Learning from a librarian鈥檚 expertise
Library media specialist Soni Woodley gained hands-on experience at Cook Library while earning her master鈥檚 in instructional technology.
When Soni Woodley was earning her bachelor鈥檚 in English at Towson University, one of her favorite places on campus was .
That鈥檚 where she figured out what she wanted to do with her life.
Experiencing how Cook librarians share their expertise through instruction made Woodley recognize she wanted to do the same in a middle or high school library after graduation 鈥� and maybe even someday as Librarian of Congress.
鈥淲ith everything online,鈥� says Woodley, 鈥渟omeone guiding students in how to find proper information is a must.鈥�
That鈥檚 why she chose the School Library Media Concentration in TU鈥檚 instructional technology master鈥檚 program, where she has found supportive faculty 鈥渢here to see you succeed鈥� and an array of opportunities preparing her for the future.
Opportunities like a 鈥渨eeding activity鈥� in her beloved Cook Library that she got to do as part of a class. Students raided the library鈥檚 K-12 collection to check that the volumes were in good condition and relevant 鈥� a pleasure for Woodley who says she fell in love with literature through children鈥檚 books. The project culminated with students making recommendations on which items should be culled.
鈥� Faculty are there to see you succeed. 鈥�
鈥淭hat was really helpful, to go into an actual library,鈥� says the Maryland native. 鈥淲e get a lot of practice.鈥� Particularly, she adds, because the children鈥檚 section at Cook is shelved according to the Dewey Decimal System, like that of most K-12 schools and public libraries.
She also appreciates that the master鈥檚 program pairs students with individuals already working as library-media specialists in K-12 settings so that those in training can learn from folks in the field.
鈥淭he working professionals are so eager to help out someone in school,鈥� says Woodley. 鈥淭hey let you come in and ask them questions. They share their experiences.鈥�
An officer for the College of Education in the Graduate Student Association (GSA), Woodley says she recommends TU鈥檚 instructional technology program to students at open houses, touting the small class sizes, informed professors and experiential learning.
The faculty, says Woodley, 鈥渞eally do a good job making [the program] hands-on and practical.鈥