Nerdy Hyperlinked Librarian

  Stephens (n.d.) introduces the concept of learning everywhere as a concept that emphasizes and “[promotes] creativity as a way to learn.” Learning does not always have to be through academics, and it can take different forms and shapes. For example, it can happen when I am at home, learning how to cook a new dish I found in a cookbook, or while I am attending a programming event at the library. When applying learning everywhere to library spaces, I thought of an event that I recently attended where I got to make a wreath out of fabric and wires. I viewed this simply as having fun but when I…

After watching the module ten lecture, I was intrigued by the ways in which libraries connect with the community through stories using modern technology. As said by Stephens (2019), “libraries should keep stories, share stories, and make stories” (p. 92). One of the most interesting examples discussed by Stephens (n.d.) was a program called the Community Oral History Project by the New York Public Library (NYPL). According to the NYPL (n.d.), this project “celebrates New York City’s unique neighborhoods and diverse people. It preserves and documents history by collecting the stories of those who have experienced it.” This program gave users the opportunity to listen to stories told by other…

  The concept that resonated with me the most from the ‘New Models’ lecture is the concept of hygge. Joe Pickard (n.d., as cited in Stephens, 2019) 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.” Like how international libraries interpreted the concept of libraries for people, hygge has been incorporated into both library architecture and services. Examples that Stephens (n.d.) provided in the module eight lecture is the design of the Anythink Library and the program, Tea Tree Gully, in Australia.  When I first saw the architecture design…

In this module, the adventure I chose was examining how international libraries create libraries for people rather than books. Since I live in the United States, I wanted to explore how other countries interpreted this concept and integrated it into their libraries.   U.S. Libraries  According to Stephens (2019), libraries are “the center of urban development and the incubators of community knowledge, bringing together multiple functions in a centralized hub and open, evolving learning spaces” (p. 61). In the U.S., the concept of libraries for people is usually integrated into the programs and services that libraries offer to their communities. For example, my current employer, the L.A. County Library System, offers…

The one concept that resonates with me the most from module five is the idea that libraries should make the effort to reach out to users beyond the library’s premises. Stephens (2016) asserts that technological innovations have given libraries the opportunity to connect with the community and can be utilized to create services that extend beyond the library’s physical location, as well as allow libraries to engage with the community (p. 41). Lauerson (2025) discusses how bookmobiles allow libraries to connect with their community by giving them access to library services. Warner (2024) describes another service, hold locker kiosks, which allows patrons to pick up and hold items without having…

In the Hyperlinked Library Model module, the themes of innovation and internal challenges in libraries stood out to me the most because it reminded me about the internal challenges occurring at work between part-time workers and administration. My employer does not allow part-time staff to help with programming, run the reference desk, or do anything beyond the responsibilities of their position as a library associate, which is focused on providing customer service to patrons. Recently, many part-time workers have been wanting management to allow more flexibility in their roles as library associates by allowing them to do programming and reference shifts. However, management refuses to allow part-staff to take on…