Hello, this is Olivia Evans. I am presenting my Virtual Symposium for the hyperlinked libraries. First of all we are going to be focusing on the overview, such as the core concepts we reviewed in each of our sections. Starting with hyperlinked communities then moving onto hyperlinked environments, then new horizons, the power of stories, finally infinite learning and there will be a bit more insights.

First of all hyperlinked libraries, this refers to a broad range of subjects, because hyperlinks can be anything. They are not just people, ideas, or things or even links. They’re anything where you can learn and grow. As we learned, libraries must adapt. They’re becoming more of a place to be and grow as a community and that is why I believe they should implement social platforms and as they increase their digitization by creating these online platforms they can allow those people with disabilities or busy work lives to interact with others in a safe place where libraries can have some oversight. The security aspect would come in as you might require a library card to make sure someone from outside the community isn’t coming in and disturbing people’s peace and comfort.

There is more than just that as I talked about in the hyperlinked environments reflection, safety and security is foundational. We want patrons to have their privacy secured, despite Trump’s recent dismantling of internet security. Libraries should still advocate and try to protect everyone’s private information so they feel protected and happy, because when people feel like they are being respected they will want to interact. They don’t want to just give out their data, you shouldn’t just sell it off at a library to whoever wants it. We can also help educate people on safe browsing habits on the internet as well as how we personally encrypt their data to make sure their searches and social interactions are a safe and respected, and a well foundational place online.

Next are new horizons for the libraries. We should make sure we try to keep an open and wide net, because the possibilities are essentially endless. There are always new technologies and new communities developing. Workshops are a hands on program that has been implemented, they are usually called makerspaces, we can see these develop all over the country with different workshops being developed by community members to help others to grow and become for example more capable in their personal lives or as workforce initiates. Beyond that there are technological advancements we should look to adopt, depending on what the community wants. We can offer them VR, 3D printing, or anything else that’s developing such as computers. Another great example is AI chatbots that can help people learn, they can find recommendations, and just make things easier, but we have to educate people on how to properly use them, because sometimes they can be misused. Maybe hooking them up with our databases can improve them, but they still need to be observed. We need to be flexible, because everyone has their own needs and these things constantly change.

Beyond that though we need to remember stories are a very important part of the library. It’s not just about learning, it’s not just about growing in a more direct education sense, it’s about learning in a way that matters. I personally believe stories are a big foundational aspect of this. As I talked about my most treasured memories of going to the library were at story time, where you can have these personal connections. Just being able to take something home, like stickers as a kid, those lasted forever in physical and in my own memories. I think that creating new communities like reading groups can benefit everybody. As we create these experiences that can be more close and emotional they can last and leave a better impact as people can learn about unique experiences and break down barriers.

Beyond that too we need to remind everyone that these are not just for kids, everyone should visit the library regardless of age, background, or ability like no one should feel left out for having some sort of disability whether that’s being blind or deaf or just any sort of thing. I am personally colorblind, I wouldn’t want to be left out of an experience either. It’s a minor thing, but still we need to show there is always value in learning new skills and you can always learn in a creative and fun way. This is how we need to rebrand libraries as not just as a place that holds books but as a place that can grow, create workshops and group chats and communities.

I want to personally as I grow and go forward into libraries I want to try to make them or at least where I end up working into a townsquare. Somewhere you can just be without having to pay money. A place of comfort that you always feel secure in, even if it’s just to play a game, because ultimately libraries aren’t just about learning, it’s about becoming a better person. Community is a big part of that, you need to feel connected and this is something we also need to learn as librarians. How can we meet the needs of people? We need to ask, we need to understand where we are going and who needs us.

So those are my key takeaways. Those are my plans going forward. I tried to keep this under five minutes, but there is just so much to talk about and it’s just very interesting to talk about, so thank you very much for listening and have a very wonderful day.

Objective or Topic:

My objective is to connect the Placer community closely, not just by sharing indirect stories of someone’s experience through a work of art, but through a personal story that will be facilitated by the Human Library as a system that has been shown to work.

