Our first introductory course to the library field has come to a close. I am sad, but also excited for the other courses (and of course the jobs) that are awaiting me. For our last blog post, Dr. Lankes asked that we sum up what we have learned during the semester and explain how our view of the profession has changed from when we first began school back in August.
I have to admit that my view of the profession has changed dramatically. When we first began the semester, I was stuck in defining librarianship in a very traditional way. Dr. Lankes knew that many of us would have this view, and that is why he worked hard to deconstruct that traditional definition for us. I now know that librarianship is about information, knowledge and conversation. It is not about books, shelves, and catalogs. I also know that there are a myriad of opportunities awaiting me in the profession. I don’t have to work in a university or public library to be a librarian. I can work for a hospital, a business, an archive, a museum, a newspaper, a television or radio broadcasting station, and the list goes on.
I also know that I may face some opposition. There are those people out in the world who see librarianship as a dying profession, and do not feel that there is a need for libraries anymore. After my first semester of graduate school, I feel that I am better prepared to face these people and their misguided opinions about libraries. For instance, say I am confronted with the following situation:
Misguided Person: “Why do we need libraries anymore? We can get everything online at home.”
Me, Future Librarian at the Ready: “Libraries are not just about books. In fact, they have always been about information more than anything else. Although you can access a lot of information online, that information is not always accurate or authoritative. Librarians can help you to find the right kind of information on the Internet.”
Misguided Person: “But can’t they do that virtually? Why do we even need a library building that is sucking up our government funding?”
Me: “Libraries serve a very important place in the community. They are gathering places, studying and learning places, and places for people to be themselves in their own community. They are also one of the only places where people who cannot afford computers can go to access the Internet free of charge. As my professor used to say, the mission of librarians is to improve society through facilitating knowledge creation in their communities. Libraries and librarians provide people with the tools and the information they need to become informed and to create. There is no other place in our community that serves the same function as libraries and certainly not one that does so for free. When you take all of this into consideration, libraries are quite deserving of government funding.”
While it is sad that I will have to defend my profession to some people, I take comfort in the fact that those who do not value libraries are simply misinformed. I am proud that I am going into such a worthy profession, and proud to defend that profession to anyone who questions its importance. I can’t wait to be a librarian!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Gaming in Libraries
Professor Scott Nicholson (a fellow Okie!) led the discussion for our IST 511 class this week and talked about the importance of games and gaming in a library setting. Personally, I had never really given much thought to gaming in the library. I knew that gaming in libraries existed, and I’ve heard a lot about National Gaming Day @ Your Library (an annual event each November originated by Dr. Nicholson), but I always thought of gaming in libraries as a sort of ‘extra’ thing that libraries could provide to the public. Professor Nicholson’s discussion made me realize that gaming is in fact a very relevant library service.
At my hometown’s public library, I know that gaming nights have become popular over the past few years. When the Wii was first introduced, the library started having weekly Wii game nights for teens where they could take turns playing games for a designated period of time each week. I always thought it was strange that they targeted teens specifically—other age groups like playing with Wiis, too! However, Professor Nicholson brought up the fact that teens are an underrepresented group in public libraries. While there are plenty of activities for young children and even babies (cuddle hours, anyone?) to keep the little ones active at the library, kids tend to lose interest in libraries as they grow into teenagers. This is particularly true for teenage boys, who don’t necessarily think hanging out at the local library is a cool thing to do. Wii game nights, and other gaming events, are a great way for libraries to draw in teenage boys and other underrepresented groups.
There are many other benefits to libraries that provide gaming services and events to their patrons. Based on his own studies, Professor Nicholson discovered that libraries involved in gaming often find an increase in the library’s reputation and that of the library staff. The studies also found that people who attend library gaming events tend to return to the library for other services. Gaming events would also appear to create a more fun and inviting atmosphere at libraries. As Dr. Nicholson said, in times of economic hardship it is important to evoke the idea of the library as a positive, fun, and inviting space. Gaming can certainly help make libraries reflect this positive atmosphere.
I particularly liked Dr. Nicholson’s ideas about connecting different generations and cultures through gaming. Gaming clubs at the library can be multi-generational and can create relationships among people who would not otherwise meet or associate with one another. Gaming has also become quite popular in senior centers and nursing homes, and many libraries have been taking advantage of this and bring the library, librarians, and games to the seniors. There are so many ways to utilize games at libraries, for fun and for learning, and it all seems to lead back to that wonderful library-as-community-space idea we’ve been talking about all semester.
