I am writing a statement of purpose for the School of Information and Library Studies. Perhaps I have been looking at it for too long and need another pair of eyes. Some suggestions? ( the conclusion is not included yet)
It was the summer before entering high school that I volunteered for the Los Angeles Public Library for the first time. I and a group of other volunteers were assigned to organize the photo archives of the Music, Arts, and Recreation section. I recall the two hours I spent each week; looking through advertisements, photographs, newspaper clippings and the occasional binding work--the great sense of achievement when my group finished the task of successfully organizing the collection. I learned that the library is more than a place that holds books, and as I continued to volunteer that it is an environment where the past is preserved. For this reason I wish to enroll into the School of Information and Library Studies.
The first step would be to complete the Master of Library Information Studies and eventually attain a certificate for Archiving. My goal is to contribute to the process of preserving information. I am currently torn between which field to study--Cinema or Printed Materials. Ideally though, I want to work in a museum like the Morgan Library or the Museum of Moving Image. These are places that stimulate thought by uplifting the past and presenting it as more than just a dusty object. And a main thing about this is to make it interactive for the community. All this cannot become a reality until I am given the tools, the training, the education to fulfill a service to the community whether local or international.
In August 2005, I began my pursuit of a degree in Literature at Pasadena City College and later as a transfer at Eugene Lang College at the New School University in 2007. My capstone project was a work analyzing the work of author Roberto Bolano entitled, Octavio Paz versus Roberto Bolano: Their Matriarchs of Mexican Literature. The work was expanded over 50 pages on the duality of 1970s avant-garde Mexican poets claiming their game against the gran padres of Latin American Literature by creating work unfamiliar to what was popular at the time. I chose this thesis because I had continued to be interested in the aspects of literature that had been given less attention. For the past three years I have worked at Posman Books in Grand Central Terminal. Now, I understand there is decidedly given difference between book-selling and libraries. But, never had I considered shifting sides until someone in the Pratt Information Studies suggested maybe it was time for me to consider from selling to preserving information. Last year I volunteered at the Brooklyn Public Library as a Welcome Ambassador. The tasks were simple; directing patrons to locations throughout the building efficiently and building a rapport with a new community.
**It was the summer before entering high school that I volunteered for the Los Angeles Public Library for the first time.
--The summer before my freshman year of high school I began volunteering at the Los Angeles Public Library.
I and a group of other volunteers were assigned to organize the photo archives of the Music, Arts, and Recreation section.
--I, along with ___ other volunteers, helped organize the photo archives of the Music, Arts, and Recreation section. (Do you have a photo of it?)
I recall the two hours I spent each week; looking through advertisements, photographs, newspaper clippings and the occasional binding work--the great sense of achievement when my group finished the task of successfully organizing the collection.
--For two hours every week, I sorted through advertisements, photographs, newspaper clippings so that the collection would be more accessible to the public. (Did you bind books too?)
I learned that the library is more than a place that holds books, and as I continued to volunteer that it is an environment where the past is preserved.
--Instead of a dusty old book, the image I now associated with the library was ____'s photo/headline taken in the ____(newspaper).
For this reason I wish to enroll into the School of Information and Library Studies.
--My interest in Library Studies has grown ever since that first summer.
**The first step would be to complete the Master of Library Information Studies and eventually attain a certificate for Archiving.
--My short-term goal is to complete the Master of Library Information Studies with a Certificate in Archiving.
My goal is to contribute to the process of preserving information.
--Cut.
I am currently torn between which field to study--Cinema or Printed Materials.
--Both cinema and printed materials are immediate interests.
Ideally though, I want to work in a museum like the Morgan Library or the Museum of Moving Image.
--Eventually, my long-term goals include preserving history in locations such as the Morgan Library and the Museum of Moving Image.
These are places that stimulate thought by uplifting the past and presenting it as more than just a dusty object.
--(Tell about one collection that fascinates you.)
And a main thing about this is to make it interactive for the community.
--(Sell an idea you have for creating more community interaction. Are you bilingual?)
All this cannot become a reality until I am given the tools, the training, the education to fulfill a service to the community whether local or international.
--It's always a bad idea to suggest you are helpless without the training. They want to know how interested and dedicated you are to the field. You want to tell them that you are able to do the job before you receive the degree. Cut. (End this paragraph with your vision of your work.)
**In August 2005, I began my pursuit of a degree in Literature at Pasadena City College and later as a transfer at Eugene Lang College at the New School University in 2007.
--(I received my B.A. in Literature from _____ in ____.)
My capstone project was a work analyzing the work of author Roberto Bolano entitled, Octavio Paz versus Roberto Bolano: Their Matriarchs of Mexican Literature.
--My senior capstone project, "Octavio Paz versus Roberto Bolano: Their Matriarchs of Mexican Literature," analyzed the pioneering works of Roberto Bolano against the backdrop of gran padres of Latin American Literature.
(The title you suggested was confusing for me.)
The work was expanded over 50 pages on the duality of 1970s avant-garde Mexican poets claiming their game against the grand padres of Latin American Literature by creating work unfamiliar to what was popular at the time.
--Cut.
I chose this thesis because I had continued to be interested in the aspects of literature that had been given less attention.
--Cut.
For the past three years I have worked at Posman Books in Grand Central Terminal.
--Although I haven't discussed my thesis project with patrons at Posman Books in Grand Central Terminal, I have used analytical techniques I learned, such as _____ in ordering, organizing, and promoting collections for three years.
Now, I understand there is decidedly given difference between book-selling and libraries.
--Given a choice, I would prefer to remain dedicated to library studies over book sales, as I've discovered many gems over the years remain unpopular with bookstore patrons.
But, never had I considered shifting sides until someone in the Pratt Information Studies suggested maybe it was time for me to consider from selling to preserving information.
--Cut.
Last year I volunteered at the Brooklyn Public Library as a Welcome Ambassador.
--As a result, I volunteered as a Welcome Ambassador at the Brooklyn Public Library.
The tasks were simple; directing patrons to locations throughout the building efficiently and building a rapport with a new community.
What an interesting path you've chosen! I applaud your dedication to the preservation of printed materials. Please include more detail as to what you are able to do within the library setting. Have you bound books? Have you restored film? If you are bilingual I would express that somewhere in your essay. Best of wishes.
