Program Learning Outcome 1 (PLO1)
Connect people to information and information technology, particularly to promote to promote a just and equitable society.
This PLO is the foundation of all information science, covering the source of information, the reasoning behind collecting any given information, and the many methods of describing and organizing the information. PLO1 also demands that information science is about humanity, incorporating human need and ethical behaviors.
1.1 Knowledge Production
A major form of knowledge production is through research. In LIS 600 I completed the IRB Certification for research integrity during which I learned about structures (such as Institutional Review Boards) stemming from the Belmont Report that reduce bias, protect human subjects, and maintain the integrity and reputation of those conducting research thereby improving the validity of the studies' results.
In LIS 620 I worked with a group to present information about biographic resources. My section of the presentation covered evaluating and selecting resources. This process requires an understanding of how the sources produced the knowledge they hold, their purpose in disseminating that knowledge, and ways in which information professionals can verify the content. Opening the Speaker Notes in this slide show provides a more comprehensive analysis of the selection process.
1.2 Curation
Libraries benefit from collection development policies because they reduce the possibility of individual bias playing a role in the decision process in both acquiring and deselecting materials. During this program I have curated a Spanish/Bilingual collection for LIS 610, a collection of materials to assist those seeking employment for LIS 620, and a poetry collection in LIS 635.
This paper, written for LIS 610, describes the rationale behind selecting items for Ann Arbor's Library of Things. I believe this collection would be enhanced by pairing it with information resources that provide instruction in the use of the various tools.
1.3 Description
In LIS 640, after learning about describing and organizing information, I wrote this paper analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the organization methods used by the website Archive of Our Own. The platform does an excellent job of taking into account the specific needs of their unique community in describing the content through cataloging and tagging which improves searchability for their holdings.
1.4 Organization
In LIS 643 we discovered the standards and methods of organizing metadata and the ways that metadata provide a basis of organization for all information. This paper analyzes my own use of an application profile in comparison to that of the partner that I worked with to create it. This exercise demonstrated that even thoroughly discussed and written standards are subject to interpretation. The human element is both the greatest strength and the greatest weakness of organizational tools.
1.5 Human Information Needs and Behaviors
Collection development decisions should reflect the diverse population being served and be based on community needs. I created this collection in LIS 620 to assist patrons of Northwestern Regional Library with finding employment resources. Items were selected from reputable sources such as collections curated by the State Library of North Carolina, Northwestern Regional Library, and Surry Community College's Small Business Center. The accompanying Needs Assessment identifies the population served by this collection and considerations of their special circumstances. Recognizing that those seeking employment often have limited financial resources, everything in this collection is free to library patrons. Effort was made to provide online resources for those without transportation to come to the library as well as print materials for those without internet access at home. Keeping in mind different abilities and learning styles, the variety of formats include written, audio, and video sources. Additionally, this collection links to sources that are regularly updated or will remain relevant over a period of time reducing the need to frequently make updates to the site.
1.6 Technology
Emerging technologies provide librarians an ever-growing array of tools with the potential to expand and improve the services we offer. Throughout this program I have built websites using platforms such as LibGuides, Omeka, and Google Sites, produced videos with recording software including Adobe Spark, Canva, Loom, and DaVinci Resolve, and explored makerspace technologies like Makey Makey, 3D printers, and laser cutters.
The speed with which technologies evolve can present challenges in both time for learning the most effective uses and developing best practices for preservation. This paper about preserving podcasts, written for LIS 610, discusses some of these challenges.
In the same class I was able to experiment with podcasting, using this popular technology as a tool for education and advocacy in a podcast about Intellectual Freedom.
1.7 Professional Ethics
All of society is dependent on the majority of its members sharing a code of ethical behavior. In order for a profession to remain respected by those they aim to serve, they must regularly analyze and critique the values they intend to uphold, ensuring that those values are in line with the current needs of those most vulnerable to ethical abuses. The paper, written for LIS 666 Information Ethics and Policy, addresses the sometimes-contradictory values of access and privacy which are core to the library profession.