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

Public libraries more popular & more digital than ever

Kristin Proctor

This article includes a ton of data about how public libraries' collections have changed. My summary focuses on the overall shift from print to digital use, but the article also includes information about the changes in costs and costs per use of digital versus print collections as well as information about the wages of public library staff toward the end. Definitely worth a read.

Rizzo, N. (2022). State of US public libraries - More popular and digital than ever. WordsRated. https://wordsrated.com/state-of-us-public-libraries/

Using data from 1992 through 2019 (i.e. right before the Covid-19 pandemic shut down many libraries for in-person visits) and a series of informative graphs and charts, Rizzo describes why some people mistakenly believe "libraries are dead" because overall visits to public libraries and checkouts of physical books have declined.

However, libraries have increased numbers of borrowers, programs, program attendance, and use of digital collections. Total checkouts (digital plus physical) have increased as libraries have shifted their collections to more ebooks, audiobooks, and digital audiobooks. In addition, more people visit the library specifically to attend the increasing number of library programs, which in turn correlates with increased circulation numbers.

Overall, the data illustrate a story that library staff and visitors are already keenly aware of: libraries are very much alive and thriving. Public libraries are clearly shifting their collections in response to the needs of their patrons. They are providing more information and collections in digital format which serves the needs of those who don't visit the library in person as often while they are also providing community connection through library programming attracting visitors to the library.

The value of money in collection development

Tracy, Anna

INFO 266, Fall 2016

Maintaining a model that accurately reflects user demands and taste is what is covered in this article as well as how to create benchmarks for both replacement and value for the money in purchasing and measure success.

You can establish a baseline using the following data:

“Number of acquisitions per year, represented as a

Stock budget per year, represented as b

Number of loans, represented as I

Load period in weeks, represented as p

Average cost of an item: c=b/a”

This article goes on to describe other formulas of measuring value for the money when it comes to collection development in public libraries.

Budgeting according to what is wanted, novel idea? Or apparently it was several years back as the demand increased from local government agencies to justify their investment in libraries. This required many libraries to adjust policies for selection in order to reflect the collection development processes geared towards user demands. I can’t imagine doing it any other way, but I am new, and I have a teeny tiny budget, so really this method is the only way to keep things flowing and everyone happy.

Stanton, J. (2001). MEASURING VALUE FOR MONEY IN PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT. Aplis, 14(2), 58. 

Getting Data Right

Bailey, Rachel

Bradford, R. (2014). Getting data right. Library Journal, 139(8), 26-26.

Summary: This article addresses how collection development decisions can be made through data.  For example, after the economic downturn, circulation statistics showed that books about European statistics dwindled whereas books about “staycations” were more often checked out. Consequently, more “staycation” books were ordered. The author goes onto state that just because a book hasn’t been checked out for three years, it doesn’t mean it needs to be weeded from the system. Maybe the book is a classic that isn’t necessarily popular at that time. Finally, the article mentions data software that is becoming more popular such as HQ from Baker & Taylor and Decision Center from Innovative Interfaces, Inc.

Evaluation: I like how this article reiterates the importance of using statistics to acquire new materials as well as evaluate an existing collection. In the near future, I would like to see how the data software mentioned in the article is used.