“Being a good, innovative librarian means taking a humanistic stance toward policy, decision-making, and experimentation. It means focusing on the heart.” Michael Stephens, The Heart of Librarianship: Attentive, Positive, and Purposeful Change “Being a good, innovative librarian means taking a humanistic stance toward policy, decision-making, and experimentation. It means focusing on the heart.” Michael Stephens, The Heart of Librarianship: Attentive, Positive, and Purposeful Change
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We keep returning to the idea of “taking care” as we move into a post-pandemic world. We have been taking care of ourselves, our families and friends, and others in the world. Now we return to tending to the needs of our users: offering a safe space for every person who comes through our doors to learn and grow, designing welcoming spaces for folks to come together to collaborate and exchange ideas, creating thriving digital communities, and providing participatory services to promote learning and well-being. What we want for everyone we serve is Joy. We want our users to experience […]
Libraries have long been places for reading, for information, for literacy. What has changed and continues to change is the concept of what it means to be literate. It is no longer merely centered on the ability to read and write. According to Mirriam-Webster (2020) it also means to be educated, competent and cultured. As the world changes, new literacies are required. For example, the internet changes the way information is shared. Today it is important to be digitally literate and to know how to navigate the plethora of information available at any given moment. It is also important to […]
TRUE NORTH Pressure ridge and melt water at the Geographic North Pole. Photo credit: Christopher Wood. Source: Shuttershock There is a beauty in isolation (when it is temporary), giving time for reflection and connection with the rhythms of nature (which the Stoics recommend for a quality life). This week I edited an article about alignment of ancient sacred sites (to compass and other directions), and found out that there have been at least four North Poles over the last 100,000 years, some on different continents. This got me thinking about the librarian’s compass and how we use it to help […]
This blogpost highlights Professor Michael Stephens’ teachings on professional development and PLE’s (Professional Learning Experiences). In addition to, I will share several professional experiences of mine while working for San Mateo County Libraries that tie in nicely. Last, I’d like to reiterate one very, very, important step Stephens (2018) states should be accounted for after learning: “What can you do now?” (para. 8). I like to think of this step as “The Follow Through.” (side note) Professor Stephens (2019) video lecture “Infinite Learning: Professional Learning Experiences” sums everything up quite nicely, as this was my inspiration to write this piece. Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash Let’s Rewind: I started my professional library work back in late 2015, I was interviewing for my current position “Community Technology Specialist” with the library staff of the branch I’d end up working at (it was […]
A Listening to Student Voices post by SJSU School of Information student David Vargas. When thinking of the “New Horizons” module and pondering on the thought provoking articles Professor Michael Stephens has shared, one “hits home” for me today. This article not only sparks curiosity, but instantly turns the imaginary lightbulb on in my head. A possible upcoming reality so bright because of potential the lumens emitted can’t conceivably be measured. The article I’m referring to is titled: “Is Virtual Reality the Future of Field Trips?” The genius article was written by Mike McShane and really highlights how the developing […]
A Listening to Student Voices post by SJSU School of Information student Philip McGough. According to Rolf Hapel, “Libraries aren’t just entities that have dropped down from heaven” (As cited in Peet, 2018, LIS instruction section, para. 2). Libraries are working hard to please their users. They have plans, goals, and objectives. One of those goals is to provide a space where everyone feels welcome. Even in this age of digitization, the library as a physical space remains an important element of the services that the library provides (Hapel as cited in Peet, 2018). Laerkes (2016) writes that this space […]
A Listening to Student Voices post by SJSU School of Information student Rosa Conrad. As we began the month of March, I wonder now if any person in the U.S. realized how quickly the Covid-19 would be impacting our lives within such short time. It hasn’t been just health care workers and doctors, food chains, elementary schools, public and academic libraries, universities, and small business owners who have felt the impact this Corona Virus. Many stood in line to grab necessities and loaded shopping carts with massive amounts of toilet paper, paper towels, and water. The next wave hit us […]
Blind visitors touch a sculpture of the Louvre’s Tactile Gallery collection at the National Museum in Bogota, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008.A Listening to Student Voices post by SJSU School of Information student Ashley Marshall. In thinking about this week’s lecture on new horizons for information organizations and how emerging technologies impact information spaces, I was drawn to the idea of absorbing information through other senses besides sight which is, for sighted people, the first sense we rely on when gathering information. Vision impaired people have unique needs when it comes to accessing information in the library and in other contexts. […]
A Listening to Student Voices post by SJSU School of Information student Katie Kuszmar. The other day I told my Google Home device to go to the next song, and my 5-year-old daughter said, “Mommy, you were kind of mean to Google just now.” It is so confusing to explain that the “Google Lady” is not a person. To model social graces, I might just have to be more polite and patient with this tiny little, ever listening speaker that sits in my kitchen. I only use it for listening to the news or music when I cook. I quabble […]