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Misconceptions and antiquated views of our institutions and our roles still abound. How do we change people\u2019s perceptions? To start, we can take ownership of our expertise and tell people just how awesome we are.\u00a0![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/libraries_transform.png\")
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Last year, ALA launched the Libraries Transform<\/a>\u00a0initiative, with the goal of convincing the general public that libraries are neither out of touch nor obsolete, but imperative and essential resources. As part of the Libraries Transform campaign, ALA has launched a new initiative\u00a0focused specifically on librarians and library staff where we get to tell people, “We are the experts.”<\/a>\u00a0That\u2019s right; give humility a little shove and start touting your expertise.<\/p>\n What are you an expert in? Early literacy? Online searching? Graphic novels? Gaming? STEM resources? Outreach? With the I\u2019m-an-Expert campaign, we get to acknowledge our best assets. Just fill in the blank: I\u2019m an expert in _____.<\/p>\n To encourage brainstorming and conversation, we\u2019re running a contest for all of you experts out there, with one lucky winner receiving a bag full of I\u2019m-an-Expert badges<\/a>!<\/p>\n To participate, tell us in the comments below what you\u2019re an expert in, and how your expertise reflects the ALSC Core Competencies<\/a>.<\/p>\n For example:<\/p>\n I\u2019m an expert in preschool education and can help kids be prepared for kindergarten. (ALSC Core Competency I.7: Understands theories of infant, child, and adolescent learning, literacy development and brain development, and their implications for library service.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The contest deadline is October 28. The entry that best exemplifies the spirit of ALSC and ALSC\u2019s Core Competencies will win. The winner will also have the opportunity to be highlighted in a future blog post! Good luck!<\/p>\n
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