Revisiting Assumptions and Final Reflection

Before I started the program I knew that technology played a role in librarianship, but I did not realize how large technology's influence was. Not only do librarians use it to do things like catalog and research; they also teach patrons how to work with different types of technology. I like technology, but I discovered that I prefer interactions with people. Of course, teaching someone how to use an e-reader is an interaction, but connecting with patrons during a program will most likely be one of my favorite aspects of librarianship.

The more I learn about library and information science, the stronger the combination of nervousness and excitement becomes. I believe I will settle into a stabilized version of my current excitement as I continue the program. I've only scratched the surface of library and information science, and my desire to learn more remains. This semester allowed me to put my desire to provide access to information in words instead of an abstract idea that I could not verbalize.

Hopefully my passion translates into action that helps people access information that they need.

Technology Sandbox

When I started to explore how libraries use Twitter, I had no idea how valuable it could be for libraries. My - admittedly limited - experience with Twitter was celebrity accounts and following tags for the events in Ferguson. I discovered that libraries can utilize Twitter to connect with patrons in various ways and advertise their services to the public. People might not even know that the library exists, but finding a Twitter account could clue them in to the resources available to them. Libraries can tweet about upcoming programs, elections, and general tips relating to information. They can also connect with other libraries to see what they offer their patrons, and share ideas with each other.

Another website I think libraries can utilize is Tumblr. Like Twitter, libraries can repost (reblog) posts from other blogs, including those of other libraries and those of general interest to their community. I think libraries be really creative with their content on Tumblr since they can reblog longer posts. It seems like they would have more freedom, and I have seen libraries reblog posts about authors, diversity in books, and other topics that go beyond their specific library. 

The targeted audience determines the best social media outlet to use. Libraries have to tailor their outreach to their community, and provide relevant content for their patrons.

Popcorn & a Movie

The Hollywood Librarian: A Look at Librarians through Film brought up several ideas about librarianship that I had not considered before, or only thought about vaguely. As I watched, I came to the conclusion that the library and the librarian are the same. Both foster community, serve the people, and provide access to information. Without a librarian, a library becomes a building that houses books instead of a place that opens doors to various types of information. A librarian's most important role is to break down barriers between people and information, i.e., making materials accessible to all people, particularly individuals belonging to marginalized groups. Through continuing education and dialogues with the people they serve, librarians can perform their duties.

Another part of the film I found interesting was the talk of gender. Librarianship is viewed as a feminine profession, and is not taken seriously. The video discussed the "proper" way that women librarians presented themselves decades ago, and how that is still the pervading stereotype. I think that the stereotype still fits in some ways, though I am a little biased due to a strong appreciation for pencil skirts. Women librarians today need to dress sharply in order to command as much respect as possible from their men colleagues and their patrons. Women have to practice respectability politics in order to succeed professionally.

Overall, the video was interesting. I enjoyed the different clips of films referencing library science, and the different perspectives from real librarians. 

Professional Associations

Since I decided to become a librarian, I have known that I want to work in youth services, especially young adult. As a future professional, exploring the associations I could join is a good way to learn more about the field. The first association I looked at was the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).

YALSA's mission is to "expand and strengthen library services for teens, aged 12-18... [by] build[ing] the capacity of libraries and librarians to engage, serve and empower teens." The association carries out its mission through advocacy, trainings, financial assistance to libraries and librarians, and research. Members have access to live and archived webinars, discounted print materials, discounted registration for online courses and conferences, financial assistance, and publications like YALSA's quarterly journal and their weekly newsletter. Members can also network physically and virtually, receive awards, and join a mentoring program. Cost varies based on the category in which the member falls, but you must also purchase a membership to the American Library Association. As a student, I would pay $60 instead of the regular $127, which is a good discount. 

Their publication, Young Adult Library Services, has some interesting articles. I found the Advocacy issue from Fall 2012 and the Future of Libraries and Teens issue from Fall 2013 particularly engaging. I would like to look through a recent book they published called Intellectual Freedom for Teens: A Practical Guide for Young Adult and School Librarians. 

After looking through their website and social media profiles, I would like to join this association. Their resources would be a great asset to my professional development, and would connect me with other folks interested in teen librarianship.

I also explored the Public Library Association. Their mission is to "provide a diverse program of communication, publication, advocacy, continuing education, and programming for its members and others interested in the advancement of public library service." Like YALSA, they focus on advocacy and leadership. Membership benefits include discounts for online education, professional development activities, and products in the American Library Association store. Members also receive a free subscription to their print journal and online newsletter, publishing opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and conference program proposals. To join, you must be a member of the American Library Association. Their fees vary based on the type of membership, and student memberships are $30 instead of $70. 

I would like to join this association as well, but I think YALSA fits my specific interests more. My passion lies with young adult services more than general public library services. 

http://www.ala.org/yalsa/
http://www.ala.org/pla/

Banned Books Week 2014

Hello there Internet!

Happy Belated Banned Books Week! Grad school has been throwing me for a loop, and I wanted to write about a specific book this year. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (let's just call it The Earth from now on for reading and typing purposes) is fairly old in the publishing world, but I had to put it on hold at the library which says something about its relevance 11 years later. The Earth was published in 2003, and made the ALA's Top 10 Frequently Challenged Books list in 2006 and 2009. In 2006, the book was deemed to be "anti-family, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group" and to contain "offensive language." In 2009, the complaints were almost the same; the challenger that year had no issues with the representation of family.

