There are several insights that I arrived at throughout the readings and media that were provided in this module. Altogether they enforced my understanding of the #hyperlinkedlibrary. I write this blog as someone who’s career path is destined for public librarianship. I currently work part time for a public library system as an assistant and plan on joining the same public library system as a librarian. In this blog post, I will be sharing some of the quotes that resonated with me followed by my interpretation or understanding of how they fit into this course and public librarianship.
“Search, for example, tells us what we want to know, but can’t help if we don’t already know what we want. Far from disappearing, human curation and sensibilities have a new value in the age of algorithms.” (Bhaskar, 2016)
This quote created one of a few “ah-ha” moments that I have had so far in this Hyperlinked Library learning journey. I came into this course with the mindset that we would be highly focused on technology, and although technology is included, we have been focused on the human aspect of librarianship. I shifted my perspective to technology being used as a tool, but I am starting to see that technology is an extension of human interaction and we have a complex relationship with it. Ultimately, I am learning that human connection is powerful and invaluable and should be encouraged whenever possible through whichever channels are most appropriate.
“Reaching everyone means using technology to offer new ways to interact with the library, yes, but it also encompasses a wide array of channels for interaction across virtual and physical planes.” (Stephens, 2016)
Doubling down on the symbiotic relationship between human connection and technology in the hyperlinked library. This quote comes from a section titled, Reaching all users, in Dr. Stephens’ book, The Heart of Librarianship: Attentive, Positive, and Purposeful Change. This section emphasizes the ways in which librarians– and all library staff– can and should find balance in providing services for the community. The answer is not always whatever the newest technology is, it may be something as simple as talking to patrons and asking them questions about what they would like to see happen in their local library. Certainly though, technology can and should be used whenever it is appropriate.
“Libraries, at their best, enable social mobility.” (TEDx Talks, 2019, 2:37)
Ciara Eastell speaks on the topic of citizenship, providing access and reliable information, and libraries as multidimensional spaces for everyone. It was short and sweet and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Eastell championed libraries and emphasized how truly invaluable public libraries are to their community. She brought it back around to human connection when she shared an interaction she had with a patron at her library who was grieving the loss of his wife and needed literature on grief; it was so touching. This TEDx Talk evoked many feelings in me.
References
Bhaskar, M. (2016, September 30). In the age of the algorithm, the human gatekeeper is back. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/30/age-of-algorithm-human-gatekeeper
TEDx Talks. (2019. June 19). How libraries change lives [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Tvt-lHZBUwU?si=iWNnUAq2plLmrNmF
Stephens, M. T. (2016). The heart of librarianship : attentive, positive, and purposeful change. ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association.
@celimiranda This: “Ultimately, I am learning that human connection is powerful and invaluable and should be encouraged whenever possible through whichever channels are most appropriate. ”
That is wonderfully well stated! And so important to keep in mind when technology gets super shiny and such.