There are a number of things I have learned this semester that I feel will be helpful for me as a current library volunteer and a future librarian. Some of these things I learned in class while others I learned in my volunteer position.
Through the ethics scenario activity, I was able to explore the ALA Code of Ethics in light of a case that I may very well face in my own experience as a children's librarian. I was able to discover that there is a great deal of literature and resources already available to me on the topic, as well as policies that other libraries have in place that could help me to create my own policy, under the direction of my library administrator.
As a result of completing the entries for this blog, I was exposed to a number of resources (professional organizations, listservs, blogs, and journals) that can help me to discover resources and materials that would be appropriate for my own patrons. These resources can also help me to brainstorm ideas for the planning and execution of events, and find out what worked and did not work for other professionals.
In my volunteer experience, I was able to learn some essential skills which were completely new to me, such as weeding, collection maintenance, learning the basics of the computer software Workflows, and beginning to gain some experience with reader's advisory and event planning in the library.
Most importantly, through my participation in the course and interviews with local library professionals, I was able to make connections and begin to network with future colleagues. In my experience with the LIS profession so far, I am realizing the importance of these connections with other professionals for sharing information, brainstorming, learning about resources and materials, and planning events.
As I continue in my graduate school education and my career, I plan to continue forming these connections and seeking out resources that can help me to grow as a professional. While I would not say that any of my ideas about the LIS field were wrong, I feel I am gaining a much deeper understanding of what it means to be a librarian and look forward to learning more about the profession as my education continues. I hope to one day be the librarian who is able to recommend a book that is perfect for a reader or give advice on planning an event for another future librarian.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Revisit Assumptions/Assertions About LIS
For this post, I will be revisiting my assumptions about LIS that I wrote about in my blog post towards the beginning of the semester. I have decided to take a look at each assumption individually.
Dynamic - One aspect of the LIS field that interested me at the beginning is that it is dynamic. This is certainly true, and if anything I have seen that the field is perhaps even more dynamic than I originally thought. Information is evolving and changing rapidly, and as information scientists we are at the forefront of that evolution of knowledge and information because we are working to connect people to this information. Public libraries are certainly a dynamic place to work, each day is different. Even somewhere such as an archive, however, is dynamic in the sense that there may always be new information to be discovered from the materials, as well as new technologies and ways of preserving information and materials.
Diversity - At the beginning of the semester, I mentioned that one of the appeals to me of the LIS field is its diversity. While it is true that the patrons served, especially in a public library setting, are very diverse, the profession itself is not necessarily as diverse as it could be. There are organizations working to increase the diversity of professionals in the field, such as Future Librarians for Inclusivity and Diversity. I hope to become involved in organizations such as this throughout my career to show people the appeal of working in the LIS field and keeping up to date on issues related to diversity.
Technology Driven - It is clear from my experience so far in my classes that the LIS field is certainly technology driven. Much of our information comes to us through technology, and it is important for librarians to stay up to date on technology so that they may help patrons with any questions they may have.
Community Driven - This is another assumption about LIS which I feel has been affirmed for me throughout the semester. Especially in the public library, it is very important for librarians to be aware of the needs of their community and working to meet them. This means that the layout of a library may vary greatly from one community to the next, as may the materials and services offered.
In revisiting my previous assumptions, I would say that for the most part, I was correct, at least in my ideas about public libraries. As I learn more about academic libraries, archives, and other information agencies I will have to see if these assumptions ring true there as well.
Dynamic - One aspect of the LIS field that interested me at the beginning is that it is dynamic. This is certainly true, and if anything I have seen that the field is perhaps even more dynamic than I originally thought. Information is evolving and changing rapidly, and as information scientists we are at the forefront of that evolution of knowledge and information because we are working to connect people to this information. Public libraries are certainly a dynamic place to work, each day is different. Even somewhere such as an archive, however, is dynamic in the sense that there may always be new information to be discovered from the materials, as well as new technologies and ways of preserving information and materials.
Diversity - At the beginning of the semester, I mentioned that one of the appeals to me of the LIS field is its diversity. While it is true that the patrons served, especially in a public library setting, are very diverse, the profession itself is not necessarily as diverse as it could be. There are organizations working to increase the diversity of professionals in the field, such as Future Librarians for Inclusivity and Diversity. I hope to become involved in organizations such as this throughout my career to show people the appeal of working in the LIS field and keeping up to date on issues related to diversity.
Technology Driven - It is clear from my experience so far in my classes that the LIS field is certainly technology driven. Much of our information comes to us through technology, and it is important for librarians to stay up to date on technology so that they may help patrons with any questions they may have.
