Mass Observation: Birth of the Focus Group

Justin Choi

Reference:

Moran, J. (2008). Mass-Observation, Market Research, and the Birth of the Focus Group, 1937-1997. Journal Of British Studies, 47(4), 827-851

I came across this article for another SLIS class and thought it might be appropriate to consider collections development from the patron side. This article discusses some of the history of the focus group method of research. If we want to know what patrons are thinking, we are tempted to send out random surveys or worse, grab several patrons and ask them individually what they want the library wants. But if you want targeted, guided discussion and come up with a consensus so you can figure out which books in which format to buy or not, focus groups is a good arrow in your quiver.

Because this article is more historical than practical, it's a good place to start to think about focus groups.

Diversity on My Mind

Lederer, Haylee

Johnson, A. (2015). Diversity on My Mind. American Libraries, 46(3/4), 82.

Summary: This article really stresses the importance of diversity in a library's collection. And more specifically, in a children's library collection. Children's librarians have a lot of power over what information and resources are available to their patrons, and Johnson argues that diversity should be a top priority. She advocates for setting goals when it comes to creating and maintain a diverse collection, as well as working with local community groups that push for diversity and acceptance. She pushes for children's librarians to do a lot of reflection, on themselves and their collection. She asks this question to end the article - does your collection adequately reflect the needs and wants of your community?

Evaluation:As an elementary school librarian, diversity is something I thrive for. Budget cuts and constraints make it difficult to achieve, but it is a goal of mine. So this article really resonated with me. I feel that it is a subject that deserves more research and space in academic journals. One page is hardly enough to really make an impact on librarians. Step by step guides and anecdotes from other librarians could really have given this article some much needed context, as well as providing the reader with some real life inspiration. Besides that, it does get the conversation and mind going on issues such as diversity. I know that I started thinking about even more ways to approach it after reading this short blurb.

Weeding the Reference Collection

Nicole J. Hoback

Reference:

Francis, M. (2012). Weeding the Reference Collection: A Case Study

            of Collection Management. Reference Librarian, 53(2), 219-234.

Summary:

In the case study written by Mary Francis, libraries are examined in their practice of weeding the reference collection. While this is an important aspect of every library, maintaining the reference collection, it is often times overlooked, because of the time consuming nature of it. Francis explains that while it is time consuming it is a necessity due to the fact that many are now turning to technology for answers, instead of the reference desk. It is important then for reference collections to remain relevant due to these changes. As well as many patrons see the reference collection and rely on that collection for particular questions, it is important that it is maintained and not neglected. Bringing together all reference librarians to discuss their personal visions of the reference department will help narrow down a cohesive plan for weeding and expansion. Even with technology dominating most of our lives, Francis explains that due to limitations in technology use by some patrons and personal preference by others it is essential that libraries do not get rid of the entire print collection. In other words, print reference material is still needed. Going forward, even with the time consuming process of weeding it is important that libraries take part and not over look this section of the library.

Evaluation:

I really enjoyed the case study by Mary Francis, because as we proceed in our course work, weeding is something that as stated above is overlooked, but nonetheless an important aspect of library maintenance. Collection development and growth are not the only aspects when mapping a collection, it is important to examine where the library can cut back and integrate work into other collections. Coming up with a policy that is practiced for weeding is essential to the outcome. Overall I felt that Francis brought up valid points that discuss the structure and outcome of a reference collection.

Google and Digital Archiving Practices

      Journalist Alina Selyukh reports news of court rulings in favor of digital archiving practices in her article, “Google;s Book-Scanning Project Is Legal, U.S. Appeals Court Says”. Google has been steadily building an impressive archive collection. Much of this collection is posted and accessible to internet users. Writers are concerned that such practices as book-scanning is in direct violation of copyright laws. The excerpts posted online from books are thought to discourage book sales which creates theoretical lost revenue for authors. Recently, one court came to the conclusion that rights aren’t being violated and the book-scanning practice is legal. For now, Google will continue to build their digital archive. The article suggests that Google may have over twenty billion books listed in the digital collection. I conclude; this makes Google and Super Librarian! While this article is short and simple, I find it’s important to keep an eye on which way courts sway when addressing copyright and digital archive issues.

References:

Google's Book-Scanning Project Is Legal, U.S. Appeals Court Says

October 16, 201511:28 AM ET

Alina Selyukh

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/16/449172748/googles-book-scanning-project-is-legal-u-s-appeals-court-says?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=2041

Worst Library Site..Needs improvement

Owner: Hayward Library

Hayward Library is by far the worst library site that I have ever used. Even browsing through the websites in which some have posted as the worst, Hayward Library tops this. I am not sure if Hayward does not have a desire to change their web page, but it really seems to be basic formatting of creating HTML. The colors are extremely dull and uninviting and I had a difficult time finding resources for kids. The calendar is cluttered and I am unsure as to how this would appeal to any parent, teacher, or child. One thing I found unconventional is that, there is not a link to return to the homepage and some of the links are broken. Hayward Library should take into consideration completely changing their webpage.

