For this week’s Choose Your Own Adventure reading, I began down the path of hyperlinked environments within global libraries. However, at some point, I ventured down a side trail toward the discussion of library value versus library use. Lauersen begins their article, A Haven in Our Community: The Impact and Value of Public Libraries, by asking the question “How do we understand and talk about the value and impact of a library?” (2021). “The public debate about public libraries typically refers to some fixed key figures: How many people visit the public libraries, which users are involved and how many materials do they borrow?” (Seismonaut & Roskilde, 2021). While this week’s literature primarily focused on public libraries, I feel confident in asserting that the same thinking applies to academic libraries. Just last week, I was working on pulling database statistics for my academic library’s fiscal year-end usage reports. These statistics give us “important data that says something about the use of [sic] libraries but does not really give us insight on the value and impact [sic] libraries have on individuals and communities” (Lauersen, 2021). I believe that when we only evaluate a library by its use, we fail to fully encompass the full extent of its work. I found Seismonaut and Roskilde Central Library’s research on the impact of public libraries in Denmark to be a helpful guide towards shifting my focus from looking at a library’s use to a more holistic view of its value and impact.

The four dimensions of impact

Seismonaut and Roskilde’s impact compass approach details four impact dimensions which include the user’s emotional, intellectual, creative, and social impact. Each of these dimensions serves as a tool to develop and evaluate activities and services in the library (Seismonaut & Roskilde, 2021). What I appreciate about this approach to evaluation is that it includes how the library contributes to society as a whole and how each library has an effect on its community. I also think it takes into account the value of each individual as a whole person not simply a consumer and it puts greater emphasis on the greater good of the community. Circling back to my original path down hyperlinked environments within the global library scope, I am in awe at the work being done internationally to support the refugee community. “Libraries throughout the world have a strong history of responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises providing a welcoming environment, a place of refuge for body and soul, and a source of information” (IFLA, 2015). To me, this work is a tangible example of a hyperlinked environment working to meet its patron’s/community’s emotional, intellectual, creative, and social needs.

References:

IFLA. (2015). Responding! Public Libraries and Refugees. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Public Libraries Section.

Lauersen, C. (2021). A haven in our community: The impact and value of public libraries. The Library Lab. https://christianlauersen.net/2021/04/19/a-haven-in-our-community-the-impact-and-value-of-public-libraries/

New York Public Library. (n.d.). Multilingual Resources [Photograph]. https://www.nypl.org/spotlight/multilingual

Seismonaut & Roskilde Central Library. (2021). A guide to the impact compass: The impact of public libraries in Denmark: A haven in our community.

 After this week’s module, I continue to be drawn to the concept that the library should reach all users, even those who are not yet or cannot come through the library’s doors. Stephens amply asks, “Whom do you reach well? Who uses your library passionately? Take care of them and keep them. Who doesn’t use the library? Who in your community could benefit from access, services, and assistance? Find them. Go to them, ask them what they want and need” (2016).

In a recent conversation with my grandma, she shared with me that she was feeling a bit down about the lack of new books to read.  Through this conversation, I discovered that my grandma, an avid reader, had been purchasing all her books through Amazon because they would get delivered to her door. With a recent change in income, this method of accessing books was becoming too expensive. When I suggested the library, she shared that it was too difficult for her to get there on her own. She felt that since she already asked others to take her to the grocery store, she did not want to be an additional bother by requesting a trip to the library. Now I know that there are plenty of people in her life who would gladly take her to the library if they knew this was a need. The bigger point, I think, is recognizing how the library could address this need not only for my grandma but for other users like her.

One solution I found interesting came from Warner’s article Revolutionizing Public Libraries, where they write about both a book locker and book vending machine concept. When set up in commonly visited places like the grocery store, users are able to either retrieve books put on hold or choose from a well-stocked selection. In the case of my grandma, this option could provide a one-stop shopping experience where she could get her weekly groceries and reading picked up at the same spot. Additionally, I love this idea because it has the potential to reach users who may hold an outdated view of the classic brick-and-mortar library. “These curious kiosks and lockers spark interest among passers-by… [becoming] an excellent way for libraries to alert a growing community to their offerings, bringing them physically into the library buildings” (Warner, 2024).

Library vending machine and locker concept

The heart of the hyperlinked library is to connect the community and bridge the gap in information needs. When libraries find ways to show that they place value in meeting the needs of all its community members they are also showing just how much each person matters and belongs!

References:

Albion College. (2025). “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility”. [Photograph]. https://library.albion.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility

Lakeland Public Library. (2023, July 21). “Did you know that the library has a book vending machine at Kelly Recreation Complex?” [Photograph]. Facebook.

Stephens, M. (2016). The Heart of Librarianship: Attentive, Positive, and Purposeful Change. ALA Editions.

