As an autistic MLIS student, it probably comes as no surprise that I’m particularly interested in the ways that libraries can be made more friendly for neurodivergent patrons and staff. I look up scholarly research on this topic for my own edification, and I have a Google Scholar alert for new entries related to autism … Read more
I’m autistic. One of the ways that manifests in me is that I interpret communication literally most of the time. I distinctly remember watching an episode of Big Bang Theory with my roommates (right at the beginning, when it was a funny show for nerds rather than a show that made fun of nerds), where … Read more
Anyone who has received healthcare in the United States can tell you how expensive it can be, even with insurance. Cost is a significant factor in decisions not to seek medical care, including medication. EpiPens can cost $700, insulin can cost $1000/month, and a 12-week course of hepatitis C medication can cost $95,000. West Health … Read more
96% of libraries provide reference service via email. 61% by chat. 29% via texting. 26% via Facebook. Some offer reference services over Zoom or Skype. These services are provided almost exclusively by third party vendors rather than by the library or patron. Most of the vendors do not allow audits of their technology or business … Read more
I wrote recently about my experience conducting a research interview with a senior librarian at another school. As challenging as this assignment has been for me, the interactions that I had with my interviewee have been wonderful. She was happy to meet with me in my needed format, we took our time in our discussion, … Read more
Hierarchy and bureaucracy are the terms that come to mind when we think of modern corporations. These structures concentrate authority and power in the hands of a few at the top, and utilize policy and procedure to constrain the actions of the powerless at the bottom. Moran and Morner (2018) describe this type of authority … Read more
Interviews are a great way to move information from one brain to another. Sometimes that information transfer is intended to be the basis of an article or TV segment, for evaluating an applicant for a job position, or just to get to know someone better. Sometimes one-directional, sometimes two. But no matter the format or … Read more
Hi! If you’re new here, I’m SV and I’m an autistic librarian student. This semester I am taking a class titled Management of Libraries and Information Centers. At some point I will write a blog post about the many ways that libraries are not capitalist enterprises and shouldn’t be run like them. But for now, … Read more
I am autistic. I am transgender. I fall in love with all kinds of people and don’t want to sleep with any of them. I have collected L, G, B, T and Q. And even though none of these things have any direct impact on them, some people are upset about this. Anyone paying attention … Read more
I am autistic. One of the ways I try to contribute to the communal well being of autistic people is to participate in research studies. I recognize that my participation comes from a place of privilege in that I have the capacity and financial and time security to be able to afford to do this … Read more
