Cataloging and Metadata Commons^™

Book Reviews, Melissa Brooks, Justin Easterday

Mississippi Libraries

Reviews of:

Watson, J. and J. Thomas, Jr., eds., Faulkner's Families. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2023. 247 pp. $30.00 (Paperback).

Lemco, A. (2023). Wading In: Desegregation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Univ. Press of Mississippi. 206 pp. $22 (Paperback).

First Regional Library Celebrates 75 Years, David Brown

Mississippi Libraries

In 1947, the Citizen’s Library Movement of DeSoto County was formed to advocate for public libraries in the communities of Northwest Mississippi. These early visionaries saw the advantages of having a regional library system to share resources and materials. The Movement’s efforts led to the Supervisors of DeSoto, Lafayette, Panola, and Tate Counties to form First Regional Library in 1950, the first multi-county library system in Mississippi. In 1968, Tunica County joined the library system.

These communities have shown much growth in the past 75 years, and First Regional Library has grown with the communities it serves.. When First Regional …

Mla Annual Conference 2024 Recap, Janessa Ullendorf

Mississippi Libraries

Recap of the 2024 Mississippi Library Association Conference held in Natchez, Mississippi on October 9-11, 2024.

Bridging The Gap: Fostering Collaboration And Professional Development With University And School Librarian Partnerships, Melissa Dennis, Melody Dale

Mississippi Libraries

In 1999, the Mississippi State University Libraries established the MegaResource School Librarian Workshop, a technology-focused workshop that provided K-12 librarians an opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Over the past 25 years, the workshop has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of school librarians, however, the popularity of the workshop and limited spacing meant there was often a waiting list, creating an opportunity for other institutions to help fill this need. In 2022, academic librarians and deans from Mississippi universities met to discuss ways that the University of Mississippi Libraries and others could create more outreach opportunities, specifically for …

Looking Ahead: Evolving Technology And Service In Mississippi Public Libraries, Gabriel Morley

Mississippi Libraries

Over the past two decades, Mississippi public libraries have experienced a significant shift in how patrons access technology and information. Once central to bridging the digital divide, public computers and in-person reference services are now in decline, reflecting broader trends in digital access and self-service information seeking. Between 2013 and 2023, computer use sessions in Mississippi libraries dropped by 75%, while reference transactions decreased by over 50% from 2003-2023. This article explores the evolution of library technology services in Mississippi public libraries and offers a forward-thinking vision for the future. It argues that adaptability, innovation, and strategic partnerships are key …

Slis Notes: The Ai Elephant In The Room, Stacy Creel, Andrew Sims

Mississippi Libraries

Notes and updates from the Director of the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi. This column discusses the emergence of new AI tools and their potential effects on libraries.

President's Page, Matt Gully

Mississippi Libraries

Updates from the President of the Mississippi Library Association.

Front Matter

Mississippi Libraries

Cover and table of contents for Mississippi Libraries, Vol. 87, Nos. 1 and 2

Living Heritage, Resilience And Ethically Informed Infrastructures In Malawi, Martha B. Lerski, Frank Puluputu Mwale

Publications and Research

Rooted in a rural community’s needs, this paper explores how historically, and ethically informed infrastructures can support community engagement towards identification, documentation, and dissemination of local, traditional, and indigenous knowledge relating to climate change. The paper examines climate adaptation and sustainability issues through the lenses of community organizing and Library & Information Science best practices. It draws on a growing body of literature identifying a role for expanded epistemological and subject discipline perspectives. While the impacts of climate on material culture are increasingly recognized, intangible, and biocultural heritage have not received as much attention. Living heritage traditions and knowledge systems …

Arts-Based Sustainability: From New York To Malawi, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Recognizing that libraries serve multiple constituencies and subject areas, this chapter documents and advocates for development of transdisciplinary arts-based research (ABR) and culture-related projects linked to environmental challenges. Libraries contribute collections and spaces, as well as the research of library and information scientists. Libraries are currently among invisible contributors to sustainability planning and services. The chapter will link this invisibility to the value of what visual arts refer to as negative space elements in subjects ranging from traditional ecological knowledge to environmental science. Library collections, projects, and research contribute to education for sustainable development (ESD) as required to achieve the …

Faculty Spotlight With Prof. Ferretti: Q&A On Critical Librarianship, Pearl Kim

School of Information Student Research Journal

In an interview with the Student Research Journal (SRJ), Prof. Jennifer Ferretti discusses the principles and impact of critical librarianship—an approach grounded in critical theory that interrogates power and inequity within libraries and archives. Drawing on her experience as a practitioner, educator, and student, she reflects on the role of critical theory in shaping library pedagogy, professional ethics, and institutional practices. Prof. Ferretti, an artist and information professional, formerly taught a course called “Building a Critical Culture: Information Ethics, Diverse Communities, and Critical Librarianship” at San Jose State University’s iSchool. She is currently the Documentation and Archives Director at the …

