to act on the recommendations…… well, you get the idea. Take responsibility for your own learning today.

Often, people discount the very idea of taking classes because they assume it will be too costly or too time-consuming. Successful paraprofessionals, though, understand that their careers demand this commitment to lifelong learning -- and will take the time to find affordable and achievable options. Today I'll tell you how to locate low-cost educational opportunities and how to participate in courses online.

First, see what policies your library or company has on funding continuing education. Although some may specifically provide funding for classes leading to an MLS, many libraries also may be willing to pay for workshops, conferences, and other educational opportunities -- or at least provide you with time off to attend. This is especially true of local workshops, which often are both more directly relevant to your job and more cost-effective. Remember, your library will appreciate you taking advantage of educational opportunities that are cheap, and that are convenient!

If your institution does not provide educational funding, get together with other staff and see if you can convince them to change their policy. Organizations that invest in their people are healthy organizations, but sometimes a library administration will not realize the importance of supporting its staff unless it is directly pointed out -- they'll need that little push. Lifelong learning has to be a joint effort between you and your employer. If your employer just does not have the money to fund your education, though, check into scholarships that are available from places like the Colorado State Library. They now offer continuing education funding for Colorado library staff, and will reimburse you up to $200 per year for workshops and training -- including fees, lodging, and travel expenses. That's at least a workshop or two a year!

If you want to earn a degree, check out the web sites at ALA and other library associations. They often have scholarships available, and they list these scholarships online. Yes, there will be strings attached -- but this is usually along the lines of agreeing to work in a library for a certain number of years after graduation. If you're planning to keep working in libraries anyway, take advantage of this money! Don't let lack of funding stand in the way of your signing up for educational opportunities.

So, that being said, where do you find educational opportunities online?

First, look for workshops on subjects you'd like to know more about. Start with your local system, consortium, or association -- bookmark their web sites and remember to visit regularly to see what opportunities might be available. Don't just wait for flyers or other announcements to work their way through your library. You may never see them before registration deadlines have passed, as they tend to get lost on people's desks or bogged down somewhere in the distribution chain. Watch for announcements on e-mail lists -- I saw today's conference announced through e-mail at least twice!

Check the web site of the Colorado State Library. They have a continuing education calendar online that you can search by subject and location -- so if you're looking for a workshop on a specific topic, they're a good place to start. Some of the classes listed there are online, and others are offered in different locations around the state.

Also look for classes at local schools. And don't limit yourself to taking only "library" classes. If you have partial responsibility for your library's web site, see if a nearby community college or computer training center has a class on Microsoft FrontPage or on creating web graphics. If you need to learn Microsoft Access to maintain a local database, look for classes on that. Just about every school and training center now has a web site where you can find course schedules and continuing education listings, and classes at places like your local community college may be cheaper and more convenient. Your employer will appreciate your doing the research to find out! This is an especially good way to find computer classes, since there has been such a demand for technical education, community colleges have been increasing their offerings in this area.

Besides finding educational opportunities on the Internet, you can also participate in classes and workshops online. Internet access lets you take classes at your own convenience, and some schools are offering entire degrees online. So if you've been considering getting your library associate's degree or your MLS, but you aren't able to leave the area or commute horrendous distances, it will definitely be worth your while to investigate your options. Or, if you just want to take a few library-related continuing education classes, the Internet is an option for you as well.

For those of you who are looking into getting your MLS, there are several online directories of programs that offer a distance learning component. Start with ALA's guide to distance education programs (which is listed on your handout). These directories will lead you to the web sites of individual programs, where you can find out requirements, see if the school meets your needs, and see if the program will require you to take certain classes on campus or to spend some time each semester at the school itself.

The web is a great way to do this kind of research on schools. When I started looking into library school, I ended up doing what most people did -- just went to the school that happened to be within driving distance of my house. If I had it to do over again today? I'd research on the web, I'd find out about professors and programs, and I'd probably end up in one of the many distance learning programs at a school with a program that better fit my interests. (And then, maybe that dream wouldn't still be haunting me today…)

My thought is, if you (or your employer!) are going to spend that much money on school -- whether it's a traditional or an online program -- you want it to be worth your time and expense. E-mail the school. Ask them to send you information on what types of programs they offer. See if they are willing to put you in touch with a current or former student. E-mail and the web make this kind of research much less time-consuming.

