Category: Reflections

Posted on

Reflection on Infinite Learning: Library as Classroom

The library is a space for infinite learning. It is the place for anyone to access books and materials about any subject, for free in most cases.  The kind of libraries* we are talking about also allow the public to access technology classes, history classes, art classes, all in person and for free.  Virtual programs for all ages are also available.  The library also gives library card holders free access to online courses which allow them to earn a certification, add skills to their LinkedIn or resume, learn or practice a new language, and so on.  This answers the question:

“In a time when most people turn to Google on their mobile devices for quick answers, what type of learning experiences can the library provide? “ (Stephens, 2014).

The library has transformed, with the advent of the internet, expanding their offerings beyond containers of knowledge towards education and access to technology.  But technology is ever changing. This requires libraries to offer their library staff professional learning opportunities to keep up with changing times.  In 2006, Helene Blowers created Learning 2.0: 23 Things at the Public Library of Charlotte and Meclenburg County, to help information professionals learn about Web 2.0.  It consisted of 23 tasks help them get familiar with things setting up a blog, exploring Flickr, setting up an RSS feed, etc.  This program inspired hundreds of other 23 Things!  As online students, we are pretty familiar with these although some things have changed in 20 years.  It seems that Flickr images and longer form blog posts have been replaced with social media and TikTok videos.

“A computer would deserve to be called intelligent if it could deceive a human into believing that it was human.” –Alan Turing (Curtin University, n.d.)

Artificial intelligence is the biggest new technological change we are facing.  As people debate about its advantages  as well as very negative effects, technology companies and governments continue to invest heavily in its development while removing any safeguards; while also cutting off funding from libraries, our pillars of democracy.  Meanwhile, as librarians, we must learn about AI in order to better serve our public.  The Toronto Public Library (2025) is offering a class called What is Artificial Intelligence?  A centrally designed slide deck presents provides an overview of the technology for a general adult audience.  On further exploration, I found a 23 Things: Thing-AI.  As librarians, we must keep learning in order to teach, and this could be a good place to start.  Naturally, it was created with the help of ChatGPT (Curtin University, n.d.).

Mandaue City Public Library (Lemuel “lem” B., 2019).

 *Side note: I was born in the Philippines and still have a lot of family there.  On a visit a few years ago, I walked to the local public library.  It is located beside City Hall and is a building with a shell on the roof.  Doesn’t it sound like a library from a Haruki Murakami book?  Inside, the library is small and the collection was limited.  Libraries need funding to maintain their collection and provide the services mentioned above.  My dad asked me on my return, “Why did you go?”  Recently my dad and my brothers visited me in Toronto.  I took them to the Toronto Reference Library and they were surprised to learn  that anyone can come here to read, access computers, use the free Wi-Fi, and attend programs for free.  They were impressed by the donor list at the entrance of the library. A reminder that libraries cannot thrive without funding.  

 

References

Curtin University. (n.d.). 23 things: Thing-AI. https://23things.library.curtin.edu.au/portfolio/thing-ai/

KlingonSpider. (2012, April 8). Hal9000: “I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that”[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARJ8cAGm6JE

Lemuel “lem” B. (2019, July). Mandaue City Public Library [Photograph]. https://g.co/kgs/4vkG7Zi

Stephens, M. (2014). Making the case for the library as a space for infinite learning. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4zt1yliwb2ffzr8euix2p/YLibraryInfiniteLearning.pdf?rlkey=m0v6lkd43ufilkp5aktawhlpr&e=1&dl=0

Toronto Public Library. (2025). What is artificial intelligence? https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT561987&R=EVT561987

23 things – 10 years later. (2017, March 13). Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/23-things-10-years-later

 

 

Posted on

Reflection on the Power of Stories

The Power of Stories

The Lillian H. Smith branch of the Toronto Public Library.

Stories are powerful and integral to the library and human connection.  The super power of human beings is that we are able to cooperate in large numbers through the power of stories (Harari, 2022). How can libraries harness the power of stories as a tool for inclusion, connection, and empathy?

“Libraries have should keep stories, share stories and make stories.”

-Erik Boekesteijn (Stephens, 2019).

A few days ago, I was helping a senior at the library.  She was looking for social programs she could attend at the library.  Her doctor prescribed it.  She has been living with vision loss over the last few years and has not been able to enjoy the things she used to.  We found some drop in programs for seniors that she can try in the neighbourhood but I also suggested she give audiobooks a try.  Although she would still be alone, a good story does offer comfort and can be great company.

It’s no wonder that the ice-breaker group invites the people in this class to share binge-able media!  This allowed us to make connections to each other through the shared experience of the story and helped us find new media to consume.  For many people, watching media, reading or listening to stories, is part of their self-care.