And The Test Of Resilience Continues, Pearl Kim

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Hands On Archiving: Aid In Reorganizing The San Bernardino County Museum Archive Room And Archival Material, Ezequiel Vera

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This paper documents the process and details of the History Archives Inventory Project at the San Bernardino County Museum (SBCM). Most of the work of this project is done in-person and will include photographic evidence of the project, a written portion that will explain the process of the project, and secondary literature that will help explain the process of the project and its corresponding decision making. The History Archives Inventory Project is a multiple year-long project; this paper will be limited to my time working on the project while completing my Master of Arts in History at CSUSB. My time …

Beyond Rules And Tools: Imagining A Design Approach To Metadata Management Training, Rebecca B. French

Libraries

Professional development offerings for cataloging and metadata practitioners primarily focus on "rules and tools" - the standards, guidelines, and software applications commonly used in the field. These areas of knowledge are important and foundational, but professionals also need competence in synthesizing this information to solve metadata problems. In this presentation, I will explore design epistemology as a way of understanding metadata management. I will apply design concepts and methods to reimagine metadata training and provide suggestions for on-the-job training approaches that support the development of these harder-to-teach skills.

Identifying Intangible And Biocultural Heritage Elements Toward Environmental Understanding: Engaging Stakeholders Through Art, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Grounded in a case study in Barbuda in the Caribbean, this research examines sustainability from the perspective of what arts and heritage can contribute to community engagement and local and broader understandings about the environment. This article documents a growing body of literature recognizing the role of arts and culture, including local knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), in climate change endeavors. Art and TEK present expansive world views. Contextual information situates research done on the island of Barbuda pre- and post-Hurricane Irma. Visual arts workshops engaged community members in mixed methods research. Results documented cultural elements, particularly intangible and …

Unveiling Legacies: Exploring And Analyzing Cultural Artifacts In The Higbee Collection, Samantha Staller

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Anthropology and the Cummings Center to find ways to properly analyze an archaeological collection's artifacts to understand the overall significance of everything better. Before starting my research, I came up with the following questions: Can any artifacts be considered culturally affiliated? Is everything in the collection authentic? What is the overall background of the collection? Does this collection have any connection to Ohio history? Can anything in the collection be dated? Throughout the research, I will create an Excel inventory list to include qualitative and quantitative data from the artifacts to give insight into what is included in the Higbee …

Book Review: Decentering Whiteness In Libraries: A Framework For Inclusive Collection Management, Andrea Jamison, Shala K. Howell

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Redefining Reference Services In The 21st Century, Johanna Tunon

School of Information Student Research Journal

The role of reference services in libraries has evolved significantly in the 21st century, driven by technological advancements and changing user needs. This paper explores how reference services have transitioned from traditional, desk-centric interactions to encompass a wide array of platforms and tools, including digital innovations and generative AI. The decline in reference transactions has prompted librarians to adapt, shifting focus towards more complex consultations and instructional roles, while also navigating the blurred boundaries between reference assistance and formal instruction. The paper also examines the updated definitions and limitations of reference services by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), …

The Importance Of Graduate-Student-Led Academic Journals Within Library And Information Science, Odin Halvorson

School of Information Student Research Journal

Graduate-student-led academic journals play a crucial role in fostering early career researchers' engagement with scholarly discourse within the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). This paper highlights the significance of these journals by examining their contributions to professional development, peer review practices, and inclusivity. Through a case study of the Student Research Journal (SRJ) at San Jose State University’s iSchool, I demonstrate how student-led journals provide invaluable experiential learning opportunities in leadership, organization, and research skills. The SRJ exemplifies these benefits by achieving international recognition with minimal resources, showcasing its impact-to-cost ratio. This paper also discusses the journal's role …

Ischool Student Research Journal, Vol.14, Iss.2

School of Information Student Research Journal

Article citations within.

Modeling Context And The Characteristica Universalis, John Kausch

Proceedings from the Document Academy

This paper proposes prototypes for the exploration of the context of terms in a knowledge organization system by visualizing machine learning produced word embeddings. It puts this work in the context of the search for a universal language, typified by Leibniz’s characteristica universalis. This tradition of the search for universal languages is put in the context of universalizing tendencies in taxonomic classification in library and information science. Following this there is a discussion of the use of machine learning models to represent context. These two concerns inform the construction of prototypes for exploring the contextual spaces produced by word embeddings …

One Object, Fluctuating Trajectories: Harnessing The Document Future Of Premodern Manuscripts, L.P. Coladangelo, Rose A. Mccandless

