Hi Terri,
What a cool idea! I had heard of citizen scientists before, but not citizen archivists! It really is so important to have our stories documented, especially the stories that belong to marginalized groups. Thanks for sharing!

Catherine,

This is a really great idea! I’ve noticed several cities and universities implementing programs such as this. Around my own town we have bike services for the city and also the campus, but like you mentioned, there is an accessibility issue – because they charge $30 for a rental. It would be more beneficial if it were more accessible for all and citizens could just simply “check out” a bike and return it.

The listening lab is very cool! Something about music changes the vibe in the air! Music related: UCSF has a dedicated music room available for people to practice. I went on a tour there once and my mind was blown to see a music practice space. https://calendars.library.ucsf.edu/space/51326

Lilia,

I really like this idea and think it would serve this library very well! As a first gen student myself, when I was getting my bachelors degree at Ole Miss, I had an optional class that helped me explore the library in more detail and it really helped me in school. It helped me meet the librarians, learn where to go for what services, and what all was included in my student experience. After doing this immersive class, I used the library all the time – and now I even work there!

@catladylilia I LOVE this! I use virtual study YouTube sessions all the time, and I would love to get something like this started at the college library where I work. It would even help *me*! ; ) Also, this presentation is gorgeous.

P.,

I work part time as an intern at an academic library in the area – and I was pretty surprised how easy it was just to talk to them and get in there for experience. I am not even a student at the school, but they have allowed me to have a position that is very helpful to my career and has taught me a lot. At the university I work for, it seems that the librarians are always motivated and there is always room to grow or take on new positions.

I will say the reason I went into school for my MLIS was to work in public libraries, but I actually went to offer volunteer services at my local public library and was turned down. They did not have any positions open, so I offered to help however I can to gain experience, but they claimed that they legally were not able to, and I wonder why that is? Why would they turn down free help, especially from someone learning in the MLIS field?

You know I would totally advocate for part-time staff having access to continuing types of learning. Even if it’s 30 minutes of watching a video, etc. I think that could be very powerful and useful. I hope that change comes to your library.

Hi Kiana,

Great post, thanks for sharing! I really like your point regarding how face-to-face settings are instrumental to strengthening connections between people. Sometimes I wonder when I see hate comments online…would these people say the same in real life? Personal accountability is key, as you said.

Kiana – I am so glad the human library concept resonated with you. Also, I have followed Peter the YouTuber for a long time and some of his videos were so moving and challenging to watch an interesting. I kind of fell out of watching him recently and I need to get back to. It might be really helpful for my frame of mind.

@acorey Oh yes. Such a powerful moment in the video..and when the librarians presented it at Next Library 2019.

@acorey ,

This was very heartwarming to watch and I loved it. I also agree that having different types of spaces for different types of library experiences is crucial. I love the idea of having sensory rooms in libraries. I would definitely use one to help with my anxiety at times.

@inabookbind That is cool! I’m glad they also have environments that assist those with ADHD, like the tactile rooms.

@saraschwan I am glad Anythink and the focus on civic civility and connection resonated. I am very hopeful for the future.

@terribeth I think this is a fantastic idea! Things can get very heated, especially around election time, and this could help alleviate that. It is important for people to be able to have open conversation and be respectful, and it’s also super important that our communities stay educated with politics – so that they can stand firmly beside their beliefs and ideas, and feel confident in their choices. This could also help them learn about the power that they have in their communities and where there is opportunity to present change politically.

Hi Terri,

Such a thoughtful post, thanks for sharing! For the past few weeks, we’ve been getting an influx of people coming in with so many election-related questions at my library, with some being outside of the scope of our knowledge. So it would be such a great idea for libraries to provide a space for civic engagement aside from election years!

@terribeth 100% yes! Civility in conversation might lead to empathy in action.

@crlhayd I’ve never been a huge fan of VR tech, only because it’s made me dizzy and feel kind of a sense of vertigo at times – but when I saw the HoloLens 2, I was like “I wanna try that!” I just think it’s a great work tool, and really great for brainstorming – as it can really make ideas come to life.

@crlhayd The Flipped Classroom has a special place in my heart! It was so apprentices to me in my days of face to face teaching that the time could be better spent on group learning/proijects instead of listening to lectures. I think this is why I was so drawn to SJSU in 2011!

@kylehanson I believe that video games can teach many different skills and are important, and it is so sad that these games can not be openly shared. I really hope the Video Game History Foundation is able to help battle this, so that these games can be played and shared again.

@kylehanson thanks for this insightful post about making sure that video games are available. When I was on a speaking tour in Germany, we visited the gaming museum in one of the cities and forgive me. I can’t remember which one where they were actually able to bring up virtual games from arcades in the 80s when I used to play those games. This is the one they showed me:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempest_(video_game)

I was obsessed with that one in 81!