If the school does offer a distance education program, take a look at the technical requirements for their courses -- which should be posted on their web site. Take some time to investigate whether distance learning will be a good fit for the way you learn, work, and interact with others. Many schools offer online self-assessments to help you measure whether distance learning is a good option for you. If you have used the Internet and stayed active on library-related discussion lists, you'll already have a head start on using online tools to communicate -- which is a big part of any distance learning program today.

For those of you that want a library-related degree but are not interested in earning an MLS, colleges such as the University of Cincinnati have recently started offering associates degrees, certificates, and bachelors degrees in "library and information technology" through either video or online format. You can fit these classes around your work schedule so much more easily -- there is no commute to worry about, for one thing, and you can do assignments, participate in discussions, and use e-mail at your own convenience.

If you want to take continuing education workshops and classes over the web, there are a number of these available as well -- and some are even free! Barnes and Noble, for example, has a variety of free online classes at its "Barnes and Noble University." Most of these are personal enrichment type classes, but they also include potentially useful courses such as "Building Your First Web Site" and "Adobe Photoshop Basics." If you have any responsibility for your library's web site, you may want to take a course or two online -- and be sure to let your supervisor know what you've been up to. If you want to expand your responsibilities, or if you work for a smaller library that doesn't currently have anyone to do a web site, why not take a course and then volunteer to set one up? Again, be proactive when it comes to your own education and career. Don't wait for your employer to offer opportunities to you -- go out and grab them for yourself!

Use ALA's list of schools that offer distance education and visit the web sites of several of these schools to see what continuing education or "professional development" classes they might offer online. Sometimes, these classes are given at a reduced rate and are much cheaper than taking classes towards the MLS, even when they are taught by the same professors. Online classes, too, can sometimes be more affordable because they cost the school less to offer. This won't always be the case, but it's worth checking into. If you want to take a class on a particular topic, use your networks -- ask on e-mail discussion lists to see if any of the participants know of an opportunity or have taken a similar class themselves. If you're thinking of signing up for a specific class or enrolling in library school, ask about that on your e-mail lists, too -- see if anyone else has taken the same class or is attending the same school, and what their experiences have been.

Usually people who have taken these classes will be much more honest about what is actually involved than the school will be, and, even if they're reluctant to post a negative response on the list for everyone else to see, they still may be willing to e-mail you privately. This is another reason to gain that reputation for being helpful online. If others have seen you being helpful and responsive, they will go out of their way to help you in turn, in these sort of situations.

I've talked a lot today about how to use the Internet to advance your career. But the Internet, in the end, is only a tool -- you're the one who has to choose to be proactive and to use the Internet, as well as whatever other tools are available to you, to develop your skills, networks, and employability. If you do choose to set those goals and work every day to reach them, adding online resources to your career toolbox will give you a wider range of options to help you help yourself.

Take advantage of the three ways I've talked about today and use the Internet to search for employment, network with others, and locate educational opportunities -- but also remain open to other ways of using the Internet as a tool for your own career development. Maybe you can use the skills you learn in one of your online classes to create your own web page -- which can impress potential employers and help you meet other library workers who may contact you by e-mail to comment on something you've put online. You can use the Internet to read library-related journals and magazines. Many of them have sites where certain articles, or even whole issues, are available for free. Do you have something you want to say to other library workers? Find journal guidelines online and submit an article. Ask someone you've met on an e-mail list to work with you, and write the article together. Think of your own ways to use the Internet to develop yourself and your career, and take advantage of the opportunities it offers. It's both cheap, and convenient.

So, as you find yourself awash in the sea of technological change, remember that technology can also be your guide to a fruitful library career. Put using the Internet to help yourself on your list of things to do, and never use the excuse that dealing with technological change isn't something you'd planned for. Sometimes it's exactly what we don't plan for that helps keep us interested, awake, and aware -- and with new technological challenges we also find new opportunities. Only you can choose to take advantage of the Internet's ability to keep you educated, connected, and employable. Follow Frog's lead and leap into the library future, leaving the change-challenged Toads behind to make their little lists and remain rooted in the past.

Copyright © 2001, Rachel Singer Gordon

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