Librarians are responsible for organizing and providing access to information in ways that are intentional, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of their community. They must ensure community members have equitable access to information and technology in order to support learning and informed decision-making. Libraries organize information in ways that support discovery, access, and use across multiple formats and platforms. Selection decisions should also reflect community needs and include diverse perspectives to ensure equitable access to information (ALA, 2016). As Gretchen Hoffman (2019) explains, organizational systems and descriptive choices influence how easily users are able to find, identify, and use information.

I created the LibGuide How to Train a Therapy Dog: A Beginner’s Guide (LIS 620) to help users understand the process of training and certifying a therapy dog. I selected a mix of practical and research-based sources, including books, training videos, peer-reviewed articles, and certification organizations, so users can see the steps involved and ethical considerations related to responsible information use and animal welfare (1.1). I organized resources into clear sections such as pre-training basics, certification, and dog well-being. Short descriptions help users quickly determine which resources meet their needs, which supports intellectual access to information (1.2, 1.3, 1.4). The guide reflects awareness of user needs by addressing common beginner questions and including free resources, multiple training options, and information about rescue dogs to reduce barriers for a wider range of patrons. Using an online platform to connect users with reliable information demonstrates how technology can support learning and community engagement while promoting equitable and responsible access to information (1.5, 1.6, 1.7). I have already applied these skills in my work for the State Library of North Carolina by curating and managing the LibGuide for the Libraries Strengthening Connections project to support public library staff with accessible, practical resources.

My digital curation project, Credible Research Websites for Students (LIS 635), demonstrates how intentional selection and organization of resources improves access to trustworthy information. Providing curated collections of credible sources helps reduce information overload and support effective information seeking (ALA, 2016). I selected websites based on credibility, accuracy, and relevance so students have reliable starting points for research (1.1, 1.2). This curation reflects awareness of student information needs by providing accessible, age-appropriate sources that support independent research and ethical information use. Melanie Feinberg (2022) explains that the way information is organized affects how users understand it, which shows why careful curation matters (1.4). Using a digital platform to share these resources demonstrates how technology can expand equitable access to credible information (1.5, 1.6, 1.7).

In LIS 640, I created a finding aid for a photo collection, which included scope notes, series descriptions, and an arrangement statement to improve access to the collection. This demonstrates how knowledge is documented, structured, and made discoverable in archival settings (1.1). Standardized descriptive practices support consistent organization and long-term access to materials within information systems (ALA, 2016). I organized the collection into series and subseries based on chronology and theme, in order to maintain relationships between items and support efficient browsing (1.3, 1.4). This project demonstrates an awareness of how users seek information, allowing materials to be located by event, time period, or topic. Creating a finding aid demonstrates how descriptive practices and organizational systems support long-term access and usability of a collection (1.5, 1.6, 1.7).

This work strengthened my ability to design organizational systems that reflect user needs and promote equitable access to information. Going forward, I will continue to design and refine systems that make information easy to find, understand, and use, while ensuring that all users have equitable access to resources that support their learning and decision-making.