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| Cartoon by Jonny Hawkins. |
At my hometown’s public library, I know that gaming nights have become popular over the past few years. When the Wii was first introduced, the library started having weekly Wii game nights for teens where they could take turns playing games for a designated period of time each week. I always thought it was strange that they targeted teens specifically—other age groups like playing with Wiis, too! However, Professor Nicholson brought up the fact that teens are an underrepresented group in public libraries. While there are plenty of activities for young children and even babies (cuddle hours, anyone?) to keep the little ones active at the library, kids tend to lose interest in libraries as they grow into teenagers. This is particularly true for teenage boys, who don’t necessarily think hanging out at the local library is a cool thing to do. Wii game nights, and other gaming events, are a great way for libraries to draw in teenage boys and other underrepresented groups.
There are many other benefits to libraries that provide gaming services and events to their patrons. Based on his own studies, Professor Nicholson discovered that libraries involved in gaming often find an increase in the library’s reputation and that of the library staff. The studies also found that people who attend library gaming events tend to return to the library for other services. Gaming events would also appear to create a more fun and inviting atmosphere at libraries. As Dr. Nicholson said, in times of economic hardship it is important to evoke the idea of the library as a positive, fun, and inviting space. Gaming can certainly help make libraries reflect this positive atmosphere.
I particularly liked Dr. Nicholson’s ideas about connecting different generations and cultures through gaming. Gaming clubs at the library can be multi-generational and can create relationships among people who would not otherwise meet or associate with one another. Gaming has also become quite popular in senior centers and nursing homes, and many libraries have been taking advantage of this and bring the library, librarians, and games to the seniors. There are so many ways to utilize games at libraries, for fun and for learning, and it all seems to lead back to that wonderful library-as-community-space idea we’ve been talking about all semester.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
My thoughts on "the Future of Libraries"
In the online version of our 511 class, Professor Lankes posted a video of Eli Neiburger giving a virtual presentation at the 2010 Library Journal/School Library Journal Online Summit and asked our class to respond to the presentation. At the Summit, Neiburger, the Associate Director for IT and Production at the Ann Arbor District Library, presented his e-lecture entitled “Libraries at the Tipping Point: How eBooks Impact Libraries.” In the video, Neiburger quite bluntly states that “libraries are screwed” unless they drastically change the way they operate. Similar to Professor Lankes, Neiburger believes that if libraries continue to associate themselves with the objects they contain (their collections) then the new “download everything from home for free or for cheap” way the world is going will make libraries become outmoded.
Books, Neiburger claims, could potentially go the way candles and LPs have gone: those items have not disappeared, but their primary purpose has shifted as technology has evolved. Rather than allowing libraries to become outmoded and perhaps ultimately obsolete, Neiburger suggests that libraries return to their roots of recording the materials of the local population. He suggests that libraries change their “circulating collections” focus to that of “member-created content.” Neiburger believes that the future of libraries lies in becoming centers for member-created content of our local communities. In essence, the community would come to the library not to receive information but to create their own information. The community would become the “writers/artists” and the library would become the “publishers” of their work and store the work of the local community to be shared with others.
I like the idea of user-created content in the library, and I’m glad that Neiburger is trying to find a new way to define the library’s role in this ever-changing world. Yet, I have to admit, he seems to be missing one crucial point: libraries are already centers of member-created content, which is why they mean more to people than just “that place where you can get books.” Libraries have existed as community centers for collaboration and creation for years. They do store the history of the community in their archives and they do facilitate creation in their communities through the information they distribute (whether that be through physical materials, through the Internet they provide, or through workshops and informational events). Libraries do much, much more for their communities than simply circulate materials.
At the end of his presentation, Neiburger argues that libraries “need to become a platform for unique experiences and unique content” if they want to remain relevant in today’s world. In my opinion, libraries already offer unique experiences, but meager budgets have hindered them in marketing those experiences in the most effective ways. As librarians, it is our job to keep the public interested in our services. If we continue to serve the needs of our community, however those needs might change through the years, then libraries will never become outmoded.
Books, Neiburger claims, could potentially go the way candles and LPs have gone: those items have not disappeared, but their primary purpose has shifted as technology has evolved. Rather than allowing libraries to become outmoded and perhaps ultimately obsolete, Neiburger suggests that libraries return to their roots of recording the materials of the local population. He suggests that libraries change their “circulating collections” focus to that of “member-created content.” Neiburger believes that the future of libraries lies in becoming centers for member-created content of our local communities. In essence, the community would come to the library not to receive information but to create their own information. The community would become the “writers/artists” and the library would become the “publishers” of their work and store the work of the local community to be shared with others.
