Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community

Garcia, Luz

Ted (2020, March 17). Shamichael Hallman: Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community. TedxMemphis. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI2CLgq3LLk

Summary: This TED Talk was given by Shamichael Hallman, who explained how the library changed from the 1960s to 2020. Libraries provide not just books to help with reports, but also technology access, public resources, student clubs, all-age programs, and safe spaces. Libraries connect communities; they are a bridge for the many people who come in and use the resources within the library. The library needs to become a safe space for different people to use, and we, as the library, need to change and provide what the community might lack. The library needs to adapt to the community's needs by providing study rooms, first-aid classes, after-school programs, or Summer activities for students. Also, to be aware of the community the library is in, and not to let marginalized communities block others from using the safe space the library provides.

Evaluation: Hallman's statement is correct: public libraries are now the main community centers they were before. Many people from different backgrounds come to the library to use its resources to improve their situation or to participate in a library activity. This is what public libraries are for: helping the community in any way possible and providing resources they can use to improve their living situations or personal lives. Public libraries are safe spaces for the community to socialize with one another and being able to speak freely with everyone.

Archival Outreach & Repairing Community Representation and Relationships

 Paige, Kaitlyn

Source 

Luster, D. (2018). Archives Have the Power to Boost Marginalized Voices. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsNPlBBi1IE

Summary

This is a seminar given by Dominique Luster, she talks about the concept of who should control and what goes into the archives collections. She wants her listeners to think about how materials are portrayed and how they are received by a multitude of audiences. Are we as archivists taking the living people or culture out of the history and sterilizing it to make it more palatable to western peoples. Luster profoundly states, "If your history wasn’t recorded or preserved well; did you exist?" She questions the concept of who should decide what should go into the archives and how they should decide how it is portrayed to people outside the community it serves. There is an unmistakable connection between these items that were given or more often stolen from these communities that an outsider would not necessarily understand. Ultimately, the members of that community who express interest in collection materials should have a say in how these materials are brought to the light or taken back and adopted back into the communities culture. She explains that there is a power struggle between the concept of Bias vs. Privilege, this centers around colonialism and gentrification of materials in the archival collections. The last idea she brings up is the concept of who is truly the expert on these materials, their stories, and how they are being displayed if they are displayed? This centers around the direct battle between archivists and the native communities. Luster ends the discussion with a new archival theory that is racially conscience and has culturally competent practices; this includes asking questions about dis/ability, age, appearance, empowerment, ethnicity / race / nationality, gender / sex / sexuality, health and letting the community answer in a way  that creates a bridge of outreach between archivists and the communities they want to serve. When we give the power to the people and let them teach and be an active part of the archives, all parties grow, open communication flourishes, and archives become a place of true neutral ground.

Evaluation

This declaration makes one wonder if the way we have been receiving information and using martials in archives is one minded (colonial minded) and why no one has challenged this major way of gaining / labeling / displaying information in archives. Many patrons of archives and adjoining entities like libraries and museums have been fed the colonial mindset and have commonly accepted it at face value because this is the way that has always been taught for decades. It has taken up until the last 15 years for people both in the information field and underserved communities to speak up and demand the change from western to DEI / feminist practices. This starts with outreaching and open communication between the two entities. Luster practically begs the audience of archivists to ask the community how they would like to be perceived, showcased, and remembered and urges them to work with them to achieve a better received collection that gives these materials the right labels and respect in addition to giving a voice back to the communities. During this class I brought up the idea of creating a living archival collection between the John M. Pfau library and the Office of Tribal Affairs on the library’s Native American history collection. It is in reviewing the outreach between the two organizations that I can say that the library has already started the ground work. The library lets the OTA review and submit requests on materials for weeding or making new additions. This gives the Native Peoples a voice in how they would like to be perceived and a way for the tribal Elders to have an active hand in repairing the harm done by colonialism in academic archives and libraries, entities that have a long history of stealing and harming Native life. The next step in this process would have elected members from the Native community physically come into the library and become part of the team that actively participates in the collections handling and growth on a daily basis. More archives should start the practice and outreach and try to repair the damage done by the past.

Considering Building a Collection? Consider Civic Engagement First.

