Library and Information Science Commons^™

Reflecting Deeply: Why A Philosophy Of Reference Services Should Direct Every Ri, Bethany Radcliffe, Garrett Trott

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article distinguishes between a philosophy and a theory of reference services. Philosophy explores why practitioners do something, whereas theory explores the actual practice without necessarily reflecting on the why behind it. The authors argue that a personal philosophy of reference services is needed, as librarians’ values ultimately drive the reference services they provide. Much of the current literature on this topic explores theories of reference services as opposed to the philosophies behind them. The authors first examine the gap in the LIS literature pertaining to a philosophy of reference services. They then define three premises upon which they base …

Review Of: Archival Virtue: Relationships, Obligation, And The Just Archives By Scott Cline, Meghan R. Rinn

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

A thoughtful meditation on the profession, Scott Cline’s Archival Virtue is timely and much needed. The text reframes discussions regarding justice, equity, diversity, access, and a better archives for all as a part of a greater quest for morality and virtue among ourselves and as a core of archives as a profession in the 21st century.

Book Review: What Is Philosophy For?, Jeffery S. Gates

Library Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Phi 230: American Philosophy Oer Curation, Chealsye Bowley

Curated OER Collections

This OER curation is an annotated bibliography of prospective OER for the GVSU course PHI 230: American Philosophy. At the instructor's request, the OER Curator focused on finding quality replacements for course readings currently assigned from “American Philosophies: An Anthology.”

Begin At The Beginning: The Importance Of A Written Philosophy In Shaping A New Library Initiative, Kimberly Burke Sweetman

ACRL New England Chapter Annual Conference

No abstract provided.

Bloomsbury Philosophy Library, Rob Tench

Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

The article reviews the Web site Bloomsbury Philosophy Library, located at bloomsburyphilosophylibrary.com, from publisher Bloomsbury.

The Use Of Empiricism, Rationalism And Positivism In Library And Information Science Research, Nadia Abbas Shah, Amjid Khan, Pervaiz Ahmad, Muhammad Arshad

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper aims to study the significance/importance of “empiricism”, “rationalism” and “positivism” and their application in library and information science (LIS) research. The objectives of this paper covered in two parts. Part one describes the historical development of these epistemologies, explore its main characteristics and presents the criticism that has been nurtured against these views. In the second part, the importance and use of these epistemologies in the context of LIS research have been discussed. Since philosophy is the least touched subject in LIS, therefore, limited literature is available to review these epistemologies from the perspective of LIS.

Empiricism, rationalism …

Dorothy Moser Medlin Papers - Accession 1049, Dorothy Moser Medlin

Manuscript Collection

(The Dorothy Moser Medlin Papers are currently in processing.)

This collection contains most of the records of Dorothy Medlin’s work and correspondence and also includes reference materials, notes, microfilm, photographic negatives related both to her professional and personal life. Additions include a FLES Handbook, co-authored by Dorothy Medlin and a decorative mirror belonging to Dorothy Medlin.

Major series in this collection include: some original 18th century writings and ephemera and primary source material of André Morellet, extensive collection of secondary material on André Morellet's writings and translations, Winthrop related files, literary manuscripts and notes by Dorothy Medlin (1966-2011), copies …

System Branding In Three Public Libraries: Live Oak Public Libraries, Charlotte Mecklenberg Library, And Richland Library, Patrick Roughen

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This research examines the development of the system brands of three public libraries: Live Oak Public Libraries, Richland Library, and Charlotte Mecklenberg Library. A system brand may be defined as the overall brand of a library system, as opposed to any of its sub-brands, such as those associated with individual library services, branches, departments, and events. Using a descriptive, case study approach, this research characterizes the efforts behind branding in these library systems.

