A Student’s First Look At Librarianship

Ever wonder how a career in libraries begins? We’re on the floor at the South Carolina Library Association conference in Columbia talking with USC student Bobbi Elmore about the moment a middle school volunteer shift became a calling and how that spark now guides her path through the Master of Library Science. It’s a short, lively conversation that puts heart and practicality side by side: what the MLS really covers, why conferences matter, and how to turn curiosity into a plan you can act on.

Website: spotlight4success.com

Chapters

• 0:06 Welcome And Conference Setting
• 0:24 Meet Student Guest Bobby Elmore
• 0:36 Why Attend SCLA
• 0:58 Clarifying The MLS Path
• 1:05 Origin Story: Middle School Volunteering
• 1:38 Hopes For Networking And Learning
• 2:10 Closing And Thanks

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:06

Welcome to Spotlight for Success by American Book Company. I am Devin Pentosa, your host. We are here in Columbia, South Carolina. And we are having a great experience here getting used to what is going on here at SCLA, South Carolina Librarian Association. And I'm here with our special guest, uh Bobby Elmore. Bobby joins us. She is a University of South Carolina student. Thank you for joining us today.

SPEAKER_01: 0:34

Thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_00: 0:36

Well, Bobby, tell me a bit about what brings you here to SCLA.

SPEAKER_01: 0:41

Well, I wanted to be exposed to the many facets of what the MLS degree has to offer. And I just wanted to go and deep dive into all of that.

SPEAKER_00: 0:57

That's wonderful. So that the MLS, that is the Master of Library Science, is that right?

SPEAKER_01: 1:02

Yes. Okay.

SPEAKER_00: 1:04

Wonderful. And uh what made you decide that you wanted to pursue a uh a career uh as a librarian?

SPEAKER_01: 1:12

Well, my journey through wanting to go into this profession actually started in middle school where I volunteered in my spare time and it really started that hope uh towards being a librarian professionally.

SPEAKER_00: 1:36

Oh wow, that's wonderful. And uh is there anything you'd like to share with the South Carolina Librarian Association community today?

SPEAKER_01: 1:47

You're putting me in the hot spot.

SPEAKER_00: 1:50

Well, maybe just something uh uh you know, we're just starting the conference here, and I didn't know if you uh had any thoughts you wanted to share.

SPEAKER_01: 1:59

Well, I'm looking forward to learning all about everything and meeting people here.

SPEAKER_00: 2:09

That's great. Well, thank you so much, Bobby Elmore uh here and uh as a USC student, uh getting pursuing her masters as a librarian. Thank you for joining us today.

SPEAKER_01: 2:21

Thank you for having me.