Social Responbility

When you think of a library, bookshelves lined with tomes comes to mind.  If you are a bit younger, rows of computers may spring in there.  These days, some libraries are so busy, you see more of the people than of the contents--which is good!

Libraries and librarians want to be busy.  Librarians LIVE to serve.  We live to answer questions (maybe not all of us live to answer questions from living people, but instead wish to answer a long standing theoretical question.)  I like to answer people's questions.  I like to dig into something and come up with material.  I like to read.

One of the biggest debates in librarianship is how far do we go in our service to the patron?  Do we simply fulfil their requests or do we promote our services and skills to the public/private sector that may even cross lines into the more controversial areas of life?

I have no problem putting myself out there to provide information (so long as it is sound and factually supported).  I have no problem supporting another's viewpoint, again so long as it can be factually supported.  Ethically, I cannot withhold information when asked for within the context of patron seeking information.  In schools, parents would challenge THAT whole idea and I would have to be prepared to say I will provide it within the bounds of the school board and following the curriculum.

Social responsibility.  Just how far should a library go to aid the public it serves?  It has been well documented that public libraries have served their communities in astounding ways and means.  In MN, we have some very well known libraries.  William Mitchell Law (St Paul Central); Rondo Community Library; Roseville Area (Ramsey County's main); James J. Hill; Mpls/Hennepin County Main; etc.  Our libraries serve a diverse and expanding community of new Americans.  We have East African, Southeast Asian,  Russian, Polish, Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Chicano/Latino communities in full bloom.  They have schools, mosques, temples, churches, clubs, stores, and more.  They are integrated on a daily basis and have taken on the tasks to learn the English language, obtain jobs, utilize services, and contribute.  Some of the populations have reached out asking for the services.  Some have not.  Do we have a responsibility to say, "Hello.  My name is....  I can help you find information/learn skills/apply for a job/apply for aid/take the citizenship test/'fill in your choice here'?"  I think we do.

So MUCH Technology!

Having spent a great deal of the last 2 years in school, I've learned a great deal about libraries and the services they offer.  I was by no means naive about their services, but I do have to say librarians are very savvy in technology!

As you can see below, I've just taught myself to send a mobile post.  It's too bad I prefer full text words because there is a serious limit on the number of characters--less than Twitter sized!  I will not be posting through mobile a great deal because I like to write.  :-)

School starts soon again.  I shall have more to write soon regarding libraries and books.  ALA is just coming out of the mid-winter conference and gearing up for the annual conference in June.  With luck, I shall be able to attend that one.  If not, there is a possibility I can join some other school media conferences and report back.  If nothing else, I shall be writing on social responsibility/justice.  Beware and be prepared!!

A Mobile Post

A mobile post: 2 y in schl. Blog, edit, grfx, jPeg, ppt, BOOKS, ALA, AASL, +MEMO.

Symbolism

So I didn't actually read them, but I did the next best thing--listened to them!  I can't read books while I work, so I use audio books.  I don't get the whole story most of the time and do have to keep going back on the CD's because I miss a lot, often.  [I do have to think sometimes while I work and thinking with listening doesn't always work]. 

What am I talking about?  The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons (still listening to this one).  I find it a little odd that the first book (DVC) is actually the second and is full of symbolism, while the second book (A&D) is really the first, but not so full of symbolism.  Of course we get to hear about the Papal household and the Conclave, which is awesome! 

I find the symbolism tangents to very interesting and enlightening.  However, I also enjoy a good mystery and it's really hard to stick with the mystery when we keep going off on tangents.  Also, if someone doesn't know a whole lot about symbolism or the church for that matter, it's a little hard to keep up.   For those who really enjoy all the secrecy and the scandals revolving around the church, these are the books for you!  If you really enjoy hearing about the landmarks and cultures in ancient cities, again books are for you.