Reflections on 605 and Reading Advisory

During 605 on November 11th we had a very interesting conversation on Reading Advisory, which brought up a lot of questions about what is the best way to offer readers advice. What fascinated me the most was the different ways people chose books to read. Some people go on recommendations, some read book reviews, some use the Amazon site to suggest books, and others just browse books on the shelves. I know that I have used all of these methods to pick books, but my favorite is just to browse the shelves looking for something interesting. However, I was a little bit embarrassed to bring this up in class because the first thing that draws me to a book is the cover. Despite knowing that one can't "judge a book by its cover" that is always the first thing that catches my attention. It is a visual thing. I was pleasantly surprised to find out in class that I was not the only one who chose books this way. The selection of a book by cover is normal.  Covers are also not the entire reason that I choose a book to read, however, it is almost always the reason I pick a book up. With the reduction in the amount of bookstores I know that my book browsing days are becoming fewer. Already I find myself ordering more books from Amazon for my kindle because of the ease. Because of this I have had to rely on the other ways in which to choose a book. I know this is going to affect the way I advise readers to choose books. Advisory is no longer as personal as it probably once was. Librarians do not have to have personal knowledge of what they recommend. Rather, they can use technology to provide them with the information they need to help them choose what they think is best for the library member. However, it is still difficult to determine which is the best way to choose what to advise members to read. Everyone has a different opinion and personal bias is always present no matter what. In addition, it is hard to discern what a member will like without knowing enough about the member. Two of the most important things I have to remember when doing readers advisory is not to assume or judge. One should never assume anything about a member because reading tastes are wide and varied. Furthermore, one should never judge a reader's habits. Just because you don't particularly like a book or genre doesn't mean you shouldn't recommend it, it is a librarian's duty to be open and non-partial.

Reflections on Class (November 8)

During this class we had talks from two different public librarians and discussed various library policies. Some of the more interesting things that were brought up were:

• Public librarians need to be intensely aware of the budget. One can't just funnel money into contracts before researching if there is a cheaper or even a do-it-yourself alternative. 
•  Gaming and how best to provide gaming options through the library. I liked the idea of having gaming tournaments so that it gives those interested in gaming something to look forward to; as well as a social environment in which to play. 
• Discussed why we still need public libraries. Public libraries are some of the only free places where people can experience socialization outside of a commercial facility. In addition, the fact that libraries provide help to the disadvantaged should not be discounted, but should not be a main talking point when it comes to public libraries. 
• For new librarians having vision and enthusiasm is necessary. Librarians have to look to the future and not towards the outmoded past. New librarians should also know the difference between good and bad database design.
• Librarians need to have a long view when it comes to new library policies. Change can be slow in occurring and librarians have to keep that in mind. Librarians should be ready for the long haul as significant change will not occur overnight. 
• I really appreciated the idea of dogs in libraries, especially the idea of a reading dog. Children come in and practice their reading by reading to a trained dog. I would have loved this as a child. 
• Also discussed the library as a commons. Our culture doesn't belong to anybody, rather it belongs to everybody, therefore one of the main goals of the library should be to promote and protect the creation of culture. One of the problems with the idea of a radically open library is that some librarians don't trust the public to be decent human beings. What is the right amount of control that librarians should wield within a library. Should they or the community be in control of the library?
• I also really enjoyed the idea of encouraging conversation by having a message board of some sort where people jot down ideas or anything they wish to allay to the community. I thought this was a cheap way to promote culture and the library within the community.
• We also discussed the idea of doing library activities outside of the physical library. How will the community react to this? Should libraries handle stuff outside of the library?

These were just some of the things that we discussed with the two speakers during this class session. Both were vastly interesting and provided different perspectives on how to handle working within a public library setting. 

Reflections on Class (November 1)

During this class we discussed what is going on with School Media Librarians. A few weeks ago I had a conversation with one of my old teachers about the difference in the sixth grade curriculum. My old school is very small, there are only about thirty-five students per grade, only one library and librarian serves grades k-12. This year the sixth grade was transferred from the elementary school to the middle/high school. Along with the change in location, an information literacy and typing class was added to the sixth grade curriculum. The librarian teaches a sixth grade class every other day. I found this change extremely interesting. I took a typing class in seventh grade, which I have always found beneficial and I received some sporadic lessons on how to conduct research when a class had a particularly research intensive project, but I never had regular classes on information literacy. I think that this change in curriculum is a definite step forward in the campaign to provide students with good information literacy skills. It is amazing what has changed in schools in the past five years. I am particularly impressed because my old school is not usually a forerunner when it comes to change so it is nice to see positive progress occurring within the school system. 

