Program Learning Outcome 5 Artifacts

Interview with a Librarian - LIS 656

I met with Academic Art Librarian Megan Lotts, we talked about current trends that have been impacting academic libraries, and more specifically the Rutgers Art Library as as an information organization. She shared her methodology with me, as well as her library practice and perspective as an Art Librarian in an academic setting. There was great emphasis put on how policy changes, student needs, institutional needs, and budget can all impact how this kind of special library functions and how they plan to fulfill their mission in supporting the academic institution and it's students.  We also discussed current trends in the profession and how Megan Lotts, as an academic librarian with tenure, troubleshoots issues that arise as she continues to spread the word about the importance of the academic library to student success. 

Problems in Collection Management Assignment 1 - LIS 610

For the Problems in Collection Management assignment, I created a deliverable for a peer reviewed article from the past 5 years, addressing a current problem in collection management. I read and reflected on the article Radical Holdings? Student Newspaper Collections in Australian University Libraries by Jessie Lymn and Tamara Jones. Touching on censorship within academic library settings, the nature of student activism and the reluctance to collect controversial materials. In this case the the controversial materials were student newspapers. I connected this article to some of the current challenges we have been experiencing in libraries when it comes to censorship and shifted values and perspectives on different concepts/topics.

Week 13 Discussion: Access and Outreach - LIS 681

For National Archives Month, Dr. Post asked us to share interesting examples of access and outreach that we found outside of the assigned readings. While also addressing barriers and issues that archives face in this area, we also spoke on the communities that are impacted by the archives we chose to share. I shared and example from the Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, DE. This institution advocated for accessibility to it's materials by participating in National Archives Month. The exhibition that they had up for this event was accompanied by free admission to the exhibit, a behind the scenes look into how the materials are taken care of by the conservation team, and a ticketed Q&A event on the opening night, to promote the exhibit and the museum to the public. 

The Value of Academic Libraries Discussion - LIS 656

In this discussion, we were asked to read through and comment on aspects of the Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report that have changed between the time that this comprehensive report was published and today. I responded to the sections highlighted by the ACRL including Student Retention & Graduation Rates and Student Engagement. I expressed that there may be a need for a shift in data collection methods, referencing the conversation I had with an academic librarian earlier in the semester. The Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report was published by the Association of College and Research Libraries in 2010. 

Discussion Board 3: Librarian Response to Challenges - LIS 610

This discussion post is also accompanied by an audio file, where I advocate for intellectual freedom and for the book "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky. This YA novel is consistently listed on banned book lists, and has been removed from school and public libraries across the country in response to changing state legislation. In this discussion post I was advocating for this book to be kept on the shelves, as it is a frequently banned book, in a hypothetical legislative hearing or meeting. The community or marginalized group I am addressing here are teenagers with mental health struggles, and I am advocating for their access to this novel on all platforms, referencing Stephen Chbosky and his statement on this subject and the importance of this book.