Executive Summary:

Even though technology makes us able to connect with anyone communities are become more isolated. This program will capture the unique experiences present in the world, particularly those in the Placer community with underprivileged stories to tell. The solution to this isolation is introducing the Human Library to share these stories, as it draws in not only readers but speakers that can provide one on one talks with those who want to hear a personalized story. This program actively engages users giving them a chance to have a face to face interaction with someone they might have never talked to otherwise. This can not only remove social stigma as ‘readers’ who listen to the story can directly ask questions that humanize the speaker further, but also lead to the possibility of friendships forming. The tales here should increase understanding and acceptance in the community for marginalized groups as exposure will normalize their existence.

Introduction:

During Covid-19 pandemic individuals grew more distant as lock down procedures restricted the ability for people to meet their friends or anyone really. In following this health regulations this created a separation as a PBS article stated in January of 2023, “surveys reveal that around 60 percent of people in the U.S. right now report feeling lonely on a pretty regular basis” (PBS). This meant individuals focused on their own needs while losing the sense of connection with their community and sub-communities present in their area. It harms the long term mental health of those experiencing loneliness making it harder to relate to others or feel happy with themselves since humans are for the most part social animals. This lonely fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic has been called the loneliness epidemic, which needs a cure. Human Libraries though can remedy this issue as they will reconnect a splintered community experience a plethora of distressing issues.

Origins:

Human Libraries are a concept introduced in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2000 as a way to drive personal interaction. They work similar to a normal library with check outs, library cards, but instead volunteers are the “books” that patrons can learn from. To establish a Human Library it “requires the creation of a catalog with short descriptions of each of the books” (Wentz, 2013) that guests can reference as the kinds of people they can talk to comfortably. This is run by the librarians which, “facilitates the organization and the operation of the human library” (Wentz, 2013). This basic structure facilitates individuals who are curious about particular communities or those just exploring the library to interact with people they wouldn’t otherwise. As the librarian Susan Lauricella said, “You couldn’t walk up to a stranger on the street, someone who was different than you, and just ask them something, but here you can,” (Ray, 2019). This changes that dynamic, offering a safe space to learn something directly without the alienating force of being through a computer screen while having instant feedback that books can’t provide. The interactive element can bridge divides between a marginalized community and the community at large without there being a major risk to either side in doing so. The importance of this is that it reduces loneliness while also preventing the minority community from being excluded from the public sphere, even if that is for the temporary time someone is volunteering because it can make an isolated individual grow ready to meet new people of diverse backgrounds.

Self Regulated:

By allowing the community to become its own story tellers it creates a direct, comfortable bond between people, which is needed to bridge certain gaps. That is because sometimes only when exposed to a certain group can individuals grow familiar and accept those that are different. This extends in many different ways from racial prejudices to sexuality and gender based stigmas as well as into different disabilities. The community can create a positive feedback loop as members of the community can volunteer or certain types of speakers can be requested to attend the Human Library by members of the community directly. For examples as Erin Wentz wrote, “Because the books and the readers come from the community, local context necessarily influences the program. Through the program, the public library shares the community with itself, providing a venue for individuals to articulate their experiences and to communicate with one another” (2013). This way different parts of the community can understand the needs of other parts and this will not only stop judgement as the original mission statement was trying to achieve. This can can lead to members in the community going out of their way to help other members in need after accepting them as part of Placer as a whole.

Self-Help:

The program will also assist community members help themselves as they can learn about or know how to navigate a part of their life they didn’t understand before. For example if someone was recently disabled in a particular way, or wants to discover something about themself and how to handle that aspect in the community someone with that experience can share it. An example would be if a transgender individual offered advice how to get medicine within the county, which someone online couldn’t answer properly since they don’t have that direct local knowledge. This can vastly improve the quality of someone’s life while also forming a close connection which can also decrease the loneliness epidemic one person at a time. These vulnerable people seeking advice are another important consideration to make aside from the benefits of just ending prejudice as finding someone else who can be a form of a guiding light can save those lost in the dark.

Stories of Success

The program has been shown to work as Wentz article reported Human Libraries “in the United States were held in 2008 by the Bainbridge Public Library in Bainbridge Island, Washington, and the Santa Monica, Public Library” (2013). This shows that the system works in America and beyond that the article went on to report, “In Lismore, Australia, public demand led the city to establish a regular, monthly human-library program” (2013). This shows it isn’t just a successful program patrons enjoy, but one they actively want to bring back on a regular basis. That highlights the importance of story telling and the connections formed by that process. As long as both individuals are respectful this can be a healthy way to start conversations in the community to drive towards a better tomorrow.

