Category: Reflection Blogging

Infinite learning is a topic that interests me, and I have crafted my Inspiration Report while referencing this concept. After working in libraries for nearly five years, I can confidently say that library spaces are prime hotspots for infinite learning. 

In Marsden Library, the Sensory Space was created as a hands-on environment for children and families to explore the different senses (Public Libraries Connect, 2020). In my library of employment, we have regular sensory story times that utilize mundane objects such as rice, beans, and even slime to help children explore their developing senses. It is a very popular program that is well-loved by local families and leaves the library parking lot dearth of parking.

On a similar note, Stephens often revisits the concept of librarians as facilitators of learning and how they must keep up with the gradual evolution of education environments and learning spaces (Stephens, 2016). Many current library programs are in-person, but seldom do we see hybrid or fully online programs. As a library assistant in the literacy department of my local public library, we offer ESL classes both in-person (inside the library classrooms) and online. Although not every single class is a hybrid class, we aim to give learners opportunities to access these free classes even if it is more difficult for staff to manage a room of twenty students and engage a handful of online participants through Zoom. Lauerson (2020) makes a great point in his article from The Library Lab where he makes a statement that “[l]earning should not be reserved for those in education or in jobs” but rather for people in different life situations whether they are retired, babysitting children, or simply enjoying leisure time. The option of hybrid learning in library spaces opens up possibilities and enables English language learning from the comfort of anywhere. 

It is exciting to grow up in an era where library spaces served as traditional places of silent reading and seeing it transform into a realm of learning with endless possibilities. 

References

Lauersen, C. (2020, June 23). Learning, culture, community and diversity: New library strategy for Roskilde Libraries 2020. https://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/check-out-marsden-librarys-sensory-space 

Public Libraries Connect. (2020, February 17). Check out Marsden Library’s sensory space! https://christianlauersen.net/2020/06/23/learning-culture-community-and-diversity-new-library-strategy-for-roskilde-libraries-2020/ 

Stephens, M. (2016). The heart of librarianship: Attentive, positive, and purposeful change. ALA Editions. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gc9ecokb972xgil/HeartofLibrarianship.pdf?dl=0 

For the Wild Card Blog Choice, I decided to revisit Module 4 on participatory service and transparency. In “Revisiting Participatory Service in Trying Times” written by Michael Casey over a decade ago, he discussed the major struggles of libraries with regards to maintaining relevance, connecting with the community, and dealing with budget cuts (Casey, 2011). I find this article applicable to the post-COVID aftermath that introduced us to new normals such as Zoom University, remote work, and digital dependency. In times like now, it makes me wonder how libraries can stay connected despite these new global workflows.

“Technology doesn’t solve our problems, but it can be a conduit to making change and promoting progress” (Stephens, 2016, p. 81). Casey, in the aforementioned article, mentions Facebook as a major platform for announcements and events but not truly for direct interactions with the audience. WeChat, on the other hand, is a predominant digital platform that originates from China used for several social purposes such as sharing posts through the “Moment” page, direct messaging, blogging, money transfer, and other related services (Wang, 2017). I mention WeChat because, at Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library, that seems to be the primary app that patrons use; despite the library not having an official account on WeChat, the literacy department is heavily promoted through this social media platform on the learners’ “Moment” pages. 

Unbeknownst to me (and other library staff), our ESL programs have been inadvertently attracting quite the amount of learners through WeChat, and we know this through quarterly technology surveys completed by students. It truly feels that technology has extended beyond the reach of the library, and the learners themselves have become passive hosts of our ESL programs (Stephens, 2016). In a post-COVID world, it is refreshing to see new ways for communities to participate in structures of change, and WeChat is something that libraries with high Asian immigrant populations can look into. To end on an interesting note, one learner has divulged to me that they have chats dedicated to “rating” staff and volunteer teachers, much like “Rate My Professor”… terrifying.

References

Casey, M. (2011, October 20). Revisiting participatory service in trying times—a TTW guest post by Michael Casey. Tame the Web. https://tametheweb.com/2011/10/20/revisiting-participatory-service-in-trying-times-a-ttw-guest-post-by-michael-casey/  

Stephens, M. (2016). The heart of librarianship: Attentive, positive, and purposeful change. ALA Editions. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gc9ecokb972xgil/HeartofLibrarianship.pdf?dl=0  

Wang, Y. (2017, March 9). How WeChat grows into a huge part of our life. DSM News. https://annenberg.usc.edu/communication/digital-social-media-ms/dsm-today/how-wechat-grows-huge-part-our-life

After completing the Innovation Strategy & Roadmap, I went back to Module 8 on New Models to do a deeper dive into the required readings and content. Many of my classmates used the concept of hygge  (pronounced “hoo-ga”) in their presentations, and it loosely translates to “coziness” from the Danish language (Stephens, 2019, p. 63). Stephens offers another definition from Joe Pickard that resonated deeply with him, and it depicts hygge as the art of building a community and sense of belonging (Stephens, 2019). 

In my three years of experience working in public libraries and in the literacy department, I have seen learner communities form through consistent library programming; this shows me that libraries are more than just quiet, individualized study spaces. In the Q&A with Eric Klinenberg, he gives a personal anecdote about Chicago libraries and how they function as voting centers for citizens. Additionally, Klinenberg also categorizes libraries as critical social infrastructures that function as a third place for people to find refuge outside of their homes (Gaetani, 2018). When our literacy students are not attending classes, they are utilizing the literacy center and chatting with fellow classmates about classroom assignments, talking about how they did on the most recent tests, and gossiping about our ESL teachers. This is a dynamic community that we are building in our library!