Library Video

Here is a link to my library video project for 511. It's supposed to answer the question You Need a master's Degree to be a librarian? It's just a short, hopefully funny video that should answer that question if I did the project right. Short thanks to my family who helped me with the acting and filming. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcmfBZ6o1yM. You can also search youtube using 511 Fall Why Librarians Need a Masters Degree Jessica Parsons

Reflections on Class (October 25)

Instead of a regular class we toured the special collections, preservation, and conservation areas of Bird Library. Ken Lavender showed us some amazing things including:
-Cuneiform tablets (4,000 years old)
-Papyrus from the time of Cleopatra (sad it won't last another 2,000 years)
-Book of Hours- beautiful illustrations, the blues and reds were still so vivid. Very interesting to learn that the greens have faded because they contained iron and that shade was actually damaging to the pages
-A page from a Gutenberg Bible
-Laws of the Sea- (1633?)- interesting to note that this was bound in pigskin, which lasts longer than calfskin, or sheepskin
-Gulliver's Travels (1725)
-Collected Work of Thomas Paine (1792)- this edition was owned by John Madison
-Origin of Species (1859)- first edition- did not realize that this book was still banned in Kansas
-Alice in Wonderland-first edition
-William Morris published book covered in jewels- never seen a book covered in gems that was definitely a first. If only they could find the book bound in diamonds that was made for the Titanic.
-An artist book created as a work of art in 1992 to house the diary of the artist's grandparents who survived Auschwitz. There are two books entitled 71125 and 71126 in this work.
(As a quick note sorry if not all of these information is correct, I might have missed some of the dates and names while drooling over these priceless bits of history)
The tour also included a look at preservation. This part of the tour was also very interesting. I was especially interested to learn about the shrink wrapping of volumes that don't circulate. I had come across some on the shelves before and wondered how that worked. It was also interesting to learn about the different kinds of binding and restoration that go on in the library. Sorry, I'm not providing more details here I was able to take notes during Ken Lavender's' presentation, but it was harder to during the other presentations because we were standing. I think one of my favorite parts of the lecture was seeing the re-creation of Byzantine book binding. The creativity and work that went into it was so fascinating. Overall the tour was vastly interesting and even unforgettable in some ways.

Reflections on Class (October 18)

No formal class this week. Instead, we were asked to to learn HTML. Forgot how many parts go into building a successful website. Professor Lankes directed us to the website www.w3schools.com- which gives step by step instructions about the different aspects of HTML. I really liked how they set up this website. It was very clear and gave good examples, as well as let the user try out some of the ideas as well. In addition, the user can also take a quiz at the end of the tutorial to see how much information was actually absorbed during the lessons. Looking forward to next week and the library tour, nice to do something different in class.
In addition, to looking forward to the tour am also glad to be trying out my research skills with some research questions in #605. Will be interested to compare the answers I get with the other students in the class. Furthermore, I know that while we may get mostly the same answers a lot of the sources will be varied. That's what I really find fascinating, the way certain peoples minds work when they are looking for answers. For example, the different and varied answers to the question- What was your first thought when you were asked this question?

Reflections on Class (October 11)

Overview of Class:
Policy vs Ethics
-One of the questions that came up in class was should we inform parents about what their kids are looking at? What if you (the librarian) feel that the child has a right to the information while the parents don't in other words, what if policy and ethics clash?
- There is not right answer to this question. The only real answer that came up in class was that the world is so ethically complex that sometimes the right thing to do doesn't exist, and that every instance depends on the situation's context.
-This discussion led to a debate on whether kids can handle more information or whether children's minds are pristine and should be protected. Some parents even believe that libraries are pandering smut to children within the framework of the idea of the freedom of information. Personally, I hated when my parents told me I shouldn't read something, it only peaked my curiosity. I always found this interesting, because I didn't really care if my parents told me that I couldn't watch a movie (for some reason I trusted their judgements when it came to film), but when it came to books I wanted control over what I read and if I was told no that I was definitely going to read it sooner or later (for example, this led to reading Like Water For Chocolate at age twelve)
-We also discussed the difference between equal access and equitable access- equal- everyone can get to it- equitable- maybe not everyone but its justifiable access ex adults can access it but children can't
-This brings up an important question- Should we (librarians) automatically process requests, in a rote style- where is the human factor? Where does the librarian end and the person begin? We are not automatons so can we be expected to act that way? On the other hand, we have to respect the judgments and opinions of different people- when do children become viable people with their own rights- for me eighteen seems a little old when it comes to control over personal reading materials.
-One of the more important things that we discussed is the only way to move forward is to be innovative and not afraid to fail. Failure is inevitable in order to see what new ideas will be successful and what won't. People who allow failure to rule will never succeed.

