Hey there, I'm Amanda, a graduate student from Miami, Florida. I've had the pleasure of working with some truly amazing information specialists and learned a ton along the way.
My expertise lies in archives and digitization, and I'm passionate about special collections and rare materials. I am interested in the preservation and maintenance of physical collections, with a focus on equity, diversity, and access initiatives in the industry.
When I'm not grinding away at work, you can usually find me hanging out with my dog, exploring Florida's natural wonders, or trying a new creative hobby. I'm an avid reader, which should have pointed me towards Library and Information Sciences sooner than it did.
My profound interest in the museum field is rooted in my passion for preserving cultural heritage and making it accessible to diverse audiences. Museums, in my view, serve as vital bridges between the past and the present, fostering understanding and appreciation of our shared human history. Through digitization, materials are made more accessible for use by researchers and the public.
My internship at the University of Florida Special and Area Collections was my first foray into the world of archival science. The MLIS curriculum has deepened my understanding of archival theory and practice, particularly in creating descriptive metadata and utilizing content management systems. This theoretical foundation, coupled with hands-on experience, has honed my ability to organize, preserve, and make historical materials widely available while maintaining their integrity—skills that are paramount in managing digital and physical collections in museums.
Additionally, I worked as an undergraduate assistant at the Florida Museum of Natural History where I was tasked with digitizing a large collection of specimens for a global database. My interactions with complex imaging equipment and advanced computer programs not only honed my technical proficiency but also deepened my appreciation for the intricacies of creating digital collections. The culmination of my efforts materialized when I presented our digitized collection at a prominent museum conference.
Through the MLIS program, I have had the opportunity to connect with professionals across the library, information science, and museum sectors. The program has opened doors to further professional development opportunities, allowing me to share my experiences and learn from others in the field. The network of professionals and academics found through the Association of Jewish Libraries has been invaluable in pursuing my goals and staying abreast of the latest trends and technologies in cultural heritage preservation and judaica librarianship.
My passion for genealogy and heritage research was ignited by the stories of my own family, who fled antisemitic pogroms in Romania and Imperial Russia. This passion has been a guiding force in my life. Over the years, I have delved into numerous projects, from uncovering my own family's history to assisting others in their quests for knowledge about their roots. I have developed a keen eye for detail, honed my research skills, and gained experience in managing and preserving historical documents. The MLIS program has significantly enhanced my research skills, an essential aspect of my interest in genealogy and heritage research. It has provided me with sophisticated methodologies and tools for conducting historical and archival research, enabling me to delve deeper into family and community histories.
Through participating in various group projects throughout my coursework, I have gained considerable insights into the dynamics of teamwork and collaboration. These experiences have not only taught me the importance of collective effort but have also instilled key skills and values essential for success in any team-oriented environment. Group projects have exposed me to a wide range of perspectives, showcasing the strength that diversity brings to problem-solving and creativity. Learning to appreciate and integrate different viewpoints has been pivotal in reaching more comprehensive and innovative solutions. This exposure has also taught me the importance of flexibility—adapting to new ideas, changing plans, and shifting roles as needed to achieve the best possible outcome.
Statement of Integrity
- All artifacts, reflections, narratives, and examples are mine alone (except where indicated as a group or team project), and has been prepared solely by me.
- I am protecting the privacy of the contents of my ePortfolio by password protecting it, submitting it through Canvas, or by sharing the URL only with my advisor.
- Any publicly accessible pages have been deliberately designed and approved by me and by my advisor so that they may be used for potential job search or other public access to my professional portfolio or web page.
- Before making my ePortfolio public, I will respect the privacy of others by modifying or removing information that could lead to the identity of individuals (team members in group projects, internship supervisors, interviewees, etc.) and institutions.
Amanda Widom
Goal I: Leadership and Innovation
I. Students are innovative, ethical, and problem-solvers able to lead and manage through communication, collaboration, and reflection.
a. Students are able to evaluate critically, reflect, and problem-solve individually as well as collaboratively.
