A Heartfelt and Genuine 'Thank You'

To my faithful reader(s): Thank you for your support and encouragement that has extended far beyond this frequently tardy little blog!

The exciting question for the future: what can I be one-week-late for now? There's so many possibilities... ;-)

Spring 2012 - Directed Rantings #8

Hello.
No, I don't wanna talk about it.

Okay, I'll share a little.

Roughly two weeks ago I had a horrible experience. It was stressful and torturous but I persevered and pushed through. I finished the task before the deadline.

Yes, the comprehensive exam. Yes, the take-home exam. No, not fully confident about the outcome.

So, basically, the exam 'question' was something I was totally not expecting and wasn't a subject I had come across while working on these posts. BUT (and this is a rather large 'BUT'), fortunately and coincidentally/ironically enough, the course I'm enrolled in this semester happened to deal with subject matter pertinent to the exam question. So, good deal in that respect. It may have saved my bacon.

And the 'question' is/was: [Am I allowed to reveal it? Would that be considered a breach of confidentiality by the graduate college? I really can't risk that. I'm on very thin ice as it is. My 'nine lives' are almost up. Aghh, heck. Going down in flames. An inglorious blaze.] *Discuss the influence of information behavior research and models upon the practice of librarianship or other information profession.* No, please, discuss it.

So, in response, I discussed a great many things.

Spring 2012 - Directed Readings #7

* I picked a lot of bad questions. "Bad" meaning not conducive to finding enough information in the places I'm supposed to be looking. *

No excuses. Play like a champion.

Spring 2012 - Directed Readings #6

QUESTION: Many libraries provide blogs, wikis, and instant messaging to serve patrons. Discuss the importance of these technologies in library service and discuss advantages and disadvantages of using these technologies to reach out to users.

- Instantaneously reach patrons. Patrons can instantaneously reach library staff.

- Patrons can relay messages out to an even wider range of users/ potential users.

- Advertise to specific groups of users (youth, children, high volume patrons, etc.)

- Creates collaborative places online for staff, patrons and community members to interact, communicate and share information with each other.

Spring 2012 - Directed Readings #5

QUESTION: The information profession is undergoing changes due to the advances in information and communication technologies. Identify and discuss the core values that librarians should continue to protect and promote regardless of the changes in the new digital environment.


- Equal access
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Intellectual Freedom
- Literacy
- Outreach
- Opposition to Censorship
- Freedom of expression
- Professional ethics

Spring 2012 - Directed Readings #4

* I've been informed that this question may be unanswerable and, while I am a competitive person, I don't consider that a challenge to my intellectual competence. I choose not to answer, or even try! Although, yes, I have given some thought to possible answers. *

QUESTION: As sources of information and access to that information have become increasingly centered in digital format, the relationship between libraries and their users has changed.

Discuss the following:

a. ways in which the shift to digital information formats has changed this relationship
b. implications of the changed relationship for the organization and management of libraries
c. effect on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by librarians.

a. It has. It really has. Let me count the ways...

b. Patrons may visit the physical library less and less.

c. It adds another component to traditional librarianship. Computer skills and knowledge are absolutely vital and integral to performing job duties. Attitude determines altitude, y'all.

Spring 2012 - Directed Readings #3

* Yes, I am. Very much so. *

QUESTION: Libraries have been allowed to share materials with their patrons within the scope of U.S. copyright law. Discuss the impact of licensing of digital resources on the ability of libraries to share materials with patrons in the digital era.

- A main guiding principle is that of protecting intellectual property rights and finding a balance between information interests of patrons/users and rights holders of intellectual property.

- Digital/electronic resources are not as susceptible to physical degradation (wear and tear) as physical materials.

- Digital/electronic resources can be "checked out" to more patrons at once.

- Digital/electronic resources can be "checked out" immediately, at any time, via an Internet connection from home or office or on a mobile device. This is especially useful for patrons who may not be able to travel due to disabilities or health issues.

- Digital/electronic resources take up "space" on computer hard drives, not on shelves. This can help alleviate storage concerns of physical library buildings.

Spring 2012 - Directed Readings #2

QUESTION: Identify three ethical principles that you consider to be of great importance in guiding the endeavors of information and knowledge professionals. Describe each principle; give examples of how each could be applied to a type of practice of your choice; and for each principle discuss potential conflicting values that could create ethical dilemmas for individuals.

(1a) PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY Each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to the information sought or received and the resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.