A Black Art: Ontology, Data, And The Tower Of Babel Problem, Andrew J. Iliadis

Open Access Dissertations

Computational ontologies are a new type of emerging scientific media (Smith, 2016) that process large quantities of heterogeneous data about portions of reality. Applied computational ontologies are used for semantically integrating (Heiler, 1995; Pileggi & Fernandez-Llatas, 2012) divergent data to represent reality and in so doing applied computational ontologies alter conceptions of materiality and produce new realities based on levels of informational granularity and abstraction (Floridi, 2011), resulting in a new type of informational ontology (Iliadis, 2013) the critical analysis of which requires new methods and frameworks. Currently, there is a lack of literature addressing the theoretical, social, and critical …

Free Will And Agency: A Scoping Review And Map, Paul Fehrmann

Paul Fehrmann

Systematic reviews (SR) are important in the health and social sciences, and could have value for theoretical and philosophical psychology (TPP). Three objectives are addressed in this paper: 1. To identify a SR framework for topics in TPP. 2. To assess current SR methods use in the TPP literature. 3. Scoping is a type of SR, and a third objective is to explore using scoping SR on this broad topic: how is the topic of “free will and agency” addressed in the TPP literature? Corresponding to the three objectives, these methods were used: 1. Major systematic review guidelines and recent …

Powerpoint Slides For Big Data, Big Libraries, Big Problems?: The 2014 Libtech Anti-Talk?, Nathan A. Rinne Mr.

Nathan A Rinne Mr.

The desire to create automatons is a familiar theme in human history, and during the age of the Enlightenment mechanical automatons became not only an “emblem of the cosmos”, but a symbol of man’s confidence that he would unlock nature’s greatest mysteries and fully harness her power. And yet only a century later, automatons had begun to represent human repression and servitude, a theme later picked up by writers of science fiction. Man’s confidence undeterred, the endgame of the modern scientific and technological mindset, or MSTM, seems to be increasingly coming into view with the rise of “information technology” in …

Big Data, Big Libraries, Big Problems?: The 2014 Libtech Anti-Talk?, Nathan A. Rinne Mr.

Nathan A Rinne Mr.

The desire to create automatons is a familiar theme in human history, and during the age of the Enlightenment mechanical automatons became not only an “emblem of the cosmos”, but a symbol of man’s confidence that he would unlock nature’s greatest mysteries and fully harness her power. And yet only a century later, automatons had begun to represent human repression and servitude, a theme later picked up by writers of science fiction. Man’s confidence undeterred, the endgame of the modern scientific and technological mindset, or MSTM, seems to be increasingly coming into view with the rise of “information technology” in …

Open Source Integrated Library Systems In Public Libraries, Tony Brooke

School of Information Student Research Journal

One of the most fundamental decisions a library makes is choosing an integrated library system, or ILS. A public library can remove unwanted outside influence and save money by switching their ILS to free and open source software, or FOSS. This article is an examination of the progress made by FOSS ILSs to become not only contenders against proprietary systems, but also an appropriate choice for financial, functional, and philosophical reasons. Included is a timeline of published evaluations, the milestone of 14% adoption, a summary of the current landscape, and example implementation cases. A functional analysis shows why a public …

The Postmodern Shift In Library Instruction, Terry Dwain Robertson

Faculty Publications

Fifty years ago, prior to the digital revolution, library instruction consisted of a knowledgeable librarian guiding students through the various classes of documents, with examples of recognized authorities. Each bibliographic tool was handcrafted by competent individuals, published by reputable publishers, and recommended by disciplinary practitioners. While working through these various tools was time consuming, and getting access to materials not held locally often proved slow, the student researcher could reasonably assume the sincerity and integrity of the sources. With the digital revolution, much has changed. Now, instead of bibliographic instruction, librarians engage in “information literacy”(IL) training. Rather than point students …

The Postmodern Shift In Library Instruction, Terry Dwain Robertson

Terry Dwain Robertson

Fifty years ago, prior to the digital revolution, library instruction consisted of a knowledgeable librarian guiding students through the various classes of documents, with examples of recognized authorities. Each bibliographic tool was handcrafted by competent individuals, published by reputable publishers, and recommended by disciplinary practitioners. While working through these various tools was time consuming, and getting access to materials not held locally often proved slow, the student researcher could reasonably assume the sincerity and integrity of the sources. With the digital revolution, much has changed. Now, instead of bibliographic instruction, librarians engage in “information literacy”(IL) training. Rather than point students …

Evaluating Information In Theological Education: A Framework For Discussion [Poster], Terry Dwain Robertson

Terry Dwain Robertson

Information literacy as pedagogy targets the novice learner, and provides guidance in evaluating sources. Critical thinking dispositions and hermeneutical considerations are then employed to evaluate the claims. The standard output is some type of communication format which is then evaluated for competence. This pedagogical model works well in those areas of study in which facts are readily verifiable through means consistent with scientism, such as medicine and technology, so as to assume a single correct answer. But in the domain of spiritual knowledge, there is an added complexity: the pluralism embedded in history, culture, confessional commitments, and so forth. How …