I'm going to stop here to put a disclaimer: SPOILERS AHEAD! 
And a trigger warning here: Mentions of rape, fatphobia, self-harm, eating disorders/disordered eating, and misogyny in this post and in the book.

The story goes like this: Virginia Shreves lives in New York City with her athletic and naturally slim father and her weight-obsessed, formerly fat mother. Her older sister is in the Peace Corps, and her older brother, Byron, is a student at Columbia University. Everyone in her family is thin and blonde, but Virginia is fat and brunette. 

Virginia's physical and personality differences from her parents and siblings create a gap between her and her family. When Byron rapes a fellow student, her family situation becomes even worse. Virginia's father relies on alcohol to cope, her mother pretends everything is normal, and her brother mopes around the house during his suspension. Virginia feels conflicted between the adoration she feels for her brother and her horror at his actions. She cycles through binge eating and starving herself to cope, and self-harms by pinching herself until she bruises and biting her cheek until it bleeds. I don't think the book is anti-family. I think it truthfully portrays the relationships within a family experiencing a situation like Byron raping a girl. Mackler makes a point to have Virginia be more concerned about Annie, the student Byron raped, than her family, especially Byron. Virginia idolized her brother prior to the incident, and her confusion and disgust manifests in further isolation from her family and friends. 

Another way in which The Earth could be seen as anti-family is the portrayal of mother-daughter relationships via Virginia and her mom. Virginia says her mother is a psychologist who spends all day listening to other teenagers and is too tired to listen to her after work. Her mom is obsessed with staying thin, and she pushes her ideal body type onto Virginia, which contributes to Virginia's low self-esteem. The tension builds to the point of Virginia disobeying her mother in several ways, like getting her eyebrow pierced and dying her hair purple. Everything about this book that is "anti-family" are truthful portrayals of an teenager's experience. It's important to explore the complexities of familial relationships in fiction so that teens can work through their own, real-life experiences.

The book opens with Virginia making out with Froggy Welsh the Fourth, a classmate at her private school. This is probably the most sexually explicit scene in the book. In this scene, Virginia reveals to the reader that she makes out with Froggy in secret because she's embarrassed for him. She knows that boys don't like fat girls, so she saves Froggy the trouble of asking her to keep their after school activities quiet. Froggy and Virginia meet again in her bedroom, but her mom comes home early and Froggy sneaks out. The only other mention of sex that could possibly fall under the realm of explicit is Annie's, a student at Columbia University, description of the night Byron raped her. Virginia does struggle with her sexuality throughout the book, specifically relating to Byron's sexual assault against Annie and her fatness. The idea of being touched repulses her after hearing about what Byron did for some time. And even before that, Virginia's sexual desires did not match the societal expectations of a fat girl. She references a radio show and magazines that explain how she must act sexually in order to attract any attention from men. Like the uncomfortable family situations, the exploration of sexuality related to fatness goes directly against the ideas society wants to display for teenagers. Girls should not be thinking about sex, and certainly not fat girls. 

While The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things contains slightly controversial material, it is an important book that should be accessible for teens. Fiction is a method teenagers can use to explore themselves and the situations in their lives, which is important because adolescence is a tumultuous time for everyone. Most challenged books are written for youth because parents want to shield their children from outside influences with which they disagree. Challenging books does a disservice to everyone in the community, but especially to the kids who need representation in fiction. Every person deserves to see themselves in the media they engage with, including girls with big, round butts.

http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10
Mackler, Carolyn. (2003). The earth, my butt, and other big round things. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Intro

Hello there friends!

My name is Lauren, and I am in my first semester of Wayne State University's Library and Information Science program. I graduated from Oakland University this past April where I studied English, history, and women and gender studies. My future professional life would be complete if I could work as a youth services librarian that specifically works with young adults. I think adolescence is a really interesting time in a person's life, and that librarians have unique opportunities to work with that age group. I am particularly interested in diversity within the genre, and I have casually researched the LGBTQ presence in young adult literature. I'm the treasurer of Future Librarians for Inclusivity and Diversity, so I'm also learning about diversity within the field of librarianship.

I'm hoping to learn more about the history of librarianship, how it has evolved, and what it could look like in the future. The field is constantly changing (or so I've been told), and learning about where it started is a solid foundation for the future. I am looking forward to the assignment where we interview a librarian from two information agencies in order to compare the experiences. I have a couple ideas, and I'm excited to see what pans out.

Here are some team-related facts about me:

• I know how to play to strengths and weaknesses in a group. I co-founded two student organizations in my undergrad, so I have a lot of experience working with people in various roles.
• I have pretty good time management skills. In addition to the student organizations, I was a resident assistant for two years, which is basically a 24/7 job.
• I am creative/crafty. You can leave res life, but res life can't leave you. 

And then here are some fun facts about me:

• I have celiac disease, which means I can't eat anything with gluten in it. Hint: does it taste good (and it's not a fruit or veggie)? I probably can't eat it.
• My favorite TV show, band, movie, and book series have not changed for almost 10 years. They are Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fall Out Boy, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Harry Potter, respectively. 
• I have a beautiful and loving cat named Miranda. 





Me and Miranda hanging out before dinner. She was definitely ready to get down and eat







I'm excited to keep this blog, and to form teams for class!

Until next time,

Lauren