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

As I sat down to write and reflect on the foundational concepts of our course, I found my mind racing through numerous thoughts at once. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was the caffeine in my large matcha latte or the overabundance of exciting possibilities that was putting my brain into overdrive… perhaps it was a bit of both!

With time I began to notice that the swirl of ideas in my head all centered around one central concept, The Hyperlinked Library model and specifically reaching current and potential library users. I was drawn to this concept for two reasons. First, the future of libraries and their use depends on our community members recognizing that a library’s very existence is necessary. In other words, in order for our libraries to grow and thrive we need people using them. The second reason this concept stood out to me is connected to a recent lecture I attended. The speaker shared that a Harvard study found that “36% of all Americans—including 61% of young adults and 51% of mothers with young children—feel ‘serious loneliness’ (Harvard, 2021).” This statistic both astounded and profoundly saddened me. The concept of the Hyperlinked Library and reaching out to our unmet community members feels almost vital to the health of our country.

What I love about the Hyperlinked Library model is that it seeks to bring people together. Stephens writes “The hyperlinked librarian understands that the library is everywhere—it is not just the building or virtual spaces. (Stephens, 2016)” He continues on to say “We must reach all users, not just those who come through our doors” (Stephens, 2016). What an exciting concept! The studies show that Americans need community and they need a place where connections can be made. As a current team member of the library staff for an academic library, my specific question leans toward how can I bring this model to my university.

Without a doubt, the number one requested service at my academic library is the use of our group study rooms. I think this speaks to the desire that our library users seek to be in community with one another. The study rooms are almost always all in use and while I am not super involved with the circulations desk, I have noticed that our “Sorry, all rooms in use” sign is virtually always out.  Areas where students can collaborate and work together are what our library users want and need. Since I was also curious about the needs of our non-regular users I was prompted to do a little digging into the school’s social media and school newspaper to see where else the university’s students go to study. The answer is not very surprising… local community-oriented coffee shops!

University social media post about favorite study spots.

Campus newspaper article about favorite student homework spots

I am still working out what bringing this perspective and practice would specifically look like for my university’s library. However, I am convinced that applying the idea of the Hyperlinked Library model has the potential to meet our users’ needs along with the needs of our “non-users”, aka the coffeehouse crowd. How do we get the cozy Hygge, coffee shop vibe into our library space? As mentioned in Stephens’ Wholehearted Librarianship, Joe Pickard defines Hygge as “the art of building sanctuary and community, of paying attention to what makes us feel alive. A feeling of belonging to the moment and celebrating the everyday” (2019). Taking this thought a bit further, do we even need to bring this to the library or could we work smarter and not harder and partner with where the students are already going? Perhaps some librarian research help could take place off-site from the tables of the local coffeehouse, a weekly trivia night could be sponsored by our library, or maybe we could invite a rotation of favorite coffee vendors to supply an in-house coffee cart.

While these ideas might seem a bit lofty, I’d rather reach high than not try at all. Casey’s words remind us that “If we don’t make significant changes in the way we create and maintain services, we will lose our relevance for the majority of library users” (2007). So, here’s to another cup of matcha tea and collaborating with the coffeehouse crowd!

References:

Casey, M. E., & Savastinuk, L. C. (2007). Library 2.0: A guide to participatory library service. Medford, N.J: Information Today.

Cashin, A. (2021, February 9). Loneliness in America: How the Pandemic Has Deepened an Epidemic of Loneliness and What We Can Do About It. Making Caring Common. https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/reports/loneliness-in-america

Communal Coffee. (n.d.) [Photograph]. Website.

Point Loma Nazarene University [@plnu and @plnu_admissions]. (2025, June 13). “Come get coffee with us” [Photograph]. Instagram.

Stephens, M. (2016). The Heart of Librarianship: Attentive, Positive, and Purposeful Change. ALA Editions.

Stephens, M. (2019). Wholehearted Librarianship: Finding Hope, Inspiration, and Balance. ALA Editions.

Wuerth, A. (2024). PLNU Fuels Off of Local Coffee Shops. The Point.

Hello everyone!

My name is Joy and I live in San Diego, California. This summer I am taking my last two classes before embarking on my e-portfolio in the fall. I chose this course because the idea of exploring emerging technologies and the hyperlinked library sounded interesting and applicable to my academic librarianship career goals. Plus, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Stephens lecture in my 200 course and thoroughly enjoyed his presentations.

I am excited to learn and grow in this field through our interactions this summer and build upon the skills I’ve gained thus far in the program. I have a genuine passion for cataloging and resource discovery, which has become my primary focus in the program and my ultimate career goal. In my current position, I am responsible for cataloging and assigning call numbers to all incoming library resources at a small private university.

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, learning hands-on and creative skills, and hosting themed parties. Last summer I learned how to use indigo and other natural plant pigments to hand-dye textiles. I also had fun throwing an 80s food court-themed party to celebrate a recent birthday.

I am looking forward to all that we will learn together this semester!