The Road Ahead
Happy New Year! This year brings some big changes for me.
About 6 years ago I began slowly steering my career in a different direction, and I’m finally fully on my new path, focused on digital library projects.
In this new year my work will be split between a few different projects. First, I’ll be working more on the Design for Learning program, which I’ve been working on since last February through Syracuse University. Through this program, library workers from all over the country are taking online courses to learn how to teach online. I’ll also be working on a public art inventory project for Oneida county, working for Sculpture Space in Utica on all the digital aspects of building an online archive and print publication to document artwork all across the county. I will also continue my research for HistoricDress.org, collaborating with a widening group of historic costume collections to develop shared digital strategies.
After completing my second masters degree last May, following up on my MFA with a Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS) at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University, I’ve been easing my way out of my position in the Drama Department at Vassar College. This fall has been my last semester there, and my colleagues and students there have given me a wonderful send off. I look back on my time there with great pride while I turn to my new path. Of course, I will stay involved with Vassar’s collection of historic clothing as I make sure that it is represented in the work for HistoricDress.org.
I was too busy back last May to toot my own horn very much, but along with my MSLIS I also completed a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Digital Libraries, with a 4.0 across the board (toot, toot) and although I wasn’t able to attend commencement in person, in absentia I was awarded the Antje Lemke Award for my commitment to libraries and scholarship. After that it was a bit anti-climactic for me to continue on in my “old” job for several months, but I knew the transition would be gradual.
So, now I’m excited to finally be devoting all of my work to digital library projects. Here’s to 2016!