I like the idea of user-created content in the library, and I’m glad that Neiburger is trying to find a new way to define the library’s role in this ever-changing world. Yet, I have to admit, he seems to be missing one crucial point: libraries are already centers of member-created content, which is why they mean more to people than just “that place where you can get books.” Libraries have existed as community centers for collaboration and creation for years. They do store the history of the community in their archives and they do facilitate creation in their communities through the information they distribute (whether that be through physical materials, through the Internet they provide, or through workshops and informational events). Libraries do much, much more for their communities than simply circulate materials.
At the end of his presentation, Neiburger argues that libraries “need to become a platform for unique experiences and unique content” if they want to remain relevant in today’s world. In my opinion, libraries already offer unique experiences, but meager budgets have hindered them in marketing those experiences in the most effective ways. As librarians, it is our job to keep the public interested in our services. If we continue to serve the needs of our community, however those needs might change through the years, then libraries will never become outmoded.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
My "Aha" Library Moment (I think)
Our last class with Professor Lankes was last Wednesday night. He did a very nice job of giving us a few more motivational speeches to remember him by, and we are all sad to see him go (off to Italy, no less! Very jealous.) He let the class ask him anything we wanted to, and one of the tangents he went on got me thinking about how I arrived in this field in the first place.
When a classmate asked him how to broach the situation of the old librarian views vs. new librarian views as we begin our careers in the field, he mentioned that old-fashioned networking is a good way to get people to appreciate your new ideas. He suggested that finding out people’s “Aha” library moments, the moment they knew they wanted to be a librarian or the moment they knew they were in the right profession, was a good way to establish a relationship with your new colleagues.
That made me wonder, what is my “Aha” library moment? How did I know that I wanted to be librarian? People ask me this question all the time, and I’ve found myself stumbling over the answer somewhat. My usual answer is something along the lines of “I always loved being around books, and being in the library, and volunteering at the library and my mother was a librarian, so it just seemed natural!”
I think that answer is a little stilted and artificial-sounding. Becoming a librarian did not always seem “natural” to me. If I’m being quite honest, I wavered over my decision to move to Syracuse and start the LIS program only days before I left. This was mostly due to fear of the unknown, but I also found myself wondering if becoming a librarian was really what I wanted to do with my life.
Thankfully, I forced myself to come, and doing so led me to what I think was my “Aha” library moment. No, I didn’t discover that my passion in life is MARC codes or FRBR. What really made me realize that I wanted to be a librarian was that sense of fitting in. In the LIS program at SU, I’m surrounded by people who like the same things I do, and actually find things like learning HTML, how to market a library, and mending books interesting! It’s refreshing to know that I’m surrounded by people who so strongly believe in things like the freedom to access information, and share other beliefs similar to my own.
I fit in with all these librarians and librarians-in-training around me. I think that’s my “Aha” library moment.
When a classmate asked him how to broach the situation of the old librarian views vs. new librarian views as we begin our careers in the field, he mentioned that old-fashioned networking is a good way to get people to appreciate your new ideas. He suggested that finding out people’s “Aha” library moments, the moment they knew they wanted to be a librarian or the moment they knew they were in the right profession, was a good way to establish a relationship with your new colleagues.
That made me wonder, what is my “Aha” library moment? How did I know that I wanted to be librarian? People ask me this question all the time, and I’ve found myself stumbling over the answer somewhat. My usual answer is something along the lines of “I always loved being around books, and being in the library, and volunteering at the library and my mother was a librarian, so it just seemed natural!”
I think that answer is a little stilted and artificial-sounding. Becoming a librarian did not always seem “natural” to me. If I’m being quite honest, I wavered over my decision to move to Syracuse and start the LIS program only days before I left. This was mostly due to fear of the unknown, but I also found myself wondering if becoming a librarian was really what I wanted to do with my life.
Thankfully, I forced myself to come, and doing so led me to what I think was my “Aha” library moment. No, I didn’t discover that my passion in life is MARC codes or FRBR. What really made me realize that I wanted to be a librarian was that sense of fitting in. In the LIS program at SU, I’m surrounded by people who like the same things I do, and actually find things like learning HTML, how to market a library, and mending books interesting! It’s refreshing to know that I’m surrounded by people who so strongly believe in things like the freedom to access information, and share other beliefs similar to my own.
I fit in with all these librarians and librarians-in-training around me. I think that’s my “Aha” library moment.