Community Driven - This is another assumption about LIS which I feel has been affirmed for me throughout the semester. Especially in the public library, it is very important for librarians to be aware of the needs of their community and working to meet them. This means that the layout of a library may vary greatly from one community to the next, as may the materials and services offered.
In revisiting my previous assumptions, I would say that for the most part, I was correct, at least in my ideas about public libraries. As I learn more about academic libraries, archives, and other information agencies I will have to see if these assumptions ring true there as well.
Technology Sandbox
I would consider myself to be fairly tech savvy, but even so I often find myself surprised at the sheer amount of web applications, websites, and other technological tools that are available. While some are very specific and may not be relevant to most libraries, the majority are very general and may be used in a variety of ways to promote the library (including events, materials and resources offered, and reference services). That being said, even a full time staff member devoted to technology would have a difficult time keeping up with everything that is out there, and very few libraries have the financial resources to hire someone specifically for this task. Therefore, I feel it is important for libraries to consider all of the options that are available to them and then decide which resources to use and make a point to use them well.
At a minimum, libraries should maintain a social media presence on the most-used sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as an up-to-date webpage. Having a page on Facebook allows the library to post about upcoming events and new materials, as well as share photos of happenings at the library and befriend people in the community. The ability to link Twitter and Facebook accounts so that Twitter tweets are published as Facebook status updates increases the library's impact and exposure with almost no extra effort.
A library webpage should have at minimum an easy to use calendar (personally I like one that allows me to save events to my Google or Outlook calendar, or both), contact information for the library staff, clearly displayed contact information for the library and library hours, and links to the library's online catalogs and resources. If staff members are willing to contribute to a blog I feel this is another useful tool, but I believe it should be done well or not done at all. I feel similarly about webpages and apps such as Instagram and Flickr. If someone is skilled at photography and wants to take the time to keep things up to date I say go for it. The internet does not, however, need another Flickr stream filled with blurry images and maintaining one for the sake of having it is not, in my opinion, going to benefit the library. The more time and resources that the library has, the more they can consider branching out into other apps and technology resources, as long as they are not doing so at the expense of providing other needed services to the community. It is important for staff to at least be familiar with how social media and other web apps function so that they can help patrons who may have questions about them.
If I were in charge of web presence for my own library, I would make it a point to at least have the aforementioned Twitter account, Facebook page, and web page with a blog updated at least weekly. If I had enough time, I would probably aim to keep an up-to-date Flickr stream as the quality of photos would be better than those on Facebook (which by default are compressed or take forever to upload). From there I would explore other options and see what best fits my library. A LinkedIn page would be another social media page I would consider having, because it would allow the library to connect with people in the area on a professional level and post job and volunteer opportunities. I would also consider having a YouTube channel for the library to share book talks, video from library events, and video tours of the library. There are a number of ways that video may be used to instruct and inform people, but the content takes much longer to develop than written content so it definitely needs to be something that people are willing to put time and effort into.
The most important thing for libraries to consider when looking at all of the technology available is how much are they able to handle. As many websites allow users to set up a free account, it can be tempting to sign up for everything available, but I feel this would be a mistake unless the library has the resources to handle everything well. In my opinion, it is better to have a well-designed and up-to-date presence on a few social media sites than to have nearly blank, out of date pages on every site available. By jumping in too quickly, a library seeking to put forth a relevant, up-to-date image could end up coming across as disconnected and outdated, which is obviously an impression a library would like to avoid.
Professional Listservs
This semester I subscribed to two professional listservs which I felt would be useful in my volunteer work in the children's department of my local library as well as in my future career as a children's or young adult librarian. These listservs are the Association for Library Service to Children List and the YALSA Book Discussions List.
The former listserv deals with children's library services on a more general level. Some topics that have been discussed recently are suggestions for the 2015 Newbery Award, providing early literacy bags for new parents, and conferences/webinars that may be of interest to children's librarians. There have been quite a few programs mentioned that I was not previously aware of, and I can certainly see the benefit of following this listserv for someone who is interested in staying up-to-date on current issues facing librarians, specifically children's librarians.
The latter list, as suggested by the title, deals with the more specific subject of books, specifically books geared towards young adults. Questions and discussions are mostly reader's advisory related or trying to find a book that a patron has mentioned but may not know much about. I was amazed at how specific some of the questions were, and surprised at how many titles members of the listserv were able to come up with. Excuse the cliche, but it is clear that when it comes to reader's advisory and title hunting, two (or three, or ten) heads are certainly better than one! There are a great deal of books out there and it is impossible for every librarian to be aware of all of them. This is where being a member of a listserv really comes in handy.