(1b) In the film thriller Seven a detective (played by Morgan Freeman) obtains library records detailing who has checked out certain books believed to have influenced a brutal killer. I would tell that guy, "No way. Uh uh, buddy. Just because the crazy psycho murderer guy reads a lot of Dante Aligheri doesn't mean he checked out those books from the city library system. Get lost, copper." In this situation the library user's right to privacy concerning the resources they'd consulted and/or borrowed would be violated. KIDDING! JUST KIDDING!
The appropriate response to such an inquiry would be to verify the law enforcement officer's identification and direct him/her to an individual or legal counsel authorized to address such requests. If I was a library director, or otherwise authorized individual, I would record relevant information concerning the request for library records/info about library user and convey the library's policy for such requests (e.g. the request must be submitted to legal counsel who will respond accordingly). . Any incidents with law enforcement officers should be detailed, recorded and reported. Obviously, I would want to cooperate with the authorities and the library should have certain prescribed procedures in order to do so and, presumably, those procedures would allow me to ensure library users' right to privacy and confidentiality.

(1c) The example listed above describes a situation which could create an ethical dilemma. It could pit one's values against each other. We value law enforcement and those who work to keep the public safe and render justice to those who have committed a crime or broken the law. At the same time, a key principle of an information professional is each information seeker's right to intellectual freedom, privacy and confidentiality. Imagine if law enforcement requests (or demands) records/information and that it is an emergency and they must be given access right away or the public may be in danger. Most individuals would see fit to comply right away with such a request. However, as an information professional and employee of the library, it is important to follow proper procedure and not reveal private information and/or records unless the request is reviewed, verified and approved by authorized personnel. This is not to say that you may judge the request is invalid or that it won't be complied with. Those tasked with the authority in these types of matters will exercise their respective judgement and take responsibility for their decisions. Whether it is a court order, a subpoena, local authorities, FBI, Secret Service, presented as an emergency, etc., proper procedures should be followed in response to such inquiries. An ethical dilemma need not be heart wrenching.


(2a) INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM Each library user's right to seek out whatever information they choose and be unencumbered by any form of censorship. Materials and resources should not be excluded nor anything else which limits patrons' freedom to access the information or ideas they seek.

(2b) Hypothetical: I am a director of a library. A circulation desk worker informs me that one of our patrons threw a book on the counter and demanded that such a book be removed from the library immediately. What is my immediate response to the intellectual freedom problem? What are possible subsequent responses in the upcoming weeks if the patron continues to pursue the matter?
This situation presents an individual who expresses their own disapproval of a certain resource -which is their right- but does not stop there. This person has made a judgement that it should not be made available at all; that no one else should be able to use this book either. This would restrict access and a core principle of information professionals is to cultivate greater intellectual freedom, providing information and enlightenment. Censorship should be challenged, from wherever or whomever. This protects all resources, including those favored by individuals who aggressively seek to restrict access to materials they disagree with.
It is important to first listen to the concerns of the objecting party and understand their rationale. Stay calm as it would not be productive to get into an argument. Calmly and courteously state the library's access policy and procedure to register a complaint, if necessary. A challenge hearing could also be scheduled, if warranted.

(2c) Even though an information professional may personally agree about the resource being objected to, they still have a professional duty to keep it available to those who don't consider it objectionable and may find it useful. It would be important to present a situation to the objecting party where another individual makes a similar demand concerning a resource the objecting party believes to be useful and should be available to all. How many resources would need to be removed if the library agreed to remove every resource that could be considered objectionable by someone with a different viewpoint?


(3a) EQUAL ACCESS Each library user's right to the same resources, materials, and high levels of service. All patrons should be treated equitably and have equitable access to resources and services.

(3b) Equity of access means that ALL people have the information they need - regardless of their age, ethnicity, income level, education, language, geographical barriers or physical limitations. They are free to exercise their right to know without fear of censorship or reprisal. The 'digital divide' is an example of one hindrance to equal access of information especially in today's increasingly electronic and digital world. It is a lack of the necessary information and communication technology to access electronic/digital information that prevents many from acquiring the information they need. It can be lack of proper equipment (computers, mobile devices, etc.), incompatible software used by information and communication equipment (out-dated, different operating systems, etc.), or lack of physical access to a network/ Internet connection. Not having financial resources for such equipment and technology is often a primary reason for a digital divide. Living in remote or undeveloped regions is another common reason. In any of these situations it is library's duty to provide -at no cost- access to the necessary equipment for all library patrons. Not only that but also training and guidance in proper usage of the equipment to assist the patron's information seeking.

(3c) Hypothetical situation: The library-provided computers for patron use are very popular and highly in demand. Each patron is allotted 40 minutes at the computer station and at the end of that period must leave the computer so another may use it. There is a long-term unemployed patron comes to the library almost daily to browse job listings and apply for available positions. It is difficult for this person to complete as much as they would like in that 40 minutes. When their time is almost up there is another patron waiting who mostly just surfs the Web for enjoyment. Could the librarian allow the job seeker to renew their time at the computer at the expense of those waiting? Yes, but this would violate the principle of equal access. It's not the librarian's responsibility to judge the value of the information being sought and, while certainly sympathetic to the job seeker, also place one patron over another. This applies both ways, if the roles were reversed.

Spring 2012 - Directed Readings #1

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