Profiles

Nicole Outlaw

Sponsoring Organization: NYPL SIBL
Attending: Pratt Institute

I have been employed with the New York Public Library for almost 16 years, starting as a page in October of 1990 and then four years later as an Office Aide. My first experience with the librarian profession began with my appointment as an Information Assistant in 1998. After taking some time and gaining experience in the librarian field, I decided to apply for library school. I finally realized that librarianship was the career for me and I would definitely be good at it.

Before selecting a specialty, I explored children and young adult services and came to the conclusion that I preferred adult reader advisory and the research aspects of adult reference services. I enrolled in the Library and Information Studies Program at Pratt Institute in 2005. I decided to become an adult specialist but I didn't stop there; I selected a stronger focus and skill, business.

With the help of the IMLS scholarships and Kristin McDonough, director of New York Public Library's Science Industry and Business Library teaching library (SIBL), was I able to attend. I am now a full time librarian trainee at a local branch of NYPL doing observations at SIBL on my days off. Through these observations at SIBL, I am strengthening my research and business skills pertinent to the business librarian profession. Whenever possible I use SIBL as a model and a resource for library school assignments.

I enjoy the classroom setting, and the discussion of topics that I can relate to and expanding on. I am learning about the different resources and tools that any and everyone working at the information desk should have the opportunity to learn. Library school gives me a chance of gaining future networks and interacting with experienced individuals already in the field and fellow students.