The only real issue I could see arising from joining a listserv is the sheer amount of email traffic that accumulates in one's inbox. Personally, I do not like having a cluttered inbox but I am also not the best about clearing mine out on a regular basis. I need to filter my listserv emails so that they go to a separate folder from my regular emails, and also to make a point of reviewing and deleting them as often as possible.
The former listserv deals with children's library services on a more general level. Some topics that have been discussed recently are suggestions for the 2015 Newbery Award, providing early literacy bags for new parents, and conferences/webinars that may be of interest to children's librarians. There have been quite a few programs mentioned that I was not previously aware of, and I can certainly see the benefit of following this listserv for someone who is interested in staying up-to-date on current issues facing librarians, specifically children's librarians.
The latter list, as suggested by the title, deals with the more specific subject of books, specifically books geared towards young adults. Questions and discussions are mostly reader's advisory related or trying to find a book that a patron has mentioned but may not know much about. I was amazed at how specific some of the questions were, and surprised at how many titles members of the listserv were able to come up with. Excuse the cliche, but it is clear that when it comes to reader's advisory and title hunting, two (or three, or ten) heads are certainly better than one! There are a great deal of books out there and it is impossible for every librarian to be aware of all of them. This is where being a member of a listserv really comes in handy.
The only real issue I could see arising from joining a listserv is the sheer amount of email traffic that accumulates in one's inbox. Personally, I do not like having a cluttered inbox but I am also not the best about clearing mine out on a regular basis. I need to filter my listserv emails so that they go to a separate folder from my regular emails, and also to make a point of reviewing and deleting them as often as possible.
Blogging About Professional Blogs
I looked at two blogs by librarians for this journal assignment. The first was librarian.net by Jessamyn West and the second was Annoyed Librarian. Both blogs cover issues relevant to libraries today, although Annoyed Librarian is more frequently updated and seems to cover a broader range of topics.
West's focus at Librarian.net is closely linked to her work in a rural Vermont library. Several of her posts discuss the digital divide and how that pertains to her community. She also discusses other relevant issues such as the future of libraries, diversity in children's literature (and the importance of supporting diversity in children's literature by purchasing books with diverse characters), and her thoughts on present day libraries. This blog has been around since 1999 so there is a great deal of content, although I would love to see more frequent updates. I found that the content that is up is very relevant, and West makes some great points.
The Annoyed Librarian covers a broad range of library-related topics with a snarky tone that I found amusing. While I do not agree with all of the points made, I thought that the blog brought up some interesting points for discussion. The most recent post discusses the recent trend to label libraries as reinventing themselves in the digital age. The Annoyed Librarian argues that libraries offering materials in digital formats is simply what they have been doing all along; offering materials in the relevant formats of the day. In a way I agree with this sentiment, but I also believe that public librarians are in the least having to reevaluate the services they offer their communities and perhaps offer new services or different services while still offering many of the same services and materials they have in the past.
Reading professional blogs and even keeping one is a great way to keep up to date on current issues facing the LIS field and to engage with other professionals in the field.
West's focus at Librarian.net is closely linked to her work in a rural Vermont library. Several of her posts discuss the digital divide and how that pertains to her community. She also discusses other relevant issues such as the future of libraries, diversity in children's literature (and the importance of supporting diversity in children's literature by purchasing books with diverse characters), and her thoughts on present day libraries. This blog has been around since 1999 so there is a great deal of content, although I would love to see more frequent updates. I found that the content that is up is very relevant, and West makes some great points.
The Annoyed Librarian covers a broad range of library-related topics with a snarky tone that I found amusing. While I do not agree with all of the points made, I thought that the blog brought up some interesting points for discussion. The most recent post discusses the recent trend to label libraries as reinventing themselves in the digital age. The Annoyed Librarian argues that libraries offering materials in digital formats is simply what they have been doing all along; offering materials in the relevant formats of the day. In a way I agree with this sentiment, but I also believe that public librarians are in the least having to reevaluate the services they offer their communities and perhaps offer new services or different services while still offering many of the same services and materials they have in the past.
Reading professional blogs and even keeping one is a great way to keep up to date on current issues facing the LIS field and to engage with other professionals in the field.