Friday, November 5, 2010
I Get it, but I Still Like Archives
After reading our various blogs on the wonders of Bird Library’s Special Collections Research Center from last week (my last blog included) our professor wanted to bring us a different perspective on archives and preservation. On Wednesday night’s class, he pointed out to us that although our visceral reactions to the antique books and documents in the archives are important, the items themselves do not actually have any intrinsic value, but are only appreciated and preserved because of the value we place on them.
I completely understand Professor Lankes’ argument. He comes from the relatively newer school of thought in the library world that argues against libraries as “places full of books.” From previous classes, I have come to understand his view in this way: If libraries are merely places used to house books (basically, places full of things) then what will happen when these books/materials/things are no longer valued? The answer: Libraries will no longer have any value. This is why he stresses for future librarians like myself to view libraries not by what they contain but by the mission of librarianship. In my professor’s opinion, archives will no longer have any value in the future either, since they are completely defined by the objects they contain.
While I understand Professor Lankes’ argument, and agree with his view of libraries, he seemed to be taking an extreme stance in regards to the value of archives. I think it is true that we are the ones that place the value on the illuminated manuscripts and first editions of Alice in Wonderland that are archived at Bird Library. Without us, these objects would have no value in and of themselves. However, I think you could make the same argument about any physical objects, or even people for that matter, which makes his argument a little weak to me. For example, does your cell phone have any real value outside of the value that you and others place on it? In reality it is just metal and plastic, but if you lose it you panic and feel as though you have lost your connection to the world.
The point that I am trying to make is that people will always place value on things. Just because those values might change someday is no reason to abandon all the library archives of the world. Nor is it any reason to abandon all desires of becoming an archivist. I'm sorry, professor. Even though I know I only like them because of the value that myself and others have placed on them, I still like archives.
I completely understand Professor Lankes’ argument. He comes from the relatively newer school of thought in the library world that argues against libraries as “places full of books.” From previous classes, I have come to understand his view in this way: If libraries are merely places used to house books (basically, places full of things) then what will happen when these books/materials/things are no longer valued? The answer: Libraries will no longer have any value. This is why he stresses for future librarians like myself to view libraries not by what they contain but by the mission of librarianship. In my professor’s opinion, archives will no longer have any value in the future either, since they are completely defined by the objects they contain.
While I understand Professor Lankes’ argument, and agree with his view of libraries, he seemed to be taking an extreme stance in regards to the value of archives. I think it is true that we are the ones that place the value on the illuminated manuscripts and first editions of Alice in Wonderland that are archived at Bird Library. Without us, these objects would have no value in and of themselves. However, I think you could make the same argument about any physical objects, or even people for that matter, which makes his argument a little weak to me. For example, does your cell phone have any real value outside of the value that you and others place on it? In reality it is just metal and plastic, but if you lose it you panic and feel as though you have lost your connection to the world.
The point that I am trying to make is that people will always place value on things. Just because those values might change someday is no reason to abandon all the library archives of the world. Nor is it any reason to abandon all desires of becoming an archivist. I'm sorry, professor. Even though I know I only like them because of the value that myself and others have placed on them, I still like archives.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Dreams of Archival and Preservation Work
This week in IST 511 we explored the wonderful Special Collections area of Bird Library. Dr. Ken Lavender showed us some extremely rare and fascinating books; David Stokoe showed us what he was working on in his conservation lab; and Peter Verheyen also showed us some of Bird Library’s preservation techniques for circulating materials. As our professor, Dr. Lankes, warned us at the beginning of the semester, I was yet again left with a feeling of “Now, that’s the type of librarian I want to be!”
I think the feeling might stick this time, though. Preservation and Archives have been in the back of my mind since I first became interested in pursuing a degree in librarianship. While I like the idea of working in a public library to give information to the masses, the preserving and mending of old, sometimes ancient, books is much more enticing to me. I worked in the processing department of my undergraduate university’s library for two years, and directly handling books (working with my hands) was my favorite part of that job. There is an odd sort of satisfaction in knowing that you have mended a previously damaged book and allowed it to circulate and be of use for at least a little while longer.
While I’m obviously very interested in preservation and archival studies (I work in Bird Library’s Belfer Audio Archive, and am actually running for secretary for the SU student chapter of the Society for American Archivists (SAA)), I still find myself hesitant about obtaining SU’s Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Cultural Heritage and Preservation. Part of it is the money and the time (I believe three extra courses are required) but my other hesitation is the fact that, although I think I would like to eventually go into archives, I would rather take classes in all areas of the library field during my time at SU. Instead of focusing on one CAS and one specialty, I think I should be a well-rounded student so that I’m more qualified for whatever job comes my way when I graduate. I hope this is a smart decision!
