INFO 287_Daniel's Blog Page

Note. From We Need to Talk About That Westworld Season 2 Finale [photo of Dolores reading a book], 2018, Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/westworld-season-2-finale-discussion/ 

The image I included in my post comes from a scene in the season finale of a HBO series called Westworld. In the photograph the main protagonist Dolores, a sentient artificially intelligent humanoid robot,” is in a virtual library reading books that represent the minds and memories of the human guests that have visited Westworld. At the time the idea of having a library full of people’s minds and memories seemed like science fiction to me until I learned about the Human Library.

Although not the same, the Human Library was a storytelling project that originated in Denmark where people volunteered to be open “books” about their lives and experiences (Wentz, 2013). Volunteers were chosen to be representatives of stigmatized groups in the community and offered insights and honest conversations about their lived experiences (Human Library, n.d.). “Readers” were able to have one-on-one interactions with the human books and ask them questions, seek advice, learn about alternate perspectives, and find common ground (Wentz, 2013). The main goal of the library was to help people and organizations better understand diversity to help create more inclusive and cohesive communities across cultural, religious, social and ethnic differences (Human Library, n.d.).  

I felt like this was a very practical and innovative way to give people a space to share their stories, educate the public, and build connections between people from different backgrounds. For example, a lot of LGBTQ+ youth grow up in families that come from religious and conservative households. Many do not have LGBTQ+  family members or know anyone in their lives that they feel comfortable and safe talking to. Having access to a human library in their community could help them know they were not alone, and help connect them to people that know what they are going through. 

I think for many people having access to this resource in their local area would not only be therapeutic for marginalized groups, but also enlightening for the whole community. Storytelling whether oral, visual, or through art is a powerful tool that not only entertains but educates, connects, and inspires people no matter where they come from. 

References:

Human Library (n.d.). About the Human Library. Retrieved on March 7, 2025, from https://humanlibrary.org/about/ 

Wentz, E. (2013, April 26). The Human Library: Sharing the community with itself. Public Libraries Online. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/human_librar/ 

Note. From ChatGPT: its influence, its future… its threat? [image of ChatGPT logo], 2023, The Beacon Mast. https://thebeaconmast.com/2364/science/chatgpt-its-influence-its-futureits-threat/

So, what exactly is ChatGPT? It is a language generation model that was created by OpenAI based on Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (GPT) architecture that uses deep learning to generate text (Jackson, 2023). In layman’s terms, it is an AI web tool that can generate human-like responses to a prompt or question inputted by a user. Some of the things ChatGPT can do is answer questions, generate text, and chat with users (Jackson, 2023). 

ChatGPT is relatively good at low-level tasks like answering general questions or generating a few paragraphs on a specific topic (Jackson, 2023). One way it could be used in libraries is to provide answers to frequently asked questions. For example, libraries could incorporate ChatGPT into their website, so patrons could use it to ask questions and receive a more human-like response. Other applications of ChatGPT include language translation services and content creation (Jackson, 2023). 

Although it is a powerful tool it does have many limitations. A great Youtube video I watched was an interview between two SJSU faculty members discussing the pros and cons of ChatGPT. In the video Professor Marachi stated that ChatGPT is good at telling us what it wants us to hear and gives a narrow view of an answer, not the full picture (SJSUCollegeHA, 2023). Another interesting concern she brought up was that it gives users the sense that the information it provides is accurate or truthful, which is not the case. For example, both panelists tested ChatGPT and found that even when they asked the same question they were given different answers which they stated increased both disinformation and misinformation (SJSUCollegeHA, 2023). 

In conclusion, disruptive technologies like ChatGPT, are an inevitable part of technological advancement and affect all institutions. Ultimately our role as librarians should be to help people learn about tools like ChatGPT, understand their limitations, and to provide guidance on when they should or should not be used.

References:

Jackson, J.H. (2023, February 14). Chatting with ChatGPT: Deep dive in five with Tom Moriarty. SJSU NewsCenter San Jose’s State’s Official News Source. https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/2023/chatting-with-chat-gpt-deep-dive-in-five-with-tom-moriarty/ 

Papini, A. (2023, January 27). ChatGPT: A Library Perspective. Bryant University Krupp Library. https://library.bryant.edu/chatgpt-library-perspective

SJSUCollegeHA (2023, February 21). QuickBites, a forum for Urgent News: ChatGPT: Help or Hype? . Youtube. https://youtu.be/4kOsZYMU7sk?si=xJ7GqdS_eXHVtKSb

Note. From Reasons to Digitize Your Family Photos [photograph old photographs on a table), 2020, DiJiFi. https://www.dijifi.com/blog/reasons-to-digitize-your-family-photos

The institution I have chosen to work with is the Sacramento Public Library (SPL). Its first library, the Sacramento Free Public Library, was opened on June 14, 1879 and was a collaboration between some of Sacramento’s leading citizens of the time (Sacramento Public Library, n.d.). Today, SPL has 28 branches which serve residents of the greater Sacramento area. One of its core values includes providing access to resources that help their patrons achieve their goals and supporting everyone’s freedom to choose for themselves what they read and learn (SacLib, 2024). Its strategic plan for 2024-2027 includes the goal of fostering a lifelong love of learning and reading among their patrons by promoting access to a wide range of materials (SacLib, 2024). In the spirit of this goal, I’d like to implement memory labs as part of the services the Sacramento Public Library offers to its patrons. 

