-
Hyperlinked Symposium: A World of Words
As I reflect on the growth I have experienced this semester, specifically with this Hyperlinked Library class, I realized there were several themes I focused on. To better understand what these themes are and how they have shown up in my work, I collected all the writing I completed for this class and used (the aptly named) www.freewordcloudgenerator.com to narrow down these concurrences into a few words. After filtering out filler words such as “one” and “salt” (for Salt Lake City), the resulting word cloud revealed some recurring nuances I unconsciously focused on. Of course, at the center of the word cloud are the words “library” and “libraries,” but words…
-
Reflection Blog: Infinite Learning
For years, I wondered why one of the core culture values of my workplace (the Salt Lake City Public Library) was playfulness. As an extreme introvert, being playful with individuals I have not known for a long time just does not come naturally. However, the infinite learning module has really reinforced the importance of the power of playfulness when it comes to building knowledge. Learning can be overwhelming (or at least it is to me). There are so many avenues to explore and rabbit holes to go down that it is impossible to know everything. This is likely tied to my perfectionism, which is combated directly by a sense of…
-
Inspiration Report: AI and Program Outlining
For the inspiration report, I decided to play around with ChatGPT to see how it could be useful in a library setting. Specifically, I took a Ramadan program that I am currently thinking of redesigning and asked ChatGPT to brainstorm an outline. For the full report, please visit https://canva.link/oihpldajkh0v29z
-
Reflection Blog: The Power of Stories
There is nothing more human than allowing someone to share their story. Libraries are often thought of as places where stories are preserved. Yet stories do not exist only on shelves—they also live within the people who create and share them. We develop stories as we go through life. Stories are an internal resource, and libraries can do a lot to tap into the power that they hold. As exemplified through the module “The Power of Stories,” libraries are finding creative ways to bring diverse forms of storytelling into the institution, especially oral storytelling. Oral storytelling has been around for as long as human language. Different cultures around the world…
-
Reflection Blog: New Horizons
Having never heard of the Horizon reports before, the materials for the New Horizons module this semester are very informative. They emphasized to me that the only constant is change, and change seems to be happening faster than ever. The generative AI boom is one example of this. Additionally, rapid technological changes often bring uncertainty and fear. Libraries are well positioned to introduce patrons to new, lasting technologies in a guided environment built on empathy rather than money-making. Libraries are no strangers to adapting to change. It is how the institution has survived for thousands of years. While libraries are not typically at the forefront of technological innovation, they can…
-
Innovation Roadmap: User Tagging at SLCPL
Web 2.0 is all about hyperlinks. Folksonomies and user tagging systems introduce this concept into our libraries and combat the typically hierarchical classification schemas. For the Innovation Roadmap assignment, I propose that my workplace (Salt Lake City Public Library) add patron tagging to its catalog. Check out this Canva presentation I made to learn more! INFO 287_Innovation Strategy & Roadmap_2026 Jul_IS by Ina Samuel
-
Reflection Blog: Hyperlinked Environments and Privacy
Technology has become more ingrained in our day-to-day lives. As Internet of Things (IoT) devices, online services, social media, and artificial intelligence become increasingly integrated into everyday life, it has become easier for nebulous third-party companies to collect information about our behaviors. The current shift in technology, headed by advances in artificial intelligence and big data, brings to the forefront of my mind just how important privacy boundaries can be. So, I explored the “Privacy and the Hyperlinked Library” materials for the latest Choose Your Own Adventure module. One thing that stood out to me throughout the Pew Research Center’s readings is the discrepancy between how many people are concerned…
-
Reflection Blog: Hyperlinked Communities
In a fast-paced digital world focused on immediate services, sometimes we overlook how valuable connections to people can be. However, this week’s materials highlighted one of the library’s most important resources: the community. While libraries often focus on preserving and providing access to information resources, this week’s materials highlighted that one of the library’s most important resources is the community itself. As librarians, we also want to take care of our resources. One topic I have been learning about outside of this course is the whole-person librarianship movement, which uses concepts from social work such as cultural humility and person-in-environment to help librarians connect to diverse patrons (Zettevall, n.d.). Rather…
-
Assignment X: Intentional Innovation is User-Centered
As a chronically online individual, I am familiar with the rise and fall of trends. Silly acts, funky outfits, or groundbreaking products will capture the attention of people all over the world, only to become obsolete or “cringe” within a couple of years. With limited budgets, staffing, and resources, how can libraries keep up? During these last few weeks, as we have explored several readings associated with the hyperlinked library and user-centered services, one theme has stuck out to me: the concept of intentional innovation. I believe this is the key to ensuring that our information institutions are set apart from the libraries of the past and that changes are…
-
Introductions
Greetings! My name is Ina (eye-na), and I use she/her pronouns. This is my second-to-last semester studying for my MILS here at SJSU. I registered for this class not only to get the last-minute needed credits, but because it is one I have been interested in taking since attending INFO 204 in Spring 2024, when the concept of the hyperlinked library was first introduced to me. I live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where I was born and raised. It’s been seven years since I started working in libraries, particularly within the Salt Lake City Public Library system. I started as a library aide, moved up to library assistant, and…
