Library Schemes and Dreams

One idea that resonated with me in this module was holistic care in libraries. I first heard this idea in Stephens (2025) when Michael mentioned the idea of libraries meeting their community in a holistic way. On top of the information needs, libraries should, if possible, also address the base needs of a community. I saw similar ideas echoed in Greenwood (2022), which talked about a new strategic framework that addressed the health and well-being of patrons Victoria, Australia. This framework provided three focus areas for library services and partnerships: social connection, mental well-being, and physical health (Greenwood, 2022).

Greenwood (2022) has an image from a food relief and vaccination pop-up event at Yarra Libraries. I thought this was such a wonder idea. As I started writing this blog post I intended to reflect on the topics such social workers in libraries and library partnerships with local organizations, but I kept getting pulled a different direction.

Growing Up Online

I grew up during a time when social media was really taking off. It was popular, but we didn’t have nearly as much of an understanding of it as we do now. I spent hours a day scrolling on sites like Instagram, often watching videos by what I now know as workout influencers. As someone who likes sports and working out, it was really exciting to see examples of workout routines. I was able to get ideas of exercises I could try and their correct form. Or, what I was told was the correct form, or the right number of sets so that I too could look like that.

As I reflected on holistic care, I latched onto the idea of how complicated the information landscape has become for health and wellness. It never even crossed my mind as a teen that the information I was taking in might not be correct, or that there was any kind of ulterior motive for posting content.

Library Programs and Services.

It’s hard not to look back and wish that I could have attended a media or digital literacy program for teens. These skills feel so important when it comes to health and well-being.

Not surprisingly, when I did a quick Google search to see what libraries are doing today I found great examples like Oakland Public Library’s blog post #TeenTopic: Digital Literacy and resources from ALA Programming Librarian.

It also made me really happy to see programs like CLOUD901 (Memphis Public Library, n.d.). Not only is a it a safe space for building skills, but it’s also a space for exploration and self-expression. What a great example of holistic care for teens!

References

Greenwood, C. (2022). Healthy library, healthy life. INCITE, 43(6), 24. Australian Library and Information Association.

Memphis Public Library (n.d.). CLOUD901 teen learning lab. Memphis Public Library. https://www.memphislibrary.org/cloud901/

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

One concept of the Hyperlinked Library that stood out to me was “inevitably, there will always be some amount of chaos” (Stephens, 2019). I noticed myself wince a little when I first heard it, which surprised me. As I started to reflect on what I thought chaos meant, it began to make more sense. I realized I was only thinking of chaos in a negative way. In terms of library work, all of my initial thoughts were library issues. I thought of book bans and other challenges to intellectual freedom, librarians forced into social worker type roles, and cuts to funding at local and federal levels. These are all large-scale, overwhelming things.

Moving forward, I thought it would help to reframing what chaos means. I decided to look up the definition for “chaos” to ground the term. The definition that jumped out at me was “the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). This definition is neither positive or negative, nor does it specify any kind of size. The examples given were actually vastly different: the atmosphere, boiling water, and a beating heart (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). “Inherent unpredictability” also reminded me of something I heard in Transformation Lab (2009). In the video, that phrase “unorthodox branding” was used for to describe the messaging for the Mindspot library service. While unorthodox and unpredictable aren’t necessarily the same thing, I think there is some overlap. For Mindspot, library staff looked to the youth for new, outside of the box ideas. There is inherent unpredictability in brainstorming with different groups of people, and the youth were sought out for exactly that.

That definition continues to fit well as I think more about the Hyperlinked Library Model. Libraries serve the information needs of their community. These communities are full of people with different ideas, beliefs, wants, and needs. It makes sense that some amount of chaos would be inevitable with conflicting wants and clashing ideas. If chaos is inevitable, it is best for libraries to try to work with it, even embrace it when possible. Participatory services seems like a great way of doing so. As Casey (2011) writes, “[t]he participatory library engages and quires its entire community and seeks to integrate them into the structure of changes” (p. 2). In deliberately seeking out community and integrating them into the library, a level of chaos is invited and accepted. Libraries are open to and are prepared to respond to it.

