Wilson Mericle
Information Needs- The student designs services to meet the information needs of all users and communities.
As librarians, one of our core duties is to meet the needs of our patrons. Each institution must therefore foster an environment of inclusivity and diversity. As mentioned in my reflection on Ethics, meeting the needs of our patrons may require us, as librarians, to advocate for certain materials or services. However, library staff can work to lessen the need for advocacy by factoring in needs during the design of policies and services.
In LIS 610: Collection Management, we were assigned to create a collection management policy for an imaginary library. Using readings, class discussions, and work experiences, I crafted a collection policy for a small, private college. Unclear and/or outdated collection policies can cause confusion regarding what materials are deemed appropriate for a library's collection. First and foremost, materials required by institutional curricula must be acquired. Policies concerning the acquisition of items for faculty and student research must also be outlined. Finally, any non-pertinent materials requested by faculty, students, and staff should have their own acquisition rules. In writing and implementing a collection management policy, library staff must work together to avoid bias while also ensuring an item's suitability for the collection.
In LIS 688: Music Librarianship, I created a research guide for a professor from my undergraduate institution. The guide was for an upper level music course: MUS 321 Impressionism. The course compared the Impressionism movements in Art and Music and covered the history, composers, works, and forms of impressionistic music. Because Impressionism is not an intuitive subject, the professor agreed to the creation of the research guide. She believed it would help her current and future students navigate the course.
Another way to ensure all user information needs are met is to apply for outside funding. In SLO #1, I discussed a partner project for LIS 630: Introduction to Information Management Technologies in which we drafted an LSTA Grant. The proposed project was to provide the Central Library Branch of the Greensboro Public Library with technologies and services to aid patrons who are blind or visually impaired. The grant put forward a budget of $40,000.00 for the purchase of screen reader software for Windows operating systems, screen and video magnifiers, refreshable braille displays, and a 3D printer. The budget also allowed for training provided by grant partners on equipment, software, and troubleshooting.
As professionals, we cannot suppress the acquisition of certain materials due to perceived controversy. Such materials should be considered like any other and, if deemed appropriate, purchased for the betterment of the library and its patrons. Additionally, the simple act of creating a research guide can provide students with extra support in understanding and researching a specific subject. Finally, it is easy to overlook under-represented communities. In doing so, we inadvertently neglect a percentage of our patron population.
Artifacts: