This is my fourth semester in SJSU’s MLIS program, and the most emphasized, highlighted, and returned-to theme across all of the classes I’ve taken so far is the need to innovate. The function of the library has changed, I have been told in lectures, readings, and assignments––we are no longer repositories of books, but purveyors of information and opportunities in the new world of digital literacy.
This seems self-evident and important, but much less clear is how to continue to innovate as technology continues to shift. There are many specific ideas (makerspaces! classes! open-floor design!) to this end that are excellent starting places, but seem to me to be somewhat tied to the current micro-era in the exponential curve of innovation.
What I enjoyed about this module is that it presented a mindset that will serve librarians well now, and continue to serve them as the future comes with whatever technology and developments that it may: that librarians should approach their work with a sense of compassion, curiosity, and openness to connection (Wholehearted Librarianship, in Professor Stephens’ words). A fundamental, but easy to forget, element to this is that technology is developed by humans, and reflects our innate drive to share, connect, and create. Centering these core instincts is a great place from which to navigate new technologies. A recurring theme in the readings this week was to connect with patrons, learn from them what they are hoping to achieve and what they want to explore, and then design library programming to serve that need in a feedback loop that centers connection and creativity.
This mindset will not become obsolete as many of the technologies we use today will, and gives the need to innovate a human-centered roadmap of the way forward.