Collecting Stories

Artist, author, and library staff Christina Wong has always been passionate about collecting stories.  In 2015, she collected and exhibited stories connected to Toronto’s Chinatown and the Boys and Girls House Library (which opened in 1922 then later replaced by a new construction in 1995 renamed the Lillian H. Smith branch) for the 20th anniversary of the  library.  Unfortunately, the link to the online exhibit is no longer active.  Her work, along with her collaborators, have been focused on people and their connection to disappearing places through stories.  These projects are vital to recording the history of the city as neighbourhoods grapple with rapid changes and disappearing landmarks.

Illustration of Kim Moon Bakery by Daniel Innes, from Denison Avenue (Wong & Innes, 2023).
Kim Moon Bakery (BlogTO, 2008) was a popular bakery and restaurant in Toronto’s Chinatown which closed in 2013. This bakery holds a special place in my heart. As a young teenager, my early forays downtown included visits to Kim Moon Bakery with my friends, ordering endless pots of tea, eating pastries, and laughing.

Another place where “Torontonians can contribute their stories, memories, artifacts,” according to Wong (Jennifer, 2015) is the Museum of Toronto.  It began as a workshop in 2015 and now has a physical home at 401 Richmond Street West which is free to visit.  The current exhibit is called The 52: Stories of women who shaped Toronto.  These powerful stories which can be viewed online or in person, as text, video, or performance.

The Human Story and AI

I was reading an article in the NYTimes about a man about to lose his father to illness, persuaded him to work with a company called StoryFile to help preserve his memory.  I found this to be revelatory!  There are increasing numbers of companies in the field called GriefTech. From apps that help people deal with loss to avatars that will allow you to talk to your loved one through a screen, like you were talking to them on Zoom (Dominus, 2025).  I wondered how this kind of technology will change how we preserve stories at the library.  What are the costs of preserving someone in the form of an AI chatbot in perpetuity and what format can it be preserved in?  Will archives and special collections collect AI simulations of people such as the Japanese American National Museum’s exhibit allowing people to talk to World War II veteran Lawson Sakai (2021)?

References

Blog TO. (2008, July 12). Kim Moon.  https://www.blogto.com/restaurants/kimmoon/

Dominus, S. (2025, June 13). Never say goodbye. The New York Times Magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/13/magazine/ai-avatar-life-death.html

Harari, Y. N. (2022). Unstoppable us: How humans took over the world, Vol. 1. Puffin Canada.

Japanese American National Museum. (2021, November 24). The interactive StoryFile of Lawson Iichiro Sakai-exibition preview [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgfSHGJuw2I

Jennifer. (2015, October 16). Q & A with Lillian H. Smith’s digital storyteller Christina Wong. https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/lillian-h-smith/2015/10/qa-with-lillian-h-smiths-digital-storyteller-christina-wong.html

Museum of Toronto. (2025). The 52: Stories of women who transformed Toronto. https://museumoftoronto.com/projects/the-52/

Stephens, M. (2019).  Wholehearted librarianship: Finding hope, inspiration, and balance.  ALA Editions.

Wong, C. & Innes, D. (2023). Denison Avenue. ECW Press.

Posted on

Reflection on New Models: Social Work at the Library

Last week, I attended a training session for Mental Health First Aid.  It is part of the mandatory training assigned to librarians.  It was seven hours of discussions and role playing as we all worked together to apply ALGES to different scenarios.  ALGES stands for Approach and assess, Listen, Give reassurance and information, Encourage them to reach out to supports, and lastly Self-care for the first aider (this was a new addition according to our trainers).  In many ways, it was similar to First Aid training.  You are there as a first responder, you are not there to counsel or diagnose.

At the MHFA training session, one librarian, whom I later learned has a background in social work, asked why our employer was making this mandatory for librarians?  Are we being trained to become social workers?  She was not happy.  I offered that this training was becoming more common in general as my partner had taken it years ago while working as a manager in a warehouse.

The Toronto Reference Library as illustrated in Scott Pilgrim Vol. 2 (KeyKing666, 2024).

“The Des Moines Public Library is in the process of creating a social worker position at its Central Library to help serve those in the community. The social worker would be able to help library patrons with finding services that can help them and even assist with filling out the paperwork needed (Wright, 2023).”

