The term ‘new horizons’ has a hopeful and anticipated ring to it. When you look out at the horizon, there’s a certain element of discovery, unknown and adventure. The same can hold true for libraries and envisioning and remodeling their trends, programs and services.

Some of the articles to read in this module I found fascinating and intriguing. To start, the article about the Prado museum was really cool and interesting. I love looking at and exploring paintings and art museums. This experience reminded me of visiting the National Gallery of Art in D.C. with my sister and her family last summer. It was a very inspiring and special experience. So, I had never heard of touch friendly paintings for the visually impaired. It’s done through “a chemical process involving ultraviolet light and special ink resulted in a few millimeters of added volume” (Halliday, 2015). I found this to be such a great idea and ultimately an inclusive way for others to experience an art gallery.

Secondly, the other topic and article I found to be interesting was ‘Growing up with Alexa’. This has become more of a common phenomenon of technology and AI services at our fingertips and influencing our behaviors and interactions with these devices in our everyday lives and homes. The same sister and family I visited last summer also has an Alexa and have had for a number of years. They are accustomed and used to it, and I am not. It was interesting to witness some of the interactions with it from my sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews. These would include asking Alexa clarifying questions based on a topic we were talking about, basic facts or the weather, or even as a type of game that I saw my niece and nephew do and laughing at the answers coming back at them.

I found this to be perhaps a common and typical display of interaction between them and their Alexa, yet for me it felt rather foreign. It only ever so slightly reminded me when I was growing up the magic 8 ball, though it couldn’t talk, it would give back answers.

There are benefits and things to be learned with emerging technologies- such as AI, ChatGPT and Alexa and similar devices. I think the main question is how and why will they be used in libraries, for what purpose or even outside the realm of library services, or will it ultimately decrease the interest and need for library services? These are interesting discussions to have that do not have one simple answer, and for that I think it makes ‘new horizons’ even more of an appeal.

It was interesting reading about Global Libraries and especially the library in Aarhus, Denmark. It comes with a vision of a place, to create a space for users. And it’s not just the standard library atmosphere.

It’s an example of creating a space, a community that goes above and beyond the traditional library experience even. There is a bigger role at play than merely books and materials, but for people to explore, become inspired and invision what the space of this library and others like it have to offer.

The article, Scandinavia’s largest Library wins title of public library of the year’ stated, “Digital developments, user demands, local culture, and the desire to accommodate diverse population groups with an open and architectural functional expression” (Ro, 2016). This quote portrays all that a community can be invited to and what a library can represent to that community. It’s about adapting to the community and serving what they need.

There is so much that libraries do that some communities and patrons do not know exactly what it is besides checking out books, and other ‘basic’ functions. There is an idea that libraries could be pretty boring, mundane and not very integrated with the community.

This module however, showcases the opposite of that. With readings and articles about various programs and services that libraries have to offer- it debunks the myth that there is ‘nothing going on’.

When I mentioned to my students at my former job about what I was studying, a lot of them assumed librarians just check out books and read all day. I would try to engage with one or two of them of what the library has to offer or why it’s important. Maybe I just had a rosy colored vision, but also a lot of experience in time at libraries as well.

I really like the idea that some of the readings mentioned about getting the community connected or engaging in conversations and learning to build upon how to make the library experience better and more relatable.

There’s this creative and expanding way of having the library serve in various areas- holistic, and basic needs. It seems like there is never or not always a fine line of when it’s too much- service and outreach no longer relevant. I think it’s important that librarians and higher staff are thinking outside the box and ways to not just engage but serve diverse communities and direct these services to them. That essential question, ‘how do libraries grab and keep community member’s attention?’ And the answer was about understanding the bigger community, and what they want.

Libraries are not just about books, at least not anymore. Libraries and librarians are considering how to engage people, the community and not have everything or seem to have the focus solely revolve around books.  Public Libraries have continued to expand their vision of creating an outreach model that caters to the broader community and various programs.

Furthermore, the spaces in the library shouldn’t also only be geared towards books and the libraries’ other materials. Essentially, people should be more important than these materials. “Move away from the concept of the library as a book storage facility full of shelving deserts and staff processing transactions” (Booth, 2013).

I think this makes me reflect as a future information professional of treating spaces in the library for people utmost, and not just fully centered around books. Also, it’s a way of customer service- of focusing on the needs of the patrons, their information needs and not only thinking that shelving, ordering, and displaying books are the utmost value (it is important, yes), but libraries are meant for people, the community, activities and more for the public.

I think this also goes along with engaging with patrons and making them feel welcomed, important, and valued. I, as a patron like it when a librarian is aware, and even goes further to make some small talk about the book I’m picking up and checking out or anything else- its more about the experience than solely the materials getting from one place to another.

According to the article, Libraries as Creative Spaces, “Public Library needs to get ready to embrace a future that goes beyond collecting, storing and sharing books… Library expands its role from a place where info can be acquired to one where it can be created, turn ideas and concepts into something tangible” (Domsy, 2013).

There’s this greater need and vision for making libraries more than what most people consider them to be or see them as. And where there is much more room for competition from other places such as cafes, bookstores and the like- libraries are continually forming their niche over the decades with upgraded and interesting things that includes not just internet access or maker spaces but other events for the community too. As Domsy also notes, “The space contained within a public library has historically been dominated by the library’s physical collection” (Domsy, 2013).

This also goes further into creating connections and improvements for the patrons to have their chance of sharing their experiences and what matters to them in the library or what they would like to see. This can delve further into the ‘4 spaces of the public library’. And to also support larger goals for the library that relate to these spaces. These could include experience, involvement, empowerment and innovation.

I think as an information professional, this goes more in depth and thinking outside the box. To bring in new things if that’s what patrons want from their library.

On another related note, for the library to be an inviting and welcoming place goes back to the focus on people, not books. The space and architecture are important. I was looking at an article that depicted and highlighted the most beautiful Bay Area libraries in California, and with photos and reasonings behind it. I found it interesting because it proves the point that the way a library looks, is displayed and other features such as its lighting, furniture, architecture and special features really can make it a relaxing and enjoyable experience. It can go into the personality, the history, and culture of the city that portrays itself in the library in a unique way.

References

Booth, M. (2013). People and UTS Library.

Domsy, C. (2013). Libraries as Creative Spaces. Feliciter, 59(2), 28–29.

(Hong, J. 2019). The Most Beautiful Bay Area Libraries. https://sf.curbed.com/maps/beautiful-bay-area-libraries-map-best-architecture-books.

Well, hello! It has taken me sometime to compose a blog post mainly because of life- busyness and getting things situated for the start of the semester. And also partly because I wasn’t sure how to word things.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to write and am not shy about it and actually really like to blog…but maybe it’s this word ‘exhaustion’ that has come up (!), even though the semester just started.

But I am excited for this semester and what I will learn in this class. I picked it since it sounded interesting, informative and very relevant. Also, Prof Stephens I know is a great professor and keeps things engaging and light. (My first semester my Prof had us watch his module videos and found them to be easy to listen to and learn from.) And that feels like a long time ago, as this is my last semester in the MLIS program.

In my free time I love to read, write, run and sometimes do crafts like knitting and painting. I enjoy the comic section Sherman’s Lagoon, as I find it to be funny and entertaining.