@pfulumirani I absolutely love the title of this post and all you had to say about stories! ❤️ Last paragraph = 🔥

This is such a powerful reflection and testimony! The difference between Indonesia’s actual vs. needed librarians is staggering, you’re right. Also, I agree with Dr. Stephens on your last paragraph.

Wow @pfulumirani,
Thank you for sharing your experience! I had no idea Indonesia is in such dire need of librarians. Your story about making your own book collection or mini library is such a powerful reminder of how important equitable access to the library can be, especially for those not yet in school. I completely agree that visiting the library should never be a privilege, and like you, I hope that one day children everywhere around the globe will have the access and opportunity to explore the stories and knowledge libraries can provide.

@arthurkolat Wowza – the space on your wall was amazing! Thanks for laying out your connections from this inform,ation community and new horizons!

@deniseml I like these ideas. The IFLA link is super interesting. I could see it almost like a AR/VR scavenger hunt in the stacks. Non fiction books could come alive!

Denise,

I love that authors have created playlists to coincide with their books! You could take it even a step further and try to get some students to make their own playlists for some of their favorite books. It would be a chance to let them express themselves through their personal music taste, while also reading and taking part in the library.

I’ve not heard of that radio program- but that is very cool. I can’t imagine only picking 8 songs to listen to forever, because music carries so much memory with it.

I just looked into that program and found I could listen to it here:

This is just cool and if I can get these students into the playlist idea I will use this program to get them thinking.

@claireburke I agree that VR field trips by no means replace physically going on a field trip, but I do feel like they are supplemental. Maybe it wouldn’t replace field trips, but it could be “mini field trips” in between. It would allow users to go to places far away, that they probably wouldn’t be able to experience otherwise. I would have absolutely loved something like this when I was younger!

@claireburke I so agree with you about the plus and the minus of the VR field trip. I would hope that we will find a balance eventually between connecting via VR to some very far away place that it would be impossible to get to for a field trip and having that experience of going to a place with all of its sensory inputs.

@claireburke I agree with what’s been said so far by others, and with what you yourself said about VR fieldtrips! I remember reading about the senses and memory retention when I was studying for the MCAT (when I needed those memory skills the most, RIP). I like the idea of using VR to reach places that would otherwise be out of budget, but to still keep those physcial trips in place where possible. Even going somewhere local as a kid was exciting, so I think a balance could definitely be struck. Great reflection!

Hi Millicent,

I love the concept for the Anythink Nature Library and can’t wait to see what the final result will be once it opens in mid-2026! It’s refreshing to see a library model that actually encourages patrons to engage with nature, especially in a world where digital experiences and sedentary lifestyles tend to dominate. I also LOVE the fact that they included diverse voices, such as those from Indigenous and Native American leaders, in the advisory council!!

Moreover, the positive impact of nature on mental health — whether through active participation like gardening or through a passive activity like hiking — cannot be understated. It would be wonderful to see a lot more libraries adopt similar programs, even on a smaller scale, to give patrons the opportunity to disconnect from their screens and wholeheartedly experience the real world.

@inabookbind The mental health aspects of nature are so important an I appreciate you using that framework for this post highlighting the Nature Library from Anythink and other nature-focused initiatives. Forest-bathing etc FTW!

@inabookbind Thank you for highlighting how important nature is to well-being. It reminds me of an article that identifies three main trends in recent library design, one of which is “The library as a highly sustainable green building that integrates nature and greenery in form of roof gardens or green spaces in a courtyard” (p. 239). Hooray for “greening the library”!

Article is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N_VXFV7ELCk39e5IvvrEOyBGYdDUYYwm/view?usp=sharing

@mickeysosa97 This: “It is important to remember that library staff are human too and their wellbeing matters too.”

You are spot on. This library totally gets that! It is a good thing to encourage in our organizations.

@michael Thank you! I am all about empathy and inclusivity. Staff should feel comfortable and supported in their workplace. They are after all, the backbone of the library!

Hi Michelle,

I also really enjoyed discovering and learning about the Anythink libraries in this week’s module. I love their enthusiastic and empathetic approach to librarianship by encouraging library staff to view themselves more than just mere staff members. That truly is refreshing, and as you mentioned, it genuinely humanizes and uplifts librarians to remember “their wellbeing matters too.” I absolutely LOVE that! I hope libraries around the world, or at least most, follow suit!

Michelle,

I was also fascinated by the Anythink Library and loved that video as well. The environment just seems so comfortable and energetic at the same time. Whenever you see so many people using the library regularly together, it is so heartwarming and reminds me of why I’m doing this.