Category: The Profession

New book: We Can Do I.T.: Women in Library Information Technology

by RoryLitwin

We Can Do I.T.: Women in Library Information Technology Editors: Jenny Brandon, Sharon Ladenson, and Kelly Sattler Price: $22.00 Published: July 2018 ISBN: 978-1-63400-053-6 Number ten in the Litwin Books Series on Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies, Emily Drabinski, Series Editor Does gender play a role in library information technology (I.T.)? For the last … Read more New book: We Can Do I.T.: Women in Library Information Technology

Where are all the Librarians of Color? The Experiences of People of Color in Academia

by RoryLitwin

Where are all the Librarians of Color? The Experiences of People of Color in Academia Editors: Rebecca Hankins and Miguel Juárez Price: $45.00 Published: January 2016 ISBN: 978-1-936117-83-3 352 pages Printed on acid-free paper Now available from Amazon.com This edited volume addresses the shared experiences of academic librarians of color, i.e. Hispanic Americans, African Americans, … Read more Where are all the Librarians of Color? The Experiences of People of Color in Academia

Fred Shapiro’s statement in opposition to renaming the AALL

by RoryLitwin

The American Association of Law Libraries is in the midst of a “rebranding” project, and its executive board has just proposed renaming the association the “Association for Legal Information.” As we saw with the attempted SLA renaming some years ago, this proposal is garnering some opposition. Fred Shapiro sent the following statement to the Law … Read more Fred Shapiro’s statement in opposition to renaming the AALL

New book: The Psychology of Librarianship

by RoryLitwin

The Psychology of Librarianship Editors: Lynn Gullickson Spencer, Leanne VandeCreek, and H. Stephen Wright Price: $45.00 Published: November 2015 ISBN: 978-1-63400-016-1 406 pages Printed on acid-free paper Available for pre-order now on Amazon… The Psychology of Librarianship is a collection of scholarly essays on the role of psychology in libraries and library work. It is … Read more New book: The Psychology of Librarianship

New book: The Dialectic of Academic Librarianship: A Critical Approach

by RoryLitwin

The Dialectic of Academic Librarianship: A Critical Approach Author: Stephen Bales Price: $35.00 Published: May 2015 ISBN: 978-1-936117-89-5 200 pages Printed on acid-free paper Publisher: Library Juice Press Available on Amazon Oftentimes, academic librarians are not fully conscious of the role that their libraries play in late-capitalist society or how they, as information professionals, help … Read more New book: The Dialectic of Academic Librarianship: A Critical Approach

Statement from Information Studies Academics and Professionals on Documentary Evidence and Social Justice

by RoryLitwin

There is a new open statement circulating, written by UCLA Information Studies faculty, led by Safiya Noble. Written in response to the events in Ferguson and the crisis that it has opened up, it expresses the political orientation of members of the LIS field. It is titled, “Statement from Information Studies Academics and Professionals on … Read more Statement from Information Studies Academics and Professionals on Documentary Evidence and Social Justice

Barnard plans to remove 40,000 books from library

by RoryLitwin

More “right-sizing” bullshit. Barnard faculty frustrated by plans to remove 40,000 books from library Barnard’s faculty and staff claim they were shut out of the decision-making process for the new library, which faculty say also led to the resignation of the Dean of Barnard Library and Information Services Lisa Norberg. Administrators outlined the plan for … Read more Barnard plans to remove 40,000 books from library

Lead Pipe starts Library Pipeline

by RoryLitwin

This is pretty exciting. In the Library with the Lead Pipe, the library practice journal that started as a blog, is announcing their creation of a non-profit for developing library projects and librarians’ professional development. It is called Library Pipeline. They write: In Brief: We’re creating a nonprofit, Library Pipeline, that will operate independently from … Read more Lead Pipe starts Library Pipeline

Facebook Group for “Philosopher Librarians”

by RoryLitwin

There is a Facebook group that will serve as the start of a network for librarians with philosophy backgrounds. It is called Philosopher Librarians. Join if this description works for you: Welcome, librarians who have degrees in philosophy, whether they be undergraduate degrees, masters degrees, or phds. We’re here because of what we have in … Read more Facebook Group for “Philosopher Librarians”