Movie Reaction: The Hollywood Librarian
For this blog post, I viewed the movie The Hollywood Librarian: A Look at Librarians Through Film. This movie, written and directed by Ann Seidl, examines the role of librarians and libraries through the lens of Hollywood via clips from movies. It also includes interviews with librarians and authors. Seidl examines the various ways that librarians are portrayed in movies, from the grumpy old shusher to the young, relevant professional.
Structurally, I found the movie to be a bit confusing and rambling, especially at the beginning. Some of this comes from the fact that so many clips from movies and interviews are compiled to produce one larger work. It can be expected that this may not always flow easily. After watching the documentary several times I found it a little easier to follow. I also feel it becomes a little more fluid as the film progresses.
Two of the main questions asked and examined by Seidl are "What is a Library?" and "What is a Librarian?" Seidl looks at everything from the ancient library of Alexandria to the modern day library. The library is portrayed as a vital element of the community, as somewhere where knowledge may be obtained and resources acquired. This fits my own ideas about what a library should be. Throughout history, libraries have served as a place to house knowledge and to gather. In in interview in the movie, a library is described as the "life of a city", and I think this is an important image to carry away. Libraries should serve as a living, breathing hub in a city. A thriving library generally is not a quiet, subdued place (though it may be quieter than the local coffee shops or restaurants). It is a place where people meet and discuss, work on projects, do homework, research, read, and create. It is a place where people may be introduced to unfamiliar cultures and activities.
In contrast, some of the clips in the movie portray librarians as grumpy women who do little more than shush the patrons around them. The movie contrasts these images with other images of librarians as professionals who are concerned with the welfare of their patrons and are willing to take the time out of their workday to have a discussion with them. Some of the clips seem to blend these two paradigms, such as the clip from "Matilda" which shows an older woman with grey hair in a bun informing the young Matilda about the opportunity for her to obtain a library card and take books home with her. The librarian in this movie fits the typical librarian stereotype in terms of appearance, but rather than dismissing the young girl, goes out of her way to connect her with resources. I believe the most important aspect of any librarian is that they are willing to connect people in their community with the resources they need. A librarian, especially a public librarian (who will more than likely have the most diverse array of patrons), needs to be flexible, enthusiastic, a good listener and communicator, creative, and a community organizer. They need to be able to shift easily from one task to another, and to prioritize which tasks are most important. They also need to be patient, and like people.
I have heard from several sources that librarianship is a calling, and I do believe this to be true. It is certainly true that librarians are not in this field for the money, as librarians are paid 25% less than other professions (McKesson & Seidl, 2007). It is clear from multiple interviews in the film, however, that this fact is not enough to drive people away who are truly interested in the career. Interviewees cited the excitement of each day providing new experiences and the opportunity to learn new things as reasons why they loved their jobs.
Overall, I felt that the library sparked some important thoughts about what a library is and its role in the community, as well as what a librarian is and isn't. It is clear that many Hollywood movies portray libraries and librarians in an inaccurate light. The important takeaway for the LIS student is that libraries are what you make them, and they are ever evolving and changing. I am excited to begin my career as a librarian and to challenge some of the long standing stereotypes and misconceptions about libraries and librarians.
McKesson, M. C. (Associate Producer), & Seidl, A. M. (Writer & Director). (2007). The Hollywood Librarian: A Look at Librarians Through Film [Motion picture]. United States: Overdue Productions.
Structurally, I found the movie to be a bit confusing and rambling, especially at the beginning. Some of this comes from the fact that so many clips from movies and interviews are compiled to produce one larger work. It can be expected that this may not always flow easily. After watching the documentary several times I found it a little easier to follow. I also feel it becomes a little more fluid as the film progresses.
Two of the main questions asked and examined by Seidl are "What is a Library?" and "What is a Librarian?" Seidl looks at everything from the ancient library of Alexandria to the modern day library. The library is portrayed as a vital element of the community, as somewhere where knowledge may be obtained and resources acquired. This fits my own ideas about what a library should be. Throughout history, libraries have served as a place to house knowledge and to gather. In in interview in the movie, a library is described as the "life of a city", and I think this is an important image to carry away. Libraries should serve as a living, breathing hub in a city. A thriving library generally is not a quiet, subdued place (though it may be quieter than the local coffee shops or restaurants). It is a place where people meet and discuss, work on projects, do homework, research, read, and create. It is a place where people may be introduced to unfamiliar cultures and activities.
