Michael Porter received his SLIS Master of Library Science degree 10 years ago (MLS'99). He has accomplished a lot since then. Recently he was selected as a Library Journal 2009 Mover & Shaker. His current position is an Interactive Strategy Manager at WebJunction in Seattle, Washington. An excerpt from the Library Journal announcement is included here:
"Michael Porter has an 'incredible appetite for trendspotting,' says Chrystie Hill, his boss at WebJunction (webjunction.org), the nonprofit, library-professional-run online community. This future-oriented focus imbues his passion for libraries.
Porter worked in libraries even before getting his MLS; he took his newly minted degree to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he was a trainer in the innovative U.S. Library Program, which brought computers and computer know- how to librarians and users in rural communities.
Porter not only has a knack for spotting trends, but he is able to contextualize them for libraries. "When I see an up-and-coming social/content tool, I create a 'Libraries and Librarians' Group," he says, so librarians can get the word out about libraries and better serve their communities. In May 2005, before Flickr became omnipresent, Porter launched its libraries and librarians group, which now contains nearly 24,000 images. Several hundred libraries have participated in the subsequent 365 Library Days project in Flickr, using it for community advocacy. His libraries and librarians Facebook group has almost 5000 members, while the newer Libraries and Librarians Guild in World of Warcraft connects players from across the globe..."
We asked Michael Porter for feedback and tips for SLIS students in an email interview:
"While the Mover & Shaker piece drew attention to just a few of the things that I have worked on, they were all things that my colleagues had nominated me for. The fact that colleagues from libraryland had nominated me and made this recognition happen was the thing that really gave it special significance in my mind. I am deeply impressed with the intellect, spirit, work ethic and determination of my fellow information professionals so having several of them put my nomination forward is very humbling. I also see it as a further call to arms of sorts. Since graduating I've kept a very active work schedule which has allowed me the chance to expand and explore my interests and work on exciting projects. I've also been able to hold a few jobs I never dreamed I'd ever be able to, from Training and Support Coordinator to Program Manager to Product Manager to Communications Manager, library technology consultant and even lecturer and author. I've been blessed to be able to see the world with this work and have been able to get to know and work with fascinating and inspiring colleagues, industries and technologies. While technology has evolved, marketplaces have changed and things certainly haven't turned out anywhere near the way I might have imagined they might (they are better actually:), I know for certain that I wouldn't have been able to or even allowed to embark on this journey without my colleges. The same could be said for my MLS from IU, you know. I often talk about my degree as a ticket. It is a fairly open ended ticket too. While circumstance and personal decisions shape the destination you take with your ticket, it really is in your hands to a large extent. I have been able to move and be more flexible than many might realistically expect, but it does point out that it is very possible to do quite a lot of unexpected things with your degree. Getting a nod like the Mover & Shaker award tells me that I am working in the right direction...and that I need to keep at it. If I can turn any sort of accolade into action or good results then I will. That is the charge I have in being selected as a Mover and Shaker.
And hey, if I can help any IU folks out there that might read the piece, through consulting or reviewing a plan or even just talking over career options, I'd love to help. Truth is, you can't really do much interesting moving and shaking without other folks there doing it too."
To contact Michael Porter
michael.libraryman@gmail.com
www.libraryman.com
Photo Credit: libraryman
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Posted April 15, 2009