Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Book Banning Trend Fuels Far-Reaching Effects, As Well As Challenges To Restrictions, Elizabeth Macdonald

Missouri Policy Journal

Recently, there has been a rapid rise in educational censorship efforts in Missouri and nationwide. There have been escalating book bans in Missouri schools accompanied by conservative backlash against diversity initiatives and manufactured outrage over Critical Race Theory (CRT). While public opinion opposes banning books, legislative efforts surrounding Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Critical Race Theory initiatives have contributed to the rapid increase of bans. Conservative media misrepresents critical race theory to justify censorship in all academic settings. Postsecondary education faces unique challenges, with proposed bans on DEI initiatives threatening accreditation, academic freedom, and quality of education. With bans …

Do The Research!: Conspiracy Theorists And Public Libraries, Timothy Cole Hale

Georgia Library Quarterly

Since 2020, conspiracy theories have crossed into mainstream media with dastardly effects. In attempting to prove conspiracy theories to be real, “researchers” try to back their claims with information. As major institutions within the information society, libraries and archives play a unique role in a world in which more and more people are interested in misinformation and disinformation. This article uses a review of selected literature to address three questions in relevance to public library systems and conspiracy theorists. The first is: what is the ethical responsibility of information managers in providing misinformation and disinformation in regard to intellectual freedom? …

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Analysis Tools For Timely Audits: Two Case Studies Of Carlsbad Libraries, Sarah Wilson

School of Information Student Research Journal

When libraries explore how their youth collections can be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI), it is beneficial to first identify where representation gaps exist amongst their holdings. Digital DEI audit tools can quickly target areas for improvement. The following studies use digital instruments to analyze the DEI representation in two youth library collections in Carlsbad, California. The fiction picture book collections were probed at both a Carlsbad elementary school in Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) and the Georgina Cole public library (Cole). Three digital instruments were used: Diverse BookFinder Collection Analysis Tool, TeachingBooks Collection Analysis Toolkit, and collectionHQ Diversity …

Genrefication In Secondary School Libraries, Lindsay Pulsipher

The Information Warrior Journal

Most school libraries organize fiction books alphabetically by an author’s last name. In order for a student to find and compare potential fiction reading material, the traditional school library model would have the student either search the library system for the topic and then go from stack to stack looking for books about the topic from any number of locations or seek advice from school library staff who would direct the student to potential titles as part of a reader’s advisory. In an effort to make fiction book selection easier for students, some school librarians have turned to genrefied fiction …

From Panels To Shelves: The Evolving Intersection Of Comics And Italian Libraries. History, Issues, Perspectives, Andrea Tosti

SANE journal: Sequential Art Narrative in Education

Despite comics' popularity and cultural significance in Italy, its integration into Italian libraries has been slow, problematic, and uneven. This is reflected in the scarcity of academic research on the topic, which demands further in-depth exploration.

In the context of Italian libraries, characterized by chronic underfunding and staffing shortages, comics might be perceived as a low priority. However, as essential cultural institutions, libraries must strive to reflect both the contemporary era and the evolving reading habits of their audience. Comics, in this regard, could prove to be – and in part already are – a critical resource, a 'booster' for …

Developing And Sustaining A Graphic Scholarship Collection For Academic Libraries, Stewart Brower, Toni Hoberecht, Zane Ratcliffe, Bethie Seay

SANE journal: Sequential Art Narrative in Education

In early 2021, the Schusterman Library at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa satellite campus took a new step towards building a culture of interest by creating the Graphic Scholarship Collection. This new endeavor is a curated collection of graphic novels, primarily non-fiction, aligned with the academic programs on campus, as well as promoting University initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion. A new organizational structure for the collection materials and their circulation metrics will be examined in detail. There will also be consideration of the challenges of selection and acquisition by a mixed team of selectors, some of whom have no experience …

Library Steam Kits: Developing Circulatable Curriculum For Community Steam Learning, Daphne Fauber, Ashley Fletcher

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

Public libraries serve as repositories for a movement described as cultivation of the Library of Things. In the wake of COVID-19, the West Lafayette Public Library enhanced its existing Library of Things collection through the creation of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) kits. Since 2017, the West Lafayette Public Library has held regular free STEAM programs for the community; those programs were put on hold during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which concurred with a library renovation. These kits provide the community with the ability to learn STEAM concepts at home engaging, hands-on activities that may otherwise …

Observations On The Past, Hope For The Future: The Aftermath Of A Library Renovation Project, John H. Barnett

South Carolina Libraries

After experiencing the final weeks and immediate aftermath of a library renovation project at the University of South Carolina Upstate, the Dean of the Library relates what he believes turned out well and what did not. He offers guidance on issues to consider as well as how to improve communication and manage expectations as libraries move forward with their renovations.

Re-Envisioning Our Future: The Library Master Planning Process At The University Of South Carolina Beaufort, Ann Holderfield, Kimberly Kelley

South Carolina Libraries

The authors relate their experiences with participating in a master planning process for the multi-campus University of South Carolina Beaufort Library.

The Miller F. Whittaker Library's Renovation Project, Ruth Hodges

South Carolina Libraries

The author describes the renovation project undertaken by the Miller F. Whittaker Library at South Carolina State University.

Watch This Space: Library Renovations, Repercussions, And Reimaginings--Introduction, Jean Thrift

South Carolina Libraries

In 2022, the South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) College & University Section officers organized a Q&A-style discussion panel, “Watch This Space: Library Renovations, Repercussions, and Reimaginings,” presented at the SCLA Annual Conference. Some of the authors who participated in the panel--Ruth Hodges, South Carolina State University; Kim Kelley, University of South Carolina Beaufort; Ann Holderfield, formerly of the University of South Carolina Beaufort; and John Barnett, University of South Carolina Upstate--have written about their experiences.

Review Of Fundraising For Impact, Meredith R. Evans Ph.D

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

In Fundraising for Impact, Kathryn K. Matthew uses soundbites from more than 100 interviews she conducted with practitioners from libraries, archives and museums from around the world to share ways they increased their funding. This work emphasizes frameworks that help reveal an institution's value and the impact of community, partnerships, investing and fundraising.

Exhibiting Steam: Curating Community Conversations Through Library Collections, Stefanie Hilles, Ginny Boehme, Rachel Makarowski

The STEAM Journal

This article discusses the successful collaboration of an art librarian, a science librarian, and a special collections librarian in their efforts to engage the community in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) conversations through the curation of a STEAM-based exhibition of artist books. The exhibition was an opportunity to showcase STEAM’s interdisciplinarity through library collections that, until this point, had remained unexplored. The goal was to demonstrate how scientific principles have inspired both contemporary artists and those throughout history, dispelling the myth that artists are not influenced by science. The Libraries’ Special Collections proved an excellent resource to investigate …

Big Data: What Is It And How Can Academic Libraries Use It?, Rachel Hooper

Alabama Libraries

No abstract provided.

Haitian Immigrants' Information Needs And Behaviors: Libraries, Information Professionals And Haitians In The United States, Natasha Finnegan

School of Information Student Research Journal

Haitian immigrants are a socially excluded growing demographic in the United States that deals with racism, anti-immigrant sentiment, anti-Haiti rhetoric, and language barriers. Information professionals need to understand Haitian information behavior, their cultural preferences, and barriers in order to successfully fulfill their information needs. This article examines other disciplines’ relevant and scholarly research literature on Haitian immigrants in the United States to discover their trends of information behavior and barriers so that the Library and Information Science field can create effective information pathways to support their community. Haitian immigrants turn to their families and trusted individuals for their information needs, …

The Adult Programming Palooza: Sharing Ideas, Making Connections, Kara Rumble, Amie Torok

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Creating The South Caroliniana Library, Ron Stafford

South Carolina Libraries

No abstract provided.

Share Your Story 2021, Virginia Cononie

South Carolina Libraries

100+ libraries from South Carolina's 7 congressional districts join in a collaborative library advocacy campaign to share their services and experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forwards written from SCLA, the South Carolina Association of School Librarians, Friends of South Carolina Libraries, and the Association of Public Library Administrators.

Librarians’ Attitudes Toward Providing Environmental Education Services In Georgia, Xiaoai Ren

Georgia Library Quarterly

This article reports on the findings from a survey of the Georgia Library Association (GLA) members on their attitudes toward providing environmental education services in libraries, and their perceptions of the role libraries should play in developing environmentally sustainable community. Information on the environmentally sustainable practices within libraries was also collected, along with the libraries' environmental education services. Most respondents agreed that it is vital to integrate environmentally sustainable practices into library operations and provide environmental education services. However, the study also identified a gap between librarians’ attitudes and the actual environmentally sustainable practices and environmental education services in their …

Georgia Library Association Advocacy Committee, Angela Cortellino

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Review Of Deconstructing Service In Libraries: Intersections Of Identities And Expectations, Emily Komornik

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

In Deconstructing Service in Libraries: Intersections of Identities and Expectations, Veronica Arellano Douglas and Joanna Gadsby bring together nineteen essays from the perspectives of library workers of differing race, ethnicity, gender identity, and job title to discuss service and what it means in their respective roles. Arellano Douglas and Gadsby’s edited volume offers essays that highlight the frustration of librarians who feel underappreciated, undervalued, and, perhaps most importantly, underestimated in their professional spaces. Within Deconstructing Service in Libraries, Arellano Douglas and Gadsby collect insightful, real-world examples of library professionals tackling these issues, offering solidarity alongside valuable professional advice. This book …

News From The States

The Southeastern Librarian

News from participating Southeastern states.

Ransomware: A Bibliometric Research Study, Allyce Andrew Sears, Mlis

SLIS Connecting

This study gathered and analyzed data of published scholarly literature regarding ransomware in order to share this knowledge with LIS professionals for their own use and education. It focused on scholarly journals over the last decade (2010-2020).

Uplifting Diverse And Marginalized Voices Through Community Archives And Public Programming, Annie E. Tummino, Jo-Ann Wong, Obden Mondésir

Urban Library Journal

Queens Memory is a local community archiving project co-administered by the Queens Public Library and Queens College Library. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Queens Memory embarked on a collaborative series of online programs that covered social justice, current events, and the creation of social change. This programming built upon ongoing community oral history and documentation efforts. This article explores how the public programs and oral history initiatives fueled one another, serving to uplift diverse voices within our communities and preserve those voices in the archives. Key ingredients of the programs are discussed, including technology, outreach, collaboration, consent, and format.

The Inked Experience: Professionalism And Body Modifications In Libraries, Manda Sexton, Samantha Reardon, Jennifer Carter, Matthew Foley

Georgia Library Quarterly

The decision to undergo body modifications can be done for a myriad of personal reasons, ranging from a love of the art, an expression of the person's individuality, the display of an affiliation, or for religious and/or spiritual beliefs. In the winter of 2020, our research team set out on a quest to discover the culture of acceptance of body modifications, including tattoos, piercings, and unnatural hair colors, among those who work in and use libraries in the United States of America. With over 850 participants, the study discussed not only perceptions of professionalism, but also the number of those …

Sela News, Hollie Stevenson-Parrish

The Southeastern Librarian

No abstract provided.

News From The States

The Southeastern Librarian

No abstract provided.

The History And Current Challenges Of Libraries In Japan, Francis A. Alix

SLIS Connecting

Japan's libraries have many positive attributes and continue to evolve. However, many library sectors struggle with serving users because of staff outsourcing, library leadership, and a focus on circulation statistics that prevent them from developing into 21st-century information and community centers. This paper reviews the history and current status of each library sector, including their services and staffing. It then examines their current challenges and how professionalism, librarian education, and community engagement are the main challenges to their success and suggests recommendations to elevate them to compete in the global arena.

Covid-19: The Laurier Library On Demand, Gohar Ashoughian

Consensus

No abstract provided.

News - Digital Library Of Georgia, Mandy L. Mastrovita

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.