The success of this Human Library as a concept was so fruitful that there has even been a website established offering guidance, connection, and their claims of success. They have ways to connect the program to local groups offering a guidebook with regulations such as volunteer ‘books’ should not be paid because, “We do not believe readers will have the same confidence in the library if books were paid to be there” (Human Library). This can save the library on its budget, while also establishing a better since of trust, as it said no one will only be there for a paycheck which can make people suspicious of the program. Of course this can make it difficult for certain groups to attend if they are busy working for money they might need, but it will encourage those with altruistic intentions to attend from both sides without a monetary incentive. To easily establish a program like this the regulations on the website should be referenced to improve the success rate as it has over twenty three years of experience.

Negative Outcomes:

There are potential risks with this program as there are with any program. The most obvious is the risk to the attending guests. If a group is a targeted minority there would have to be strict rules to avoid hostility or harassment of any kind even if that is verbal. In addition privacy will still be important, but safety comes first. Such a program should likely take place in a wide open area, but with safe between story tellers to provide the one asking questions to be able to speak freely. This should be secluded from the rest of the library though that way the two individuals feel as if no casual observer is passing judgement it is only other people directly interested in the topic at hand.

Aside from that there is the time, space, and manpower required to run such a program, but if it is successful it will be worth it in the end. Internet forums have a similar system of asking someone who is part of a field any questions. These are rather popular in concept, but it’s difficult to connect to this impersonal user from beyond a screen for many people. As long as both ‘book’ and patron are comfortable this should facilitate a similar environment and it can even lead to growth if the system gets popular as multiple people could attend to listen to one speaker at a time. This is likely easier done with friends, but it will still help tend to more people’s needs as others might ask a question they might not have even thought of while saving time which is the other biggest cost involved which the guests must offer up.

Conclusion:

There are many obvious benefits to implementing this program the clearest of which is fighting the loneliness that is becoming more common in our digital age. Ending stigma surrounding marginalized groups or offering guidance to those who need it is another wonderful reason to host such meetings. By making members of the community the story tellers it will help drive new connections that others want to create because it is self-regulated. It does not matter how long the meetings are or which particular group is getting hosted as time can be extended or the groups can be rotated. The point is to not give up an opportunity that has seen success for over twenty three years as the community can lead these gatherings.

References:

Bezzubets, K. (2021) A group of people standing around a table. [photo]. https://unsplash.com/photos/a-group-of-people-standing-around-a-table-rl2tCHSICmw

Human Library. (n.d.) The human library book faq. https://humanlibrary.org/about/

PBS. (2023, January 7). Why Americans are lonelier and its effects on our health. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-americans-are-lonelier-and-its-effects-on-our-health

Evans, O. (2024) Screenshot of Human Library. https://humanlibrary.org/about/

Ray, M. (2019, April 12). Courageous conversations at the human library. Next Avenue. https://www.nextavenue.org/courageous-conversations-human-library/

Wentz, E. (2013, April 26). The human library: Sharing the community with itself. Public Libraries Online. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/human_librar/

-The Idea-

A developing trend is the use of virtual spaces and reality, which libraries can adopt as a burgeoning technology to foster creativity, learning, and fun. By investing resources to create an open space with virtual reality headsets available connected to adequate computers the library can draw in community members to experience a new world as well as invent new ways to interact that haven’t been thought of since access to these tools is typically restricted by a large upfront cost to interact with such a new device.

-Action Brief-

The Placer County Library System should invest resources into the acquisition of Virtual Reality Headsets as well as open areas to utilize for these devices which will provide poorer families the chance to interact with a new technology that requires space and money not everyone has access to, because it can be a useful learning tool for everyone, an advanced option for creativity, as well as a exciting new device that can be fun for people who haven’t experienced it before.