Joshua Chacon

Wray‐Lake, L., & Abrams, L. S. (2020). Pathways to Civic Engagement Among Urban Youth of Color. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 85(2), 7–154. https://doi.org/10.1111/mono.12415

Summary:

Pathways to Civic Engagement Among Urban Youth of Color by Laura Wray-Lake and Laura S. Abrams is a 154-page monograph detailing youth perspectives on civic engagement and related social and political topics. Within this text, the authors focus on civic engagement and empowerment, marginalized youth perspectives on social, cultural, and political issues, and the consistent disempowerment of youth of color within the context of a white dominated society. The monograph is extremely dedicated to exploring its single core question, which is clearly stated by the researchers: “What does civic engagement look like and how does it develop for urban youth of color living in high poverty neighborhoods?” (Wray-Lake & Abrams, 2020, p. 10). Despite the evidence of continued marginalization of minorities within Rochester, New York, and the historical context given in chapter 1, the researchers take a nondirectional approach with their thesis in order to explore factors that both hinder and promote civic engagement: Assets, opportunities, and personal experiences affect youth of color’s civic engagement and their perspectives on local and federal political and social issues.

My Comments:

The qualitative methods used in this monograph have great foundational opportunities for evaluating library services and programs. Firstly, the qualitative analysis within the monograph is a collaborative effort between youth and the researchers, often balancing conclusions and insights from both parties in order to solidify ideas. Libraries can benefit from this because it empowers youth voices, granting them weight in library decisions. Secondly, the insights given by the researchers often highlight the importance of “informal engagement.” Libraries could create spaces to explore these types of expressions and begin hosting more youth-led initiatives and activities. This could also lead to new programs that help increase and study these types of youth behaviors, learning new ways to identify the indicators “that would provide data about observable behaviors and conditions” (Wray, 2012, p. 50).

One thing to be wary about concerning this methodological approach is the limitation of sampling. Much like youth centers, libraries will have youth who are already engaged in some civic participation. This is a safe assumption considering that youth who willingly participate within civic institutions must have more motivation to be civically engaged. Libraries’ outreach strategies must tackle the participation gap by reaching out to individuals who are disconnected civic institutions.

Collections as a Service

 The article discusses the shift in libraries from owning materials to providing access to information through digital services, e-books, and shared resources. The authors argue that modern collection management focuses more on user access and flexibility than simply expanding physical collections. The article also discusses how technology, digital platforms and changing user expectations are transforming the role of librarians and collection development strategies. 

Evaluation

The article provides a strong overview of how collection management is evolving in response to digital technology and changing user expectations. One the strengths is its emphasis on access rather than ownership, which reflects the realities of modern librarianship. The authors effectively explain how libraries increasingly rely on e-books, shared collections and collaborative resource sharing to meet patron needs more efficiently. 

The article focuses on user-centered services, rather than treating collections as static holdings, the authors present dynamic systems that connect users with information quickly and effectively. This aligns with the course idea of having the library build a connection, an information hub rather than a storage space. 

Overall, the article is a valuable and relevant to collection management. 

APA: Linden, J., Tudesco, S., & Dollar, D. (2018). Collections as a service: A research library’s perspective. College & Research Libraries, 79(1), 86–99. https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/article/view/16612/18463⁠

Managing Bias When Library Collections Become Data

Everett-Hayes, Lauren

Coleman, C. N. (2020). Managing bias when library collections become data. International Journal of Librarianship, 5(1), 8-19. https://doi.org/10.23974/ijol.2020.vol5.1.162

Summary

Catherine Coleman’s article addresses AI developments and how libraries should be critical of their integration into library functions, instead focusing on the ethos of what libraries do for patrons. For one, the point is brought up that AI has shown to be biased because of the nature of how it gets its data. It can only take what it can access, which is not a complete view of the information someone may try to access. The author illustrates that a collection is where library data is concentrated, and, when considering how to incorporate AI, how you access information becomes extremely more relevant (Coleman, 2020).

