LIS 5033 - Information and Society

The objective of this course was to introduce concepts and themes conducive to cultivating an information professional mindset. In a research paper for this course, I focused on explaining the significance and advantages of academic digital libraries. I selected this topic because I strongly believe that students engaged in remote learning should have equivalent access to information as those who frequent the campus library. Within the paper, I delved into discussions surrounding the accessibility of digital libraries, their role in preserving materials, and their contribution to narrowing the digital divide. This assignment enabled me to gain insights into the best practices and technological tools pertinent to the creation and utilization of digital libraries (Personal Goal 3.1 & 3.3), while also refining my research skills (OU SLO 5 - Methods and Analysis) and intellectual capabilities (OU SLO 2 - Intellectual Skill).

Analysis

I believe the biggest "failure" I encountered during this assignment was getting too consumed in the research process. Initially, my focus for the paper was strictly on the benefits of digital libraries for online college students. However, as I delved into research, I quickly realized their broader significance to anyone connected to the university. Specifically, I became aware of how crucial digital libraries are in preserving historical or fragile items and in bridging the digital divide experienced by many underserved populations on campus (OU SLO 6 - Diversity), particularly regarding the accessibility and cost of course materials. 

To contradict my failure though I also view the research process as one of my greatest successes in this assignment. Despite encountering difficulties, these challenges provided insights into the necessary steps during research. This assignment allowed me to discern the methods that work effectively for me. I was able to gain insight into how the management and storing decisions of information resources (ALA Competency 2 - Information Resources) in academic libraries are crucial to student success and could be detrimental to online students if they are not taken into account. 

Reflection

In a way, this paper foreshadowed the job of Digital Services I held during my time in the MLIS program. While I was in this course I was a circulation manager so the topic of digital libraries was just something I was interested in but had no professional experience on at the time. Just a few short weeks after completing this paper I was offered the job as the Digital Services Librarian at East Central University. Now, it is my job to update and maintain the digital repository for Linscheid Library. Writing this paper gave me a solid base of information to continue to build knowledge onto. Without this paper I would have been completely lost when beginning the task I had been assigned in my job. This assignment is monumental in my educational journey because I was able to almost instantly use the knowledge I gained and utilize it in a real-world experience.