ACS Publications Scholarship—Winning Essay
by Geri Olmstead
“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards."
– Unknown
This statement resonates with me for two different reasons. First, I believe it speaks the truth. A lesson is never truly understood until the pupil has witnessed it for themselves. Secondly, experience is a vital component to professional development. As a soon to be graduate, professional experience is something I strongly desire. Let me introduce myself, my name is Geri B. Olmstead. As of January 2007, I am a member of the Chemistry Division of the Special Libraries Association. I earned my Bachelor’s of Science from Missouri State University with an emphasis in Chemistry. At the present time, I am in the process of completing my Master’s of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
As a graduate student I am learning valuable skills as a Graduate Assistant in an engineering library and physics library. All though my graduate assistantships are informative, they only provide me with paraprofessional knowledge. In an attempt to procure professional experience, I have applied for the North Carolina State University Libraries Fellowship for Scientific Librarians. This program would afford me with two years of professional development. Along with this fellowship, I have recently applied for various Librarian positions at major universities throughout the country. It is my hope to be offered a position in academe in order to gain professional experience after which I would like to venture into the Corporate Librarianship in the chemical industry.
As a soon–to–be graduate, I realize there is more than one way for me to earn professional development; another method is to attend a professional conference, such as SLA. If I were to receive this stipend, I would utilize the funds by traveling to the SLA conference. Once there, I aim to attend as many Chemistry Division sponsored events at time will allow. After reviewing the Chemistry Division agenda, I see multiple activities in which I would be a willing participant. The continuing education courses, the newcomers lunch, the academic roundtable, collection development events, the environmental chemistry issues discussion, and the chemistry vendor roundtable all have peeked my interest. I see the conference, more specifically, the Chemistry Division events as an excellent learning experiences and an opportunity to promote myself to the Science Library world. It is my wish to utilize the SLA conference as a vehicle for meeting potential employers and possibly interview with these individuals.
My education has afforded me a strong background in and a love of Chemistry combined with a working knowledge of Library and Information Studies. I will take the professional experience I gain from attending the Special Library Association conference this June and apply to my career objective of becoming a Scientific Librarian in the Chemical industry.
Geri Olmstead
olm9889@yahoo.com
Address:
817 E. Oakland Ave #206
Urbana, IL 61802
417-848-9804
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Projected Graduation: August 2007
Degree: Master of Science- Library and Information Studies
Missouri State University
Graduation: May 2006
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Library Science
Foreign Study: Imperial College, England. Study Abroad Program, Spring 2002
Work and Internship
Waste Management and Research Center Library and Clearinghouse (January 2007 – May 2007) Practicum
A variety of skills are expected to be learned. Including original and copy cataloging,
introduction to the acquisitions process, developing reference guides on various environmental
topics, conducting in-depth research for chemists, and networking of information via a
professional blog.
Grainger Engineering Library and Information Center at UIUC (August 2006 – August 2007) Graduate Assistant
The duties of a Graduate Assistant at the Grainger Engineering Library include performing
public service to library patrons, working to maintain information systems, and provide quality
assistance at a high volume departmental library. A major component to my position is to staff the
reference desk which entails researching and answering reference questions. As with any science
library, electronic databases are vital resources. Often graduate assistants are responsible for
problem solving, navigation, and accuracy of Grainger and engineering specific databases. The
work a graduate assistant does at Grainger is not entirely done on an individual basis. There are
various library-related group projects which require the graduate assistants to work as a team. Also,
there is a managerial aspect to being a graduate assistant. This is due to the fact, the graduate
assistants are sometimes required to be building supervisors. This involves the overseeing of all
student assistants and being responsible for maintaining a level of quality with regards to library
services.
Physics and Astronomy Library at UIUC (August 2006 – August 2007) Graduate Assistant
Collection maintenance, including updating catalog records and physical collection; circulation
assistance
St. John’s Health Systems (January 2006 – May 2006) Medical Library Intern
The time spent at the St John’s Medical Library provided a wide variety of learning opportunities.
These included filling interlibrary loan requests, acquisitions assistance, copy cataloging,
and preparing library materials to go to bindery. Another aspect was assisting patrons with requests
which usually involved searching for information using medical databases and resources. Also, as
an intern in the library, I participated in an outreach program aimed at promoting the use of the
resources contained within a health services library in public schools
Taylor Health and Wellness Center (part-time, April 2004 – present) Head Cashier and Office Assistant
Train new employees, process insurance claims, organize and file business papers, handle patient complaints
Special Skills in the Library Science Field
Reference material knowledge
On-line catalog searching
Knowledge of abstracting and indexing databases
Cataloging experience
Compiling book reviews and book talks
Ability to utilize spreadsheet software
An understanding and awareness of Collection Development and Acquisitions
In-depth database and literature searches
Knowledge of the functionality behind a library
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Dream Weaver, Sea Monkey
Additional Information
Member, Special Library Association, Chemistry Division
Special Skills in Chemistry include Infrared Spectrometer, Solution Calorimeter, Refractive Index, HPLC, Gas Chromatography, GC/Mass Spectrometer, Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, ICP/ Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer
Member the Dean’s List at Missouri State University in spring 2001; spring 2002; fall 2004
through spring 2006
Recipient of 2006 Outstanding Environmental Chemistry Student from Missouri State University
Graduated Cum Laude from Missouri State University
Expanding Your Horizon Energy Conference 2005, Chemistry session organizer and leader
Managerial experience due to past employment
Extensive foreign and domestic traveler to accompany a love seeing new places and learning about new cultures
Hobbies: reading, physical fitness, watching movies, hiking
References
Mary Schlembach, Assistant Engineering Librarian,
Physics and Astronomy Librarian
154 Grainger Engineering Library
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1301 E. Springfield Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-3158
schlemba@uiuc.edu
Jenny Beth Petty, Ph. D. Coordinator of Library Science Education
Missouri State University
901 S National Ave
Springfield, MO 65897
417-836-4529
jbpetty@missouristate.edu
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