{"id":5477,"date":"2022-11-30T08:00:08","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T16:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/?p=5477"},"modified":"2022-11-28T19:57:30","modified_gmt":"2022-11-29T03:57:30","slug":"self-advocacy-reflections-on-this-semesters-theme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu\/alasc\/wp-students\/self-advocacy-reflections-on-this-semesters-theme\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-Advocacy: Reflections on Our Fall 2022 theme"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a semester of conversations around self-advocacy, our Fall 2022 SJSU ALASC Chair Rachel Fleming reflected on all the events and conversations that she and the ALASC executive team had participated in.<\/em><\/p>\n

Self-Advocacy: Why & How\u00a0<\/b><\/h1>\n

Ideally everyone should have a seat at the table, but realistically many people have to <\/span>ask<\/b> for a seat. In all probability many had to campaign and possibly fight a bloody ruthless battle to attain a seat at the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

In an ideal world you don\u2019t need self advocacy skills because you have co-workers, a boss, a director and a system that advocates for you. Realistically, we know that many systems only benefit a privileged few, or the most outspoken voice, and as we all have learned, life is not fair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These realities present a harsh truth: <\/span>we must be our own advocates.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Four<\/a>
Courtesy of @corelens on Canva<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Competing with the endless noise of our information universe<\/h2>\n

Entering the world of library school I have met countless library students at different stages of their journeys. Some have worked in a library for years, while others are switching to a new career. These students are creative, smart and passionate about the LIS world. What I don\u2019t see is a lot of\u00a0 boisterous, debate-loving students shouting, \u201cLet’s go out into the world and show everyone who we are and what we do!\u201d and unfortunately, we need more loudmouths to compete with the endless noise of our information universe. Librarians are bent under the weight of <\/span>vocational awe<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>librarianship as a care-work<\/span><\/a> burnout, which is now a prevalent topic of conversation. In an age of constant online stimulation and massive million dollar marketing campaigns with information booming, the world of libraries grows smaller when they should be getting bigger and more relevant. People say, \u201c<\/span>Libraries still exist? Why? We have Google, we don’t need libraries!<\/span><\/i>\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And yet,<\/span> millennials use libraries more than the previous generation<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>California has the lowest literacy rates in the nation<\/span><\/a>, and states that have<\/span> defunded K-12 teacher librarians<\/span><\/a> are starting to see negative ripple effects and information illiterate adults. The world of information has become so vast it overwhelms the average consumer who now more than ever needs a trusted librarian to guide them through the deluge. Information literacy classes and programs should be soaring! Marketing librarians as community mentors and fact checking wizards should be the norm! And yet\u2026.crickets\u2026.defunding\u2026.libraries labeled as outdated and unnecessary\u2026..<\/span>why?<\/span><\/i> We must develop our voice and add volume and validity to our message because the next generation of librarians will need to advocate for themselves and for their place in the information world.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HOW do you advocate for yourself? What must you do?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The short answer?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

You fail.<\/span><\/p>\n

You try again.<\/span><\/p>\n

You ask for help, feedback and support from friends and you try again.<\/span><\/p>\n

You utilize every tool, technology, connection, and opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n

You build your self advocacy muscles slowly over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your toolbox<\/h2>\n
\"An<\/a>
Courtesy of Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Self advocacy is difficult, it\u2019s uncomfortable, and in today\u2019s digital information age, it is an essential skill to learn and practice. At its foundation you need to believe in yourself and your work product and know that what you offer the world is an essential service that makes the world better. As Dr. Uila Gosart mentioned in her <\/span>talk on self advocacy<\/span><\/a>, you need to know what is meaningful to you and understand the indivisible self.\u00a0 Standing on this self-belief and\u00a0<\/span>self-awareness, we build outward. We have to ask for what we want and take practical steps towards the future we deserve. Listen to the voice inside that says \u201c<\/span>I deserve that job!<\/span><\/i>\u201d And say to that voice, \u201c<\/span>Great, now let’s take the steps to go and get it!<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So HOW do you go about doing this, where do you start? <\/span><\/p>\n

Be organized! You are a MLIS student, you’re learning all about organization and structures. You must make a system and a roadmap that works for you. These are the 10 steps I have developed in my MLIS journey:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. Know yourself & your community<\/b>, your strengths, values, and what your career goals are specifically. <\/span>You cannot ask for what you want\/deserve if you don\u2019t know specifically what that is.<\/span><\/i> Do your own self evaluation and inventory- Dr. Gosart\u2019s <\/span>Notions of the Self<\/span><\/a>. What are your long term career goals? Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? What skills can you be working on now to make yourself a more appealing candidate? What skills do you have that are transferable? What skills and services are you currently bringing to the table and are you being fairly compensated for them?<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Know your rights.<\/b> Legal information can be daunting, but at the very least you need to know what your state and local laws are on employee rights.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Know what you\u2019re up against.<\/b> Fighting an unseen force is difficult. It helps to identify what the issue is: systematic barriers, pay gaps, microaggressions, closed doors, gaslighting, lack of transparency. Once you have identified what the biggest barrier is, you can take steps to overcome it.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Cultivate support: You are not alone!<\/b> Realize you have allies who will help you and want you to succeed. <\/span>Work to develop direct lines of communication with people in positions of power who could advocate for you or with you. B<\/span>e an ally and advocate for others.\u00a0<\/span>Recognize that some managers or leaders would love to help, but need you to help motivate, galvanize and bring values into action.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Do your own research<\/b> on an industry, on other\u2019s expectations and goals, and pitch yourself. Write out a script, practice it on your pet, significant other or a video on your phone. Practice and revise.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    6. Work on your assertive communication. <\/b>\n