Examples of how the community can engage with the technology are as follows: It can allow those unable to travel abroad to experience distant sights in depth, it can be used as a digital storage space for archives of not just spaces but visual works such as art. Designers and engineers can experiment with a 3D space to see if their concept will work in practice, which is easier to understand than working in a 2D environment to create references. Providing this access can invite further exploration of the new medium as there isn’t a full understanding of what the future of this technology will look like. Libraries should help foster possible futures, but also be a place communities can express themselves in new and fun ways. Games are another obvious way this experience can be useful to users, but it can also foster long distance connections with others using online 3D applications. There are many possibilities that can develop or be suggested by community members which the library system should encourage.

-Who will you help-

As was previously mention there are many possibilities of how this technology can be utilized. Families or individuals living in small apartments that cannot establish their own virtual reality space as well as those who cannot afford the technology required to establish the creative space will benefit the most from this program. The headsets can be come in many variants, such as cheap headsets with little ability to track the user or high end devices. As a test run for this program the libraries should seek to utilize a small amount of the more expensive versions which would be difficult to afford casually. This also gives the Placer County community the ability to see if they would like to purchase these devices for their own projects at home.

-Where did you find inspiration-

To show the value in gaming experiences, such as how these fun experiences promote learning and immersion I read some articles from the National Literacy Trust which reported a majority of children write and read messages in games, which helps develop their reading skills (2021).

As for how creative pursuits are shown to be valuable I looked towards an article on Slate which writes about the changing purpose of libraries as they are not just places for books, but adapting areas that help grow the skills of patrons while letting them express themselves in what they call maker-spaces that can be used by anyone (Agresta, 2014).

For a reference on how I should plan and implement this program I took inspiration from the Library Journal which focused on how libraries should be ready to experiment with new programs, fail, and as Sandlian Smith was quoted in the article as saying “it’s our job to help communicate the vision of the future or provoke that conversation with our community” when referring to the role of libraries (Peet, 2016). It motivated the idea for something as experimental and new as VR which the community could help develop as a program.

To understand the uses and applications of VR I read an article by Program Ace which discusses many options the headsets can be used for, from the obvious educational and entertainment value, but it also mentions how it encourages social interaction in the digital sphere (2023).

-Guidelines and Policies-

The policies should be implemented by the board of supervisors Board of Supervisors. However they should seek to hold a public inquiry as to the public’s interest in the technology as well as suggestions on the policies for the program. Obviously the rules should follow the basics outlined with the libraries current rules, restricting obscene or offensive content.

The policies should be implemented with a strict requirement that one must be in good standing with the library and they must have a library card to ensure the technology isn’t abused. Users will be able to reserve the devices for up to an hour, then if another patron wants to try out the device it must be relinquished, otherwise they can use the technology for an extended time in the event they are working on a long term project such as 3D modeling a mechanical part or art piece. The virtual reality space should be separate from other areas in the libraries for safety so they don’t accidentally disrupt other patrons, but have a glass wall to ensure the user is not abusing the technology.

-Timeline-

First the recommendation must be made to the Board of Supervisors, they should hold a meeting with the Advisory Board and Placer County Director of Library Services to gauge interest in and experience with these devices. Then a small segment of the existing librarians should be trained for a few months to understand the virtual reality devices as well as the programs that will be installed on the computers so they can help patrons with setup and errors. Then when training is completed after a three month long program, the devices should be purchased and spaces should be established ahead of time. After half a year the program should be established in its beta form then over the next six months it’s use should be constantly monitored to record use and application. If wide spread adoption is seeing positive, sustained results then the library system should invest in more spaces as well as additional VR headsets. Otherwise this can be relegated to a novelty until it sees a decline in usage. After another full year further investment should be monitor to increase the resources more, but the program must remain flexible.

-Marketing-

This shall be marketed to the supervisors and community as a new opportunity to experience whole new worlds of possibilities. This is as close to experience another dimension as our technology has ever reached before. It can be a science fiction experience like the holodeck from Star Trek, but it can also be compared to stepping into a novel of any kind to express creativity or play a game. It will be cheaper than traveling and easier to 3D model a piece than trying to physically build a prototype to your next project. Since it will be beta tested first, the library system won’t have to over invest in resources and the space can be reallocated to other projects if this program doesn’t seem to remain popular.

