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Agents of Influence: Academic Librarians -- Fostering partnerships at the forefront of research

Pioneering Digital Humanities at Stanford

By Timothy Inklebarger | January 6, 2020

In this multipart series, American Libraries presents case studies and interviews with thought leaders looking at research trends in academic libraries. We’ll be covering the topics of social justice, information literacy, digital archives, faculty outreach, and new technology. This is the fifth story in the series. Quinn Dombrowski, academic technology specialist at Stanford’s Division of Literatures, … Continue reading Pioneering Digital Humanities at Stanford →

Above, a Congolese immigrant waves to the camera in a screenshot from a home movie archived by Home Made Visible. Below, metadata is collected for a photo submitted to Los Angeles Public Library's Mobile Memory Lab. Screenshot: Home Made Visible; Photo: Los Angeles Public Library

Uncovering the Past

By Lauren Emily Whalen | January 2, 2020

Caught on old home movies, each image offers an intriguing glimpse of a specific community. But if those movies stay trapped on dusty VHS tapes or forgotten reels of 8-millimeter film, their stories—and those of the populations they belong to—stay hidden. That’s why some libraries in the United States and Canada are offering patrons the … Continue reading Uncovering the Past →

Beth M. Lander, college librarian at the Historical Medical Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, poses with a human skull set on green velvet. (Photo: Kriston Bethel)

Bookend: Medical Marvels

January 2, 2020

“That’s an excellent example of what it is like to work here,” she says. “You never know what might happen next.” The college shares its library with the Mütter Museum, an institution known for its macabre medical materials, which span centuries. Sometimes those artifacts find their way into the hands of playful coworkers, so keeping … Continue reading Bookend: Medical Marvels →

When Disaster Strikes

By Lori A. Goetsch | December 9, 2019

This wasn’t the first time we’d had fire alarms: leaky pipes, burned bagels, and other incidents had set off our alarms in the past, and the staff was experienced in and accustomed to vacating themselves and others from the building. However, this time was different—smoke was observed and, as first responders came on the scene, … Continue reading When Disaster Strikes →

From left: Catherine Morse, Joe Bauer, Matt Carruthers, and Sara Hughes at a research sprint held in October 2019 in partnership with University of Michigan Library. The group worked on developing a data management system for information on public drinking water.

Ready, Set, Research!

By Timothy Inklebarger | December 3, 2019

In this multipart series, American Libraries presents case studies and interviews with thought leaders looking at research trends in academic libraries. We’ll be covering the topics of social justice, information literacy, digital archives, faculty outreach, and new technology. This is the fourth story in the series. Also referred to as scholar sprints, the intensive forums are … Continue reading Ready, Set, Research! →

Linda Neunzig, Snohomish County (Wash.) agriculture coordinator, takes a question from the audience during a discussion titled “Disappearing Farmland: Population Growth and Food Supply Sustainability” at Monroe Library. The event was part of the Issues That Matter series hosted by Sno-Isle Libraries.

Discourse for Democracy

By Greg Landgraf | November 1, 2019

In a city of more than 23,000 residents, just 40 miles south of Cleveland, these forums have attracted dozens of attendees and receive significant local media coverage. They are recorded and later posted to the city’s website. Daniel Slife, the library’s director, moderates the forums, which were initiated by former Director Pamela Hickson-Stevenson. Slife always … Continue reading Discourse for Democracy →

The University of Michigan’s Computer and Video Game Archive. Photo: Alan Pinon

Librarians, Start New Game

By Diana Panuncial | November 1, 2019

The University of Michigan’s (UM) Computer Video and Game Archive (CVGA) in Ann Arbor boasts more than 8,000 videogames and 60 consoles dating back to the 1970s. “Because we have such a large collection, there are many examples from which to pull and get inspiration, things [students] would never be able to afford on their … Continue reading Librarians, Start New Game →

Colleen Lyon, head of scholarly communications at University of Texas at Austin.

Wading the Muddy Waters: Educating on Copyright and Digital Archives

By Laurie D. Borman | October 22, 2019

In this five-part series, American Libraries presents case studies and interviews with thought leaders looking at research trends in academic libraries. We’ll be covering trends on the topics of social justice, information literacy, digital archives, faculty outreach, and new technology. This is our third story in the series. Even with all that traffic, Lyon still gets … Continue reading Wading the Muddy Waters: Educating on Copyright and Digital Archives →

Master Gardener Susan McCorry (in white hat) helps a family gather compost for their seed bombs at the Pico branch of the Santa Monica (Calif.) Public Library system for the library's ClimateFest program in April 2017. Photo by Jen Ullrich

Climate Change and Sustainability

By Phil Rockrohr | October 9, 2019

To help area residents identify next steps, Hammes helped organize a panel on climate change in February 2018. Held in conjunction with the local Coulee Region Sierra Club Group and the La Crosse Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the panel brought together five area farmers and entrepreneurs to discuss their personal experiences with changing weather patterns. Topics … Continue reading Climate Change and Sustainability →

OCLC President and CEO Skip Prichard addresses the crowd at the 2019 Library Futures Conference in Phoenix October 2. (Photo: OCLC)

