For my virtual symposium, I went with a 3-2-1 report. Thank you Dr. Michael Stephens (your lecture videos are very inspiring) and everyone for a wonderful semester!

Here is the link to my info-graphic: Click Here

Image from Pixabay

My inspiration report aims to highlight how global libraries are focusing on people and the larger community as they re-evaluate and redefine what a library is in the 21st century. In considering topics for this report, I was highly motivated by library designs. As libraries are built or renovated, what considerations are made with the layout and the space? A library building can be an architectural marvel but what’s important is the functionality of the space and whether it fits needs of the community.

Link to report: Click Here

Going through the three Infinite Learning modules, the article that stood out the most was Kelsey Simon’s Emotion Labor, Stressors, and Librarians Who Work With the Public. I was just having a conversation with a colleague this past Thursday regarding our experience running a makerspace. He mentioned that he actually felt relieved when he transitioned away from the role as he was ready for something that was not 3D printing or telling a kid for the hundredth time to press the button to print. And no matter what, we still have to say it with a smile on our face. According to Simon (2020), this is a form of surface acting that causes a Librarian to feel stress.

Other stressors include short staffing, work overload, inadequate time with patrons, job creep, and competing priorities. It’s become a running joke with staff at our branch that with one in, there’s two out. This is definitely where I would insert a laughing and crying emoji. We have just hired a new staff, and will technically be “fully staffed” come this Monday, but two of us (me included) will be leaving the branch this summer to support BLIS a summer camp program in our county. I had two weeks to do my hand-offs and will start my new assignment this coming week. I have found, in my experience, that the library is nothing short of a dynamic work environment. I am fortunate though, that I enjoy a bit of chaos.

Unrelated to emotion labor and stressors, I wanted to briefly talk about learning through play. I am a hands-on learner so the topic is very to interesting to me. Games in particular are a great way to incorporate playful elements to your lesson. As part of a STEAM series, I have organized a few escape rooms with children collecting stamps from each of the “lock box” station. While they won’t be escaping a room, they will be “rescuing” the stamps for a prize. Recent feedback from a parent was: “I absolutely loved it, loved observing my kid, and loved participating. My second grader learned because of it and very much enjoyed it, too. I think she also believed in herself and the fun of math puzzles because of this experience.” I think this shows that learning can take place in many different formats.

Reference

Simon, K. (2020, May). Emotion labor, stressors, and librarians who work with the public. School of Information Student Research Journal, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.31979/2575-2499.100106

The library was my third place when I was young. It was the place that I spent the most time in other than school or home. In a response to the lecture video – If I close my eyes, I can still picture the entire children’s floor, the upstairs adult and teen floor, and tell you which collection was where, despite only having been back there a few times in the last decade, since 2011 to be specific. One section that I was particularly fond of was the fairy tale and mythology shelf. It was on the bottom right hand corner of the shelving closest to the children picture books. I enjoyed reading different versions and adaptations of the same story but set within a different culture. One seemingly minor detail can change the entire context of the story. Some individuals may find that these stories are so similar, such that it is almost a copy and paste, and feel that there’s no need to read through them. For me however, changing one piece of the story, whether it is the setting or the characters, can change the entire story and make it unique. It is just like how two actors playing the exact same character can bring a different feel or interpretation of the story through their words or expressions. The power of stories is in the details. A single feeling, a single thought, or a single action can take similar stories in vastly different directions.

Virtual reality is one of the new technology making its way into libraries. Users can engage in immersive content to enhance learning experiences. At the Play Make Learn conference I attended last summer, I encountered a VR exhibit with the company Transfr that focused on using the technology on information instruction. More specifically, users can engage in career exploration and job skill training with virtual career coaches. I believe this is a valuable resource that libraries can provide access to.

In an article, McShane (2018) explores the technology as a solution or alternative to student field trips. “If students cannot make it to the museum in person, perhaps a VR headset could bring the museum to them.” This is the same idea as when people can’t make it to the library, we find ways to bring the library to them through outreach efforts. Virtual reality can allow students and individuals to explore places that they are unable to in person, whether it is because of logistics, costs, mobility, or time. This article also reminded me of “Amazon Explore” tours that was launched during the pandemic but is no longer available. These 30 minutes to an hour long tours allowed users to go on a virtual stroll through the streets of Japan or the markets of Venice with a local tour guide. I had previously went on a “tour” but felt a bit disconnected from the scene. It was like watching a first person POV film, and it was difficult to fully engage. According to experts however, virtual reality and augmented reality “will make virtual spaces feel much more real, in-person, authentic and effective (Anderson et al., 2021).”