Memory labs are meant to be free spaces where patrons can digitize their photos, documents, audiovisual recordings, and other formats (California State Library, n.d.). The idea was conceived by the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) and funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the National Leadership Grant (Memory Lab Network, n.d.). Their goal was to build Memory Lab digital preservation programs in public libraries across the U.S. based on the DCPL Memory Lab model (Memory Lab Network, n.d.). Implementing Memory Labs aligns with participatory service by connecting SPL to community members, saving their shared history, and supporting the institution’s goal of fostering lifelong learning among their patrons.

If you’d like to check out my Action Briefs and Plan you can view it here. Innovation Strategy Roadmap Assignment_DGonzalez

References:

California State Library (n.d.). Memory Lab. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/ideas/memory-lab/ 

SacLib (n.d.). Our History. Sacramento Public Library. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.saclibrary.org/About/Our-History 

SacLib (2024). Sacramento Public Library Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027. Sacramento Public Library. https://www.saclibrary.org/Saclibrary/media/MediaAssets/Sacramento_Public_Library_Strategic_Plan-2024.pdf 

For my blog I wanted to explore different ways museums have adapted their processes to create hyperlinked environments. 

Note. From How Does Learning Happen in Museums? [photo of museum visitors looking at an exhibit], The University of Melbourne; Pursuit. https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/how-does-learning-happen-in-museums

According to the Melbourne Museum, learning in museums is typically an autonomous or self-regulated experience where each visitor takes on an active role in planning, monitoring, controlling, and reflecting (Oliveria & Barba, 2018). They found that highly engaged patrons visited more exhibits, interacted more with exhibition content, and had higher levels of perceived learning and interest development compared to less engaged visitors (Oliveria & Barba, 2018). Their findings suggest that the more engaged patrons are during their visit the more they learn and develop interest for museum exhibitions.

Note: From Beacons: Exploring location-based technology in museums [members of the MediaLab explore the galleries of Egyptian art using beacon technology. Photo by Don Undeen], 2015, The Met. https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/beacons 

Some museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA) have turned to iBeacon technology to increase visitor engagement. It allows museum visitors to learn more about exhibits and collections via a mobile phone application that provides audio/video content and descriptions of objects as they make their way through the museum (Doljenkova & Tung, 2015). A trial run found that the battery life of the iBeacon broadcasting units depleted faster in certain conditions and signal interferences occurred in exhibits with increased foot traffic (Doljenkova & Tung, 2015). Despite these challenges, iBeacon technology has been applied effectively in some institutions like the Cutty Sark Maritime Museum.

Note. From Immersive Soundscapes on the Cutty Sark: Blending Technology and Heritage [photograph of young man with headphones walking through the Cutty Sark in Greenwich], 2024, MuseumNext. https://www.museumnext.com/article/immersive-soundscapes-on-the-cutty-sark-blending-technology-and-heritage/ 

In partnership with Thanoos Kokkiniotis, the CEO of Smartify, the Sark Maritime Museum created an immersive soundscape using iBeacon technology and the Smartify application (Charr, 2024). It not only replicated the sounds of the ship’s golden age, it also included original compositions to invoke emotional connections with patrons as they navigated different exhibits (Charr, 2024). Applying this technology to their museum environment not only increased visitor engagement, but also aligned with the ship’s preservation requirements and was cost effective. 

Although new technologies can be great tools to enhance patrons’ experiences, it alone cannot sustain a hyperlinked institution or environment. To create hyperlinked institutions with thriving hyperlinked environments we must assess the needs and interests of our patrons, collaborate with key stakeholders, and not be afraid to invest in new technologies to enhance patron’s experiences at our institutions.

References:

Charr, M. (2024). Immersive Soundscapes on the Cutty Sark: Blending Technology and Heritage. MuseumNext. https://www.museumnext.com/article/immersive-soundscapes-on-the-cutty-sark-blending-technology-and-heritage/

Doljenkova, V. & Tung, G. (2015). Beacons: Exploring location-based technology in museums. The Met. https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/beacons

Oliveira, E. A. & Barba, P. D. (2018). How Does Learning Happen in Museums?: Bluetooth technology has helped reveal how visitors explore museum exhibitions, and how much they learn in the process. Pursuit; The University of Melbourne. https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/how-does-learning-happen-in-museums 

Note: From Central Library [photograph of the Central Library building in Multnomah County], n.d., Multnomah County Library. https://multcolib.org/hours-and-locations/central-library

One of the resources included in this week’s module that I enjoyed was the video created by the Multnomah County Library titled: “Creating conditions for equity to flourish.” The video began with an acknowledgement by the director of libraries of the Multnomah County Library system, Bailey Oehlke, that Portland Oregon is one of the whitest cities in America, and has had a history of excluding many people based on racial and ethnic differences. I believe before any library can establish hyperlinked communities they need to acknowledge the historical barriers to entry that many of their patrons have had to face when accessing library resources. 