In contrast, some of the clips in the movie portray librarians as grumpy women who do little more than shush the patrons around them. The movie contrasts these images with other images of librarians as professionals who are concerned with the welfare of their patrons and are willing to take the time out of their workday to have a discussion with them. Some of the clips seem to blend these two paradigms, such as the clip from "Matilda" which shows an older woman with grey hair in a bun informing the young Matilda about the opportunity for her to obtain a library card and take books home with her. The librarian in this movie fits the typical librarian stereotype in terms of appearance, but rather than dismissing the young girl, goes out of her way to connect her with resources. I believe the most important aspect of any librarian is that they are willing to connect people in their community with the resources they need. A librarian, especially a public librarian (who will more than likely have the most diverse array of patrons), needs to be flexible, enthusiastic, a good listener and communicator, creative, and a community organizer. They need to be able to shift easily from one task to another, and to prioritize which tasks are most important. They also need to be patient, and like people.
I have heard from several sources that librarianship is a calling, and I do believe this to be true. It is certainly true that librarians are not in this field for the money, as librarians are paid 25% less than other professions (McKesson & Seidl, 2007). It is clear from multiple interviews in the film, however, that this fact is not enough to drive people away who are truly interested in the career. Interviewees cited the excitement of each day providing new experiences and the opportunity to learn new things as reasons why they loved their jobs.
Overall, I felt that the library sparked some important thoughts about what a library is and its role in the community, as well as what a librarian is and isn't. It is clear that many Hollywood movies portray libraries and librarians in an inaccurate light. The important takeaway for the LIS student is that libraries are what you make them, and they are ever evolving and changing. I am excited to begin my career as a librarian and to challenge some of the long standing stereotypes and misconceptions about libraries and librarians.
McKesson, M. C. (Associate Producer), & Seidl, A. M. (Writer & Director). (2007). The Hollywood Librarian: A Look at Librarians Through Film [Motion picture]. United States: Overdue Productions.
Mid-Semester Analysis and Reflections
As I look back on my writing so far in this journal, as well as in my group blog posts and discussion board posts, I am realizing that much of my writing focuses on public libraries. This is due, I believe, to two main factors.
First of all, public libraries are the aspect of the LIS field that I am most familiar with, and secondly, public libraries are where I plan to work for the majority of my career. As previously mentioned, I grew up frequenting my local public library. I have loved reading for as long as I can remember, and being home schooled (and thus not having access to a school library), the library provided access to books other than the ones we already had around the house. Any time I moved somewhere new as an adult, one of my first goals was to locate my local library and obtain a library card. Academic libraries are also an important part of my life as I have attended college and now graduate school, but public libraries have been a part of my life for much longer.
Public libraries are also where I plan to work for much of my career. Although life is never certain and I would not be surprised if other opportunities came up which may steer me away from my original career goals, I have always pictured myself working in a public library. Even before I decided to attend library school, this was a career I could picture myself in. Now that I am volunteering at my local public library, I am realizing that public libraries are a good fit for me. I enjoy being able to help people find materials and planning events. My experience with City Year had me organizing volunteers on a regular basis, and this is another task I enjoy and a skill that is important for librarians to have.
Thinking on these two factors, it makes sense that much of my writing and reflection on what I am learning would be about public library service, but I also recognize the importance of broadening my horizons enough that I am aware of the other aspects of the field. I think a goal of mine as I continue this blog and also as I continue working on my degree will be to find that balance between having a focus and also being aware of issues outside of that focus. Networking with colleagues who are planning in working in other areas of the field, as well as paying attention to organizations and articles aimed at other branches of the LIS profession will help me to find this balance.
First of all, public libraries are the aspect of the LIS field that I am most familiar with, and secondly, public libraries are where I plan to work for the majority of my career. As previously mentioned, I grew up frequenting my local public library. I have loved reading for as long as I can remember, and being home schooled (and thus not having access to a school library), the library provided access to books other than the ones we already had around the house. Any time I moved somewhere new as an adult, one of my first goals was to locate my local library and obtain a library card. Academic libraries are also an important part of my life as I have attended college and now graduate school, but public libraries have been a part of my life for much longer.
Public libraries are also where I plan to work for much of my career. Although life is never certain and I would not be surprised if other opportunities came up which may steer me away from my original career goals, I have always pictured myself working in a public library. Even before I decided to attend library school, this was a career I could picture myself in. Now that I am volunteering at my local public library, I am realizing that public libraries are a good fit for me. I enjoy being able to help people find materials and planning events. My experience with City Year had me organizing volunteers on a regular basis, and this is another task I enjoy and a skill that is important for librarians to have.