Libraries as Community Catalysts

By Miguel Figueroa | October 4, 2019

On October 2, OCLC President and CEO Skip Prichard opened the day by outlining the five Cs that libraries need to catalyze their communities. Libraries contribute, developing unique offerings that help make them indispensable. Through those contributions, they forge connections. Catalysts create, introducing big changes and little shifts. They compete, constantly pushing themselves forward. And … Continue reading Libraries as Community Catalysts →

Global Themes and Reflections in LIS Education

By Raymond Pun | October 1, 2019

Day 1: Perspectives on diversity and inclusion, data ethics, and fake news In “The Hoax and the President: Historical Perspectives on Politics, Truth, and Academia” on September 24, Sharon McQueen, an independent scholar, explored the rise and impact of fake news in journalism and the information ecology. She said fake news can be traced back … Continue reading Global Themes and Reflections in LIS Education →

Librarians Bridge the Gap: Accessing Public Health Information

By Laurie D. Borman | September 17, 2019

In this five-part series, American Libraries presents case studies and interviews with thought leaders looking at research trends in academic libraries. We’ll be covering trends on the topics of social justice, information literacy, digital archives, faculty outreach, and new technology. This is our second story in the series. “Whether it’s helping to work with a question, … Continue reading Librarians Bridge the Gap: Accessing Public Health Information →

Latest Library Links

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Philadelphia leaders and innovators will share their visions for the future at three Libraries Transform sessions during the Symposium on the Future of Libraries at the 2020 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. Libraries Transform: Civic Innovation, on January 25, considers the future of place. Libraries Transform: Social Innovation, on January 26, explores the societal changes required to create more just and equitable communities. Libraries Transform: Education Innovation, on January 27, explores the future of education access.
Center for the Future of Libraries, Jan. 20
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Concepción de León writes: “As is often the case with those who die young, Martin Luther King Jr. has become more symbol than man: pacifist, beacon of nonviolent racial reform. But over the last 50 years since his assassination, that view has been complicated. His ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, taught in schools and exalted for its vision of a racial utopia, has been reexamined, showing how King’s views evolved in his final years, recognizing how much work remained to be done to achieve true equality. These seven books paint a complete picture of King, including biographies, novels, and King’s final written work.”
New York Times, Jan. 20
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French design practice Serero Architectes Urbanistes has recently completed the new Bayeux Media Library, a light-filled cultural institution that connects the northwestern French commune’s historical roots to its future development zones. Inspired by the famous Bayeux Tapestry, the building includes an “embroidered filtering skin” along its north side comprising a series of multicolored tubes hanging behind the glazed façade to help filter views and light while mitigating unwanted solar gain. Energy usage is reduced thanks to an abundance of glazing outfitted with solar shades as well as an insulating green roof.
Inhabitat, Jan. 20
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Anna Gooding-Call writes: “When you think of a librarian, what comes to mind? Are they married? How do they dress? If you automatically pictured a sour older woman in a cardigan covered with cat hair, then congratulations! You have internalized the same librarian stereotypes that pop culture has been pushing since the days of black and white movies. Granted, modern depictions of librarians are a good deal more generous than those old chestnuts. But for everyone who hasn’t visited their awesome, hip, savvy librarian recently, here’s what’s not true about the librarian stereotypes you thought were true.”
Book Riot, Jan. 20
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It’s a Friday night, and teens of all ages make their way to a place to hang out for the night. No, it’s not the local arcade, grocery store parking lot, or even a friend’s basement. They’re going to the library for a night filled with root beer floats, prizes, and a pop culture showdown presented by a local artist. This event and many others are part of Payson City (Utah) Library’s growing initiative to reinvent the public library. And according to children’s librarian Molly Baker, it’s what many libraries around the country are doing to continue to offer a place of learning to the community.
Provo (Utah) Daily Herald, Jan. 19
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Willoughby-Eastlake (Ohio) Public Library did its part to start patrons off on the right path in 2020. The library hosted its first “New Year, New You, Health and Wellness Fair” on January 18. “With the new year, so many of us seek to start or restart better habits for our physical or emotional selves,” Assistant Library Manager Travis Fortney said. “Our full day of programming includes topics such as goal-setting, decluttering, healthy eating, and fitness.” One popular session was a hands-on class on cardio drumming, involving a bucket, an exercise ball, drumsticks, lots of movement, and music with a good beat.
Willoughby (Ohio) News-Herald, Jan. 18
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Masha Gessen writes: “On January 17, the Washington Post reported that the National Archives had altered the signs on a photograph from the 2017 Women’s March on Washington. On the photograph in question, the word ‘Trump’ was blurred on a sign that originally read ‘God Hates Trump.’ In other signs in the same picture, the words ‘vagina’ and ‘pussy’ disappeared. In response to the Post’s initial inquiry, NARA offered two arguments and one excuse. On January 18, within 24 hours of the publication of the Post story, the Archives removed the display photograph and posted a note of apology, which began, ‘We made a mistake.’”
New Yorker, Jan. 19

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