LIS 5020 Foundations of Library and Information Science - Policy Working Group, Part 2
This group project consisted of two parts. In the first part, we were assigned to groups of four or five students to discuss several library policies nationwide. We discussed various aspects of the policies, such as systemic biases and other ethical questions. The attached document shows part two of the project. As a group, we carefully decided which policy to revise to align it more closely with the values and duties prescribed to us as if we were librarians in that institution. To fairly distribute responsibility between ourselves, we each focused on a specific perspective with which we were making our primary revisions. My revisions were primarily focused on providing equitable access to resources for patrons experiencing homelessness and economic hardship.
b. Students demonstrate effective communication skills:
LIS 6603: Basic Information Sources and Services - LibGuide Presentation
For our final project in Basic Information Sources and Services we were asked to present our LibGuide which was created as the final project for the course. This project allowed me to learn virtual presentation software through Loom. It also gave me an invaluable experience in presentation skills, which I typically struggle with. I was able to hone my communication skills and understand my weaknesses with public (or virtual) speaking. With each recording attempt, and valuable peer feedback, I was able to effectively present my LibGuide which acts as a finding aid for Holocaust liberation and survivor research.
c. Students participate in professional and community engagement activities in the field.
I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the 2023 Annual Conference for the Association of Jewish Libraries. This year's conference provided an enlightening and enriching experience, bringing together passionate individuals who share a deep appreciation for Jewish librarianship, culture, and scholarship. From insightful discussions on the preservation of historical texts to engaging talks on contemporary Jewish authors, the conference offered a diverse range of topics that left me inspired and eager to explore more. I attended lectures in my particular fields of interest, such as eastern european collections and World War II archives.
d. Students demonstrate leadership skills and innovation in a diverse and global environment:
LIS 6409 Introduction to Library Administration - Project Proposal
For this assignment, we were prompted to identify a problem in a library and propose a project to solve it. My proposal aims to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in a hypothetical library, removing physical barriers and integrating digital accessibility. The proposal includes a potential solution, the necessary resources to execute the project, potential partners in my community, a detailed budget, and a long-term timeline for the project.
LIS 6511 Collection Development - Community Needs Assessment
In LIS6511 Collection Development, my group developed a community needs assessment for a medical library, which is a unique and novel institution for us. Through the strategic selection of key informants — a medical student, a healthcare professional, and a librarian responsible for collection development — this project embraced a holistic approach to understanding the multifaceted needs of the library's user base. This choice exemplified leadership in recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of inclusivity in decision-making processes. By actively seeking out and integrating feedback from varied user groups, the project underscored a commitment to serving a diverse community effectively. This project required us to manage a complex and significant assessment, from conceptualization through to analysis and strategic recommendation.
Goal II: Systems and Services
II. Students understand the systems and technologies that facilitate the management and use of information resources to serve the diverse needs of users.
a. Students identify and analyze diverse information needs of individuals and communities:
LIS 5020 Foundations of Library and Information Science - Roles of Information Professionals Poster
In this assignment, we analyzed Library and Information Science professionals' myriad roles in their careers. We discussed traditional and emerging roles and presented a poster illustrating our findings of a particular job. I focused on the roles of archivists as I hope to pursue a career in archives or special collections.
b. Students evaluate and select print and digital information resources and systems to meet needs of users.
LIS 6603: Basic Information Sources and Services - LibGuide
In creating my LibGuide on Holocaust Surviorship and Concentration Camp Liberation, I selected various print and digital resources for users such as recommended books, as well as documentaries and recorded interviews.
c. Students understand and use appropriate information technology for information services.
LIS6303 Preparing Instructional Media - Presentation Software Project
Using presentation software from Prezi I created a tutorial for a topic of my choice. Building off of my experience as an undergraduate student at the University of Florida, I presented a tutorial on navigating the Archives and Special Collections at UF. I specifically chose Prezi because the software caters to concise and user-friendly presentations, intended to efficiently demonstrate complex tasks and streamline them into accessible short tutorials.