Literacy+Statement

 **751: Literacy, Libraries, and Literature**   (31 KB)   Growing up, my love for books helped stir inside me an avid interest in film. My undergraduate studies are within the area of media arts, emphasis in film production, and film studies. It is my belief that all forms of media, be it book, film, periodical and even transient images found on the internet are important catalogs of our social and cultural times. My concern used to center on the connection between all forms of media and the ways in which they allow //scholars// to understand a certain point in time. And while I still believe that scholarly work is beneficial in that it helps us to better understand information more deeply, I now know the greatest importance is found when //all// people are able to process those images and information for //themselves.//   The chronicling and understanding of media is something that I believe to be increasingly important within our fast paced and technologically advanced times. More and more, vital data is being swiftly transmitted through the use of cell phones, social networking, blogging and various other web tools. My passion lies in realizing, understanding and being able to see such pieces – to see the ephemeral become the perpetual. But it is important for us all to contribute to the information world; no voice should be left out.  In my personal literacy statement at the beginning of this class I wrote, “The world can only be improved by an increase in literacy and it is my hope that this class will enlighten me in how to do just that.” I began this class as what I termed “literacy illiterate.” Understanding that literacy comes in many different forms was knowledge that I needed to obtain. I have to admit that I was wary that my background would limit me in being able to be customer service oriented. Thanks to this class and its introduction to various forms of literacy, especially media literacy, I now understand that I, too, can help others become self-sufficient. Media Literacy is a valuable commodity in itself because it allows for a whole slew of developmental skills.  My job as a LIS professional will not be just to find information and relay it back to patrons, but to teach them the ways to access it themselves. The greatest thing that I can offer to people is the ability to become life-long learners. 