Summation Entry

 Summation Entry

As I reflect on my practicum experience at the Texas Tech Library, I feel incredibly grateful for the wide range of learning opportunities I had. I came into the internship expecting to learn more about subject analysis and Library of Congress Subject Headings, and I certainly did. Working through two full batches of subject headings gave me valuable, hands-on experience in critically evaluating metadata, correcting errors, and understanding the nuances of cataloging. Shelley’s guidance through this process was immensely helpful, and I now feel far more confident in my ability to work with subject access points in a real library setting. It was a challenge at times to keep track of all the changes I made, but this eventually turned into an opportunity as I compiled a workflow and even developed a presentation to help future librarians learn how to navigate similar challenges.

One thing that surprised me was just how diverse the roles and experiences of academic librarians can be. I met with several reference librarians, each with different subject specialties, who shared their experiences with instruction, outreach, committee work, and service roles within the university. I had assumed reference work was fairly uniform, but I was amazed at how dynamic and individualized each librarian’s path was. From Kimberly Vardeman’s creative outreach events to the Health and Human Sciences librarian’s committee involvement, I gained a broader picture of the profession than I ever imagined. It was also a fun surprise to learn that one of the librarians I met with was Shelley’s husband—a small, personal moment that reminded me how close-knit academic library communities can be.

Another standout experience was getting to tour and participate in the digitization work with Nathan. While I didn’t get to try out the Photoshop side of things due to his sudden dental emergency, I still found the scanning process fascinating and enjoyed learning about how materials are preserved and shared digitally. I especially appreciated the level of detail and care that goes into ensuring materials like posters are properly scanned, edited, and stored. It gave me a real appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that enables access to digital archives and collections. I could definitely see myself enjoying a role that combines traditional cataloging with digital preservation work.

Not everything was easy, of course. Giving my presentation was one of the more nerve-wracking parts of the internship, mostly because I was worried about how it would be received. I was grateful for Shelley and Macgregor’s kind and constructive feedback, and I felt proud afterward knowing that I had prepared something useful and professional. Another challenging moment was learning about some of the emotional and ethical weight that comes with certain responsibilities, such as Shelley’s experience with a thesis that could have endangered a vulnerable individual. It reminded me that librarianship isn’t just about information—it’s also about people, and sometimes those decisions are difficult and deeply human.

Overall, this practicum confirmed that I’m on the right path. I truly enjoyed the work I did and the people I got to know along the way. If I were ever in a position to lead or develop a similar internship, I’d aim to ensure a similarly diverse range of experiences—subject analysis, digitization, reference, special collections, and professional development opportunities like giving presentations. I’d also love to see even more integration between departments to show how interconnected library work can be. My time at Texas Tech was incredibly valuable, and I’m excited to take what I’ve learned into my future career—hopefully at South Plains College or another academic institution where I can continue growing in this field.

As I reflect on my practicum experience at the Texas Tech Library, I feel incredibly grateful for the wide range of learning opportunities I had. I came into the internship expecting to learn more about subject analysis and Library of Congress Subject Headings, and I certainly did. Working through two full batches of subject headings gave me valuable, hands-on experience in critically evaluating metadata, correcting errors, and understanding the nuances of cataloging. Shelley’s guidance through this process was immensely helpful, and I now feel far more confident in my ability to work with subject access points in a real library setting. It was a challenge at times to keep track of all the changes I made, but this eventually turned into an opportunity as I compiled a workflow and even developed a presentation to help future librarians learn how to navigate similar challenges.