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Reflecting on Infinite Learning  The final reflection! This summer went by incredibly fast and with my other three classes, I have innumerable deadlines to meet. Still, I took my time with these two modules of readings as we reached the part where I think libraries truly matter: learning. We have spent the last 10 weeks learning about the different ways that libraries have expanded their reach beyond the realms of information seeking and learning. I do not think this is a bad thing–libraries can and should do as much as they can to empower their communities and to foster relationships and goodwill. However,  I believe that the main focus of…

Reflection on the Power of Stories This module of readings really made me consider the role of libraries, especially public libraries, in the grand scheme of community partnership and building. We have learned about the importance of user assessment and input; community outreach; and digital divides. It was not until now that we have learned about the role that libraries play in capturing user memory and experience. The readings portray this process as an academic pursuit: libraries are collecting and storing this information akin to how historians have collected oral histories. Libraries do not only store the written record, there are a myriad of ways that libraries collect and house…

Reflection on New Models This week presented some very interesting articles on “New Models” of librarianship. These readings helped reinforce what I have already learned about the ways in which libraries are adapting to meet community needs. These articles also explored the ways that libraries have sought to engage users outside of their immediate vicinity. Overall, there was a good variety of articles that explored the myriad ways that libraries are tackling community issues.  The Stephens (2019) article, “Hygge State of Mind,” was something that I resonated with greatly. The whole idea of connections and comfort is something that I feel more and more libraries are adopting (pg. 63). I…

Reflection on Hyperlinked Environments This was a great week of readings. I really enjoyed the “Choose Your Own Adventure” theme of readings and videos. The freedom of choice is something I appreciate. There are two readings that really stood out this week and both were by MLIS students who had taken the class previously. First, the blog post on digital museums was fantastic. Libraries and museums go hand-in-hand with one another and I imagine that both are seeking ways to engage with the increasing rise of digital ecosystems. Charney’s (2021) post was a great introduction to the ways in which museums are currently extending services to patrons digitally. I think…

Reflection of Hyperlinked Communities  There were several articles from this module that stood out to me. The first was West’s article on the digital divide. I am consciously aware of the growing digital divide, especially as I see it with my own eyes when helping my parents or grandparents navigate their smartphones and the internet. Digital and technological literacy is something that I believe to be extremely important and the statistics that West offers is honestly quite concerning (2014). What is so essentially different from even 2014, however, is how widespread technology has become. Libraries, I feel, are no longer the go-to source for how to do things. Instead those…

Assignment X: Participatory Service & Transparency  Module 4 on Participatory Service and Transparency was one of the most intriguing modules so far. A lot of the readings and videos relate heavily to the content I am also interacting with in my other courses, such as INFO 210. Participatory service appears to be one of, if not the most, popular trends in libraries over the last two decades. I felt that most of the readings were still very relevant to today. There are, however, many unprecedented challenges that libraries are currently facing. The expansion of the internet and smartphones could not have been foreseen in the early 2000s. Nearly everyone on…

Hello all! My name is Niko Sigua and I’m excited to get this class started with everyone! A little about me: I am a San Francisco/Daly City native, which means I am an avid Bay Area sports fan. I also enjoy playing RPGs, reading history and fantasy books, and analogue photography! This is my second semester in SJSU’s MLIS program. I currently hold a Bachelors and Masters in History and am currently a Humanities teacher. My primary goal is to enter either school or public librarianship. I hope to learn more about how technology can serve as an aid to more traditional forms of librarianship and to see what becomes…