Isabel on the Internet

In this module, I was particularly struck by the idea that technology is here and we need to treat it as such from Stephens’ (2019) “Libraries in Balance” passage from Wholehearted Librarianship (p. 79). I liked the assertion that digital skills are necessary, not optional, because they are. In order to function in human society now, one must have basic knowledge of how to use a computer, browser, email, applications like Adobe Acrobat, smartphones, social media, and more. This can be a hard wall to climb for digital immigrants, particularly those with mental or intellectual disabilities. Viewing digital skills as necessary can be beneficial for the learning mindset of both teachers (librarians) and students (patrons). 

It is interesting to integrate my perspective as a Gen Z digital native because when I think of emerging technologies, I think of generative artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, robots performing medical operations, and self-driving cars. In other words, I think of technology that humankind is still developing and exploring. Stephens (2019) mentions computers, smartphones and 3D printing as things that are considered “emerging technologies” to the average librarian (p. 80). Like Stephens (2019) says, thinking of the latter group of technologies as established and here to stay can help librarians and patrons accept that they need to learn how to use them (p. 79). Then we can start to approach the former group of technologies.

This passage has inspired me to potentially teach digital technology classes in my future library career. I’m on track to work in library marketing, so these classes would align with my domain. I can see myself enjoying teaching social media classes in particular. I’d want to teach both the practical sides of social media, like how to use the app, and the cultural sides of social media, like what the application is typically used for and the etiquette. Of course, I’d also like to teach about the mental health effects of social media use and learning how to set limits. 

Many of my local libraries have bland social media pages made up of only event flyers and the occasional city council photo. This isn’t out of a lack of interest or desire, it’s due to a lack of budget and time. If marketing is part of my responsibilities as a future librarian, I would love to humanize the library by serving as its “face”. Also, I’d love to film fun skits or hop on social media trends like other libraries have. These types of videos can bring in audiences from within and outside the library’s community. I was so pleased when Reels from other libraries came onto my Instagram feed. I now follow libraries from all over the world simply for their creative social media posts. 

Here is a video from one of my favorite series from the Columbus Public Library. They parodize Law & Order while tracking down the culprits of damaged books. This video has over 100k likes! What a reach! (Embeds from Instagram do not seem to be allowed on this site, so please click the hyperlink to view)

References

Stephens, M. (2019). “Libraries in balance”. In Wholehearted Librarianship (pp. 78-80). ALA Editions. 

• Why does this theme stand out to you?

For Assignment X, I chose to discuss the concept of the library as a startup (Mathews, 2012). This theme stood out to me because it is a model I had not yet considered for libraries. Throughout my time in the MLIS program, I have been warned that the library has undergone major changes with the digital age and rolling back of social services. Because much of the purpose of the MLIS program is to give students the foundational theories of library and information science, we don’t always get to discuss how to address these major changes. This is the first time I’ve been given a thought model to prepare myself and my library for the turbulent environment we’ll face. 

• What are your initial reactions or questions? AND Can you connect it to your past experiences or future goals?

Honestly, my initial reaction to this article was “not again”. For context, I got my undergraduate degree in Business Administration and did not enjoy it for several reasons, including that I am not a very flexible person. I ruled out entrepreneurship as a career early on. I found that job postings frequently described their environments as “dynamic and fast-paced” and wanted potential applicants to match that. Business mentors will tell you that you don’t have to match 100% of the qualifications listed on the job posting and you can also “fake it ‘till you make it”, but neither of these approaches matched my internal sense of integrity. 

When I decided to enter the MLIS program, I was aware of the changing role of the library, but I still hoped that it would provide a more stable environment than corporate. Reading the title and first few pages of this article gave me some dread for the potential volatility of my future career. However, as I got further into the article I saw how the thought model could be useful in my career. In fact, I realized how my background in business could help me more in my library career than I initially thought. 

• How might this idea shape your perspective on libraries, learning, and community?

This idea has changed the way I think about libraries from a static institution to a constantly-evolving, amorphous, live entity. I hope this isn’t too informal, but I liken this new model of libraries to the Pokémon Ditto in the recent video game Pokémon Pokopia. Stay with me for a moment. In the game, Ditto works to rehabilitate environments so Pokémon can live in them once again. Along the way, it learns new skills and transformations from its friends but still holds onto the image of its beloved Trainer. 

Modern libraries can be like Ditto too. Libraries can transform to serve many different purposes while still retaining their identity as institutions of information. Libraries will go through adversity, but they have their friends — in the form of patrons, supportive legislators, and more — to support them along the way. To paraphrase Mathews (2012), libraries and librarians cannot stick to what we’ve always done well; we have to look out for new opportunities to inform and support our communities (p. 2).

• Where do you see this theme showing up in practice?

I see this theme showing up in practice practically everyday at the library, but particularly during strategic meetings. During my short spring internship, I already observed some obsolescence in my library. The staff did have ideas and desires to change; what they lacked was time. They were too busy with upkeep of normal library functions like circulation and programming to implement new ideas like more social media activity. To extrapolate upon Mathews’ (2012) concept that the whole culture of a library needs to be open to change, I think the implementation of this culture needs to begin top-down (pp. 3-4). The executive suite needs to be convinced of the usefulness of the “library as a startup” model and the need to provide time and space for librarians to try out new ideas. The E-suite needs to be open to new ideas being brought up by staff members often. Then, the ideology can be spread among the staff and part of their time can go towards experimentation. I know that in practice it will not be this easy to instill the startup mentality, but I imagine myself starting in small ways whenever I have free time in my future jobs. 

References

Mathews, B. (2012, April). Think like a startup. Facing the Future.

Hi friends! My name is Isabel and I live in Orange County, CA. My area of interest in the LIS world has ended up being marketing and social media, much to my surprise. I liked learning about marketing strategies in my undergraduate degree, but I didn’t feel good using them for for-profit companies whose missions I didn’t believe in. Marketing for GLAMs or general non-profits has turned out to be the perfect match for me!

If I’m being honest, I chose this course because I’m afraid of how emerging technologies will affect libraries, especially generative AI. On one hand, I am a writer and proponent of the arts, so I don’t like the threat generative AI poses to creative artwork. as another thought, I am alarmed by the lack of critical thinking and original thought that has been emerging as a result of generative AI use. I personally know college students who use AI for all their assignments and people who turn to AI for decision-making before consulting other humans. My fears for library services are that people will prefer to turn to generative AI for their information needs, and that governments and other sponsors will try to replace library workers with artificial intelligence. I know I’ve only talked about AI thus far, but I am also interested in learning about other emerging technologies and their positive and negative effects on the library field. I’m probably most excited to discuss social media and its rising role in library marketing, as this applies to my career and I find social media fascinating in general.