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 …

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.”

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 …

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.

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 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.

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 …