In the same module on New Models and the concept of hygge, there is a YouTube video titled “Salt Lake City Library hosts Homeless Tai Chi”. It reminds me of a recurring event that my community has at the Alhambra Civic Library called “Tai Chi & Chairs” where an instructor is invited to teach mindfulness, meditation, and balance through the art of tai chi every month for an hour; to make it more accessible for older patrons, there are chairs added for extra stability. Like much of the content presented in this module, this program is built around comfort and instills joy in many of the attendees. 

References

Alhambra Library. (n.d.). Tai chi & chairs. https://alhambralibrary.org/event-series/tai-chi-chairs 

Gaetani, M. (2018, November 11). Q&A with Eric Klinenberg. Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. https://casbs.stanford.edu/news/qa-eric-klinenberg 

Stephens, M. (2019). Wholehearted librarianship: Finding hope, inspiration, and balance. ALA Editions. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ecd6261aqkdgunc1w0ll2/StephensWholehearted_Updated2025v2.pdf?rlkey=f2mblnzua5xtx0hoot5pyergq&st=0h2niiox&dl=0 

The Salt Lake Tribune. (2017, March 2). Salt Lake City Library hosts homeless tai chi. [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPCnWosz9HU 

The readings in Module 6 on Hyperlinked Museums, Galleries & Archives reminded me of an interaction I had with a staff member when I visited the Art Institute of Chicago. I had difficulty locating Grant Wood’s American Gothic (1930) and asked the nearest staff member for directions. He simply said, “You should download the app.” Needless to say, I was a little taken aback by the brevity of his response because I expected him to direct me to the room using the map I had in my hand. His impersonal response made me realize two things: 1) this museum is very cool for having an interactive app, and 2) staff are so dismissive here! 

I did not end up downloading the app (because I was nearing the end of my visit and had zero signal), but it made me think about new ways of learning in museums that transcend object-based exploration. In “How does learning happen in museums”, the writers talk about using technology to understand how learning happens in museums and how it can enhance visitors’ experiences (Oliveira and Barba, 2018). In their study, they identified two main groups of museum-goers: the highly engaged group and the less engaged group. Through Bluetooth technology, researchers were able to capture information about participant interaction with specific exhibits and create personalized guides to navigate visitors across installations. 

For instance, the Art Institute app has a location-aware interactive map and audio storytelling; it has a search function that enables users to learn more about a specific piece of artwork and a list of featured tours. The app comes in various languages to accommodate international visitors. In “How technology is bringing museums back to life”, Charr emphasizes that “[t]echnology shouldn’t be an enemy of culture” but rather an asset that can help museums increase focus on their collections (Charr, 2020). I can definitely see the appeal of museum apps and how they can assist visitors when tour guides are not present. Sometimes, people prefer listening to audio guides rather than reading museum descriptions on dull placards. Technology is a useful tool when implemented correctly. 

References

Art Institute of Chicago. (n.d.). Mobile app & audio tours. https://www.artic.edu/visit/explore-on-your-own/mobile-app-audio-tours 

Charr, M. (2020, June 17). How technology is bringing museums back to life. MuseumNext. https://www.museumnext.com/article/how-technology-is-bringing-museums-back-to-life/ 

Oliveira, E. A. & de Barba, P. (2018, December 18). Bluetooth technology has helped reveal how visitors explore museum exhibitions, and how much they learn in the process. Pursuit. https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/how-does-learning-happen-in-museums

While combing through this week’s reading materials, I read Loida Garcia-Febo’s article titled “Serving with Love: Embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion in all that we do”. Upon encountering this article, I thought to myself, “Wow, the timing couldn’t be better”. Currently, as I write this reflection post, I am sitting in front of Gate H6 at O’Hare International Airport waiting to board my return flight back to LAX. 

You may be wondering, “That’s so random… why?”

This week is the ALA 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition, and I was invited to attend the Spectrum Leadership Institute as one of the scholars in the 2025-2026 cohort. With this opportunity, I met and networked with upcoming librarians and library professionals who are also BIPOC. Many of the stories shared between scholars, panelists, and keynote speakers embraced the values as highlighted in previous ALA President Garcia-Febo’s article, especially fighting for people from vulnerable groups and creating community spaces that reflect the needs of those people (Garcia-Febo, 2018). I was truly moved by the energy in the conference room and felt a sense of solidarity from a bunch of strangers from different parts of the country who share the same heart.

At today’s lunch reception, before I trekked over to the airport, we had our current ALA President-Elect Tamika Barnes speak a little about her hopes for the scholars and her lifelong experience up until her current leadership position at ALA. She reminisced about her days as a reference librarian and her transition to management and leadership. One of the scholars posed a great question regarding leadership and how to be an effective leader. Barnes’ response mirrored what Stephens (@michael) wrote in “The Heart of Librarianship” and the importance of listening. Listen to what people want and what their requests are; at the same time, pay attention to what they are not saying and the services they are not utilizing (Stephens, 2016, p. 43). 

I am incredibly grateful and honored to be a part of the Spectrum family and ALA community. It gives me hope to see more faces that look like mine in this profession. I am looking forward to my journey forward as a hyperlinked librarian and building a foundation where communities can thrive.

References

Garcia-Febo, L. (2018, November 1). Serving with love: Embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion in all that we do. American Libraries Magazine. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/11/01/serving-with-love/ 

Stephens, M. (2016). The heart of librarianship: Attentive, positive, and purposeful change. ALA Editions. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gc9ecokb972xgil/HeartofLibrarianship.pdf?dl=0