1) Librarians are intelligent, service oriented people.
2) Librarians must stand strong against those who would ban books and other materials.
3) Libraries are valuable community assets.
When I first shared these assumptions and assertions, it was merely based upon my personal experience with librarians and libraries. After my first LIS class and the readings and research we did for it, I feel I have more knowledge to back up my beliefs.
Librarians are intelligent, service oriented people: While the intelligence factor may be impossible to measure across an entire profession, writings read across this semester underline this assumption. The readings assigned were varied but many could be used as evidence of the intelligence of librarians across the decades. Some fine examples include:
Ranganathan's five laws of librarianship states:
Books are for use
Every reader his book
Every books its reader
Save the time of the reader
The library is a growing organism
(Haycock and Sheldon, 2008)
(Haycock and Sheldon, 2008)
These laws are as relevant today as they were when they were written. One needs to only expand the definition of books to include resources and it's set for 2014 and beyond (Haycock and Sheldon, 2008). The final law which states of the ever growing library speaks to the changing nature of libraries.
My LIS leader assignment taught me much about the history of children's librarianship. It also provided evidence for my belief in the intelligence and service of librarians. Over the past century, few people have influenced children’s literature and library service more than Anne Carroll Moore. Children’s librarians nationally and internationally knew her as the grande dame of children’s services, who first introduced those services to the New York Public Library. For editors, publishers, and authors, Moore’s name was associated with the standards that laid the foundation for the newly emerging fields of children’s librarianship and children’s publishing (Cummins, 1999). She believed in children and their right to their own books and library service.
Librarians must stand strong against those who would ban books and other materials: I still feel strongly about this and the responsibility librarians have for freedom of access. However, my ethics assignment and feedback from Dr. Maatta taught me that work in ethics is never cut and dry. Ethical decisions will always be tainted by one's own beliefs and the influence of the community in which you serve and must be handled as such. Merely quoting the American Library Association's Code of Ethics and believing you have handled the situation is an oversimplification of the solution. Thoughtful, thorough research and discussion with other professionals will serve me better in the future if and when I encounter ethical dilemmas in the library.
Libraries are valuable community assets: My studies throughout the semester supported this assertion even more strongly than I first assumed it would. In fact, the definition of library and community expanded as I studied. Upon first declaring the above assertion, public libraries were my focus. Upon spending a semester in my first LIS class, I have come to remember that there are a variety of libraries. There are public, academic, school, and many, many special libraries. Each library unique and important to their community. Many hours this semester were spent discussing, dissecting, and researching how to best serve the patrons of the libraries we serve or may serve some day. The pew internet research center shared the following article on this very topic: Libraries and Learning Communities (Libraries, 2011). I know I have just begun my study into the importance of the relationship between libraries and communities.
My assumptions and assertions still stand, but they now stand with a broader, sturdier base.
My LIS leader assignment taught me much about the history of children's librarianship. It also provided evidence for my belief in the intelligence and service of librarians. Over the past century, few people have influenced children’s literature and library service more than Anne Carroll Moore. Children’s librarians nationally and internationally knew her as the grande dame of children’s services, who first introduced those services to the New York Public Library. For editors, publishers, and authors, Moore’s name was associated with the standards that laid the foundation for the newly emerging fields of children’s librarianship and children’s publishing (Cummins, 1999). She believed in children and their right to their own books and library service.
Librarians must stand strong against those who would ban books and other materials: I still feel strongly about this and the responsibility librarians have for freedom of access. However, my ethics assignment and feedback from Dr. Maatta taught me that work in ethics is never cut and dry. Ethical decisions will always be tainted by one's own beliefs and the influence of the community in which you serve and must be handled as such. Merely quoting the American Library Association's Code of Ethics and believing you have handled the situation is an oversimplification of the solution. Thoughtful, thorough research and discussion with other professionals will serve me better in the future if and when I encounter ethical dilemmas in the library.
Libraries are valuable community assets: My studies throughout the semester supported this assertion even more strongly than I first assumed it would. In fact, the definition of library and community expanded as I studied. Upon first declaring the above assertion, public libraries were my focus. Upon spending a semester in my first LIS class, I have come to remember that there are a variety of libraries. There are public, academic, school, and many, many special libraries. Each library unique and important to their community. Many hours this semester were spent discussing, dissecting, and researching how to best serve the patrons of the libraries we serve or may serve some day. The pew internet research center shared the following article on this very topic: Libraries and Learning Communities (Libraries, 2011). I know I have just begun my study into the importance of the relationship between libraries and communities.
My assumptions and assertions still stand, but they now stand with a broader, sturdier base.
References:
Cummins, J. (1999). Moore than meets the eye. (legendary children's librarian Anne Carroll Moore). School Library Journal, (7). 26. Available from: Academic OneFile, Ipswich, MA. Accessed March 1, 2014.
Haycock, K. and Sheldon, B. (Eds.). (2008). The portable MLIS: Insights from the experts. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
Rainie, Lee. (2011, October 18). Libraries and Learning Communities. Address at the Interent Librarian Conference. Accessed at http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2011/10/18/libraries-and-learning-communities/
Cummins, J. (1999). Moore than meets the eye. (legendary children's librarian Anne Carroll Moore). School Library Journal, (7). 26. Available from: Academic OneFile, Ipswich, MA. Accessed March 1, 2014.
Haycock, K. and Sheldon, B. (Eds.). (2008). The portable MLIS: Insights from the experts. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
Rainie, Lee. (2011, October 18). Libraries and Learning Communities. Address at the Interent Librarian Conference. Accessed at http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2011/10/18/libraries-and-learning-communities/
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