-Staff Training-

Staff training will be over a two or three month period as the library system shall rent space and equipment to test the software off-site spending one day a week learning while other librarians maintain the libraries normal operation during. This slow steady training will not detract from normal library functioning and assist with a deeper memorization with the equipment. Only one staff member at each library needs to be trained as long as they work full time to help with the implementation of the project. After the equipment is established they can assist other librarians in learning the new technology on-site so if they move away from the program someone else can take up the task.

Training will be led by a committee created by the Board of Supervisors. This will ensure the training is standardized and simplified. It can also lead to connections being created between each library that can help with learning the new equipment. Finally it can help if staff needs to be moved from one library to another since the training will be understood by someone who can train others which will spread the skills required to operate the program instead of it disappearing with the original staff that was trained.

-Evaluation-

Benchmarks will be important as was mentioned in the timeline section. First an evaluation will be made by a simple poll of those in the community, not just those currently using the library to test if more people will visit the library if this program is established.

Then after the program is established whenever someone uses their library card to access the program it should be recorded as usage and their total time spent with the program should be monitored. If there is a group the number of attendants watching the virtual reality display screen should also be recorded so an accurate attendance statistic can be kept. Over six months these statistics can tell a story of how many community members are interested in the technology as well as how much they like it. Their enjoyment can be measured by polls as well as total time spent using the equipment.

As a way to show the possibilities present with this new technology users will be encouraged to share their projects as well as store them in the system for others to access so information and art can be shared. By understanding how users utilize Virtual Reality the library can know what aspects to expand on in the future as well as show others what they can do with it.

-References-

Agresta, M. (2014, April 22). What will become of the library? Slate. https://slate.com/human-interest/2014/04/the-future-of-the-library-how-theyll-evolve-for-the-digital-age.html

Loginov, M. (2015). Render the metaverse 3rd entry [Photograph]. Behance. https://www.behance.net/gallery/28885925/RENDER-THE-METAVERSE-3nd-Entry

National Literacy Trust. (2021, August 9). Children and young people’s video game playing and literacy in 2021. https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-and-young-peoples-video-game-playing-and-literacy-in-2021/

Peet, L. (2016, September 13). The future of futures designing the future. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/the-future-of-futures-designing-the-future

Pickett, D. (2016). Oculus Rift [Photograph]. Behance. https://www.behance.net/gallery/38496929/Oculus-Rift

Program Ace. (2023, December 26). Top 5 virtual reality trends of 2024: The future of VR. https://program-ace.com/blog/virtual-reality-trends/

The topic I have personally felt as the most important from the first four course sections is the concept as Public Libraries as Public Spaces first and foremost. This is because I planned to work in a public library after getting my master’s degree. As our readings have demonstrated this is the idea that as technology has changed libraries must adapt to not just be storage chambers for physical books, but as San Fransisco public libraries have been focusing on, “commitment to social connection and serving its community, and embrace flexibility and accessibility” (O’Brien, 2019). This is because in the modern age books can’t compete with the vast, easily accessible data available online. Instead by creating a public space libraries can fill a role nothing else can at the moment, a free public area for communities to thrive.

   I believe shifting libraries to be public spaces instead of just homes for books is a useful direction to take libraries as it can be a place for communities to stay in touch as the digital age is making people disconnect from reality. As O’Brien’s article on San Francisco’s public libraries went on to state, “Libraries are a rare exception to commercial spaces. The more events and community engagement opportunities they hold, the better the community is served” (O’Brien, 2019). This is in reference to how most spaces have become limited to paying customers such as cafes, but libraries can break boundaries to invite new friendships and experiences. It allows poor individuals and those with special needs to be better serviced with more opportunities as well as accessibility is a key principle of public libraries. It helps people form new communities as the library can accommodate a wide diversity of needs, for example as the article states if libraries become community hubs for activities like art exhibits it can be a place of learning as well as fun. Libraries offering other ways to learn or participate in a group such as computer or engineering classes can also benefit people’s personal skills or resumes. This is a developing idea being discussed across the industry, but it is agreed that libraries must innovate to be more than just a space with books. As Jakob Laerkes wrote in his article that was linked on the module section libraries need to empower, create unique experiences, drive innovation, and have patrons get involved with projects (2016). This way it’s not just about learning, but a place of culture that can lead the way towards a happier, wiser future.

