Tag: libraries

I, consumer (July 4, 2020)

bumble bee on red flower

Reading

An active, critical approach to engaging with community needs that explicitly acknowledges the influence of social, cultural, financial, and political power on information access and information behavior is necessary for librarianship to confront limitations to freedom of speech and informed citizenship (especially in Black communities).

Park Dahlen, S., Chancellor, R., Lee, S., Gibson, A., Shorish, Y., & Cooke, N. (2017). “Libraries on the frontlines: Neutrality and social justice.” https://doi.org/10.17615/pyyv-r646

Whatever the nature of the ultimate sources, Arthur symbolizes a deeply rooted factor in human nature. […] He still strikes a chord to which literal belief is irrelevant, and which reverberates far outside his own legend.

King Arthur, The Dream of a Golden Age, Geoffrey Ashe

Listening

Donald Trump is a white supremacist. Full stop. If you vote for him again you’re a white supremacist. Full stop.

“Chapter 319” by clipping.

Watching

Hamilton, of course. I’ve watched it twice in 24 hours (but I’m working on three. Oh!)

Careers in Info Science poster

The poster for our Careers in Information Science poster

Little free libraries

Found one of these on our walk this afternoon not too far from our house.

When in doubt, go to the library

‎”Harry — I think I’ve just understood something! I’ve got to go to the library!”

And she sprinted away, up the stairs.

“What does she understand?” said Harry distractedly, still looking around, trying to tell where the voice had come from.

“Loads more than I do,” said Ron, shaking his head.

“But why’s she got to go to the library?”

“Because that’s what Hermione does,” said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the library.”

— J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Unbalanced questions

Can friendly circulation staff inspire curiosity? Does redesigning a search interface build confidence? Can virtual chat reference change someone’s economic circumstances? Do RSS feeds in the OPAC promote critical thinking skills? Can a collection development policy inspire lifelong learning? Can a coffee shop increase the equitability of access? Can metadata teach users about confidentiality?