{"id":53,"date":"2026-06-22T02:30:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T02:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu\/raeharvey\/?p=53"},"modified":"2026-06-22T02:30:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T02:30:22","slug":"assignment-x-people-centric-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu\/raeharvey\/2026\/06\/22\/assignment-x-people-centric-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Assignment X: People-Centric Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

This introductory journey into the world of the Hyperlinked Library has been equally informative and contemplative. The idea of the hyperlinked model has many great and important components, but the component that seems to be highlighted and ever present (and resonates the most with me) is the people component. The driving mechanism behind the hyperlinked library is the people who make it work and come to life. From the patrons to the library staff, down to the donors and stakeholders, not just locally but internationally as well, contribute to the fabric of library work and library services. People are the universal thread that controls the hyperlinked library. This thought is supported by the very definition that Dr. Stephens (2011) provides on his Tame the Web blog entry, where he defines the Hyperlinked Library as,<\/span><\/p>\n

An open, participatory institution that welcomes user input and creativity. It is built on human connections and conversations. The organizational chart is flatter and team-based. The collections grow and thrive via user involvement. Librarians are tapped in to user spaces and places online to interact, have presence, and point the way. The hyperlinked library is human. Communication, externally and internally, is in a human voice. The librarians speak to users via open, transparent conversation.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Hyperlinked Communities Lecture: Slide 5<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Exploring the course material through the readings, the lectures and media has allowed me to gain a basic understanding of how the hyperlinked library is intended to work and operate, which is people centric. This notion made me realize that there is also an observance of what I call the 3 C\u2019s: community, connection, and communication. If people are the driving force behind the hyperlinked library model, the 3 C\u2019s are the catalyst; the spark if you will, that ignites the heart of the hyperlinked library. Another honorary \u201cC\u201d that plays an important role in the hyperlinked experience is that of collaboration, which again involves people from every position within the library world-from the patron, the library professional, to the stakeholder. This collaborative effort consists of active and intentional engagement, in order to promote and foster effective change in the ever-evolving library world.<\/span><\/p>\n

With people and social involvement being foundational to the hyperlinked model, another important component to consider that can\u2019t be ignored is the technological aspect. Since people are at the core, the main tool that provides the ability for this model to function and perform to its full potential is technology. The digital and virtual worlds connect people together in numerous and various forms, which the hyperlinked library acknowledges and embraces. However, with this intersectional recognition, the hyperlinked theory never sways from the people-focused aspect. It gives credence to the thought, in my opinion, that people do not need technology, but rather technology needs people. Stephens (2019) also reminds us of this in Chapter 1 of Whole-hearted Librarianship<\/em> where he emphasizes the participatory tenets of Library 2.0<\/em>, [authored by Casey & Savastinuk, 2007], which points out that the hyperlink library also pertains to physical spaces and ideas, not just virtual ones. The participatory element is what bridges the physical and virtual world together and expands, and extends, the libraries reach to everyone. Grasping my mind around the socio-technological landscape of the hyperlinked library and all that it encompasses, I appreciate that at its core, it doesn\u2019t downplay or lose focus on what matters, which is the human side of librarianship.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final Personal Reflection<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As I was writing and working on this assignment, it made me think of a personal interaction I recently experienced related to the hyperlinked library model, especially in terms of the 3 C\u2019s I mentioned above. I was talking to a work colleague, who is also a fellow book lover, about our current reads (and what we wanted to read), and the topic of audiobooks came up. The reason why this topic came up, please bear with me as I try to make a long story short, is because we both have an issue with not having enough time to read as much as we would like these days. I then asked if she listened to audiobooks and explained that I do because it helps me to check books off my never-ending to read list more quickly. She said she has, but it\u2019s very rare as she prefers physical books. I told her I prefer physical books as well, but I do listen to audiobooks often but in a strategic way\u2026and by strategic, I mean I try to listen to books that I wouldn\u2019t mind not reading the physical version of. She seemed to like this strategy and asked if I used Audible, I told her no, that I use Hoopla or Libby. My reply was received with a puzzled expression, and she then asked what Hoopla and Libby were. I used this opportunity to explain to her what these free digital library services were and how to access them; I also showed her my apps as well, so she could get a visual of what they looked like. She was unaware of these services and was excited that they were free and only required a library card, which she had. The next day, she told me she created a Hoopla account and added some audiobooks to listen to. This simple yet memorable interaction gave me a wonderful feeling, as this was the first time I was able to share these digital library services with a fellow reader. Remembering this conversation allowed me to identify the socio-technological components of the hyperlinked library model, and how that looks in practical action, through communication, connection, and community.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Participatory Service & Transparency Lecture: Slide 25<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

References<\/span><\/p>\n

Casey, M. E., & Savastinuk, L. C. (2007).\u00a0Library 2.0: A guide to participatory library service<\/em>.\u00a0Medford, N.J: Information Today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stephens, M. (2011, February 1). The hyperlinked library: A TTW white paper. Tame the Web. <\/em>https:\/\/tametheweb.com\/2011\/02\/21\/hyperlinkedlibrary2011\/<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stephens, M. (2019). Wholehearted librarianship: Finding hope, inspiration, and balance.<\/em> America Library Association.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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