Pathfinder (Journal)
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Sexual Assault Survivors and Information: Needs and Recommendations
Get PDFThis paper examines the information needs of sexual assault survivors, with a focus on the kinds of information these individuals may be seeking and how libraries can best assist survivors with their information needs. The paper begins with an overview of sexual assault as a pervasive problem in society in order to form a basis of understanding of what a sexual assault survivor may be going through and the kinds of barriers that may affect their information seeking. The information needs of sexual assault survivors are complex because of their experiences of violence and trauma, and these factors often result in mental and physical health challenges, and potentially distressing information seeking experiences. In order to best serve sexual assault survivors in libraries, I recommend a trauma-informed approach to librarianship, which underscores the importance of safety, empathy, and empowerment for the survivor. A trauma-informed approach to librarianship can assist sexual assault survivors in remedying potential distress through forming trust, validating their experiences and identity, valuing their voice, and ultimately, supporting their healing
Reflecting on our Time as Digital Literacies Librarians
Get PDFWhat does it mean to have digital literacy in a job title? In this reflection paper, two early career academic librarians discuss their experiences as Digital Literacy/ies Librarians. They reflect on the ambiguity and magnitude of the term digital literacy, and how they interpreted the term in their work
Metadata, Digital Museum Spaces and Accessibility for Persons with Impairments
Get PDFThis study examines the intersection of metadata and accessibility in the digital museum space. While virtual museums can remove physical barriers to heritage institutions, virtual spaces still have barriers for certain impairments. Work done in the field of digital libraries has shown that accessibility metadata can help to remove some of those barriers. This exploratory research project aims to provide understanding of the ways that metadata in virtual museum spaces is being used and how that metadata can improve accessibility in these spaces. How can universal design be best applied to metadata in digital museum catalogs and objects? What kinds of metadata in digital museum collections can potentially increase accessibility? Are museums currently including metadata that increases accessibility for people with disabilities and impairments? These questions were explored using a content-analysis approach applied to textual information collected from forty objects in four digital collections found on the publicly accessible webpages of Canadian institutions of cultural heritage
Examining the "Culture of Assessment" in Public Libraries
Get PDFThe introduction of the New Public Management (NPM) approach to public libraries globally brought with it a quality management paradigm typical of that used in for-profit corporations, characterized by an audit-intensive environment. This led to a desire for a “culture of assessment” to be the preferred standard within public libraries, largely in response to the threat of budget reductions and library closures. This review examines literature from the last two decades on the impact of this strategy, including themes such as the apparent consensus around library value (both in terms of qualitative facets and quantitative economic measures such as return on investment) and traditional and more recent approaches to measuring that value in both research and professional practice publications. Issues identified in the literature with the quantitative emphasis and threat narrative of the culture of assessment are discussed, as well as studies which examine the direct impact of NPM’s neoliberal ideology on public libraries
The Impact of COVID-19 on Library Users
Get PDFA reflection on how COVID-19 has affected library users, from the perspective of a first-year MLIS student
Self-Representation and Decolonial Learning in Library Makerspaces: Indigenous Digital Storytelling
Get PDFThis paper explores how Indigenous digital storytelling can be used as a mode for self-representation and decolonial learning in library makerspaces. Digital storytelling involves expressing your lived experiences and stories through a dynamic combination of textual and digital literacies. Implementing Indigenous digital storytelling programs allows library makerspaces to show the value of technology, digital and visual literacy, Indigenous Storytelling, and Ways of Knowing by letting Indigenous Peoples represent themselves and their lived experiences. This paper lays the groundwork on how library makerspaces can incorporate Indigenous approaches to digital storytelling. I argue that creating and implementing Indigenous-centered digital storytelling programs helps decolonize makerspace programming. Using integrative literature review methods, I will qualitatively identify the values of Indigenous Storytelling and digital storytelling to see how they interconnect. I examine how Indigenous Peoples have used digital storytelling and what libraries have done to support digital storytelling and Indigenous Storytelling to explore how these practices can be better adopted by library makerspaces
Best Practices & Qualities of Recreational Dementia Friendly Reading Materials
