Sylvia Jean Allen (She/her)
Currently living in
Le Roy, Empire, Downs, Illinois, USWork Preferences
RemoteOpen to roles
I am a librarian with 6+ years of professional experience in academic, public, and school libraries. I'm particularly passionate about reference services, collection development, and the right to intellectual freedom for everyone.
Ideal Workplace Values
I would love to be part of a positive, diverse team that values kindness, inclusion, professional ethics, and work/life balance as much as I do.
💪Skills and Strengths
My Neuro-exceptional talent
I am a persistent, dedicated researcher and am willing to take the time to find the best possible resources for a project or a patron. I'm passionate about inclusivity because I believe that diverse perspectives are always an asset--and my neurodivergence means I know what it's like to feel that I don't belong. I believe in over-communication so that everyone has all the information they need to be successful. I have a very strong commitment to professional ethics, and I want to do my best in my role and contribute to the team in a meaningful way. Sometimes I see creative ways to do things that are easier or more efficient compared to the way they've always been done.
Top 5 Soft Skills
Active ListeningWorking AutonomouslyConsistencyCreativityReliability🧠Inclusion Essentials
Accommodations
Send questions in advanceCommunication planReceive information in advanceWritten InstructionsFlexible scheduleExtra time off for appointmentsPeriodic rest breaksUninterrupted work timeStanding desksNoise-cancelling headphonesQuiet / individual workspacesEnvironments I'm comfortable with
I can work best in a quiet space where I'm not distracted by the stress of social interactions, loud noises, and lots of movement/activity. I need understanding that bathroom breaks will often be unpredictable, more frequent, and take longer than most people because of chronic health conditions.
🚀Experience
Check out my work
| Worked for 2 years, 11 months from Aug 2019 to Jun 2022 Aug 2019 Jun 2022 2 years, 11 months | District Librarian - Blue Ridge CUSD #18 I developed standards-based library curriculum, provided direct instruction to students in grades K-6, maintained library collections, maintained the library website, managed the library budget, and planned events such as book fairs. classroom managementclassroom instructionbudgetingcollection developmentlibrary management systemSocial skillsResilienceDealing with difficult situationsDealing with difficult personalitiesFunctions well under pressure |
| Worked for 1 years, 5 months from Jan 2017 to May 2018 Jan 2017 May 2018 1 years, 5 months | Children's Librarian - Hawaii State Public Library System I provided reference services and reader's advisory. I planned storytimes, summer reading programs, and other programming. I selected materials for the collection and managed the budget for the children's department. |
| Worked for 8 months from May 2016 to Dec 2016 May 2016 Dec 2016 8 months | Library Assistant - Hawaii State Public Library System I provided library circulation services such as library card management, material checkin/checkout, inter-library loan, and fine payments. I also managed the library's periodicals collection. |
| Worked for 10 months from Jul 2014 to May 2015 Jul 2014 May 2015 10 months | Graduate Student Assistant - University of Tennessee I provided reference services and research assistance to library users. I also provided instruction on using library resources and troubleshooting online resources. Online library databasesCustomer servicelibrary referencerecord keepingcomputer skillsWorking AutonomouslyProblem solvingOpen mindedEffective communicatorEfficiency |
🎓Education and Credentials
| Attended for 6 years from 2019 to 2025 2019 2025 6 years | Professional Educator License - Illinois Department of Education Certificate |
| Attended for 2 years from 2013 to 2015 2013 2015 2 years | The University of Tennessee Knoxville Master's degree - Information Science |
| Attended for 4 years from 2009 to 2013 2009 2013 4 years | Carson-Newman University Master's degree - English Literature and Psychology |