My library system is currently testing out a new VR headset (Meta Quest Pro) and collecting staff input. I was able to briefly try it out yesterday and while it is a rather new technology for me, I found it easy to use. I am looking forward to spending some more time with it to explore some immersive experiences and consider the ways patrons can interact with the technology.

References

Anderson, J., Rainie, L., & Vogels, E. A. (2021, February 18). Experts say the ‘new normal’ in 2025 will be far more tech-driven, presenting more big challenges. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/02/18/experts-say-the-new-normal-in-2025-will-be-far-more-tech-driven-presenting-more-big-challenges/

McShane, M. (2018, June 13). Is virtual reality the future of field trips? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemcshane/2018/06/13/is-virtual-reality-the-future-of-field-trips/?sh=100e818f1809

It is always fascinating to see or read about what innovative program or services that different libraries are bringing to their communities. The article on How Memphis Created the Nation’s Most Innovative Public Library, was particularly inspiring. Innovation is synonymous with change, and that typically requires a vision and support or buy in to make it happen. The library director, Keenon McCloy, did a phenomenal job in redesigning the library space and redefining what a library can be. While there was some initial controversy over her lack of librarianship credentials, she was previously the Director of Public Services and Neighborhoods for the city, which meant that she was very familiar with the community and their needs. I personally believe that because of that lack of specialized library science training, she was not constrained by “what a library is” or “should be,” but instead able to look beyond at what a library could be. This is also not to say that there is no merit in formal librarianship credentials, but sometimes you just need a fresh pair of eyes and perspective.

On the topic of hyperlinked environments, I would also like to share about the Future Library. This is not a public library nor a library in the traditional sense. It was created in 2014 by a Scottish artist, Katie Paterson. It is an artwork piece that will not be completed until 100 years later. One author a year will be contributing a manuscript that will be held unpublished in a trust, and in a specially designed room in the public library, Deichman Bjørvika. The manuscripts will only be printed on paper made from the trees from a forest in Norway in 2114. This library or project is a collective artwork that is alive and grows with each passing year. It has us thinking not just about the environment but time and change beyond the individual.

References

The artwork. (2014). Future Library. Retrieved from https://www.futurelibrary.no/#/the-artwork

Grant, R. (2021, November). How Memphis created the nation’s most innovative public library. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/memphis-created-nations-innovative-public-library-180978844/

What stood out from this week’s readings is Hasan’s article on how a local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness. The article focuses on Public Libraries Victoria (PLV) in Australia but has multiple points of resonance. Earlier this month, I saw an article that reported that San Mateo County declared loneliness as a public health emergency. It is the first county within the country to do so. According to the resolution that was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors, “at least 45% of residents reported difficulty with isolation and loneliness.” As a library staff within the San Mateo County Libraries (SMCL) system, these are community members that I serve. I remember thinking when I initially read the article, what role can the libraries take on in combating this issue?

According to the CEO of PLV, Angela Savage, “Libraries are free, non-judgemental, trusted, and accessible to everyone. There’s no stigma involved in coming into a library and we feel that we can offer safe and welcoming spaces for people who might otherwise experience discrimination (Hasan, 2023).” This means that the library provides a great environment to support programs like PLV’s ‘Libraries for Health and Wellbeing’ which bolsters social connection to combat the loneliness epidemic in Australia. Among the activities that the library offers to support social connections are book clubs, craft groups, after-hours activities such as board games and movie nights. These are some of the activities that SMCL regularly provides to our communities. Additionally, SMCL has been providing a series of ‘Mental Health First Aid Training’ that empowers people to identify and help others that are in distress. While there may be more that can be done, the Hasan article provides assurance that libraries have more of an impact on their communities than they may realize.

References

Hasan, T. N. (2023, June 27). ‘Free, non-judgemental, accessible’: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness. SBS. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/bangla/en/article/free-nonjudgmental-and-accessible-how-your-local-library-is-a-sanctuary-of-health-and-wellness/t15blzsi9

Macasero, R. (2024, February 10). Loneliness declared health emergency in San Mateo County. The Mercury News. https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/06/loneliness-declared-health-emergency-in-san-mateo-county/

The traditional definition of a library or one that many may understand a library to be is that of a collection or depository of books and other materials. The American Library Association (n.d.) notes that the term “library” is used in many different aspects now, from “the brick-and-mortar public library to the digital library,” libraries are “changing and dynamic” spaces. Public libraries in particular continue to serve an increasingly diverse population. In meeting the needs of their communities, libraries are often innovating and looking for different ways to provide information and other resources and services to the public. “When evaluating new initiatives, we should consider the library less and our communities more (Schmidt, 2014).” Libraries are being redesigned and built for people, not books. Gone are the days of silent tables and stacks. Instead, there are meeting spaces, collaborative makerspaces, and even cafes. People are encouraged to talk, laugh, and connect with others. Looking even further beyond buildings and a library’s physical space, libraries are finding ways to meet people directly where they are at.

