Freshly Minted: Nicole Lacelle

March 27, 2018

LIT Student, Algonquin College

Which information studies program are you attending?

This spring I will be graduating from Algonquin College’s Library and Information Technician program in Ottawa, Ontario.

What are your current classes like? Which is your favorite so far, and why?

My current classes vary from exploring library software to practicing with Library of Congress Classification to learning how to promote library services through conventional and social media marketing.

My favorite class this semester is Reader’s Advisory Services, in which I’ve gained wonderful experience interacting with clientele in a friendly and professional manner to make them feel comfortable and important within the library.

Is there one aspect of the profession that surprises you that you were not expecting when you started the program? What is it?

One thing I never realized is how versatile an education in information really is! As much as I’m draw to traditional public libraries, the field of librarianship is much more than that. Information management is extremely important, whether it involves directly engaging with the users or not.

What was it that initially drove you to librarianship?

Like many students in the field, amazing library services drove me to librarianship! My parents and teachers instilled in me a desire to learn and explore through library services. During my studies at the University of Ottawa, I also experienced librarians that were passionate about their work and passionate about helping students. I wanted to be that librarian.

If you could work anywhere, and do anything with information, what would your dream job look like?

My dream would be to work for a small rural public library and serve close-knit and active library clientele. I would love the opportunity to make a positive impact on a town to which I am strongly tied myself.

If someone were considering going to library school, what would you advise them about?

It’s not necessary to have a specific career in mind when starting your educational journey! There are so many kinds of jobs in the field of librarianship. A job that may not appeal to you at first may change your mind.

My advice would be to choose field placements that are very different from one another. If you enjoy it, you may have an idea for your future path. If you don’t enjoy it, that’s all right too! Knowing what you don’t want to do is just as important as knowing what you want to do.

What do you think is the most important aspect of being an information professional today?

This may seem like general advice, but always continue to ask questions!

Like many different fields, the field of information changes by the year. Make sure to ask advice from both seasoned professionals and new professionals. Both have different sets of knowledge that are important in improving how information is managed and how users are served!