One of the folks we've been talking to about this Information + Publics project pointed us to a LinkedIn discussion in the American Library Association group (requires LinkedIn account and access to the ALA group) from about a year ago that touched on the topic. The original question was about how reference librarians should provide… Continue reading Computers, Social Work, and Public Libraries
Category: Editorial
Little Free Libraries and Collaborative Engagement
I was reminded this weekend that Little Free Libraries are still growing in popularity, when (not for the first time) someone suggested to me that I might build one at some point. They seem to be especially numerous here in the Twin Cities--not surprising, given that they're based in the Upper Midwest. In just one… Continue reading Little Free Libraries and Collaborative Engagement
Whole Person Librarianship: The Start of a Manifesto
I had the good fortune to spend much of the last week in the company of other smart, enthusiastic librarians on the upswing in their careers at MILE, Minnesota’s local version of ALA’s Emerging Leaders program. Among many other positive aspects of the experience was that it brought together librarians from all types of librarianship… Continue reading Whole Person Librarianship: The Start of a Manifesto
Social Services, Health Information, and Librarianship
The Saint Catherine University MLIS program, organized by the student chapter of the Progressive Librarians Guild, is walking as a team in the Minnesota AIDS Walk next week. As we’ve been doing some fundraising, I’ve been thinking about the connections between AIDS activism and librarianship. From the early work of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis… Continue reading Social Services, Health Information, and Librarianship
Questions for the Co-Location of Library and Social Work Services
By Mary Wagner, MLS, PhD Mary Nienow in her blog post, “Why Social Workers Need Librarians,” on April 7, 2013, offers challenging and exciting ideas for intersection of Social Work and Library/Information Science. Two recent newspaper articles, “How Public Libraries Have Become Spare Homeless Shelters” (AlterNet, March 6, 2013) and “Security Getting Tougher at Downtown… Continue reading Questions for the Co-Location of Library and Social Work Services
Recentering the Public Good
Happy National Library Week (April 14-20, 2013)! Check out your local library for ways to support and celebrate libraries in your community. In my introduction to library and information science class, I learned about the values enshrined in the Library Bill of Rights. The document was drafted by the professional organization for the field, the… Continue reading Recentering the Public Good
Whole Person Librarianship 