Get PDFDementia friendly communities have been gaining increased recognition over the years. These communities play a large role in creating opportunities and welcoming spaces for people with dementia. The creation of dementia friendly communities has led to increased development in meaningful dementia friendly experiences including public outings, accessible services, and the creation of dementia friendly reading groups. Despite the effects of dementia, many people with dementia retain their ability to read, even if it is as a lower level. However, reading has remained largely ignored as a meaningful experience for people with dementia. Additionally, there are few resources regarding the creation of dementia friendly reading materials and what is required in order for them to be effective. As a result, there is a lack of appropriate and mature reading materials available for people with dementia. The goal of this study is to determine the necessary qualities of recreational dementia friendly reading materials, through a literature review and case study, and provide best practices for the development of future dementia friendly reading materials. There is a notable lack of research conducted in the library and information studies field, and related fields, regarding recreational dementia friendly reading materials. This study will assist in filling in a gap in the literature and help to establish basic criteria for creating appropriate dementia friendly reading materials
Inclusion and identification of locally-authored items in library collections
Get PDFThis research explores how public libraries support local authors, with a focus on if and how these works are included in library collections and made findable to patrons. Twelve public libraries, four each from British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, were selected to analyze collection development policies and item metadata. Qualitative content analysis was used to code collection policies, and systemic analysis of item record metadata was used to understand methods of identifying locally-authored items. The results of this research indicate that collection policies provide both opportunities and barriers for acquisition of locally-authored items, including those items that are self-published. There is a lack of consistent methods for identifying items as locally-authored within item metadata. This research discusses some of the challenges associated with identifying items as locally-authored, and concludes with recommendations for modifying collection policies and methods for identifying items in order to make locally-authored items more accessible and discoverable to the local community
Library Services for Autistic Students in Academic Libraries: A Literature Review
Get PDFAutistic adults and teens are entering universities and colleges at increasing rates, yet many barriers still exist to impede student success. This literature review seeks to identify these barriers, clarify what we know about how autistic students use and perceive the library, and consider what libraries in postsecondary institutions can do to cultivate supportive environments for autistic students. A common theme in the literature is recognition of a dearth of research on this topic, and thus this literature review aims to identify avenues where further research is necessary to understand the challenges autistic students face in library environments and postsecondary education. Current literature indicates that staff training, relationships with community resources, attention to sensory issues, thoughtful design of physical spaces, adaptations to pedagogical techniques, advocation for awareness in the campus community, and calls for further research are all necessary aspects of delivering quality library services to autistic postsecondary students. A successful path forward must prioritize representation, inclusion, and consultation with autistic people
Museums Without Walls: A temporal analysis of virtual exhibitions in GLAM institutions
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of virtual exhibitions (VEs) for GLAM institutions. While VEs continue to be secondary to physical exhibitions, an effective VE uses technology to engage viewers and present opportunities for interactivity to support further learning and discovery of collection materials. Cultural heritage organizations can use VEs to make the “digital version of a cultural artefact accessible even when the physical access is restricted” and leads GLAM institutions and LIS scholars to reflect on how “users receive and interact with information in a virtual world” (Caggianese et al., 2018, p.625). With the aid of easily accessible additional information, this modern form of presentation may support a deeper level of understanding than a user can experience by viewing a traditional physical exhibition, and may enhance their overall viewing experience. Despite the excitement and opportunities afforded by VR, exhibitions remain accessible for visitors without VR equipment via browsers or web-page based exhibitions. As the “virtual exhibition is a concept that has acquired new meanings along with the evolution of modern information and communication technologies,” we look forward to seeing how GLAM institutions continue to shape the user experience (Ciurea & Filip, 2016, p.28). Cultural organizations will continue to develop and combine their partnerships, financial and staff resources, content, and visitor interests to build more VE structures that fit both their collections and their community