What is a service, in terms of the library?
A term that is thrown around quite a bit within libraries of all types is SERVICES, and despite its frequent use, it is not exactly well-defined. As mentioned in the librarianship page, LIS is a service-oriented profession but what exactly are these services being provided? There are some services that are universal for all library types, including: directional questions are ubiquitous to any library. A stranger walks into the library, asks for directions to the local post office and the librarian at the front desk fires off an answer. This is a service provided by the library -- quick, accurate, and easy answers to simple directional questions. Reference services fields the more in-depth questions like "I'm looking into global warming and its affects on glaciers and oceans." A library service does not necessarily have to be related to the answering of questions, it can be proactive like design workshops in a new topic for the community or something fun to mix things up a little. Library services come in all shapes and sizes. Creating an infographic for a library website on doing genealogy research, specifically how to use U.S. Census records is providing a service that was previously not available to the user. Services be digital or in person or sometimes both. Library services are traditionally reactive in nature, meaning their development is usually designed after a need is demonstrated by a user. In new service models for library services, the desire for a more proactive nature of services through Library 2.0 principles.
Library 2.0
A term that is often thrown around within the world of libraries is LIBRARY 2.0. At first, I thought it was in reference to libraries coming into the technological age referring to electronic resources such as books, periodicals, databases, and online services. In reality, Library 2.0 is aimed at redefining library services. The basic definition revolves around the need for library services to be geared more towards our users and their changing needs. With the influx of information, it necessary for libraries to change their services to the user rather than the mode of information. It requires libraries to stop being a reactive service based industry but rather a proactive and engaging service provider. Another vital key of the library 2.0 concept is that assessment is more important than ever, as if library services are meant to change with the users, it must be evaluated in the eyes of the user and also the effectiveness of the service. It is becoming quite the trend for technological advances to become obsolete within a few short years of its original development, therefore the needs of users are changing more rapidly than ever. In a sense, library 2.0 does refer to the technological advances of the age but more in context of how it is effecting the library user and what tools the library needs to provide so the user can navigate and use the technological advances. The world, in a nutshell, has become a lot faster and bigger at astonishing rates and the survival of libraries depends on the ability to change services at the drop of a dime or as per the user's needs.
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Basic components of Library 2.0:
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Source: Casey, Michael E., Savastinuk, Laura C..(2007) Library 2.0: A Guide to Participatory Library Service
LTSA Grant at Brevard College
An example of libraries making changes to their services is the creation of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) which supplies federal funding with assisted state funding for the advancement of library services in terms of education and access. The purpose of the funds is to expand the technological elements of library services to better equip users with information literacy skills. Brevard College was awarded an LSTA grant to renovate J.A. Jones Library into the Experiential Learning Commons (ELC) with the addition of the Academic Enrichment Center services now housed in the same building as the library. The planning and renovations occurred during my time at Brevard College and while I did not play a role in obtaining the grant or planning the renovations, the members of the J.A. Jones library team have banded together to make the library a warm and inviting place for studying and collaboration with peers, instruction with new technology, and more opportunities for assistance with research and class assignments.
J.A. Jones Library's New Look
Renovations & Changes for the new ELC:
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The LSTA grant has brought more students into the ELC and made it the place to be on campus for completing coursework and also as an inviting place for meetings and hangouts. Students can check out or use various forms of technology they may not have had access to before such as GoPros cameras, digital camcorders, laptops, and more! The Learning Bar is the perfect learning environment for library instruction, organizational meetings, and for group presentation practice. The changes are not only visible in the library itself but also in statistics as the hourly headcount numbers have spiked significantly since the start of the fall semester with more usage of technology equipment and library resources. The transformation of the library into a vital part of a student's everyday studying and routine is an encouraging promotion that the LSTA makes a tremendous difference in a library's purpose and appearance.
Service Artifacts
LibGuides for Civil War referenceIn my Reference and Information Services course, the major assignment was to design a LibGuide for a specific subject. I chose to do my LibGuide on U.S. Civil War resources, from print media to online resources like websites and databases. The assignment was fun and gave me vital experience using LibGuides in an academic setting.
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Reading Map for Adult ServicesReader's Advisory is a service used commonly, but not limited to, public libraries. In my Adult Services course, I had the opportunity to develop a Reading Map which takes a title and gives information pertaining to the title's plot, the author, series information (if applicable) and key topics in the title. My reading map is about the Parasol Protectorate, a steampunk fantasy series written by Gail Carriger, with explanations of steampunk as a genre and similar titles, the series, the author, and more information and titles relating to Victorian London.
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Reference InterviewsAs Night Manager, I field all reference interviews either in person or over our chat service through Tawk.to. While my expertise is in American Government and History, I help with reference questions in all areas studied at Brevard College. I walk students through the available library resources including our print books in the library, the electronic books collection, databases, periodicals, and more.
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