Thinking on these two factors, it makes sense that much of my writing and reflection on what I am learning would be about public library service, but I also recognize the importance of broadening my horizons enough that I am aware of the other aspects of the field. I think a goal of mine as I continue this blog and also as I continue working on my degree will be to find that balance between having a focus and also being aware of issues outside of that focus. Networking with colleagues who are planning in working in other areas of the field, as well as paying attention to organizations and articles aimed at other branches of the LIS profession will help me to find this balance.
Professional Associations
For this blog post, I will be looking at different
professional organizations which I feel will be helpful to me in my career as a
librarian. They are the Young Adult Library Services Association
(YALSA) and the International
Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). I feel the YALSA will provide many resources
to me in my intended career as a children’s/young adult librarian, and the IFLA
will allow me to connect with librarians around the world in order to increase
my awareness of the profession on an international level.
The YALSA is a division of the American Library Association (ALA) geared towards librarians and support
staff who provide services to teens.
There are over 5,000 members including youth librarians, professors at
graduate schools, graduate students, support staff at libraries, and many
others. Membership categories include
categories for salaried workers as well as for non-salaried workers and
students. Benefits include access to
thousands of dollars in grants and scholarship, as well as contests and
stipends. Members of YALSA also have
access to free webinars, and free subscriptions to the organization’s quarterly
journal (YALS) and weekly e-newsletter (YALSA E-News). In addition, membership provides the
opportunity to connect with others in the field. The YALSA has members from all 50 states as
well as international members so the wealth of information available through
these connections is certainly valuable.
According to a statement on the IFLA’s website,
“The
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the
leading international body representing the interests of library and
information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and
information profession.” (IFLA, 2014)
What
I like about both of these organizations is that they allow members to connect
with others in the profession on a broad (geographically and numerically)
level. The YALSA is closely linked to my
own career goals of becoming a young adult or children’s librarian (there is
also the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), which I will
consider joining as well). The IFLA will
allow me to connect with others in the profession on an international level and
to be aware of issues that affect all those in the profession. I am strongly considering joining both of
these organizations as I feel they will benefit me greatly in my career.
IFLA
(12 May 2014). About IFLA. Retrieved from http://www.ifla.org/about
Monday, December 8, 2014
Comparative Analysis of Professional Journals
For this comparative analysis, I decided to look at Archives, the journal of the British
Records Association, and the Journal of
Library Administration. I chose Archives because I feel that archival
administration is the field of the information sciences I am least familiar
with, and wanted to gain a better understanding of this field. I chose the Journal of Library Administration because I felt that it would help
me gain a better understanding of my chosen specialization of public libraries
(while providing a broad perspective on libraries in general).
Archives is a scholarly, peer-reviewed
journal aimed primarily at an academic audience. According to the Ulrich’s Web Directory, the
journal publishes material related to British history and records. The journal is meant to serve academics and
others interested in research in archives.
Publishing began in 1949 and the journal is published
semi-annually. This journal isn’t
necessarily one that I would need to access on a regular basis for my own
studies, but is a useful tool for finding out more about archives.
The Journal of Library Administration has
been published since 1980 and is published eight times per year, according to
Ulrich’s Web Directory. The journal is
published by Routledge and is peer-reviewed.
Material published is aimed at individuals working in libraries. This journal is one that I could personally
see being very useful in my own career.
It covers a broad range of the LIS field, and many of the articles are very
applicable to someone working in a public library.
Academic
journals, whether peer-reviewed or not, are a wealth of information for the LIS
student and LIS professional and anyone planning on having a career in the
field should certainly be familiar with the variety of journals that is
available. In my limited experience and
research thus far, I have been surprised at the sheer amount of information and
articles available. I look forward to subscribing
to several journals myself in order to learn more about issues relevant to the
LIS field.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Reflections on a Banned Book: Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, serves as a social commentary and explores what could happen when society breaks down. The book follows a group of school boys who end up on a deserted island as the result of a plane crash. The boys vary in age from as young as 6 to about 13 years old. At first, the older boys do their best to establish a society and to work together to meet the needs of the group and ultimately be rescued. Over time, however, the structure breaks down and priorities shift. The boys continue on a downward spiral of degradation that appears will only end in their destruction.
The book was challenged for a number of reasons, according to the American Library Association (link below). In 1981, Lord of the Flies was challenged at Sully Buttes, SD High School and Owen, NC High School because it was considered to be "demoralizing inasmuch as it implies that man is little more than an animal." It was also challenged in 1984 at the Olney, TX Independent School District for "excessive violence and bad language and in Waterloo, IA schools in 1992 for profanity, lurid passages about sex, and statements defamatory to minorities, God, women and the disabled. I agree that all of these elements are in the book, it is certainly not the lightest of reads, but Golding is exploring a dark subject. As with many books that deal with difficult subjects, it is at times course and brash, but I feel it would not be the same book or carry the same weight without some objectionable content.
