GSLIS alumna Daylily Alvarez is confident in taking on any challenges that stand between her and her career goals. She recently completed a second master's degree—this one in nonprofit management—while working as an outreach librarian. She plans to continue working closely with community members while advancing to a leadership role.
Where do you work and what is your role?
I am currently a children's outreach librarian for the Chicago Public Library.
What do you like best about your job?
The best part of my job is maintaining the library as a vital part of the community and welcoming community residents into the library—especially when they discover something new about our services.
How did GSLIS help you get to where you are today?
GSLIS helped me to develop and strengthen my leadership skills as a public servant. Through the community informatics courses I learned about the possibilities libraries and librarians provide for communities to flourish and become inclusive and intelligent.
What advice would you like to share with GSLIS students?
I would advise GSLIS students to embrace their career choice as a librarian as they would any other challenge: meet it, greet it, and show the world what you're all about!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy going out with my tween daughter and playing the guitar at home.
What’s next for you?
I have just completed a graduate degree in management, so I would like to work my way up the library chain to motivate and support library staff at all levels.