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Libraries and Student Success

Libraries have an important role in student’s lives that will benefit them long after graduation. Though usually overlooked, libraries provide resources to students that will prepare them for their chosen profession. Anne Marie Gruber says in her article,  Real World Research: A Qualitative Study of Faculty Perceptions of the Library’s Role in Service-Learning, by providing Service-learning (SL) opportunities for students to improve on their writing, speaking, critical thinking, and intercultural competency, students will develop skills that will translate into their chosen career. Service-learning is an approach educational institutes use, that allow students to perform community services that align with their learning outcomes.

“Librarians are well-positioned to help students prepare for service-learning opportunities by gathering evidence-based information about the communities in which such learning takes place (Gruber).” 

 Students that use service-learning have opportunities to meet and work with potential employers, allowing them to get hands on experience and make connections. 

For the Service-learning to be most affective, teaching faculty and library staff would work together and collaborate with one another. The benefit of this collaboration, is the library assistance  to provide the chance for students to develop critical thinking skills, acquire new and more information, use affective research skills, and be able to ask librarians questions. 

Works Cited

Gruber, Anne Marie. “Real-World Research: A Qualitative Study of Faculty Perceptions of the Library’s Role in Service-Learning.” Portal: Libraries & the Academy, vol. 18, no. 4, Oct. 2018, pp. 671–692. 

EBSCOhost, doi:10.1353/pla.2018.0040. 

"Service Learning Definition." University of Central Oklahoma Service Learning Definition

Produced by the UCO Center for eLearning and Connected Environments (CeCE)

Libraries & the Homeless

Libraries are often seen as safe places to go to, for the homeless. They are a place to go to when weather conditions are not suitable for extended periods of time. Since library’s are a place for gatherings and for people pf all backgrounds to come and learn and relish in the resources, a homeless individual is should be just as welcomed. In the article, A Trip to the Library: Homelessness and Social Inclusion the author(s) Darrin Hodgetts, et al. explains when the homeless are treated as “those people” it disrupts their sense of belonging. 

He goes on to explain the traditional purpose of a library, which is to support self-education, enhancing social participation, and to provide experiences of inclusion. This includes those that are homeless too.  Library staff can help a homeless person make the most out of their library visit, by politely asking them to wash up in the bathroom, providing water, etc. Most importantly treating them like they would any library user and insuring they feel that they belong.
Libraries can offer other assistants to this particular user group, by providing information on finances, childcare, housing, employment opportunities, and educational opportunities (if needed). The impact library staff will have on the homeless has to do with the attitude towards them. Julie Hersberger, author of  The Homeless and Information Needs and Services , refers to the reaction of homeless individuals:  "In one study, those who provided information in a friendly manner were often referred to as "friends". " 

Works Cited

Hersberger, Julie, and Kathleen De la Peña McCook. “The Homeless and Information Needs and Services.” Reference & User Services Quarterly, vol. 44, no. 3, Spring 2005, pp. 199–202. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lxh&AN=17643715&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Hodgetts, Darrin, et al. “A Trip to the Library: Homelessness and Social Inclusion.” Social & Cultural Geography, vol. 9, no. 8, Dec. 2008, pp. 933–953.  . EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/14649360802441432. 

Social Networking & Libraries

Libraries are free to everyone, that’s what makes them so great. They provide free programs and services to those that use the library, but not everyone uses the library thus not everyone will get the chance to enjoy and benefit from what the library can offer. As library staff members, we must do our part finding ways to reach out to the community that is not using the library. What better way to do that then social-networking. By using social media platforms to reach out and advertise the library’s resources, the library staff members can make connections with more people, then just the ones that regularly walk through the library doors. 

I’m going to start with Facebook, according to David Lee, author of Landscape of Social Media for Libraries, “…57 percent of US adults are using Facebook (pg. 10).” But what should you promote on Facebook? Libraries can use this platform to promote “Library news”. By making the Library’s Facebook Page its headquarters for library updates and events. Lee makes a valid point about the Facebook page also posting “Fun stuff”. He goes on to explain, when content is making people smile or laugh, they’ll be more inclined to press the Like button. Letting Facebook know this user enjoys the content being produced by the library’s page, Facebook will show more of it on the follower’s page.

But, how are followers getting access to Facebook, through their cellphones. Cellphones are basically attached to our hips now. Looking around, a vast majority has a cellphone or smart phone. This opens doors to other types of social platforms, such as Apps. A library can create its own app for users to download and have the library’s resources and calendar events in their hands at all times. They can set up whether or not to be notified of events, or book returns, or even when new content is available at the library. Library staff can help patrons download and use the app, by provided a quick tutorial, in person and posting a video on their Facebook page. 

Other social platforms are Twitter, Intagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Pinterest , and YouTube . These platforms target a variety of age groups, young to old and can reach the underserved population. They have something for everyone- videos, pictures, short stories, tutorials, and so much more. 

Above is a video titled, "Social Media tips for librarians", produced by Royal Society of Chemistry.

Works Cited

Senville, Wayne. “Public Libraries: The Hub of Our Communities.” APLIS, vol. 22, no. 3, Sept. 2009, pp. 97–103.  https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebschost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=44266947&site=ehost-live&scope=site

"Social Media tips for librarians." Royal Society of Chemistry, April 2016. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcTLkT_mrf0

Libraries as Social Hubs

What does the general public think of when visualizing a library’s role in their community? Do they think of an aged librarian, shushing loud patrons or dusting shelves with books that are outdated? Modern libraries have a duty to squash the preconceived notion libraries of the past have been known for. Libraries can be known as the center of the community, a place for families to go and interact with their neighbors. Where teens go after school, on the weekends, or during their summer break to socialize with their peers and participate in games, activities, clubs, and so much more. 

Wayne Senville wrote the article Public Libraries: The Hub of Our Communities, in the article he states, “libraries are far from dead in today’s internet age- in fact, they are making a comeback as key anchors in our downtowns (pg. 97)”. In the age of downloading and easy access to any information via the internet, libraries have to be more than a place to check out a book. Don’t get me wrong, they are still the place to find that favorite book or series, even that DVD or magazine, for free. Libraries are the place to do extensive research with databases, acquire knowledge about current job listings, or find out how to apply for a job. Community members can post ‘Help Wanted’ ads on their library’s bulletin board. The library should be known as “the peoples place”, where it’s “the place to go to” for community members to organize events and town meetings; for clubs, homework help; the place for children to learn to read and write. Some libraries are fortunate enough to dedicate whole areas to just a “teen’s” or “children’s” section. 

As library workers, the goal is ensuring the patron has had a satisfying experience at the library. After all, the library should be a place of happy memories and lifelong learning. A library will play many roles, but there is one role that must be brought to light: Senville states, “Another valuable role that libraries play is in integrating immigrants and other newcomers into the community (pg. 102).” 

For immigrants coming to a strange new country, libraries are seen as welcome centers, providing assistants to immigrants in a number of ways. Libraries provide Non-English-speaking classes, to give those who want to learn English the opportunity to do so. Libraries will partner with other organizations that provide additional and more extensive support to immigrant families. Libraries are more than just a building that holds books, they are a social hub bringing communities together and providing opportunities. 

Works Cited

Senville, Wayne. “Public Libraries: The Hub of Our Communities.” APLIS, vol. 22, no. 3, Sept. 2009, pp. 97–103.  https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=44266947&site=ehost-live&scope=site