{"id":49,"date":"2026-06-26T02:02:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T02:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu\/bslickdirectconnections\/?p=49"},"modified":"2026-06-26T02:02:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T02:02:21","slug":"reflection-hyperlinked-communities-as-it-applies-to-community-colleges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu\/bslickdirectconnections\/2026\/06\/26\/reflection-hyperlinked-communities-as-it-applies-to-community-colleges\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflection: Hyperlinked Communities as it Applies to Community Colleges"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Created by ChatGPT EDU for reflection blog.<\/p><\/div>\n

Reflecting on what it means to be a Hyperlinked community that connects my library with participation and outreach really got me thinking about how my college library can do more to serve the community, not only inside our campus, but to the whole community with which it resides. How can or has the library been a steward of the hyperlinked library model in relation to participation and outreach? How are we connecting with our users?<\/p>\n

\"\"

Illustration<\/a> by Boxicons<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

I know that we try and provide excellent customer service and being a small college we really get to know many of our users because we can take the time to get to know them. Whether it be through helping with assignments, study hall hours for athletes, or the go-to place for general technology questions….we have formed bonds with students, faculty, and staff. Stephens(2016) writes about how we have interactions across both the physical space as well as the virtual space and I can honestly say that we do much better in the physical than the virtual. With such a small staff, it’s been hard to dedicate time to tend to the virtual side when through this class, I have learned that I need to make it more of a priority because not all of our patrons can make it into the physical space.\u00a0 And this goes for more than just social media content. In speaking with my soon to be former boss, I asked her about what activities she felt (through the hyperlinked library lens) did she wish she could have implemented, but didn’t get a chance to?\u00a0 Her reply?\u00a0 It was more connection with the faculty. Exploring options for an embedded librarian in our LMS system, Canvas. The opportunity to create signage for the different Career and Technology programs showcasing what the library has to offer these majors.\u00a0 It was an amazing conversation with her. It also got me thinking about wanting to move those things forward.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You see, July 1st will be here before I know it and then it will be my turn to make these decisions. This class and specifically this module has had my brain on overdrive with possibilities (maybe a bit grandiose given my current staffing issue) about how to make connections with our community. I know what you are thinking…it’s summer…..how much connection can you do when most of the students are taking online classes right now?\u00a0 The answer would be I don’t know, but what I do know is that I want to make sure that the library communicates effectively and with more transparency with the active involvement of the college community. They are the reason we are still here. They are the reason we look for those connections. I like the saying that being hyperlinked isn’t all about technology, that its truly about connection in many forms, and that includes the human connections (Stephens, 2016). In fact, I also sit on the Board of Trustees for the public library and I have sent the library director there some of the things that I am learning in this class and hopefully collaborating with her in the future to partner on programming that benefits both our libraries.<\/p>\n

Beyond Buzzwords<\/em> by Michael Stephens (2025) was super informative. I wrote down every single one and attempted to think about how to incorporate, if I hadn’t already, into the daily activities of the library. All 10 items were down to earth connections that helped the library show compassion, empathy, and overall care for the patron. Finding those things that we have in common with our users, asking them about their wants and needs, making sure our mission includes a commitment to inspiring the user to learn. Making sure to value every person and include all walks of life. We have a poster like this when you first enter our library:<\/p>\n

\"\"

Courtesy of https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/1551319118\/in-this-library-we-are-helpful-we-are.<\/p><\/div>\n

I like this sign because we really do strive to accomplish all the items on here and we hope that students feel the same way. We attempt to have displays that show diversity and inclusion. Even our Student Services department will, every fall, have the International Students put a pin on a world map and then ask to showcase this sign in the library highlighting where all of our international students are from. It’s really cool to see people stop in and look at the map and be surprised at how far some of our students come to attend college.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, getting to know our users, honoring them, listening to them, and reaching out to them through other platforms when they can’t always come to the library are vital to the continued existence of libraries. We are not just a place for knowledge. We are so much more. We are the “heart” of the community where people can feel welcome, feel loved, and allowed to spread their intellectual wings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Resources<\/p>\n