Book Bound Dino

The Wollongong Living Books video and website really stuck with me in this module because this concept is EXACTLY what I love and picture the library to be; the library is a safe space for everyone and by utilizing a living library where “readers” can “check out” people, this environment creates empathy and understanding for others that may have differing lifestyles, opinions, politics, etc. than oneself. With the world, especially now, in such a vulnerable and polarizing political climate, innovative concepts like these where the focus is on lived human experiences brings a sense of humanity back to people who may be deemed as “other.” By giving individuals, especially marginalized…

Virtual Reality Field Trips   After reading this particular article for Module 9, I felt torn and had many differing thoughts. Pros For one, I thought the idea to incorporate VR into field trips, particularly for schools not as well-funded as others, is a great opportunity for children to explore spaces not readily available to them. Through VR technology, children are able to access museums, world heritage sites, and even places like the International Space Station. Creating an equitable playing field for ALL children to enjoy should be at the foreground for education professionals meeting the community’s information needs. Children also get the added benefit of using technology they may…

  Here’s the link to my Notebook LM podcast for a synopsis of the innovation strategy and roadmap: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xMb5gSHHNr4HjdXNVSqZYpm9DUCsMhoY/view?usp=drive_link «Action Brief» Convince the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library that by adding a sensory calming room and sensory kits available in the library they will give all children with special needs and their families the ability to have access to needed sensory input via the kits and multi-sensory room which will create equity, diversity, and the ability for the patrons to self-regulate because providing sensory-based stimuli to special needs patrons helps them reduce stress, participate and engage in surroundings, and be an inclusive and active member of the community.  ⇓ ⇓ “Bad libraries build collections. Good libraries…

“A Collection of Ideas” For this week’s reflection, I was particularly drawn to the concept of censorship and book banning taking place in libraries. I really like the above image because it not only makes the point that libraries are a welcoming and diverse space, but also that EVERYONE has the right to choose what materials and information they consume (books, movies, magazines, audiobooks, etc.). I find it ironic that typically the people screaming the loudest for book bans also want limited government that does not interfere in peoples’ lives and freedoms…other than issues they agree with (abortion banning, gun rights, book banning, etc.). The librarian in the video discussing…

Leo Sayer is before my time, but I do know this song from when my mom would embarrass me singing and dancing to it in front of my friends in high school (*I still have VERY vivid memories of this and totally realize I am my mother and have, myself, become the  embarrassing adult*). You might be wondering why I even put this GIF up or am randomly talking about some guy from the 70’s with a to-die-for fro. My reflection blog this week is going to be centered on the article by Christian Lauersen titled “Do You Want to Dance? Inclusion and Belonging in Libraries and Beyond” and specifically…

Firstly, why don’t we start with the history of late fees, yeah? Mini History Lesson Silly meme aside, I vividly remember the overwhelming sense of anxiety when I either couldn’t find my library book in time or totally forgot to return it by the due date (all those cents adding up)! I’m sure many people have had that same feeling of existential dread sometime in their lives. Taking a step back and looking into the history, one might be surprised (or not) to find out how restrictive and unequitable libraries started out.  Adwoa Adusei and Virginia Marshall discuss this exact concept in their podcast Goodbye to All Fines (2021). The…

Hi everybody, my name is Claire Burke and this is my second year in the MLIS program. I am leaning towards the Children’s Librarian route of the program. Since 2009, I have been working as an ABA tutor for children with special needs and love incorporating books, visuals, and various literacy skills to help nurture their love for reading and imaginative play. In my spare time, I like to read, especially horror, mystery, and fantasy novels; I just finished reading Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones and am currently into Homeland by R.A. Salvatore. Halloween is my absolute FAVORITE holiday, as seen from various costumes over the years…