Some Great Librarian Movies...

Small addition- some of my favorite movies with librarian characters:
The Mummy (1999)
Desk Set (1957) Good movie to watch to see how technology can change librarianship
The Music Man (1962)
Foul Play (1972)
Party Girl (1999)
 I know there are many more movies portraying some great libraries/ librarianship these are just some of my favorites. Also of course love the more recent Librarian movies starring Noah Wyle although of course they have little to do with real librarianship.

Reflections on Class (October 4)

Started class with discussion of our two page quick responses which centered on piracy and its affect on the music industry. Very interesting discussion with many different opinions, however, after the class the consensus seemed to be that piracy was a known fact and not likely to change. Instead, industries in danger of losing money to increased piracy such as the music, film, and book publishing industries, should instead focus on making their products easy to access and download and as cheap as possible so that customers won't mind paying for their products. Another idea is that they should make their products free and instead make profits through such means as advertising.
For example, we again discussed the company Pandora, which makes its money either through subscriptions or advertisements. What makes Pandora so special is that it attempts to attune itself to the user's tastes. We also discussed the government is having a hard time deciding how much to charge these new radio companies for song rights because they are so different than all previously known radio companies.
Also discussed how, due to the internet, most people don't even own what they buy any more. Instead, they lease it. Because of that when is it all right to do what is called jail breaking, where you break the encryptions on what you buy? Technically, jail breaking is illegal, but is it really fair, especially due to the prices that you are paying for what you are leasing. At $1.29 a song, shouldn't you be able to do whatever you want with that song as long as you aren't making a profit on it? There doesn't seem to be any sure answers to any of these questions.
All I can agree on right now is that libraries have to become active participants in their communities because the world is rapidly changing and if libraries don't change they are going to be left behind in the wake of technological advancement.
Also practiced our classification skills. We split into groups and each group received an envelope, picture of Bob Barker, two pennies, three paper clips, a nerf dart, sugar packet, and a golf pencil. My group chose to classify these things using a hierarchal system. Initially, we grouped our objects under the heading Things Found In  Desk, we then subcategorized our objects further using the subheadings, Office Supplies, Entertainment, Food, and Money. We then further subcategorized the objects to more readily specify the objects in our care. Each group chose to classify their objects differently, and it was interesting to see the variety of ways in which the same objects can be classified.
Highlight of the class Big Bang reference Penny, Penny, Penny!

Reflections on Class (September 27)

Another class that circled around the issue of copyright and what libraries have the right to offer their patrons. We discussed things such as; Freegal Music: The New Music Library, which allows library members to download a certain number of tracks for free while the library pays a premium for the music. Is this a good idea?  Is it a better use of the library's budget to buy music which their members can keep as opposed to a library book or cd which they have to return, but which multiple members can enjoy? I don't know. This is a tough question, especially when so many people still manage to download their music for free. Is it worth it then for the library to invest in Freegal, instead of say, buying say more e-books? This is just another question that will have to be answered as more information is accumulated about the utilization of such things as Freegal in libraries that choose to offer it. 
We also discussed the correlation of the problems the music industry faced when music went digital, and the problems facing the publishing industry now that the popularity of things such as e-books is on the rise. How does each industry remain profitable when their products become so cheap to mass produce and distribute? This is where we delved into the idea of artificial scarcity- where industries seek to control the market by restricting access to their goods even though they are plentiful. We also discussed things such as ads being a possible way to gain revenue, and the use of ads by such free companies as Pandora Radio. 
This led to an in depth discussion around the question of whether libraries should become a buying agent for members of their community (through such things as Freegal), or whether they should be a means for the community to pool their resources and offer things that multiple customers can enjoy (such as books, cds, dvds, ect...) There is definitely going to be over lap between the two in years to come. All public libraries are not going to stop buying books all of the sudden all, however, as can be seen in recent years due to budget restrictions and the changes in society they will severely have to change how they will be spending their budgets. 