The Implications Of Arminius’ Understanding Of The Intellect On Knowledge Exchange Strategies In The Mission Of The Sda Church, Terry Dwain Robertson

Faculty Publications

Arminius differed from the Calvinism he debated in the causal role of information in bringing a person to salvation. This accounts for the distinction between an Adventist Philosophy of Education, following Arminius, in which the outcome of education is to lead the student to a saving relationship with God, a bottom-up eternal salvation perspective. A Calvinist Philosophy of Education, on the other hand, suggests that the outcome of education is to change society, a top-down, temporal perspective. Therefore, it is necessary for the Adventist Church to assume a more intentional role in providing quality information sources to emerging institutions training …

Ethos And Credibility : Collaborating To Develop Students’ Critical Information Literacy, Richard H. Hannon, April D. Cunningham

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2009

Librarians and professors know that students who search online believe they can identify good sources based on surface credibility. But students make bad decisions if they apply criteria out of alignment with academic values. This presentation outlines an innovative merger of traditional Rhetoric and Information Literacy to guide students’ research decisions. The collaboration between a librarian and a Composition instructor illustrates librarians’ central role in deepening students' academic values. Participants will take away a new approach to developing students’ evaluative skills that draws on the philosophical principles of “good reasons” and ethos.

Applications Of Edith Stein's Empathy Theory To Library Science, Katelyn Angell

Brooklyn Library Faculty Publications

Library Science has traditionally been a discipline which operates from a pragmatic rather than a philosophical framework. Theory is traditionally superseded by practice, rendering librarianship a field lacking in concrete foundations. However, philosophy, particularly phenomenology, harbors powerful ramifications for improving both the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of the field. In particular, phenomenologist Edith Stein's research on empathy has the unique potential to advance librarianship by providing a model for better understanding of patron needs. In order to translate Stein's theory into practice, the classic feminist strategy of consciousness-raising provides a novel methodology.

The Digital Archive: The Data Deluge Arrives In The Humanities, Christine L. Borgman

Christine L. Borgman

The data deluge has began to overwhelm the sciences, as instruments such as sensor networks and space telescopes are generating far more data than can possibly be inspected manually. Only digital tools can make sense of these vast volumes of data. As the humanities draw more heavily on digital archives, their scholarship is taking on many characteristics of the sciences, becoming more data-intensive, information-intensive, distributed, multi-disciplinary, and collaborative. However, the humanities typically lack the technical infrastructure available to the sciences. The scholarly interests of the sciences and humanities also diverge with respect to research practices, sources of evidence, and degrees …

Christianity And Libraries: A Selective Bibliography, Gregory A. Smith

Gregory A. Smith

Provides an introduction to a searchable bibliography of 340 sources that explore various connections between Christian faith and practice, on the one hand, and the world of libraries and information, on the other. Explains the rationale for the bibliography and describes its scope and content. Provides eight tips for successful searching.

Reading The Academic Library Blog Through The Lens Of Genre Theory: A Preliminary Discussion, Mellissa J. Hinton

Post Library Faculty Publications

This article is a theoretical discussion that introduces examining the emerging library blog of the public academic library from the approach of genre theory. Genre theory classifies texts not only by form but by the social actions performed, a definition developed by Carol Miller. Public and private spheres are found to intersect in the library blog, complicating the traditional role of the librarian as objective information provider. Reprinted by permission of the publisher

Law And Heidegger’S Question Concerning Technology: Prolegomenon To Future Law Librarianship, Paul D. Callister

Faculty Works

Following World War II, the German philosopher Martin Heidegger offered one of the most potent criticisms of technology and modern life. His nightmare is a world whose essence has been reduced to the functional equivalent of a giant gasoline station, an energy source for modern technology and industry. "This relation of man to the world [is] in principle a technical one . . . [It is] altogether alien to former ages and histories. For Heidegger, the problem is not technology itself, but the technical mode of thinking that has accompanied it." Such a viewpoint of the world is a useful …

A Social Epistemology Of Theological Inquiry, Terry Dwain Robertson

Terry Dwain Robertson

No abstract provided.