Man, I wish this course didn’t have to end! Couldn’t we have a Hyperlinked Library 2? Or 3?
But therein lies the realization from the courses I took this semester: the beauty of lifelong learning is that the journey doesn’t end. We will continue to learn and seek new discoveries that will add to our story of the world.
Link to Google Slides presentation here.
The four-space design model for public libraries.
The other shoe has dropped. My Inspiration Report focuses on the Model Programme for Public Libraries, a Danish LIS design model that provided the blueprint for significant contributions to the international growth of libraries, such as the Public Library of the Year Award that was awarded to one of the country’s own: Dokk1. The award is ongoing ever since its inception in 2014.
It was the hope of the literature related to Dokk1 and this design model that these ideas could be shared with the rest of the world, to create their own vision and innovation for libraries of the future. It was an INFO 200 lecture where @michael shared about these concepts that brought me here, so it seemed that I was drawn to exploring this topic further.
Link to Google Slides presentation here.
I am finally dropping the first shoe! My Innovation Strategy and Roadmap focuses on promoting the Information Literacy initiative in libraries. This is a topic I’ve become interested in ever since I started exploring the challenges we face with having access to so many streams of information on a daily basis. Credit goes to these courses for fueling my train of thought:
View the link to my Google Slides presentation here.
“Never stop learning” is a familiar advice my parents would tell me. “If you stop learning, you’ll stop growing.” I still believe in the ideals of learning and discovering and telling new stories—but who is to say if this can hold out for the rest of my life? How do you promote infinite learning to a world of so many unknowns?
While going through the module, it occurred to me that there is a link between librarians and the core values of the library. In order to advocate for lifelong learning, librarians must be able to benefit from lifelong learning themselves. They must be active participants of the programs, duties, and values their organization promotes. They must believe in the good potential of equipping others with new information and things to learn and discover (Stephens, 2014). In this sense, librarians become teachers but not of the traditional schooling kind. They teach others how to teach themselves.
And that just works for the nature of the library, doesn’t it? In school, much of your learning is mandatory—even though you’re being shaped and inspired by instructors, the purpose of “compulsory education” is still what makes you prioritize it. Only as you get older and progress to university level are you then encouraged to cultivate your own learning and seek out the specialties you’ll do the best in. But not everyone might be equipped with the skills for self-learning by the time they’re expected to…
Thus the case for libraries, and information professionals, to model the ideal outcomes they wish to see in their community. To create a culture of lifelong learning, librarians must also be lifelong learners who are seeking more ways to grow. In their own way, they will be motivated to teach others the things they have learned—because there is worth in helping others find what they need to help themselves.
References:
Stephens, M. (2014). YLibrary: …Infinite learning.
Dr Stephens said I was going to love this module. I love anything to do with stories and storytelling. Storytelling is perhaps the one constant through my life that represents my passions, aspirations, and life’s calling. The power of stories needs no further convincing beyond the title alone, because what’s there to not love about this profound ability that’s present in all of us?
Storytelling is wonderful because everyone has the inherent ability for it. Storytelling doesn’t require qualifications or certifications, only participation from someone who has a story and an audience with a listening ear. A story does not need to be told with a moral or teaching point in mind like in school—figuring out what to make of a story as a listener is part of the fun of listening to it. So long as there is an audience, a story is valid and can be released out into the world.
The logo of The Moth.
I fell off the podcast-listening wagon, but the few podcast titles I liked all had the theme of telling stories: Radiolab, Welcome to Night Vale, and the Moth. The Moth, in particular, I was recommended by a professor specifically because it was about storytelling. Radiolab focuses on uncovering new concepts and moments in history, and Night Vale is a fictional story that thrives on the medium of audio—but the Moth is recorded at live storytelling sessions where speakers tell their stories related to a particular theme. The variety is endless on what kinds of stories you’ll get. They are snapshots of moments in someone’s life that left a profound memory no matter how it turned out. Whether the story ended on a good, or not good, or even ambiguous note, the speaker was able to recount it, and the joy of finding something to take away from the story is entirely up to you! Art has joy in being shared as much as it is created!
I would love for more storytelling corners to be present in the library. In my local library, the adult literacy program features an open call for learners to submit their stories to be shared in a monthly digital newsletter or at the library’s annual celebration of the literacy program. It’s a great way for learners to share their accomplishments and embrace the confidence of achieving their goals. I think a community that celebrates storytelling also celebrates its fellow community members. They are celebrated simply for being who they are, without having to compete or try so hard to meet qualifications for acceptance. Stories are how we learn about the people around us, and by extension, this world we live in.
