Library users are diverse in their identities and cultures. This diversity can prompt a wide array of information needs, and affect the sources they consult when seeking information to meet them. The type of information they may need can vary from ready reference to deep research to new enormous datasets. There is more information than … Read more
Libraries face a variety of ethical concerns in their operations. Librarians often have to contend with concerns of equitable access, material copyright, and patron privacy (Luo, 2016). In order to fulfill their mandates, both public and academic libraries need to provide high quality materials that allow for the education of learners, both inside and outside … Read more
Librarianship is a two-sided coin, with the discipline of library and information science on one side, and the professional praxis in the institution on the other. Understanding the perception of librarianship requires examining both sides of this coin from both the perspective of outsiders who interact with the library and those who constitute its practitioners. … Read more
The mission of libraries has been in flux since their invention. Starting as record storage for merchants and national archives, they became status symbols for wealthy individuals, and today have become a cornerstone of the international infrastructure for national, private, and public information. Modern libraries have a broad set of goals, including entertainment, cultural preservation, … Read more
Below is a topical essay I composed for my application to graduate school. It talks about book banning, how data on challenges is hard to come by, and how the American Library Association needs to do more to track that data so we can mount an effective defense.
One of my assignments this semester was to create a pathfinder, which is an introduction to a topic that provides a definition, highlights a few resources in various formats, and directs the user to where they can find more information. I chose the topic of permaculture. You can find the pathfinder for the made-up library … Read more
I am autistic. I am a graduate student in library and information sciences. And I’ve just finished my first semester. I want to take a moment to reflect on this experience, and share some of the things I’ve learned. Start the accommodation process early. Having diagnosis paperwork ready helps here, since self-identifying isn’t valid in … Read more
Below I’ve reproduced the personal statement essay I submitted when applying to my MLIS program. It outlines a bit about my history, and one of the things I might do with my MLIS after the program. I guess you can use this to get to know more about me and why I’m blogging about my … Read more
I am a student. My field of study is library and information science. It’s been 15 years since I was last in school, finishing up my degree in computer science. During those 15 years, I’ve been on teams made up almost exclusively by cisgender heterosexual white men. And while I am white, those other labels … Read more
I am autistic. Library and information science is currently a SpIn of mine, which is great in that it lets me deeply focus and immerse myself in the material of my classes. I love learning about all the intricacies of data organization and indexing, and the social justice and equity aspects as well. It’s fantastic … Read more
