Pathfinder (Journal)
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The Battle for Intellectual Freedom: Book Censorship in Canada and the United States
Get PDFOver the past three years, the American Library Association (ALA) and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) have documented an unprecedented exponential rise in book banning and censorship efforts across the United States and Canada. This surge has led to more books being permanently removed from collections across all types of libraries—most predominately in public and school libraries—and has intensified debates over intellectual freedom, a fundamental principle of libraries and democratic societies. A disproportionate number of challenged books contain BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ content, reflecting the growing right-wing moral panic concerned with protecting children from topics deemed “inappropriate” like diversity, gender and sexuality. The rise of organized, systematic, and legislative efforts to censor books, driven by " parental rights" groups, highlight the intersection of politicalpolarization, with conservative elected officials advancing bills to restrict access to diverse materials, particularly in the United States. In response, Library and Information Studies (LIS) professionals must develop robust policies, advocate for intellectual freedom, and engage in community dialogue to defend diverse collections. Events like the CFLA’s Freedom to Read Week and the ALA’s Banned Books Week play a crucial role in resisting censorship, and professional advocacy and political engagement remain essential tools in upholding intellectual freedom. Overall, LIS professionals must engage in advocacy and public education at local, organizational, provincial/state, and federal levels to oppose book banning and promote awareness of the fundamental principle of intellectual freedom
Google Books: Mass Digitization and the Implications for Public Libraries
Get PDFGoogle Books has become a forerunner in the process of mass digitization of turning physical books into online books. With more than 30 million books digitized, Google Books is an online platform that enables worldwide access to a vast variety of literature. Although this platform has created an opportunity for more free and open access to books for the public, Google Books has been met with copyright lawsuits from authors around the globe. This research paper covers a history of this mass digitization project, and considers how Google Books has impacted the traditional services of public libraries, including reference, interlibrary loans, and collection development decision-making. In an analysis of the content, quality, and accessibility of online resources on Google Books, it is recommended that the platform is used only as a complementary resource to a public library’s collection, and not as a replacement for online library collections
Bye Bye Birdie: Losing Library Twitter and What Comes NeXt
Get PDFThis case study examines the viability of digital social platforms for library workers to connect as individuals and professionals. Inspired by the recent decline of Library Twitter, the once de-facto site of conversation due to its popularity and adoption among information institutions, we seek to address the ramifications of cultural and infrastructural changes brought on by the takeover of Elon Musk. Rebranding the site to X, the “everything website”, the tech billionaire has drastically changed site affordances, while pushing users away through predatory monetization, yet failing to address rising dis and misinformation.
Through a combined methodology of literature review, platform analysis, and community discussion, and adapted from a poster presentation by the authors on the same topic, this paper explores the information behaviour and migration trends of Library Twitter users, offers an assessment of alternative platforms, and presents key considerations for the future of library community networks. Anxieties about where to go next and the increasing evidence that all platforms are susceptible to “enshittification” to create a valid sense of urgency, however, we offer this moment as a rare opportunity to build new digital spaces with care and intention
Remixing “Taste”: Authorship and Attribution in Spotify Blend Playlists
Get PDFIn this paper, I discuss dimensions of remix, including attribution and authorship, for automated digital music playlists. I use the case study of Spotify Blend, an automated, personalized, mock-collaborative playlist feature that combines up to ten users’ music taste and listening histories and regenerates its content daily. I defend the characterization of Spotify Blend as an example of “remix” (or an example of “mashup,” a related concept), wherein the source material being remixed is user listening data and wherein sampling is the primary remix tactic. In fleshing out this characterization, I discuss how the concepts of “authorship” and “attribution” operate in the context of Spotify Blend, with the important acknowledgment that Spotify’s algorithm remains opaque to users. I also compare Spotify Blend with user-generated, actively collaborative playlists created on the same platform. Observations about Blend and its features of use derive mostly from personal experience with the program
We Are Starving for Information : The Information Practices of Life Coaches
Get PDFLife coaching is an emerging and ambiguous new profession. This study examines the information-rich worlds of three life coaches living in Toronto, Canada. Utilizing semi-structured interviews, in conjunction with Sonnenwald et al.’s (2001) Information Horizon Interview technique, this exploratory research offers a window into life coaches’ information exchange practices (Stebbins, 2001). The central research query guiding this study is: What are the information sources that life coaches rely on? The study yields both qualitative and quantitative findings, which were inductively analyzed using thematic analysis. First, it reveals that on their journeys to becoming life coaches, participants relied heavily on the insights of other life coaches. Next, life coaches share how they collect, share, and create resources for their clients. Finally, life coaches demonstrate how they utilize resources in many mediums and from many origins. This report adds to a burgeoning area of interest in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS), as it builds on recent dissertation research published by Klein (2022) about the information seeking practices of life coaches. Ultimately, this report diverges from Klein’s by introducing an alternative theoretical framework with which to make sense of life coaches’ information practices. Instead, it likens life coaches’ information practices to Willson’s (2021) “bouncing ideas” theory, whereby life coaching entails a back-and-forth exchange of ideas, questions, and goals that ultimately generates new information