What is the future of libraries if they are known to adapt and change with the needs of their communities? It seems to start with a redefinition and reevaluation of what libraries can do that best serves their communities.
Eric Klinenberg caught my attention with his response about cities who don’t understand the investment into making libraries accessible. “I think it’s because too many cities are led by people who don’t recognize the enduring value of libraries. Too many American elites – in policy, business, and, philanthropy – see them as luxuries, rather than as critical social infrastructures” (Gaetani, 2018). Perhaps when you look at some impressive examples like historical libraries, or the libraries that win the Public Library of the Year Award, you might see a library as a luxury. But, it’s true that the best direction for a library is in the hands of those who have its importance in mind. Pam Sandlian Smith (TEDx Talks, 2013) spoke of how Adams County had the poorest library system until the community voted to increase funding in 2006, leading to the expansion of seven libraries. I want to look into these international libraries more to see what characteristics they embraced that made their organizations be truly loved and recognized for their efforts.
One thing is for sure when it comes to the future of libraries and our world with them: we must observe it alongside the present, because it’s arriving at our doorstep faster than ever. In the Pew Research Center’s forecast of 2025, it is stated that the new normal of “tele-everything” in our regular life will come with pros and cons. Humans value convenience and safety, which explains why we flock to technology that makes our lives easier. However, this will come with its fair share of downsides, such as risks to the safety and integrity of information, and the physical and mental effects of absorbing so much information daily (Anderson et al., 2021). Such factors will need to be considered when planning for the future of libraries and emerging community needs. The organization of a library requires awareness of the world around us, and how those trends and current events can affect us on a local scale. Technology is bringing us together in more ways than we can count!
References:
Anderson, J., Rainie, L., & Vogels, E. (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/
Gaetani, M. (2018, November 11). Libraries and Social Infrastructure. https://casbs.stanford.edu/news/qa-eric-klinenberg
TEDx Talks. (2013, December 16). What to expect from libraries in the 21st century: Pam Sandlian Smith at TEDxMileHigh [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa6ERdxyYdo
While reading about the health initiatives promoted by the public and state libraries of Victoria from the previous module, something that interested me was the example of creating community presence in the library to combat the loneliness epidemic and other possible health struggles. One example was to offer simple activities for people to join, whether it was a conversation club for people feeling isolated during lockdowns, or late-night activities as a way to keep people from problem gambling (Hasan, 2022). How are libraries able to connect these “simple” solutions to complex issues?
Curious about the loneliness epidemic, I looked up the Surgeon General’s advisory from 2023. It outlines the importance of social connection and how it plays a part in both the micro and macro—individuals and communities. The advisory is a public health statement to create awareness on a national level, so it provides a solid blueprint for libraries to build a strategic initiative.
One of my INFO 254 peers gave a presentation on causal correlation, and how we should take care to find the meaning in correlations if there is a natural connection. The overall correlation between libraries and wellbeing is that libraries can “equip communities with the necessary skills, information and confidence needed to manage their own health and wellbeing” (Greenwood, 2022). Such people can feel more in control of their health or situation if they can acquire answers, and that could make a difference. Just as we might follow self-care advice to “focus on things we can control, not things out of our control,” the same can apply to libraries. A library might not be a miracle-working hospital, but in its own way, it offers support to its community that can have beneficial effects in the overall long-term.
References:
Learning about libraries as communities is a great way to start changing the notion of what a library is. A library is not primarily in the service of books, but people. A place of books is otherwise a repository, but what gives those books meaning and value are the people who read them. Humanity’s nature was meant for many things, not least of all companionship. A library is a logical place for a community to meet together and discover what they can accomplish together. Books just happen to be one culmination of those efforts.
This course encourages us to embrace the potential of what libraries are capable of. I was interested in the correlation between libraries and improving the health of patrons, and how the public and state libraries of Victoria are approaching this initiative (Greenwood, 2022; Hasan, 2022). I could visualize the physical and mental struggles of a population as they grow older (Greenwood, 2022), and how users view the library as a “safe place” for their mental wellbeing (Hasan, 2022). Community presence is vital to addressing these needs, and for users to view the library with satisfaction, it means there is something important that they can find there. At its core, the library needs a community supporting it. The true potential of the library is realized when the community comes together to create the best ways it can help them.
Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).
While writing this, I thought of the beloved song “Pure Imagination” by Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka. “If you want to view paradise / simply look around and view it.” Although the actual context is sung by an inventor who kept his factory secluded before unveiling its wonders to the golden ticket winners, I came up with another interpretation: Paradise is here, surrounded by the people in your life with whom you have relationships and bonds. We can dream of wishes and fantasies that are only possible in some other world, but perhaps the paradise we’re looking for can also be found here, in a world we are capable of shaping.
References:
Greenwood, C. (2022). Healthy Library, Healthy Life.
Hasan, T.N. (2022). ‘Free, non-judgemental, accessible’: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness. 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
The story is probably like most others about what drew me to this course. When I was in INFO 200 last year—neck-deep in the late-game coursework for the whole semester and wondering where to even begin tackling The Research Paper—I watched one of Dr Stephens’ lecture videos where he shared about his travels to libraries around the world. He encouraged learners to further explore what other libraries are doing and find inspiration from how they create connections, because at the core of it all, people are the heart of the library. Something about that stuck with me, and in exploring the first few modules here, it was great to revisit those examples and find out why human connection is so important to the library’s structure.
At its core, I’m always drawn to storytelling. The act of sharing stories is innate in all of us, and it provides the foundation for humanity to ensure their lessons and legacies live on. It is adaptable in many forms, and it is something we already know how to do. Storytelling is an equalizer. It does not require that one be more qualified than another to share their story. As long as an audience will listen, a story is allowed to be shared in the world. This is how the experiences and progression of humanity have been, and will continue to be, documented. Because storytelling is universal, humans have a knack for understanding what is shared and how they can find connection in others.
In Stephens (2024)’s lecture, I was drawn to the stories and moments they represent. The “do not disturb” library director and how not to be unapproachable. The reference desks that face the patrons to include them in the inquiry. The bell that rings in the Dokk1 when a baby is born. Moments like these contribute to the idea that human connection is what forms the hyperlink in hyperlinked library—which is interesting to think about in the digital age, where we have become hyperlinked by the world wide web.
It was described by Denning (2015) that the biggest change caused by computerization has not been the technology itself, but the mindset. Reactions are now faster because of the information we can quickly access, and organizations and services are adapting around that. The author conjures up the image of “slow moving hierarchical bureaucracies” that cannot keep up with the instant ways customers can make their satisfaction or dissatisfaction known (Denning, 2015). Social media has become a place where people fight to gain control of the narrative of any topic in the hot seat. The story that generates the most impact is the one that will be remembered in the end about the issue…if people even remember it by the time another new trending topic takes its place. As reactions become faster, so do attention spans that become shorter. So many voices clamoring for attention, so many stories searching for an audience to listen. How could this not be a pulse to address in a hyperlinked community’s beating heart?
The world is not perfect—and in recent times, I wonder if our collective reactions and interactions are bound to see another shift in the ways it will affect our behavior. I do not wish for a bleaker future, or even a bleaker present. I want to embrace how humanity still strives for connection with one another, and how that can be supported since we can be brought together much sooner through speedier avenues of communication. People form the beating heart of a community, because our nature is to live. The shared recognition of stories and storytelling is proof of that.
References:
Denning, S. (2015, April 28). Do we need libraries? Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2015/04/28/do-we-need-libraries/
Stephens, M. (2024). Module 3: The hyperlinked library model [Video]. https://287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu/module-3-the-hyperlinked-library-model/
New semester, new course, new blog. Here we go!
My name is Bethany Huang (she/her) and I’m writing from Orange County, CA. I finished undergrad in 2020 and started the MLIS in 2023. Before last year, I knew very little about the careers and potentials of libraries, but now it has fascinated me getting to learn about information as a science and profession. My background in theatre arts brought about the joys of collaborating to create new stories in live spaces. Information and storytelling are the threads that bridge me to this field.
I wanted to take this course after watching Dr Stephens’ lecture videos in INFO 200 and hearing about the heart of the library. The very idea that libraries mainly serve its people, not just its books and content, is a profound driver of understanding the profession. I look forward to using these inspirations to grow in the course and learn together with you all.
Lately, I enjoy taking dance classes and singing with the worship team at church. My hobbies include journaling and video games—the best of both analog and digital!