Using my reframed understanding, I think chaos shows up in a number of places in practice. My first thought was popular library programs and all the people they bring, like families on story time days, and lines at book sales that bring a little chaos. While these still have a hint of negativity to be me since I associate them with a hectic environment, I believe there is positive there too. Busy parents may have the opportunity to connect with friends they don’t get to see very often. At book sales, people are excited about what they might find and are showing wonderful support for their library. The library is a space for chaos. But events don’t even have to be super crowded to bring chaos. One of my favorite programs at the public library I used to work at was the drop-in home item repair program. It was fun working at the help desk and looking up to see someone walking around with toasters and lamps, and hearing the sound of tools. Those are experiences I couldn’t have predicted having when I applied for that job.

Image source: https://bellinghampubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/16692161 

As this class progresses, and my professional career develops, I hope I can continue to reflect on chaos. I want to explore the more positive aspects and process some of the negatives I’ve experienced. It may be help to use a strategy like mindfulness. Accepting and embracing the chaos will be a practice in and of itself. One I will come back to again and again.

References

Casey, M. (2011). Revisiting participatory service in trying times- A TTW guest post by Michael Casey. Tame the Web. https://tametheweb.com/2011/10/20/revisiting-participatory-service-in-trying-times-a-ttw-guest-post-by-michael-casey/

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.) Chaos. Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaos

Stephens, M. (2019). The hyperlinked library: Exploring the model [PowerPoint]. Panopto. https://sjsu-ischool.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=a0569381-4d66-4e0a-a7fa-aab3010a8f3e

Transformation Lab. (2009, April 20). Mindspot the movie: The library as a universe [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixsOLvLSARg

Hello all!

My name is Marissa Tavener. I am currently going through a pretty large life change. I lived in Bellingham, WA for about 10 years, but moved a little over a week ago (on Friday the 14th!). I moved to Bellingham at 18 years old for my undergrad and started my career there after graduating in 2020. I worked at the City’s public library for a number of years, first as a page and then a public services clerk. This is where I fell in love with library work and what inspired me to pursue an MLIS in 2024. I also always worked a second part-time job at the Whatcom County government. I worked for a few different departments over the years doing filing and records management work, and even served as the interim law librarian for their public law library. While I was able to manage two part-time jobs, and eventually school, for a while, I ultimately burned out due to the intensity of public service. I recently made the tough decision to leave my jobs to take care of myself. I just moved to beautiful Orcas Island where I now live with my partner! While unpacking is proving to be a little overwhelming, I am excited to focus on school now and see what comes in this new chapter of my life.

I am taking this class for a couple of reasons. For starters, I took INFO 200 with Michael which I really enjoyed. I found his enthusiasm for the library field contagious and appreciated the flexibility the class provided in exploring individual interests. I thought this was exactly the type of class I needed as I focus more on school. Also, as I finish up my MLIS, I am hoping to take electives that allow me to engage with the theoretical aspects of library work I originally fell in love with. I am also taking an intellectual freedom class this semester.  

My area of interest has admittedly changed over the years. Currently I am exploring the idea of government documents librarianship. I took a government information sources class last year which I really enjoyed. I loved seeing all of the types of information the government creates and maintains. I particularly liked learning about the organization of information in the courts and legal systems. This was something I was able to engage with as a law librarian too. I also value the open access aspect of public sector information. Though, at its core, I like organizing and knowing where to find information. This is what initially inspired me to apply to be a page, and what makes records management work appealing. At this time, I am not super interested in moving for a job. So, as long as I find a job that allows me to engage with cores aspects of library work I like (and doesn’t overwhelm me with public service), I am open to other opportunities that present themselves.

Looking forward to this semester!

Marissa

Moving truck in line to get on the ferry 

My cat, Karel, “helping” me unpack