Proceedings from the Document Academy

Using copy theory as a framework to explore document surrogacy and simulation, this paper discusses premodern manuscripts as a case study for understanding relevant aspects of temporality and materiality in the experience of documents to speculate on the nature of immersive documents of the future. This speculation is powered on mapping and synthesizing the paths of interconnected temporal and material change manuscripts have followed by examining multiple “versions” of these documents based on various contexts of use and access and technological innovations. As hand copied documents of similar texts, premodern manuscripts are posited as both copies and originals depending on …

Bringing Servicewomen Into Focus: Exploring Methods For Indexing Second World War Archival Photographs At Library And Archives Canada, Rebecca Murray

Canadian Military History

The Second World War saw women officially serving in the Canadian military in capacities other than nursing, breaking into roles historically held by men. The service of over fifty thousand Canadian women is documented in photographs held at Library and Archives Canada; photographs that allow historians to widen the lens on the traditional narrative, but only if they can find them. This article presents two methods for indexing archival photographs and highlights the particular challenges of identifying servicewomen in the archival record and bringing our aunties and grandmas into focus.

Student Perspectives On Increasing Visibility Of Las Vegas African American History, Ericka Marielle Garces, Nicole Garcia-Contreras, Alfredo Lim

Communication Studies Student Research

Photographer Clinton Wright documented the everyday lives and experiences of the African American community in Las Vegas' Historic Westside from 1964 to 1971. He later donated his collection of photographic negatives to the Special Collections and Archives at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries. Although the collection is open to the public, physical access is limited to the Special Collections Reading Room, which may restrict usability for some researchers and community members. This project highlights the importance of digitization and metadata workflows in improving access to and visibility of archival materials.

In this poster, the authors present their work …

Wilson, Debbie W. Little Strength, Big God. Abilene, Tx: Leafwood Publishers, 2023., Katie M. Meeks

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Ischool Student Research Journal, Vol.14, Iss.1

School of Information Student Research Journal

Volume 14, Issue 1 of the School of Information Student Research Journal explores the multifaceted impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on academia, particularly within library and information science (LIS) education and scholarly publishing. Highlighting the proactive measures taken by San Jose State University's iSchool, this issue underscores the necessity of integrating AI competencies, such as data privacy and ethical AI use, into curricula. Through detailed case studies and policy reviews, the issue examines the ethical and societal implications of AI, including biases and inequalities, advocating for adaptive and responsible AI integration.

Odin Halvorson's paper emphasizes the transformative potential of Large …

Looking Ahead: Incorporating Ai In Mlis Competencies, Souvick Ghosh, Denise Mccoy

School of Information Student Research Journal

Libraries have long been essential for democratizing knowledge and providing reliable information, extending their services to meet diverse community needs, including educational programs and internet access (Pawley, 2022; Freudenberger, 2022). Librarians, as custodians of information and culture, possess core competencies in information organization, digital literacy, and research skills. The San José State University (SJSU) School of Information (iSchool) aims to educate professionals who significantly impact global communities through high-quality education, research, and technology innovation. This article examines the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at SJSU iSchool, focusing on the evolution of its 14 core competencies to incorporate …

Into The Unknown: Developing Ai Policies For The Student Research Journal, Marc Hoffeditz

School of Information Student Research Journal

In light of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom in late 2022, policies governing the use and disclosure of artificial intelligence in scholarly journals have occupied editorial boards of all disciplines. The Student Research Journal (SRJ) at San José State University sought to tackle this issue with an inclusive process to better serve our authors and editorial team in uncertain times. This editorial will discuss the work of the SRJ’s AI Policy Working Group in completing a comprehensive review of literature surrounding the topics of AI and scholarly publishing, detail the journal’s first AI disclosure policy in depth, and identify next …

Ai In Academia: Policy Development, Ethics, And Curriculum Design, Odin Halvorson

School of Information Student Research Journal

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal force in modern society, significantly impacting various sectors, including academia. This paper examines the broad implications of AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), and their transformative potential across educational institutions. The San Jose State University's iSchool is highlighted as a case study, demonstrating its proactive approach to integrating nascent technologies and revising curriculum competencies to address AI's influence. As AI reshapes library and information science (LIS) education, the development of new competencies, such as data privacy and ethical AI use, becomes essential. Furthermore, the ethical and societal implications of AI, including potential …

Material Order: A Discovery Group And Shared Catalogue For Materials Collections, Mark Pompelia, Margot Mcilwain Nishimura

Faculty & Librarian Work

Material Order is an academic consortium of material sample collections for art, architecture, and design disciplines. Founded by the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University and Fleet Library at Rhode Island School of Design and since comprising several more institutions in the US, it provides a community-based approach to management and open access utilizing and developing standards and best practices. Now in its twelfth year and reaching a level of maturation, Material Order offers research and pedagogical value to current and potential members and the larger design communities.