Abandoned But Not Forgotten: A Proposal for Orphan Works Use in Archives
Get PDFUnder Canadian copyright law, archives and other cultural heritage institutions (CHIs) cannot legally share and distribute any orphan works in their collections. Orphan works are copyrighted materials whose copyright holders cannot be located or identified. To prove that a work is truly orphaned, the proposed user must demonstrate that the copyright holders could not be located after a diligent search. The burden of this rights clearance increases for CHIs that have large collections of orphan works. This paper reviews the current legal context for using orphan works in Canada, and the shortcomings. I propose a new system for orphan works rights clearance based on two parts. Firstly, formalizing the requirements for a diligent search to make them clear and objective. Secondly, creating a less stringent set of requirements specifically for use by CHIs, so that it is feasible for them to do diligent searches for large collections of materials. This paper also discusses and refutes multiple arguments against the proposed system
The Information Practices of Canadian Family Caregivers of People with Down Syndrome
Get PDFThis literature review was conducted as part of a research study, the purpose of which was to understand how Canadian family (unpaid) caregivers of people with Down syndrome (DS) find, understand, use, share, and manage information to meet their needs and the complex needs of those in their care. Unpaid caregivers are vital to society but are undervalued. The need for caregiving is growing as people with Down syndrome are living longer and are likely to experience dementia as they age; the responsibility for caregiving is being increasingly transferred to families. Information is crucial for empowering and enabling caregivers. In conducting this review, I found that caregiving information work is stressful, mostly done by women, requires robust networks, and links to troubling social and economic trends
Looking to the Future: Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Policy in Canada
Get PDFThis article explores the concept of Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS) in Canada, examining its barriers, resources, implementation, and policy implications. While not an exhaustive list of all IDS-related policies, the article focuses on key definitions, successful implementations, support programs and resources, and outdated policies that hinder IDS and Indigenous governance practices. Through a First Nations lens, the paper highlights the importance of Indigenous People\u27s control over data and knowledge about their communities and lands. It discusses the challenges of implementing IDS within non-Indigenous organizations and communities, including financial constraints and the influence of colonial policies. The article also addresses the impact of IDS on Indigenous self-determination, emphasizing the need for government and educational institutions to support IDS practices. Additionally, it explores the First Nations\u27 principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) as an example of successful IDS implementations. The paper acknowledges the role of data sovereignty in reconciliation frameworks and highlights resources such as the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and the Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA) that advocate for IDS and Indigenous self-governance. The conclusion emphasizes the ongoing need for support, collaboration, and the mobilization of UNDRIP and TRC frameworks to ensure the success of IDS and the amendment of colonial policies
Climate Change Considerations in Public Library Collection Development
Get PDFClimate change is one of the biggest threats to our continued existence. While resources and research about climate change are readily available, what do public libraries need to be doing, as one of the last free public spaces, to bridge the gap between complex information and community action? This extended abstract, based on a larger research paper, explores the various ways public libraries can be active members of their communities and promote conversations about climate change with the specific actions of their collection development. Through an in-depth literature search, several challenges are identified that act as barriers to creating cohesive, inclusive, and informative climate change-oriented collections. These barriers include eco-anxiety, particularly among children and young adults, environmental literacy, and climate change denial materials. Considering these challenges, recommendations are provided to overcome these obstacles. As the need for understanding and action becomes more dire, library policies and collection development strategies need to reflect those needs
Seeds of Sustainability: Roles and Practices of Seed Libraries
Get PDFSeed libraries are becoming an increasingly common feature within public and academic libraries in North America, but the formal literature on this topic remains limited. This review explores the context of seed libraries, including the ecological and legal underpinnings of seed saving; community outreach in libraries through the \u27library of things\u27; food security and sustainability initiatives; and the importance of community partnerships to the success of seed libraries. Common seed library practices within libraries are also illustrated