By the way, I think I want to attend the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC—don’t you love all these library acronyms?!) which will be held this year from November 11-13 in Harrisburg, PA. Hopefully I can volunteer and go for free (crossing my fingers)!
I think the feeling might stick this time, though. Preservation and Archives have been in the back of my mind since I first became interested in pursuing a degree in librarianship. While I like the idea of working in a public library to give information to the masses, the preserving and mending of old, sometimes ancient, books is much more enticing to me. I worked in the processing department of my undergraduate university’s library for two years, and directly handling books (working with my hands) was my favorite part of that job. There is an odd sort of satisfaction in knowing that you have mended a previously damaged book and allowed it to circulate and be of use for at least a little while longer.
While I’m obviously very interested in preservation and archival studies (I work in Bird Library’s Belfer Audio Archive, and am actually running for secretary for the SU student chapter of the Society for American Archivists (SAA)), I still find myself hesitant about obtaining SU’s Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Cultural Heritage and Preservation. Part of it is the money and the time (I believe three extra courses are required) but my other hesitation is the fact that, although I think I would like to eventually go into archives, I would rather take classes in all areas of the library field during my time at SU. Instead of focusing on one CAS and one specialty, I think I should be a well-rounded student so that I’m more qualified for whatever job comes my way when I graduate. I hope this is a smart decision!
By the way, I think I want to attend the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC—don’t you love all these library acronyms?!) which will be held this year from November 11-13 in Harrisburg, PA. Hopefully I can volunteer and go for free (crossing my fingers)!
Friday, October 22, 2010
I want to be a Scandibrarian: Scandinavian Libraries & their Amazing Use of Space
In my International Librarianship class we have been talking via Skype to librarians all over the world. So far we have spoken to a librarian in Qatar, a librarian in India, and most recently to Maru Peltonen, a Finnish Librarian who works as a children’s librarian in the suburb of Espoo near the capital, Helsinki. Maru was very interesting to listen to and had some very intriguing ideas about libraries, particularly in regards to library space.
According to Maru, what is most important to Finnish library users are the library’s collection and its space, not its activities. Finnish librarians have taken their users’ opinions seriously and have devoted a lot of thought into making their libraries comfortable welcoming spaces. As Maru put it, “some people just want to have somewhere to be, and they go to the library to find that.” She went on to say that inviting, comfy libraries make users feel welcomed and create the idea of the library as a positive place in the community. Those austere, cold libraries with their shushing librarians create an atmosphere of negativity, and this is certainly not the image libraries need to have right now.
Maru further illustrated the way libraries in Finland and other parts of Scandinavia have approached the issue of space by showing us some pictures of some amazing libraries. By far, the coolest of those libraries was Stockholm’s Rum för Barn. Rum för Barn literally translates to ‘Room for Children’ and is essentially the children’s area in the Kulturhuset library. This library is incredible. Half library, half playground, Rum för Barn is filled with places for kids to climb, cubby holes where they can hide, and even hammocks for them to relax in while they read! Maru said that as a children’s librarian, her main goal is to get kids excited about reading, and what kid wouldn’t be thrilled about going to Rum för Barn? The Swedish librarians who designed this innovative library were clearly thinking about using the space to appeal to their patrons, and they certainly succeeded (I’ve heard that there is actually a waiting list to get in to Rum för Barn at certain times during the year!).
I am now desperate to work at a Scandinavian library and be a Scandinavian Librarian (Scandibrarian). Those Swedes and Finns are certainly on the cutting edge of librarianship! Now all I have to do is learn Swedish...
To learn more about Kulturhuset and Rum för Barn, click here. Picture above found here.
According to Maru, what is most important to Finnish library users are the library’s collection and its space, not its activities. Finnish librarians have taken their users’ opinions seriously and have devoted a lot of thought into making their libraries comfortable welcoming spaces. As Maru put it, “some people just want to have somewhere to be, and they go to the library to find that.” She went on to say that inviting, comfy libraries make users feel welcomed and create the idea of the library as a positive place in the community. Those austere, cold libraries with their shushing librarians create an atmosphere of negativity, and this is certainly not the image libraries need to have right now.
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| Rum för Barn |
I am now desperate to work at a Scandinavian library and be a Scandinavian Librarian (Scandibrarian). Those Swedes and Finns are certainly on the cutting edge of librarianship! Now all I have to do is learn Swedish...
To learn more about Kulturhuset and Rum för Barn, click here. Picture above found here.
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