-
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…
