Your e-Portfolio should contain the following required components
1st component: Introduction
- a brief Introduction to the e-Portfolio (its organization and structure, the process you followed)
2nd component: Statement of Professional Philosophy (only for those who entered the School before Spring 2015. If you entered the School in Spring 2015 -or later - you do not write a statement of professional philosophy but instead address Comp O. Please see this page
- A Statement of Professional Philosophy (approximately three to five pages)—thoughtful and articulate, with reference to experiences, learning, readings; your conception of librarianship as it relates to the specific type(s) of library or information organization(s) in which you intend to pursue a career; your professional goals, and the relationship of these goals to the items in your e-Portfolio. You should also discuss here your understanding of the final competency O: "contribute to the cultural, economic, educational and social well-being of our communities," and demonstrate (in your discussion) your mastery of this competency.
3rd-16th components: Areas of Competency
Important: If you entered the school in Spring 2015 or later you will address Core Competencies A-O but will not write a separate statement of professional philosophy. Please see this page. If you entered the school prior to Spring 2015 you will address Competencies A-N and write a statement of professional philosophy as outlined above.
A Statement of Competency is required for each of the 14 Core Competencies (A - N or A-O depending on when you entered the school). While each advisor may have different specifics they would prefer that you address, in general, consider the following as an example of a competency statement organization:
- Start with what you understand the competency to mean - define the competency, and explain why it is important to you as a professional and to the profession as a whole.
- Discuss what coursework/work experience prepared you for understanding and being able to perform the competency.
- Now present and discuss each piece of evidence you selected - say why you selected this evidence and how it demonstrates your competency and the skills and knowledge you learned.
- Close by discussing how you are able (know how to, or can) apply or transfer your skills and knowledge in the future to different [work] situations or environments.
- You must include a minimum of one piece of evidence for each competency; however, submitting two or three pieces of evidence is preferred. The final decision rests with your e-Portfolio advisor whether more will be required. See Examples of Evidentiary Items for more specifics about evidence.
See Competency Statement Rubrics (what specifically needs to be addressed for an ACCEPTABLE or SATISFACTORY statement of competency).
17th component: Conclusion
- Conclusion: In your Conclusion Statement, include here your reflections on your MLIS program, a discussion of your strengths, and a professional growth plan (relating to the achievement of the professional goals outlined in your Statement of Professional Philosophy), plus any final comments and conclusions.
18th component: Affirmation
Affirmation: Each e-Portfolio must close with a statement from the student affirming the following:
- All introductory, reflective, and evidentiary work submitted is 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 e-Portfolio by password protecting it or by sharing the URL only with my e-portfolio advisor.
- Before making my e-portfolio public I will respect the privacy of others by removing mention in this e-Portfolio of information that could lead to the identity of individuals (team members in group projects, internship supervisors, interviewees, etc.) and institutions
- [Your name]
You may use the exact wording above.