On another note, just noticed that today is Google's thirteenth birthday which made me feel extremely old as I was remembering a time when there was no such thing as Google, which would seem impossible to all of my younger family members. How did we used find all the trivial information we deem so vital nowadays? Did we just ignore those little questions like what is the name of the song that I have been singing off and on for five hours?, or did we actually phone a friend (using whatever landlines were available of course- maybe even (gasp) a payphone), or did we look it up in a book? Hmmmm good question. 


In addition, am taking an Indexing course this semester and was learning about cross-referencing (see's and see also's) and the only thing I could think of was a line from Blazing Saddles. Overall it has very little to do with cross-referencing yet it was the first thing that popped into my mind...


Hedley Lamarr: Wait a minute... there might be legal precedent. Of course! Land-snatching!
[grabs a law book] Hedley Lamarr: Land, land... "Land: see Snatch."
[flips back several pages] Hedley Lamarr: Ah, Haley vs. United States. Haley: 7, United States: nothing. You see, it can be done! (IMBD.com- Blazing Saddles (1974)


Furthermore, in the September 27th class Dr. Lankes mentioned the show Warehouse 13, which is one of my all time favorite shows, in reference to the fact that one of the ways that the show makes money is by blatantly advertising Twizzlers (and I mean blatantly), and I couldn't help but think of the awesome reference that was made in one of the latest episodes where Beatrix Potter's original drafts of Peter Rabbit are being overlooked and are actually quite dark and Pete makes the reference that "he doesn't remember that being on Reading Rainbow" I have never heard anything on TV reference Reading Rainbow before and it just made me fall in love with the show just a little bit more.

Reflections on Class (September 20)

Class began with an interesting discussion on e-books and how many times libraries should be allowed to offer a particular copy. It was mentioned that twenty-six might be a good number because librarians would have to replace a hard copy after that many check-outs anyway. Is this true? Does it depend on the library? The type of book hardcover, soft cover?
 In addition, it was also brought up whether or not the price of e-books is fair. I have wondered this myself. Mostly because I by most of my books from half price bookstores, or on Amazon so to pay anything near full price is almost against my religion.
Someone brought up the fact that the cost to distribute and produce the e-books is much less than what it takes to distribute and produce physical copies. So why then are the copies of the e-books so close to the prices of the physical copies? I know the publisher and author want to make just as much money, but is the e-book worth the same price as a real book. You will never be able to resell it because you are just leasing it not buying it, you're not supposed to really give it away, and lending it out can be a problem as well. If I lend out my kindle I can't have access to the rest of my books on it while it is gone.
While I do really appreciate the advantages of my kindle such as not having to lug an entire suitcase of books on vacation and carrying around a bookstore in my purse, there are still the advantages of the physical copies such as if one of my physical copies is submersed in water, stolen, or lost than I don't lose my entire collection of books. In addition, while kindle batteries can run low I don't have to plug in my physical book. Thus, the pros and cons, at this point I don't feel like I could live without either physical books or my kindle. Especially because Borders has gone out of business and now it is much harder to find easy access to book stores.
The talk of e-books then led to an in depth discussion of contractual law, and the three different types Public Law, Regulation, and Common Law (or law produced by judicial law (interpretation of law). We then discussed the difference between copyright, patent, and trademark. One of the more interesting things we talked about was the idea of First Sale Doctrine, which is when something moves over from being intellectual property to just property. This doesn't exist in copy law, but has never the less started being enforced by our courts. For example, this deals with the fact that once somebody buys a book they are allowed to resell it at any price they ask without problem.
This class was very much an experience Dr. Lankes at one point became very impassioned on the topic of Librarians being the conduit for change. The library profession cannot remain static and impartial, we cannot just be venues (this was very adamantly stated by Dr. Lankes) instead we have to promote and instigate change and the "creation of knowledge" in our respective communities.