A core thing the author seemed to want to get across was that AI should be wielded as a tool instead of as a solution as it could help with assessing bias in collections. A current example of overarching bias are the paradoxical LOC subject headings in how they are necessary for categorizing but also cause problems through misrepresentation, racism, etc. The author also expertly speaks about how libraries are more relevant than ever with the integration of AI:

At this moment when there are as many papers about the successes of AI research as there are papers calling out algorithmic bias, data bias, and setting forth principles of AI practice, libraries need to do much more than provide curated data to AI researchers. Libraries need to apply the principles of the profession to managing bias in AI-based systems. (Coleman, 2020, p. 16)

Lastly, Coleman (2020) sums up the article perfectly with the following quote, which pairs well with her call to action that is illustrated throughout: “Libraries need what AI has to offer, but AI needs what librarians have to offer even more” (p. 16).

Evaluation

Overall, I found this article well articulated and felt that it pushed the subject on AI in libraries in effective ways that both explored how AI could help and where it has limitations. Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of things librarians have to consider regarding our library Code of Ethics, copyright, and accessibility to our collections as there is more of a push to use AI and allow it to access our collections without a leash. However, this article talks about how AI can be both a barrier and an asset that continuously needs human input and discretion. In this back-and-forth, there ends up being a lot of really great questions and points made by Coleman that gives us a lot to think about and prepare for, but also feel empowered by. I don't think we have to be afraid of AI replacing our work or making libraries obsolete. The way in which humans understand other humans and what they need will always exist through the nature of research and making connections to the scholarly conversations out there. AI might get robust enough to aid us in seeing our biases and analyzing collections on a deeper level, but I don't think we will use it to put the books on the shelf, since human patrons will always be our focus.

As an honorable mention that might be interesting to others, there is an open access book that is mentioned in this article that gives a humanistic perspective on data that I would like to note here: All Data Are Local: Thinking Critically in a Data-Driven Society

Designing and Managing Library Collections

 Rodriguez, Ariana

Wong, M. A. (2018). Designing and managing library collections. In K. Haycock & M.-J. Romaniuk (Eds.), The portable MLIS: Insights from the experts (2nd ed., pp. 137–151). Libraries Unlimited. 

Summary: 

Melissa A. Wong's chapter in The Portable MLIS: Insights from the Experts discusses the designing and maintaining of library collection and the principles and practices that drive them.  This includes the selection and deselection of materials, the evaluation of materials, and maintenance.

Evaluation: 

This chapter is a smart, brief introduction to the world of collection management. Wong goes into depth about acquiring materials with purpose and with guidance from the organization's set of policies. Each item must be of value to the collection and isn't collected for collecting's sake. I appreciate the sentiment about consistent ongoing evaluation of materials, both physical and digital. Physical items require routine maintenance for wear including taping and covering. Digital materials over time are subject to digital decay and irrelevance. It makes me think of how the floppy disk is now a relic and printing out physical directions on MapQuest is a thing of the recent past. Digital materials and resources need to be carefully considered for acquisition as their cost per use could be more in the long run. It runs the risk of outdated or broken links. Digital materials also have the potential to reach more patrons that may not be able to physically access the library. Remote patrons must be taken into consideration. Wong's points on the deselection process opened my eyes to why weeding is essential to collection management. Nobody is removing books without good reason and sometimes that reason is that the information inside is no longer accurate or relevant to a subject. All in all, collection management is an ongoing process. 

Outsourcing Technical Services in Academic Libraries

Orr, Jessica 

Michalak, R. (2023). Outsourcing Technical Services to Streamline Collection Management: A Case Study of an Academic Library’s Book Reduction Project. Journal of Library Administration, 63(5), 682–699. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2023.2219604 

Summary

In this case study, Michalak examines how a small academic library reduced its monograph collection by 61 percent through outsourcing technical services to LibraryIQ and hiring temporary student workers to complete the physical weeding. The project relied on data‑driven deselection criteria, agile project‑management practices, and structured onboarding to maintain accuracy and staff alignment. The author emphasizes that outsourcing enabled the library to meet an aggressive two‑month deadline while maintaining transparency and community trust. 

Evaluation

Michalak’s case study offers a practical model for libraries facing space constraints or outdated collections. The author’s emphasis on data‑driven deselection and agile project management demonstrates how outsourcing can balance efficiency with accountability. I found the focus on transparent communication especially valuable, as it highlights the importance of maintaining community trust during large‑scale collection changes. The article also raises important questions about the long‑term impact of deselection, particularly when only a small portion of the collection is available digitally. Overall, this case study provides useful guidance for libraries navigating space limitations while acknowledging the risks and ethical considerations involved.