Museum Manages it's Own Collection on Wikipedia It's Own Way

In The Wall Street Journal, article,  Museums Open Up to Power of Wiki,

MoMA Now Hosts Monthly Edit-a-thons to Help Improve the Quality of Wikipedia Pages by Robin Cembalest (2015) one can consider a innovative approach to Wikipedia and maintaining sound collection management practices. The Museum of Modern Art may have many works listed with Wikipedia. The issue is: is every work represented accurately and completely? It would be challenging to cover such an extensive collection alone, but MoMA had a different idea about how they would control the quality of their collection shared through the world wide web. MoMA called volunteers to come take a crash course in editing with a follow-up on assisting the museum with quality control on Wikipedia. It seems many parts of the collection could use some updates, but the coolest thing about this partnership between MoMA and Wikipedia is the acknowledgement and cooperation between both parties. Community members came forward to give in their free time efforts to fact check and explore different pieces of the collection. These public designed events are to have trained volunteers begin to edit parts of the collection. A shift among libraries, museums, and collection holders is taking place. Different agents are aware of the necessity to permit and support a collection representation on the internet for patron access.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/museums-open-up-to-power-of-wiki-1444613033

Robin Cembalest

Oct. 11, 2015 9:23 p.m. ET

Do E-books Bridge the Digital Divide?

Nicole J. Hoback

Reference:

Polanka, S. (2012). Do E-books Bridge the Digital Divide? In No Shelf Required 2: Use and Management of Electronic Books (pp. 17-34). Chicago, IL: ALA Editions

Summary:

In chapter two, of No Shelf Required 2: Use and Management of Electronic Books, readers are introduced to the technology divide that many Americans face on a daily basis. Since the Great Recession of 2007 more families have been relying on their public libraries to have access to the Internet and computers. In “Do E-books Bridge the Digital Divide?,” the author explains that while many across the United States have a computer, the low to moderate income households cannot afford high speed Internet, in many cases, while some still rely on dial up and look to the library for high-speed access. The author proposes that social workers and librarians should be working closely together to help those patrons most in need. Stating that, “both librarians and social workers are often put in the position of facing budget cuts and doing more with less” (pp. 30). I felt that this quote demonstrated the strength of not only librarians, but of libraries as an institution. Academic libraries were also discussed, in how they are the leader in the number of eBook readers purchased, while public libraries were playing catch-up, generally due to budget. Overall the positive side to this chapter was that although many cannot afford to stay current with technology, creating exclusion, as eReaders become more popular, price drops will occur allowing more of the population to be able to afford them. With more libraries gaining access to these resources this will allow patrons to feel included.

Evaluation:

Although slightly depressing to read, due to how many across the United States are excluded from technology, the chapter was insightful and important to understand when analyzing technologies growth. To understand how technology is affecting children and adults, it is also equally important to know that not everyone has the luxury of experiencing change and growth in education. The positives of this chapter were that more libraries are gaining access to these materials allowing for less exclusion.

An Ugly Weed: innovative Deselection to Address a Shelf Space Crisis

Betty Decker

Arbeeny, P., & Chittenden, L. (2014). An ugly weed: Innovative deselection to address a shelf space crisis. Journal of Library Innovation, 5(1), 78-90. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=llf&AN=96169959&site=ehost-live

Summary: In 2011 the John F. Reed Library at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado was at shelf capacity. This overcrowding was due to a lack of staff maintaining the weeding and the loss of space to create a commons area for students. To alleviate shelf space, a weeding project would need to be implemented. Two librarians were tasked with selecting 4,000-5,000 titles for removal. The list of titles for deselection would need to be provided to subject liaison librarians within a short time. Due to this time shortage it was decided that the librarians would look at the items located in basement storage. Using the library’s ILS the librarians were able to create a list of 20,974 titles that had not checked out since 2003. This list included several fields that had been added to the MARC records that stated if the title was a core title, core author, or if the recorded included notes from the librarian. Once the librarians created an Excel spreadsheet, they quickly selected duplicate titles that had duplicates for removal. These titles were then removed from the shelf by student workers. Multi-volume sets were removed from the list as the librarians were performing a quick weed and felt it would be more productive to have faculty input when considering deselecting these large sets. From these initial removals the librarians then moved towards deselecting titles that were no longer part of the curriculum at the college.  The librarians were also able to then begin narrowing the list down by performing keyword searches in combination with age of material.