More and more libraries are hiring social workers to help meet the needs of the community.  On my way to work a few days ago, I noticed there was a person sleeping out in the open on each corner of the intersection. Rising homelessness in the city is a major issue.  With lack of stable housing come increasing rates of substance use and mental health challenges.  If basic needs are not being met, people are coping in other ways.  The MHFA training was run by two Library Safety Specialists (LSS), a role created by TPL in 2023 (Toronto Public Library, 2023) which uses a trauma informed approach to de-escalate violent or disruptive incidents (Humber, 2023).  They work in high incident branches providing social services to patrons who need it.  Additionally, TPL also has a partnership with the Gerstein Crisis Centre which provides Social Services Team (SST) at a few branches around the city.  They also run programs to help people and their loved ones find recovery and hope.  Recently the program has expanded from one, the Toronto Reference Library, to 12 branches across the city over the last few years.

Interior of the Toronto Reference Library (Ontario Association of Architects, 2016).  Support for staff at this location includes two LSS, the Gerstein SST, and a team of security guards. 

Should library staff be trained in social work? Librarians are often in-charge, especially at smaller branches, are the ones dealing with persons who are agitated or in crisis.  Having some training on how to approach, listen, and how to offer help makes sense.  Learning what not to say, such as “calm down” or “I understand” from LSS staff is helpful (M. McCausland, personal communication, July 10, 2025).  These phrases can be triggering.  No, as an employed person with access to housing, do we really understand?   Finally, the addition of self care to ALGES is very important.  Burnout is real and we need to be able to maintain our empathy and compassion in our work as information professionals.

References

Callan, I. (2019, October 3). Mississauga’s first library-based social worker calls on Brampton to copy the idea. The Pointer. https://thepointer.com/article/2019-10-03/mississauga-s-first-library-based-social-worker-calls-on-brampton-to-copy-the-idea

Gerstein Crisis Centre. (2025, July 4). Gerstein Crisis Centre’s Toronto Public Library project expanded to the following 12 participating library branches… [Post]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DLsLeqDggZt/

Humber, T. (2023, September 27). A new chapter: How Niclas Manson is rewriting the script at the Toronto Public Library. OHS Canada. https://www.ohscanada.com/features/a-new-chapter-how-niclas-manson-is-rewriting-the-script-at-toronto-public-library/

KeyKing666. (2024, February 1). Screenshot 2024-02-01 163844 [Image]. https://scottpilgrim.fandom.com/wiki/Toronto_Public_Library

Mental Health First Aid USA. (2021, April 15). ALGEE: How MHFA helps you respond in crisis and non-crisis situations. https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2021/04/algee-how-mhfa-helps-you-respond-in-crisis-and-non-crisis-situations/

Ontario Association of Architects. (2016, February 19). Toronto Reference Library (1977). https://oaa.on.ca/whats-on/bloaag/bloaag-detail/Toronto-Reference-Library-1977

Opening Minds. (2025). Mental health first aid. https://openingminds.org/training/mhfa/

Toronto Public Library. (2023). Be part of an innovative new team at the library! We’re actively hiring to ensure our public spaces are welcoming…[Post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/torontolibrary_be-part-of-an-innovative-new-team-at-the-activity-7044018629671059456-D1gj#:~:text=2y-,Be%20part%20of%20an%20innovative%20new%20team%20at%20the%20library,apply%20is%20March%2031%2C%202023.

Toronto Public Library. (2025). Social & crisis support services. https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/social-crisis-support-services/

Wright, G. (2023, April 10). Des Moines Public Library adding social worker position.  https://who13.com/news/metro-news/heres-what-services-the-des-moines-public-librarys-social-worker-position-will-provide/

Posted on

Choose Your Own Adventure: AI at the Library

For the Hyperlinked Environments reflection post, I wanted to look at AI at the library.

 

view PDF

Listening to Yuval Noah Harari is always revelatory because he is able to crystallize complex issues into easy to digest, bite-size pieces.  He warns us that the AI we are seeing today is extremely primitive.  That AI is not a tool we can hold in our hand, but an agent that can make decisions and invent beyond the human imagination (Reid Hoffman, 2025).  What will the impact of a highly developed AI on human civilization?

I also looked at how libraries are shouldering the responsibility of educating the public about AI.  Seniors called the library to demand AI programs to help them understand what it is.  The community has spoken.

We cannot escape the frightening environmental cost of AI.  This podcast talks about how the power of AI can help solve the problems we are facing with climate change as well as the high energy and water needs as tech companies continue to invest in and build massive data centres.