If I were choosing an audience for Lord of the Flies, I would probably assign it to eighth grade and up. I feel young adults that age would be able to handle the material presented in a mature way and the book could certainly prompt a lot of meaningful, worthwhile discussion about human nature, leadership, and mob mentality. Since it appears that the book was generally challenged at the high school level, this is the average age of the students who were reading it. I disagree with the assertions that this book should not be read by students. The racist remarks are coming from a time period when similar remarks were, unfortunately, not uncommon, and their presence in the book provides historical commentary which teachers can use to guide a discussion about why these words should not be used. Similarly, the remarks about women and people with disabilities are unacceptable, but are also representative of a different period in time. In the book, humans are portrayed as little more than animals, which could be offensive but can also spark discussion about human nature and the good vs. evil archetype. The violence present in the book may be difficult for some younger readers to handle, but demonstrates the danger of a mob mentality and going along with the crowd. These are also important subjects to discuss with young adults who are navigating more new found independence.
While I do not want to give away the ending for the book, I will share that I was pleased with how it ended and I feel that the ending helped to redeem some of the darker elements of the book.
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics/reasons
The book was challenged for a number of reasons, according to the American Library Association (link below). In 1981, Lord of the Flies was challenged at Sully Buttes, SD High School and Owen, NC High School because it was considered to be "demoralizing inasmuch as it implies that man is little more than an animal." It was also challenged in 1984 at the Olney, TX Independent School District for "excessive violence and bad language and in Waterloo, IA schools in 1992 for profanity, lurid passages about sex, and statements defamatory to minorities, God, women and the disabled. I agree that all of these elements are in the book, it is certainly not the lightest of reads, but Golding is exploring a dark subject. As with many books that deal with difficult subjects, it is at times course and brash, but I feel it would not be the same book or carry the same weight without some objectionable content.
If I were choosing an audience for Lord of the Flies, I would probably assign it to eighth grade and up. I feel young adults that age would be able to handle the material presented in a mature way and the book could certainly prompt a lot of meaningful, worthwhile discussion about human nature, leadership, and mob mentality. Since it appears that the book was generally challenged at the high school level, this is the average age of the students who were reading it. I disagree with the assertions that this book should not be read by students. The racist remarks are coming from a time period when similar remarks were, unfortunately, not uncommon, and their presence in the book provides historical commentary which teachers can use to guide a discussion about why these words should not be used. Similarly, the remarks about women and people with disabilities are unacceptable, but are also representative of a different period in time. In the book, humans are portrayed as little more than animals, which could be offensive but can also spark discussion about human nature and the good vs. evil archetype. The violence present in the book may be difficult for some younger readers to handle, but demonstrates the danger of a mob mentality and going along with the crowd. These are also important subjects to discuss with young adults who are navigating more new found independence.
While I do not want to give away the ending for the book, I will share that I was pleased with how it ended and I feel that the ending helped to redeem some of the darker elements of the book.
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics/reasons
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Goals for my Career
When informing people of my goal to become a children's librarian, I have had a variety of responses; everything from "that's so cool!" to something along the lines of "how long do you think libraries will be around?". While I agree that libraries are certainly having to change and adapt to the digital age, I believe that they will be around as long as they remain relevant. It is this theory that lead me to library science, and encourages me to continue exploring ways in which the library can remain relevant to the communities of the present and the future.
As I mentioned, I would like to become a children's librarian. I envision myself working in a public library, or perhaps in a school library once I obtain my media specialist certificate. I have a background in Special Education and Elementary Education and hold a teaching certificate in Pennsylvania (I should have one in Michigan shortly, once I pass my licensing exams). I enjoy working with children, and cannot wait to make reading and literature come alive for them; similarly to how the librarians in my local library helped to nurture my love of reading as I grew up. I believe the children's section of the 21st century library will, and should, look very different than that of a library in the 1990's, but there are timeless elements that I believe will always remain important (for example, story time).
Through the MLIS program, I look forward to being exposed to best practices related to librarianship, as well as a variety of literature; especially that geared towards children. I plan to learn about different aspects of technology and to consider what other services the community library can offer. Additionally, I hope to learn all I can about what keeps a library running on a daily basis.