When I was first planning to take the master’s program I had some friends tell me I shouldn’t try to work in a library because the pay is low or because libraries are going to disappear. However that is misunderstanding the purpose of libraries at least in the modern day. As has been shown the idea to turn libraries into public spaces exists as a way to keep communities connected as well as drive for a better future and this is something I can enact personally. It can be as simple as one author  wrote in The New York Times about opening a cafe area for people to rest or as complex as the library having, “a second rooftop lined with planters where community members could learn to cultivate vegetables and flowers” (Jacob, 2022). This does require some work to set up, but the librarian might not have to lead these instructions. It encourages the community to gather to support a shared effort that can encourage positive feelings shared amongst new friends that can always meet in a safe place free of charge. I personally would struggle to do the vegetable garden at the moment, but by learning more I could later teach others. Alternatively of course I could focus my efforts on a skill I have that I could share with the community such as teaching people how to sew while offering needles, thread, or other material to make small crafts. This strays from the traditional form of knowledge stored in books to a sort of skill set people aren’t taught in school anymore. That doesn’t mean the librarian needs to teach all the classes as mentioned, but they can help innate these communities so people can meet others which is becoming more complicated as old spaces to gather have been eroded over time as everything has turned into areas for profit and work.

There are multiple TEDx Talk videos about this topic on Youtube which discussed different libraries’ approaches to handling the issue of modernizing into what amounts to town squares. As Shamichael Hallman pointed out in my favorite video of the bunch that libraries have the incredible ability to connect people. He said in when speculating on human nature that, “we are in fact isolating ourselves” (2020) in our modern world, which is only overcome with repeated exposure and interaction with strangers. His video focused on libraries as bridges where different religious, ethnic, or cultural groups could interact to get closer. It can help break down barriers and prejudices. His hope is that by re-imagining the ‘civic commons’ we can improve the cohesion of the communities around the libraries. He believes, and I agree, that by trying to understand local needs through directly asking what people want the librarians can improve the diverse practices people can engage in with a vast array of people. He still wants to offer private areas to study, but by opening up more space for more people to directly address what the community wants real life social connections can be improved. I think this is important because self esteem, empathy, and understanding are best fostered face to face. I will attach the video below where he discusses his ideas for designing a public library he is involved with below:

The important part that I want to take away from all the research I’ve gone through is that libraries aren’t dying. They are changing, they should try to reach out to their communities to help form bounds. They can be useful tools to overcome barriers, expand resumes, and put a smile on the face of someone else. It’s not just about books, of course people like books, it offers a nostalgic comfort. That isn’t all a library is though, because in the modern era people’s needs are changing. The best thing to do is adapt to the changing needs so I should try to offer that. I am learning a lot of skills to help develop a website so I can help expand a libraries online reach to get more people to know about the events taking place in person since lives aren’t only online. Then I can help to allow people to meet and form new groups as there are few other public places someone can comfortably spend time without spending money. Not everyone has the proper resources or the feeling of safety to go to other places so I hope libraries can become that safe space. It’s why I wanted to work in a library originally, not because I wanted to read but because I was comfortable there. In reality I just went to a library to play board games with my brother or listen to story time as a child. It’d be wonderful if those kinds of traditions can be fostered because I think people would be happy to have a place to come to learn or make friends whenever they feel they are lonely.

References-

Ahmed, I. (2020). The White Office [Photograph]. Behance. https://www.behance.net/gallery/105871049/The-White-Office?tracking_source=search_projects|public+space&l=77

Jacob, K. (2022, April 21). Why Libraries May Never Stop Being People Places. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/style/libraries-outdoor-public-space.html

Laerkes, J. (2016, March 29). The four spaces of the public library. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. https://blogs.ifla.org/public-libraries/2016/03/29/the-four-spaces-of-the-public-library/

Tedx Talks. (2020, March 17). Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community | Shamichael Hallman | TEDxMemphis [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI2CLgq3LLk

O’Brien, C. (2019, June 24). How San Francisco’s public libraries are embracing their changing role. Shareable. https://www.shareable.net/how-san-francisco-public-libraries-are-embracing-their-changing-role/