Reflection: Hyperlinked Communities

This module on Hyperlinked Communities talked about fostering and creating connections within your community to encourage people to view the library as a facilitator of discussion, community, and resource sharing. One of the articles talked about the influence of BookTok on libraries and bookstores in general and provided some great insight on connecting with patrons in order to anticipate and plan for new acquisitions and curation. For example, librarians have noticed more students have started going to the library to read books that have recently gone viral (Jensen, 2022).

I think social media has been a real boon for libraries, at least in my corner of the Internet. I personally have not been super active in the BookTok space, but I have read several books because they were trending or recommended by a book influencer that I follow. I haven’t been super disappointed with any of those reads yet, but that may be because I’m pretty picky with what I choose to read.

Social media in general has allowed libraries to engage with audiences in new ways. One cool TikTok I’d like to share with you all is one from LAPL where their map librarian showcased one of the oldest maps in the library’s collection. It is one of their most popular videos on the account, and I think it spoke to people’s curiosities of LA history, archives, and education on niche content. Archived maps aren’t something that the average library patron will likely seek out, but knowing that is a part of library holdings can make one curious about what other types of local history and programs that the library can offer to further expand their educational horizons.

Another method of accessibility and reach in one of the readings are bookmobiles, which provide library materials at new locations that a standard library may not be able to provide (Lauersen, 2025). Bookmobiles are great at providing accessibility and proximity to library services for rural areas as well as those with large populations who would otherwise struggle to travel to the library. The bookmobile not only provides materials but also expertise from knowledgeable library staff on materials and other library services.

It reminded me of a game I recently played called Tiny Bookshop, which is essentially a bookmobile. You play as a mobile bookstore owner who has recently moved to your late grandmother’s seaside village. Once you open shop, you interact with the townspeople and recommend them books based on their genre preferences and other requests. One thing that’s emphasized more than the financial aspect of running the bookstore is the growing relationships you have between yourself and the townspeople as you become more involved in the community. It’s a great example of what a hyperlinked library would look like in rural areas that would otherwise be library-less; the townspeople can get the materials they need while the player becomes a facilitator of community.

 

References

Jensen, K. (2022, February 10). As seen on booktok: Inspiring young readers, tiktok is a boon for books. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/story/as-seen-on-booktok-inspiring-young-readers-tiktok-is-a-boon-for-books-libraries
Lauersen, C. (2025, February 5). The necessary nearness – an ode to bookmobiles. The Library Lab. https://christianlauersen.net/2025/02/05/the-necessary-nearness-and-ode-to-bookmobiles/

Los Angeles Public Library [@lapubliclibrary]. (2024, July 9). It’s one of our oldest maps and favorite places! Raise your hand if you’ve been to Olvera Street #losangelespubliclibrary [Video]. Tiktok. https://www.tiktok.com/@lapubliclibrary/video/7389776363164585246

Assignment X: Hyperlinked Communities

For Assignment X I was most interested in looking into hyperlinked communities and the ways the library can expand upon their services in order to create more access points for community members. This article by Laura Warner – “Revolutionizing Public Libraries”– stood out to me in particular. In the article, Warner discusses the benefits of library kiosks and how they have increased accessibility to library materials in rapidly growing Canadian cities. She encourages the installation in more places, including grocery stores, public transit stops, and community centers to further meet the demand of growing populations.

This theme stood out to me the most because it’s one of the most applicable in any information organization. There is always an opportunity to expand services for communities. In Chapter 5 of Wholehearted Librarianship by Prof. Stephens, for example, he discusses expanded check out services Gwinnett County libraries with self-service during library off hours. This service expanded library hours and access for those that wanted to access library materials or space before and after normal operating hours. Both examples showed different aspects of this idea presented and emphasized in this course that has really stuck with me: meeting people where they are.

I do wonder how this theme of increasing linkages with the community can continue with increased library cuts. My local library system has very limited hours due to staffing and a lack of funding since the pandemic. For example, the main library branch is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and closes before 6 PM most other nights. Many patrons who are only able to visit after work hours may have to rush to the library to get physical materials or resort to relying only on digital resources. There may be further funding cuts to the library system due to the city’s budget deficit. If libraries are expected to run on a small percentage of a municipality’s budget, how would they be able to create or strengthen linkages with the community they serve?

In my own work at an arts nonprofit, I’ve noticed a decline in attendance for our events. I’m wondering if applying this idea of meeting people where they are would help increase our visibility and our services to more areas that are in need of art programs. However, we only have seven full-time staff members, each with their own departmental responsibilities and programs we run. I wonder if our types of outreach should expand similarly to create a more hyperlinked relationship between the community we serve and us.

In practice, I envision libraries finding a way to balance increasing service delivery in new ways while balancing service restrictions due to funding. I would like to look further into how (or if) my local library plans to create more access points for community members, and how they will be able to provide services to people where they are.

References

Donegan, J. (2026, February 18). Cash-strapped Long Beach warns of looming cuts as it projects deficit up to $80 million next year. Long Beach Post News. https://lbpost.com/news/long-beach-budget-cuts-deficit-city-spending/
Stephens, M. T. (2019). Wholehearted librarianship : finding hope, inspiration, and balance. ALA Editions.

Warner, L. (2024, January 17). Revolutionizing public libraries: Three ways that alternative service delivery strategies can meet…. Medium. https://medium.com/@lauracwarner/revolutionizing-public-libraries-ff7fed3d12c5

Introduction

Hi everyone.

My name is Jeanne and I’m approaching my final year in the MLIS program. I’m aiming to also complete the Digital Asset Management Certificate program as well, pending the completion of a couple more classes.
I first got into this field in community college when I went through my school’s Library Technician program. I did an internship in the program to decide whether or not I would want to pursue a Master’s degree, and I’ve been studying LIS since. Now, I manage my organization’s intern program, including the same program I interned in.
I’m excited to take this course this summer because a lot of my work is digital. My organization is an arts nonprofit and I manage the art collection and archive; although some of my files are physical, a majority of them are digitized or born-digital. I think this class will give me a better understanding of the GLAM space in a digital setting as well as ways I can improve my current workflow.
Outside of school, I love to knit and crochet as well as travel. So far I’ve only gone to Cancun this year, but later this year I’ll be going to Edinburgh and hopefully a couple US cities. Last year I went to Fiji, so hoping to visit more tropical locations in the next few years.