Finally, I asked ChatGPT about AI in public libraries. What is the role of the public library in helping their communities adapt to the growing use of AI?  It provided a complete answer that included the the libraries role in teaching digital literacy, providing democratic access, promoting ethical stewardship and community dialogue, upskillinng and career training, enhancing reference services, and AI as a tool to break down barriers.  It provided the following summary:

“Public libraries are uniquely positioned to democratize access to AI, foster critical thinking about its use, and prepare communities to engage with AI safely and effectively. As trusted, neutral institutions, they are essential in ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared equitably across society.” (OpenAI, 2025)

References

Climate One. (2024, April 19). Climate One rewind: Artificial intelligence, real climate impacts [Audio podcast]. Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2U5hdk9Go8iIhaV87OGlxA?si=Q3oOyFm9ROaYYdDha6T9jQ

More, S. (2025, April 22). Your politeness to AI is costing millions and harming the environment. Medium. https://shivammore.medium.com/your-politeness-to-ai-costing-millions-and-harming-the-environment-8e5bee3e7874

OpenAI. ChatGPT 4.0 [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/c/68631386-3568-8008-b994-9d81cb0f673d

Reid Hoffman. (2025, June 4). Yuval Noah Harari on the dangers of AI [Video]. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuBLxWowDqI

Rich Roll Podcast. (2024, October 28). Our AI future is way worse than you think | Yuval Noah Harari [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jl64f-821o

Sidotti, O. & Macclean, C. (2025, June 25). 34% of U.S. adults have used ChatGPT, about double the share in 2023. Pew Research. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/06/25/34-of-us-adults-have-used-chatgpt-about-double-the-share-in-2023/

Toronto Public Library. (2025, January 27). Artificial intelligence policy. https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/board-meetings/2025-01-27/21-artificial-intelligence-policy-combined.pdf

Toronto Public Library. (2025). Learn AI. https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/computer-services/learnai/

 

Posted on

Reflection on Hyperlinked Communities: Staffless Libraries

In this week’s lecture for Hyperlinked Communities, @michael talks about Open+ at the Gwinett County Public Library which allows people to enter the library before or after staffed open hours, increasing access to library services and technology.

No to Staffless Libraries (@irismooninthecity, 2019)

In 2019, the Toronto Public Library retrofitted two small branches with Staffless Library technology created by Bibliotheca, the same company which created the technology for self checkouts implemented in 2004 which resulted in the loss of 81 full time positions (Local4948, n.d.). The union fought against move towards Staffless Libraries through an online campaign, lawn signs and these award winning videos created by Head Gear Animation.

Still from Staffless Libraries: A Bad Idea -Mastercut (2020).

Watch the videos here.

From the perspective of library management, and some members of the public, staffless or self-service library hours are a great idea!  Just a few weeks ago, I registered a patron for self service access to Todmorden Room, which is located in a community center.  It took a few clicks on the computer, a form to fill out and sign which included the rules of conduct, an email and interoffice mail.  Now she can visit the library while she is waiting for her children to do their swim lessons.  All she has to do is scan her library card and enter her PIN.

I had also heard about an incident where an excluded customer had entered the library during self-service hours, by banging on the door and demanding access to the library.  Two customers were already inside and one of them opened the door.  The excluded customer yelled, “I need a computer!” and the two customers left.  The excluded customer began using the public computers to view inappropriate materials and doing other things that are not appropriate for a public space.

Balancing the risks outlined in the videos (including inappropriate use as outlined above, patron safety, unattended children, etc) and to jobs for library workers with increasing access to library users can be tricky. The library provides a much needed free space for all which includes people who may be experiencing trauma related issues.  Does restricted access create issues around service for all which now the public has to navigate?

The self checkout technology implemented in 2004 has made processing books faster as well as improving service to customers.  Less line ups and so on. I could not imagine going back to the “old days” although we did experience a version of this during the “down time” after the cyber attack of October 2023.

Is it possible to embrace the convenience and extended service offered by staffless library hours while also maintaining patron safety and keeping library worker jobs?  We must try to find a way to balance all of it.

 

References

Head Gear Animation. (2023, November 29).  Head Gear Animation – TPLWU 2 dangers [Video].  YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCopGuty_nY

Local 4948. (n.d.). Staffless libraries.  https://www.local4948.org/issues/staffless-libraries/

Local 4948. (2019, January 20). Thank you for your support, @irismooninthecity ! We have been delivering these lawn signs all over the neighbourhood around Todmorden Room library [Post]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs4LYZxBdz6/

Stephens, M. (2025). Hyperlinked communities [Video]. Panopto. https://sjsu-ischool.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=3eacdb23-84fd-49e5-9975-aef3014b3ed2

Stephens, M. (2019).  Wholehearted librarianship: Finding hope, inspiration, and balance.  ALA Editions.

Toronto Public Library. (2025).  Self-service open hours at Swansea and Todmorden Room.  https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hours-locations/extended-hours-program/