ODU MLIS Portfolio
Resources
As I continue to work on my masters degree in Library Science, I want to stay up to date on the current events and discussions happening in the library world. This resource list will help me do so and reflects the areas that I am most interested in as it relates to my library philosophy. Each resource provides an invaluable perspective that I want to maintain while pursuing my goal of becoming a public librarian.
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Virginia Library Association. (2026). [VLA Logo]. https://www.vla.org/about-us#
Founded in 1905, the Virginia Library Association has been the information and networking hub for all librarians in the state of Virginia. Every year, they hold a conference that features dozens of expert speakers sharing new ideas and discussions that help Virginian librarians stay informed and connected. I am looking forward to attending this conference as much as I possibly can while I work in Virginia.
For The People. (2026). [For the People Substack Logo]. https://librariesforthepeople.substack.com/about
For the People is a monthly leftist newsletter written by librarians and library activists across the country. It shares updates on the national front to preserve and protect libraries and build leftist movements through library activism. I believe libraries are great building blocks for community protection and growth and this substack is a perfect source for new ideas on how public libraries can make an impact.
LibraryPunk. (2026). [LibraryPunk Logo]. https://www.youtube.com/@librarypunkpod/featured
What's more punk than the public library? LibraryPunk is a biweekly podcast hosted by 3 librarians, Justin, Sadie and Jay, who discuss laws and trends affecting libraries across the U.S. They often feature other librarians that are working to advocate for library workers and institutions, while analyzing issues with a leftist lens. I often use this podcast to stay up to date on news that may effect library policies and technology.
REFORMA. (2026). [REFORMA Logo]. https://www.reforma.org/about
REFORMA is a an affiliate with the American Library Association and helps promote the incorporation of all aspects of Spanish-speaking and Lantine-based culture into American libraries. It is known for it's scholarship which helps library students who are interested in working with the Latine community. The library I am currently employed with is trying to build its bilingual collection and this group may be able to help us with the process.
American Libraries. (2026). [American Libraries Logo]. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/about/
The American Libraries magazine is a journal published 6 times a year by the American Library Association and features articles on trends and news from libraries across America. Its website also features live webinars and a link to the ALA Job List that I'm sure will come in handy when I graduate with my MLIS.
As much as it is important to keep with the times on American libraries, I feel it is equally important, and maybe even moreso, to understand what is going on in libraries across the world. The International Information & Library Review journal does just that, with yearly issues that feature peer-reviewed articles on the most recent developments in library science worldwide.
International Information & Library Review. (2026). [International Information & Library Review Cover]. https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/ulbr20