I expect that some of this knowledge will come from my classes and fellow classmates at the school, some from my own research and experience, and some from experiences I seek outside of class such as internships. I know that in order to become the best librarian I can, I will need to be actively pursuing the knowledge and resources that will help me to best benefit those seeking services.
As I mentioned, I would like to become a children's librarian. I envision myself working in a public library, or perhaps in a school library once I obtain my media specialist certificate. I have a background in Special Education and Elementary Education and hold a teaching certificate in Pennsylvania (I should have one in Michigan shortly, once I pass my licensing exams). I enjoy working with children, and cannot wait to make reading and literature come alive for them; similarly to how the librarians in my local library helped to nurture my love of reading as I grew up. I believe the children's section of the 21st century library will, and should, look very different than that of a library in the 1990's, but there are timeless elements that I believe will always remain important (for example, story time).
Through the MLIS program, I look forward to being exposed to best practices related to librarianship, as well as a variety of literature; especially that geared towards children. I plan to learn about different aspects of technology and to consider what other services the community library can offer. Additionally, I hope to learn all I can about what keeps a library running on a daily basis.
I expect that some of this knowledge will come from my classes and fellow classmates at the school, some from my own research and experience, and some from experiences I seek outside of class such as internships. I know that in order to become the best librarian I can, I will need to be actively pursuing the knowledge and resources that will help me to best benefit those seeking services.
Friday, September 5, 2014
An Introduction
Hello all and welcome to my blog. My name is Megan Domanski and I started this blog as a graduate requirement for my MLIS degree at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. I plan to share thoughts and information related to my journey as a future information professional; starting with an introduction.
I have enjoyed going to the library for as long as I can remember. As I grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, the northwest branch of the Reading Public Library served as a personal haven for me. Reading books allowed me to escape to places I may never visit on my own, and the librarians were always enthusiastic about sharing books they thought I would enjoy. I credit this early experience with the library as my inspiration to become a children's librarian myself. My journey to this point was not, however, a straight line (of course, few journeys are).
After graduating from high school, I attended Reading Area Community College and then Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania; obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education with a minor in English. I thought of going to graduate school immediately after my undergraduate work, but instead decided to serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer with City Year Detroit. My experience with City Year allowed me to tutor students in Detroit Public Schools and Harper Woods Public Schools. One of the service projects my team carried out my first year (led by one of my teammates), was to turn a storage closet into a library for the students in our school. There was a library in the school building, but it was not easily accessible for our students. It was invigorating to see the students become as excited about the library as I was (and am).
Upon completion of my City Year(s), I returned to Pennsylvania and worked for a small school district in a rural area. During this time, I had the opportunity to work as a substitute library aide, a position which I feel further convinced me of my desire to work in a library setting (whether that be a public library or a school library). In August of this year, I returned to the Detroit area to pursue my dream. There are several aspects of the LIS professions which interest me as I begin my studies:
Dynamic:
I tend to grow weary of monotony, and the LIS professions are anything but. I look forward to working in an ever-changing environment with a new set of challenges each day.
Diverse:
Many of the LIS professions involve dealing with a very diverse group of people. Especially as I anticipate working in a public library setting, I foresee myself working with people who are very different in terms of ethnicity, age, social economic status, religion, education level, and many other demographics. I am looking forward to all that I have to learn from serving my patrons.
Technology Driven:
It would be difficult to miss the fact that technology is changing rapidly in our world, and I view this profession as being a powerful force for educating people about new technologies. In my opinion, it is extremely important for public libraries to remain relevant in their communities by using current technology in meaningful ways. Not only is the use of technology important for our present lives and our future; it provides us with new resources for linking to the past.
Community Driven:
Libraries are put into place to serve the people and needs of their community, and they generally reflect the culture of the community where they are located. I have rarely, if ever, walked into a library which felt out of sync with its surroundings. Professionals in the information field have to be constantly aware of the ever-changing needs of their patrons, and address those needs in a variety of oft-unique ways. This takes me back to the challenge and enjoyment of working in a dynamic environment, and the feeling of satisfaction that results when one serves as a catalyst towards helping someone solve their problem.
I realize that these assumptions are centered around the public library, and confess that this is where most of my personal experience lies. One of the aspects of my program that I am looking forward to is the exposure to multiple branches of the LIS professions. While I am fairly certain of the direction in which I expect my MLIS degree to take me, I know that there is always room for change and I would not be surprised if I find myself working in a variety of environments throughout my career. I look forward to the journey.
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