New book: Jesse Shera, Librarianship, and Information Science

by RoryLitwin

Jesse Shera, Librarianship, and Information Science Jesse Hauk Shera did perhaps more than any other figure in defining library and information science in the mid 20th century. He pioneered the application of information technology in libraries and in the field of documentation, as head of the American Documentation Institute (now ASIST), as a professor at … Read more New book: Jesse Shera, Librarianship, and Information Science

Comments in response to Lead Pipe editorial, “DIY Library Culture and the Academy”

by RoryLitwin

In the Library with the Lead Pipe published an interesting editorial this morning titled, “DIY Library Culture and the Academy,” though editorial may not be exactly the right word for it, because mostly it is a call for discussion of the ideas it presents. Library Juice Press is mentioned as an example of a DIY … Read more Comments in response to Lead Pipe editorial, “DIY Library Culture and the Academy”

Call for Papers: Focus on Educating for Sustainability: Toolkit for Academic Libraries

by RoryLitwin

Call for Papers TITLE: Focus on Educating for Sustainability: Toolkit for Academic Libraries EDITOR: Maria A. Jankowska PUBLISHER: Library Juice Press BOOK ABSTRACT: In the last ten years literature on greening libraries has expanded considerably. Furthermore, by signing the Presidents’ Climate Commitment, university presidents and chancellors committed their institutions to finding new solutions to environmental, … Read more Call for Papers: Focus on Educating for Sustainability: Toolkit for Academic Libraries

You would not say, “Astronomers: The Original Telescope”

by RoryLitwin

I HATE the slogan, “Librarian: The Original Search Engine.” It is on a coffee mug that was given to me as a gift by a family member, and it seems to appear in my Facebook news feed every month or so. I find it problematic as an attempt to promote the services of librarians or … Read more You would not say, “Astronomers: The Original Telescope”

Critical Librarianship Symposium on the Activist Potential of Librarians

by RoryLitwin

If you can make it to the Boston area on Saturday, November 17, head to the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis University. The wonderful Boston collective of Radical Reference is putting on a symposium called “Practical Choices for Powerful Impacts: Realizing the Activist Potential of Librarians.” It features a panel of “librarians who use … Read more Critical Librarianship Symposium on the Activist Potential of Librarians

The 2013 LACUNY Institute: Libraries, Information, and the Right to the City

by RoryLitwin

The 2013 LACUNY Institute – Libraries, Information, and the Right to the City April 5, 2013 John Jay College of Criminal Justice Keynote Speakers: Christine Pawley – Former director of the School of Library and Information Studies, University of Wisconsin – Madison and historian of print culture in America. Jessa Lingel – Doctoral student at … Read more The 2013 LACUNY Institute: Libraries, Information, and the Right to the City

Libraries, Marketing, and Popular Culture

by RoryLitwin

Libraries are not businesses. They do not fare well when the majority of people in a society believe that the “free market” is the only viable economic model. However, there is much of value that libraries can learn from the business community and the concept of marketing is one example. Library leaders have been arguing … Read more Libraries, Marketing, and Popular Culture

ALA Annual from 2 points of view

by RoryLitwin

ALA is now offering library vendors their “first round assignments for ALA 2013,” that is, their booth assignments in the exhibit hall. I want to juxtapose ALA’s two summaries of the Annual Conference, one for librarians and the other for vendors: Librarians get: The Annual Conference is the best place to expand your network, build … Read more ALA Annual from 2 points of view

So who exactly is ruling that “reference is dead”?

by RoryLitwin

I liked this post from Hack Library School, written by Amy Frasier: “Whither Reference?” Amy notes with alarm that reference isn’t being taught as a standalone class at her library school. I want to note for the benefit of more senior and cynical readers that this is a current library student who is concerned about … Read more So who exactly is ruling that “reference is dead”?