Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Week 7: Why Libraries?

I thoroughly enjoyed watching these videos on the justifications for having libraries in our communities.  These reasons are major factors when considering the future of libraries, and I believe provide a very positive outlook on the future of libraries.

During the last video, Symbol of Community Aspirations, when it was discussed that cities built structures to "show off" and show how important they are, I immediately thought of my home, in Salt Lake City, where a new library was recently built.  Then, the video showed several pictures of libraries built for urban revitalization, and I thought, "Hey, that one looks like Salt Lake City!"  And then Dave actually said, "Salt Lake City," so I got very excited.  But it's definitely true what he said, that this library was built as a statement, to show that Salt Lake City values information and education. 

Not only does it exemplify the concept of a symbol of community aspirations, but it also fits into the vision of new librarianship.  The SLC library houses an art gallery of local artists, librarians wear "No Shh!" buttons, they have a cafe, concerts, public meeting space, and talks by authors.  When this library was built, it wasn't meant to be just a place where people can come check out materials, but to be the new information and gathering spot of the community.  

The library director mentioned how there wasn't a spot in SLC that people could gather, and that was their goal.  She also stated, "It's a mistake not to be responsive to the new generation and how they communicate.  Our idea is that it's not just about books, but all the arts. Our job is to stimulate the mind, ears and eyes."

To me, it's clear that this library has certain aspects of new librarianship under control and have implemented them into this city's library.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Week 6: Librarians

I'm going to be honest here.

Before I came to grad school, when people asked me, "You need a graduate degree to help people find where a book is on a shelf?"  I first got annoyed and mad, because of their ignorance.  But I also didn't have a good answer to give them.

Reading this thread, I finally have some answers (as well as some ideas for the video assignment, lest we forget).

The quote at the beginning of the chapter says:

"We cannot have good libraries until we first have good librarians - properly educated, professionally recognized, and fairly rewarded." - Herbert S. White

In other words, you cannot stick any random person into a library and expect the library to run smoothly.  Librarians need to be educated.  Also, as pointed out in the chapter, people automatically think of the skills we do.  When thinking of librarianship as an accumulation of skills, it doesn't really make sense that they go to graduate school for that.  You can just learn skills on a job, right?  Thinking of it in terms of why we do things changes the big picture.

Also, one of the major focuses of our profession is information organization, and as pointed out in the chapter, there are an infinite number of ways to organize and classify the world.  Learning just one system for organization isn't enough.  We need to understand organization at a deeper level than just cataloging.  This is something that one needs to be educated about.  I can't say it any better than how it was said in the book:  "By having a richer understanding of information seeking as a concept and the underlying cognitive function, and not simply as a set of technologies and technique... you will do your job better."

So, to all of you who asked me why I was spending thousands of dollars to help someone find a book on the shelf, sure anyone can find a book on a shelf.  But I'd like you to tell me all about authority control, metadata record provenance, and development of taxonomies and ontologies.  And on top of that, understand and contextualize the deeper concept of information seeking and organization. 

And that's only a part of the job. 

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Week 5: Improve Society

I related a lot with this thread, and I think it is all due to my teaching background.  

The first thing that really stuck out to me was the fact that as librarians, we value learning.  My whole life I grew up thinking I was going to be a teacher.  Teachers were my heroes, and I could think of no better profession.  But pretty soon after I had my own classroom, I was unhappy with my career.  I couldn't understand it.  I love learning.  I love school.  (I know, I'm a nerd.  Deal with it.)  So why in the world would I dislike teaching others?

But it wasn't the fact that I disliked teaching.  I love teaching.  I love imparting knowledge to others.  I love the moment when the light bulb clicks, and the concept you were teaching makes sense.  It was the school system that I couldn't handle.  It was the environment I was constantly forced to face that I disliked so much.  So in this program, whenever it is brought up that we facilitate learning, I LOVE it!  I love the fact that I still get to teach, but in a different setting.

I also love the fact that by becoming a librarian, I am becoming a life long learner.  I love going to school, and if it was possible, I'd become a professional student.  But since that's not possible, I guess this is the next best step.

I also completely agree with the fact from the Atlas that says, "the best decisions and the best knowledge come from working in the richest information environment possible."  In my undergrad, we were constantly being taught that we needed "literacy rich" classrooms.  That we needed books of all genres and reading levels, that we needed computer and technology resources, that we needed signs and posters encouraging learning and discovering, and all of these needed to be accessible for the students.  And I think that can be brought right back to the library.

When it comes to improving society, I believe that librarianship and teaching go hand in hand.

And what can I say?  That makes me happy.