It’s Okay to be Feral: Exploring Librarian Identity through Autoethnography
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
13-1-2021 1:30 PM
End Date
13-1-2021 1:50 PM
Abstract
A “feral librarian” is defined as a librarian without a library science degree. Although this may appear to carry a negative connotation, as a library outsider with an EdD and not an MLS degree, I contend this unique identity adds value to my librarian practice. As more focus in higher education is placed on interdisciplinarity and collaboration across silos, it becomes more important to learn how to cross boundaries, how to collaborate in multiple academic cultures, and how to reframe your academic professional identity. This paper will present findings from an exploratory research study that integrates autoethnography with grounded theory methods to uncover the experiences and identity of a faculty member living in the fringes of multiple professional communities.
Themes that emerged from this research, that include serendipity, the inside-outsider dilemma, relationship building, confidence boosting, people power, and leveraging experience will be presented. Findings from this research can be applied to a variety of academic roles, especially feral-like or third-space identities, and presents a new lens for rethinking impact in your professional community. Participants will also learn about the opportunities and value of using autoethnography to reflect on career and professional decision-making. A preliminary model for professional development using autoethnographic processes will be shared that builds upon the presenter’s research findings, as well as, recent workplace learning literature. Participants will take away templates, strategies, and materials grounded in the study findings to help them think differently about planning and assessing their own progress in their academic career.
Keywords
autoethnography, librarianship, professional development
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9981-5757
ResearcherID
T-9658-2018
It’s Okay to be Feral: Exploring Librarian Identity through Autoethnography
A “feral librarian” is defined as a librarian without a library science degree. Although this may appear to carry a negative connotation, as a library outsider with an EdD and not an MLS degree, I contend this unique identity adds value to my librarian practice. As more focus in higher education is placed on interdisciplinarity and collaboration across silos, it becomes more important to learn how to cross boundaries, how to collaborate in multiple academic cultures, and how to reframe your academic professional identity. This paper will present findings from an exploratory research study that integrates autoethnography with grounded theory methods to uncover the experiences and identity of a faculty member living in the fringes of multiple professional communities.
Themes that emerged from this research, that include serendipity, the inside-outsider dilemma, relationship building, confidence boosting, people power, and leveraging experience will be presented. Findings from this research can be applied to a variety of academic roles, especially feral-like or third-space identities, and presents a new lens for rethinking impact in your professional community. Participants will also learn about the opportunities and value of using autoethnography to reflect on career and professional decision-making. A preliminary model for professional development using autoethnographic processes will be shared that builds upon the presenter’s research findings, as well as, recent workplace learning literature. Participants will take away templates, strategies, and materials grounded in the study findings to help them think differently about planning and assessing their own progress in their academic career.