An important step the Multnomah County Library System took was to hire Sonja Ervin as their Equity and Inclusion manager. A powerful statement she made was, “we very often hear we need to diversify which in my opinion is the worst thing we can do” (American Library Association, 2019). Her justification was that when you bring diverse people into an organization and system that is not inclusive or equitable you run the risk of having unhappy staff and people quitting. One way they have combated this is by allowing staff members to establish internal groups like the Black Cultural Library Advocates (BCLA) which creates a space for patrons and staff to do outreach and programming together. They also established the “We Speak Your Language” team where they hired over 80 bilingual staff members to better serve their immigrant and refugee communities across all their library locations. As their director of Neighborhood Libraries, Rita Jimenez, expressed, this team was not only an asset to the library through their passions, skills, and knowledge but also for their commitment to serving their communities (American Library Association, 2019). Being the son of immigrant parents and being bilingual, I would really be interested in working with a team like this or establishing these types of resources in the institutions I work with in the future. 

References:

American Library Association (2019, June 17). Multnomah County Library: Creating conditions for equity to flourish. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKGlxh-zc0Y&t=352s

Note: From A Vibrant and Light-Filled Library Recalls the Shape of an Open Book (photography of the Valley-Hi North Laguna Library in Sacramento, CA), Archello. https://archello.com/project/valley-hi-north-laguna-library

The photograph I included in this post is of one of my favorite public libraries in my area. I remember when it was being built because the community college I was attending at the time was across the street from the building. The first time I walked into the library, I was shocked at how beautiful and open the building was. It had dedicated sections for children, teens, a computer lab for adults, and even private study rooms. It also had a front lounge area with seats and tables where one could eat a snack and/or lunch, and clean public restrooms accessible near-by. I did not realize it at the time, but many of the services, amenities, and resources offered by the library were in line with the characteristics of a transparent library. This is why for this post I wanted to explore the topic of transparent libraries and the positive impact they have on their patrons, library staff, and the community as a whole. 

What is a transparent library? Is it a building with see-through walls? Perhaps, but joking aside, a transparent library is a user-centered institution that not only builds trust with all its patrons, but actively involves them in the programs, services, and resources it offers them. A transparent library is made up of 3 key elements: open communication, adapting to change, and scanning the horizon (Casey & Stephens, 2014). 

Open communication is essential for transparent libraries because it establishes internal and external lines of communication between patrons, library staff, and the broader community. Having open lines of communication between patrons and library staff allows libraries to connect with patrons on a deeper, more interactive level, and receive helpful feedback about what library services are needed and/or not working.  For example, say a library hosts weekly storytimes for children at the library for families with young children, they may want to create and give out surveys (in-person or via text/email) to the parents about whether their children enjoy the program and/or if they have any suggestions about books that could be included in the next story time. Other tools library staff could use  to connect and engage with patrons could be blogs, wikis, community open houses, and outreach events (Casey & Stephens, 2014). 

Another aspect of transparent libraries is their ability to adapt to change. When libraries are structured for constant and purposeful change it reduces the negative impact that change has on both the staff and patrons (Casey & Stephens, 2014). For example, if a library knows that the local middle/high school is going to resume attendance in a month, library staff could start planning and/or brainstorming ideas on how they can promote books, services, and/or programs that are enjoyable for teens. Often public libraries are reluctant to engage with teenagers because they equate them with rowdy behavior that impedes other patrons from accessing library resources. Instead of rejecting them, libraries need to understand that teens need to talk and socialize, and that carving out a space for them in the library is a great way to show them that they are a valued part of the library community (Casey & Stephens, 2008). They can also employ dedicated teen librarians or youth specialists on their team, establish protocols for inappropriate behavior, and hire security guards if needed (Casey & Stephens, 2008). 

Lastly, transparent libraries need to scan the horizon or recognize trends that can lead to innovation and improvement (Casey & Stephens, 2014). A common trend is that more and more people are seeking human connections online via social media platforms, online gaming, and streaming media sites. Libraries need to recognize the importance of integrating social mechanisms into their catalogs and creating programs and services that are engaging, fun, and relevant to their patrons (Casey & Stephens, 2014). A way they could do this is to train and/or hire designated staff to create social media pages that not only promote library programs and services to patrons, but also provide a way for patrons to connect with their local libraries in a more interactive way. Libraries should keep patrons in mind before implementing any new programs or services, and always remember that without trust it is impossible to connect to patrons in any meaningful way (Schmidt, 2013). 

References:

Casey, M., & Michael Stephens (2008). Advocacy/Engaging Library Users: Embracing service to teens. TTW | Tame the Web. https://tametheweb.com/2008/05/15/embracing-service-to-teens/

Casey, M., & M. Stephens (2014). The Transparent Library. Library Journal. https://tametheweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/TheTransparentLibrary2.pdf 

Schmidt, A. (2013). The User Experience: Earning trust. Library Journal. https://287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SchmidtEarningTrust.pdf

Hi everyone, I hope the semester is treating you all well so far. For my first post I created an infographic on Canva to introduce myself. Enjoy 😉