Category Archives: Uncategorized

Library Ethnography at the American Library Association meetings (ALAs)

The Chronicle of Higher education had this article on ethnographic research in libraries.  One interesting side-effect of this article is the comments that follow–seems some people don’t see ethnography in libraries as “scholarly research.”  Well, that’s arguable.  I’m biased, of course, but I think that any ethnographic endeavor is about increasing understanding.   And if we engage in ethnography to influence library policy (as we are doing here at Atkins), we are using that increase in understanding to make policy better fit with the needs of our patrons.  I think that’s also legitimately “scholarly.” 

Suggesting that applied work like ethnography done in libraries, or in military situations, or in corporations, cannot possibly be “scholarly” is defining away a big chunk of anthropological research, for what I think are largely political reasons, having nothing to do with scholarly integrity. 

Anyway.
Any of my colleagues actually attend the session on ethnography?  Alas, I was unable to be in DC for the ALA festivities.

Some feedback about the library

The whiteboards that we put up for students to use while studying for finals are also being used as feedback boards, which is great.

This one is currently on the Third Floor (click on images to enlarge):

A zoom on the important part, as far as we are concerned:

Sorry for parking services, but glad that you all are loving the library.  Keep the feedback coming, the good, bad, and ugly.

Special Collections and Access to Library Materials

I think a lot about how libraries are perceived these days.  I have met students who see libraries as wonderful welcoming places, and others who find libraries intimidating and institutional.  It’s not just students who feel that way about libraries–a scholar and librarian writes in the Chronicle of Higher Education that he, had an encounter with a special collections librarian that made him feel unwelcome.  I should say here, I’m pretty unsympathetic to his dilemma, descending as he did on a private library of unique items, and expecting to be able to page through the books right off.  However, I think it’s interesting fodder for conversation.

In fact, I think the most interesting part of that column is the comments section–it contains a lively discussion about what librarians and patrons want from Special Collections.  I think that many of the same points can be made about libraries generally.  It can frequently be difficult to balance what patrons desire with what is necessary to keep the library functioning well, and to provide access to information.

So, how do you feel about libraries?  How do you feel about Atkins in particular?  Now that people are using the library 24/7, it seems busier than ever.  I think at least some of you are here because you like it.

Or am I wrong?

Weekend Pop Culture Library References

Well I work in a library now, so I can’t help but notice references to librarians, libraries, etc in my everyday life.

NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell me had not one but two library-based riffs this weekend:

a question about really old library fines,
and
in their Limerick Quiz (second question):

And Doonesbury features an archivist and an important primary source.

Wordle, Reference Desk Help

A representation of what you all asked for from our reference librarians, in the space of one week in March.  (with the help of  www.wordle.net).
Anything look familiar?



Wordle: Reference Desk


And here’s a wordle that includes what the reference librarians did, not just what they were asked:


Wordle: Reference Desk 2

					

		
		
	


	

	

				

			
						

				A Quiet Zone Experiment
			

								


				

			
On the Third Floor of Atkins, which is now a Quiet Zone, you can now find some of these:








Both skeptics and supporters of self-policing in the library will soon have information about whether it’s a feasible way to try to keep Quiet in the QZ.
Skeptics seem to be of the mind that 1)  UNCC students are incapable of policing themselves, and 2)  that it’s somehow the job of library staff to make sure people keep quiet all the time, in all areas of the library.  These cell citation pads are scattered in the Third Floor Quiet Zone as a way of giving license to self-police.  And maybe, to add a little humor to the stress of trying to find a place to study in the run-up to final exams and research papers.


So, let me know if you use one.  Or if you receive one.