In the book, The Heart of Librarianship, Stephens (2016) describes how the hyperlinked librarian understands that “the library is everywhere – it is not just the building or virtual spaces,” and that “we must reach all users, not just those who come through our doors.” When we leave the library and go out into the community to conduct outreach as librarians or library staff, our focus is typically to engage with our communities, let them know what we have to offer, and bring them back into our space. But what about the people that can’t make it into a library due to time, resources, or other constraints? Can we bring them the information and resources that they need? The answer to that is yes. In fact, libraries are also bringing experiences beyond that of storytimes at schools and classrooms with them and into communities. These include bookmobiles, makerspaces, library outposts, ebook stops, and more. “As reference statistics wane and paper reference collections dwindle, the need for a visible, vocal presence outside of our library walls is imperative (Stephens, 2016).”

The Biblioburro can be considered to be an early and low-tech bookmobile that brings books into the heart of a community. In 1997, primary school teacher Luis Soriano Bohorque started a traveling library, the Biblioburro, in the remote villages of Columbia (Sheridan, 2015). With his two donkeys, Alfa, and Beto (which when placed together is Spanish for “alphabet”), Luis delivered books and other educational programs to children in a community where there were no schools or teachers. Bookmobiles in other countries or communities similarly have the opportunity to bring books and other materials to remote communities that may not have the same access to information. In 2015, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) received an honorable mention from the Urban Libraries Council on their innovative outreach model. MCPL established a bilingual Outreach Team in 2013 to reach residents in a county with changing demographics. Equipped with laptops and iPads, the Team is able to expand “the mission of public service beyond the library physical walls (Urban Libraries Council, n.d.).” As Schneider (2006) noted, “It is about meeting people where they are and not where we want them to be.”

Reflecting on my own experience with libraries, it can be summed up as “I came because of the books, but stayed because of the people.” Libraries were a safe space for me when I was younger. While I had spent my high school years volunteering at my local library, I had not thought of it as a career option because I didn’t see myself as a people person. Years later when I by chance made my way back into libraries, I found that what I had reservations about is now what I love most about libraries. The people and the community that we make connections with continue to drive my passion for the work that I do, whether that’s within the library or outside of its walls. “I think our strength is in our ties to the community and the relationships we build with our customers. That should be our focus and should drive how we develop our programs and services in the future (Stephens, 2016).”

References

American Library Association. (n.d.). Definition of a Library: General Definition. Retrieved February 19, 2024, from https://libguides.ala.org/library-definition

Schmidt, A. (2014, May 6). Exploring Context: The user experience. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/exploring-context-the-user-experience

Schneider, K.G. (2006, June 3). The User Is Not Broken: A meme masquerading as a manifesto. Free Range Librarian. https://freerangelibrarian.com/2006/06/03/the-user-is-not-broken-a-meme-masquerading-as-a-manifesto/

Sheridan, D. (2015, January 23). Biblioburro. Pop Goes the Page. https://popgoesthepage.princeton.edu/biblioburro/

Stephens, M. (2016). The Heart of Librarianship: Attentive, positive, and purposeful change. ALA Editions.

Urban Libraries Council. (n.d.). Service beyond our Walls: MCPL outreach model. https://www.urbanlibraries.org/innovations/service-beyond-our-walls-mcpl-outreach-model

My name is Salina and this is my second year in the MLIS program. I am a Community Technology Specialist with the San Mateo County Libraries (SMCL). My experience in libraries started when I volunteered at my local library throughout my high school years. While I had not initially set out to become a librarian, I soon found my way back to libraries not long after I graduated from college. I started as a Library Assistant with SMCL and had the opportunity to work in a number of different roles with varying responsibilities over the last 6+ years. I supported and lead many programs, storytimes, and outreach efforts. I worked with our Access Services department and learned how to catalog new books. I supported the development of my library’s interim makerspace and my current focus is on expanding and developing maker programs in conjunction with that space. It took me a little while to commit to this program, but I love what I do, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else.

In my free time, I like to read translated web novels, in particular those that have been adapted into television dramas. I enjoy having the text and the visuals. I am not fond of suspense so I tend to avoid any incomplete works. I am also not above reading spoilers. My other hobbies include puzzles of all kind: jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles, logic puzzles, etc. At work, I have compared scheduling to working on a puzzle. Perhaps a combination of chess and tetris? I also enjoy baking from time to time, and discovering new recipes.

I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s introduction and learning about what brought you to libraries!