The librarians were able to narrow the initial list down to 3,900 titles that were provided to the subject liaison librarians. The subject liaison librarians were then able to direct student workers to remove titles by shelf and set aside for evaluation. In all, a total of 3,734 titles were deselected. The Fort Lewis College Library normal weeding program allows for each subject liaison librarian to deselect titles from their area throughout the year. This process allowed each librarian to not be overloaded with the deselection of titles as well as other duties. The reason for the need to quickly weed titles was due in part to a loss of two librarians which allowed the collection to grow unfettered. The library felt that though this process was workable and allowed for a selection of titles to be removed quickly, it did monopolize the time of the two librarians responsible for creating the list.           

Evaluation: I agree with the Fort Lewis College Library; though this was a great process to quickly weed titles it is not conducive to continual use. Their original weeding process of allowing the subject liaison librarians to weed during the year was more conducive than this process. If I should find myself with the responsibility for a collection that has not been weeded in many years, if ever, then this would be an acceptable weeding process to use. Converting the list of titles into an Excel spreadsheet allowed for titles to be quickly evaluated by age, keyword, duplication or subject area. This obviously narrows down greatly the time used to evaluate each individual title, especially if, like the College, you would be removing most of a subject area that is no longer part of the curriculum.  Overall I love the ease of using Excel, but still feel that this was a patch to be used if ever overcrowding is imminent.

Artist-Designed Miniature Libraries Make Literacy Open, Free and Beautiful

Chansamone O'Meara

Pangburn, D. “Artist-Designed Miniature Libraries Make Literacy Open, Free And Beautiful.” GOOD Magazine. N.p., Dec. 2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2015. 

McCutcheon Book Station

Summary
The popularity of miniature libraries, or book stations, have spread over the past several years. They were first built by Todd Bol in 2010 when he built one in his front lawn and have spread across the United States. The Public Collection, which is an Indianapolis-based art and literacy project company is expanding the original idea. Rachel M. Simon has developed an idea to fuse the miniature library with art. The idea is to, “improve literacy, foster a deeper appreciation of the arts, and raise awareness for education and social justice in our community.” Nine artists were invited to work on the project and place the works around various parts of the city. The purpose of the Public Collection is to break down barriers to access and information and allow everyone access to the collection. According to Simon, “Art, both visual and literary, is for everyone,” she said. “And I hope The Public Collection helps strengthen this idea by sharing these gifts with the community.”

Evaluation
I think this is a wonderful idea of marrying arts and literacy. It allows for aesthetically enhancing the look of a city while providing more access and resources to people. It is yet another example of more access points for people within the community.

Libraries as Infrastructure

Brandes-Miesner, Marta

Mattern, S. (2014). Libraries as Infrastructure. Places Journal. Retrieved from https://placesjournal.org/article/library-as-infrastructure/

Summary:

The subtitle of this article really says it all: Reading room, social service center, innovation lab. How far can we stretch the public library? The author of this article proposes that in our quest to continue to redefine the role of libraries now and in the future, that we must view the library as a network of evolving infrastructures-that is specifically, of an architectural, technological, social, epistemological and ethical foundation. This will help guide us in identifying how we want our libraries to serve and what can reasonably be expected of them. She goes on to state that the library has always evolved to be a host for informative and social needs. She doesn’t like the libraries as platforms metaphor because it is too, 2 dimensional.  It implies that the library only   lays out resources for people to consume. Rather, libraries are everywhere and persistent because they act as mediators in defining the cultural values of our communities. However, libraries are also “opportunity institutions” and “cultural refuges”, keepers of the homeless, sitters of latch-key children, election sites, etc., which begs the question, how can we do it all? The article goes on to explore all of the different challenges that libraries venture to take on and in turn offer up to the public as opportunities-from maker-spaces, science labs, career centers, technology petting zoos, game-labs to hacker-labs and even robots retrieving books! So now we are becoming consumed with the combination of knowledge consumption and production. The authors point is that libraries need to stay focused on their long-term goals for communities and on the ways in which it symbolizes our cultural priorities beyond consumerism and the fiscal aspects of society. Yes, libraries still need to offer opportunities, but we also need to retain our intellectual and ethical goals. Libraries need to incorporate these other aspirations   by allowing other institutions to partner with us in more mutual, more reciprocal circumstances.  Finally, we need to keep our intellectual and ethical goals at the forefront of our mission.

Evaluation:

This was a very interesting article, but the author took some time to make her point. I think we do need to keep sight of our goals and reassess the ways in which we fulfill them. Libraries should also depend more upon outside resources if they are going to fully incorporate some of these new visions for the library’s purpose, lest we just become promoters for the latest technology. We need be careful to retain and uphold the library’s role as mediators of knowledge, culture and ethical societies.