Reflections on Class (September 13)

Once again discussed the future of librarianship and the idea that people should not focus on the question of are libraries are needed anymore?, but rather should focus instead on how libraries can change to meet the evolving needs of the community.
Very interested in learning that at one point around the middle of the 19th century people considered doctors unnecessary, and that at the time the library profession actually commanded more respect than the medical profession. Surprised to learn that illiteracy was common among doctors of the time as well. However, due to certain occurences and innovations in medicine, such as the advent of germ theory, the medical profession changed dramatically. The profession was redefined and restructured in order to meet the changing needs of society. However, it took time, hard work, and a progressive mindset to "radically" change the future of medicine.
I want to keep this in mind while studying to become a librarian. The library world is going through immense change during this time, and those wanting to get into the profession need to constantly look towards the future and pinpoint and predict the changing needs of users in the community.
The rest of class centered around the different types of Libraries including: Public Libraries, Academic Libraries, School Libraries, and Special Libraries, their purpose and the issues concerned with each. Funding seems to be a concern with all of the different types of the libraries. However, funding is a concern across most disciplines these days. so its a question of making those funds count, as well as molding each individual library into an indispensable institution for each individual community.
Also the class discussed the importance of databases to libraries in this day and age, and the cost for libraries to use the best database sites. Was interested to learn of the legal case against, I think it was Georgia State, and the issue of their publicly displaying certain journal articles that they received from databases. This is definitely an interesting case. I feel like the library pays for those databases so they should be able to make as many copies as they want of those articles, however, the public display of those articles on a website may be crossing the line. It is an interesting case for those who are support the idea of open and free information.
When the class was discussing school librarians it made me think of the issues that my school librarian faced. I'm originally from a very small town (graduated with a class of thirty-six), and we had one librarian for grades K-12. I think there was also one library aide to help out, but that was the extent of any help. The library itself was, and remains a very small space with an extremely small collection. Now what interests me is not the amount of people that my librarian had to serve, but the diversity of the group. How she met the needs of all of her "members"from the kindergarteners first learning how to read, to the high schoolers learning how to research, to the teachers looking to create interesting projects and lesson plans for there kids. Looking back I really admire my librarian and the job she did. She wasn't perfect but what teacher is? She also had to contend with constantly changing technology ,which is everyone's cross to bear, but which seems extremely central to the job of a librarian. My school's librarian always had to be on the forefront of any new technology field that our school invested in. She also had to stay informed about new methods of research ect... I remember when my school didn't have a computer lab and just a couple of computers and then all of the sudden there were computers in every classroom and a whole new room where students could go to do research and write papers. Remembering this just reminds me of all the reasons that school librarians are necessary in today's learning institutions. They are the ones that usually teach students how to research and refine their technology skills. They teach kids where to find reliable data and definitely "facilitate knowledge in their communities." Their mission is the same as always, the methods have just changed. Instead of books, the focus is now on internet resources.
Also I was interested in the discussion we had on book banning and how it's not as much of an issue as libraries haven't banned books in about fifty years. But I think the issue is still relevant as its important to remember that such things did occur and were problems. Sometimes we have to look to the past to learn, and just to remember how far we've come and how people can make a difference.

Favorite Librarian Quote...

Just wanted to put this up here. This is my favorite quote that concerns librarianship, by one of my favorite authors Kurt Vonnegut;
 "And on the subject of burning books: I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength or their powerful political connections or their great wealth, who, all over this country, have staunchly resisted ant-democratic bullies who have tried to remove certain books from their shelves, and have refused to reveal to thought police the names of persons who have checked out those titles. So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the Supreme Court or the Senate or the House of Representatives or the media. The America I love still exists at the front of our public libraries"- Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country

Purpose of Blog: & Reflections on First Class (Sept 6)

Initially, this blog will act as a journal for all thoughts and opinions that I may have on the content of course 511: Introduction to the Library and Information Profession.

I am highly anticipating the fact that we are going to be discussing the evolution of librarianship in 511. Not only its past, but its present and future as well.
While I have given some thought to the history of libraries and the influence that librarians have had on society (For example, a librarian played an important role in the discovery of the Watergate scandal), I've never really examined how librarianship has had to evolve and shift to accommodate a society that is ever changing.
I'm looking forward during this course to examining librarians as innovators and catalysts for change. The Atlas of New Librarianship states, "As the web explodes, the world economy stumbles, the newspaper industry implodes, the media landscape fragments, and societies around the world face social unrest, librarians have not only an opportunity but an obligation to find their center and the means to continue a centuries long mission to use knowledge to better understand the past, make a better today, and invent an ideal future" (Lankes 2). Modern society is woefully unaware of the relevancy of today's libraries. For me the biggest hurdle for the modern library seems to be updating the public as to the library's relevancy. People have an antiquated view of what librarianship is, and they need to be educated. The question of today is not whether libraries can survive into the future, of course they can survive. The question should be how are today's libraries evolving to fit the needs of current society and is that evolution being adequately promoted and touted to the public.