2022-06-30 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 12, Issue 2

Featured Story

The Public Library: What it is and What it Could Be

Libraries exist in different iterations for various purposes. Public libraries may look differently given that each institution is a reflection of its own particular community and the needs therein. 

Let’s begin by examining the mission of public libraries, followed by looking at some ongoing issues within those same institutions. I’m defining an issue here as something that directly conflicts with the values and guiding principles we uphold as librarians. In the American Library Association’s Economic Barriers to Information Access: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights, the mission of a publicly funded library “is to provide free, equal, and equitable access to information in all its forms.”

But do we fail to fulfill this mission in our libraries? In many ways, we succeed. One particular way in which we fail comes to mind, and that is in how we treat people experiencing homelessness.

In the United States, public libraries are the last in our public spaces that someone can go to and not be expected to spend money. No longer are there public plazas (or an agora) at which people may dwell freely. The library is that place. 

People who are experiencing homelessness have needs that can be met by us, at our libraries. The opportunity for us to provide services to them is enormous. As of 2020, in Idaho alone, 2,315 people are experiencing homelessness on any given day, as reported by Continuums of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

On the subject, Corina Bardoff conducted a literature review entitled, Homelessness and the Ethics of Information Access. Bardoff concluded that people experiencing homelessness have no other access to information other than that at a public library. A handful of public libraries in the U.S. were also examined for their policies and rules of conduct. Consistent across each of these libraries, Bardoff found that loud talking or disruptive physical behavior was built into each of these policies, as was bodily hygiene or strong scents. Shaving, bathing or laundering clothes in the restrooms was also mentioned in each of these policies. 

Bardoff concluded that:

“People who are experiencing homelessness have few or no options to access information other than public libraries, and thus the interest of library patrons in studying without smelling foul odors, for example, does not outweigh a person’s right to information or their right to simply be in a public space.”

For this reason, any attempt to block their access is in conflict with the mission of public libraries to provide access to information and resources to all persons.

After looking at this, we can conclude that there exists a general disconnect between what we say and what we do in our libraries. But what can be done?

My suggestion: a patron-centered approach to service. If our focus is on systems and processes alone, patrons will merely factor into our designs as an afterthought (or at least as a condition to be fit into what we already have developed). An example of this might be the way we build circulation desks. If our aim were to be patron-centered, we might be thinking about how circulation desks operate as a sort of barrier to serving patrons. Perhaps putting a desk in between ourselves and a patron made sense in the past. But if we actually want to impress upon society that the library has more to offer than books and entertainment, we need to find ways (physical ways) to connect with our patrons. Instead of building a fortress between us and them, we need to tear it down and move to the other side with our computers. We need to invite them into the process of searching for resources in our online catalog. Perhaps we’ll be standing side-by-side. Perhaps they’ll be leading the process with mouse in hand. 

We should always be asking ourselves if services or policies are at odds with our mission and vision as librarians. To this end, we’d be remiss if we didn’t consider the ALA’s recommendation:

“Libraries should design and implement services with care so as not to infringe upon access to or delivery of information and resources for all users. Services should be reevaluated regularly to ensure that the library’s essential mission remains uncompromised.”

– Chris Thielen

Fail Forward

We’ve all been there. You pour your heart into a program, and no one shows up. You try something new, and you fall on your face. Sound familiar? Fail Forward is the place to share your failures, and give you the opportunity to share what you learned from them. Did you promote your program in a different way after no one showed up? Maybe you took a new approach to the new thing you were excited about? Awesome! Share your story via our online form so others can learn, and realize that failure is often part of the process.

DIY Visual Organizer

As a librarian with ADHD, I struggle with organization. I have an especially hard time with day planners, organizers, etc. A few times a year I’ll buy some fancy new planner, but I never stick with it. So I’m trying something new this year: a visual organizer I’ve created on Canva. It’s like a Kanban Board, but slimmed down.

Tasks are categorized in 3 columns: To-Do, Ongoing, and Completed. The catch? I can only have 2 Ongoing tasks at one time. In theory I’ll have to prioritize my work and stop splitting focus so much. It’s working so far… but 2022 is still young. I’ll keep you all posted. Want to try it yourself? Here’s a template.

– Simon Clifford

Crush Corner

Is there a library you follow on social media who is always doing new and exciting things? How about a blog you follow that inspires you? What about a new idea, book, or resource that you want to share? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who or what they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!

Georgia State University Library

Copyright costs can be very pricey. Georgia State University Library is leading the way in embracing new Copyright Clearance models for interlibrary loan. They have reevaluated the use of the CONTU (Commission On New Technological Uses, 1976) guidelines and have changed their process to adhere more closely with copyright law. See their video on YouTube that explains their process. 

– Tania Harden

SPLAT explores the ever-evolving library world and supports library folks as they adapt to meet the needs of their communities. Library folk throughout the state of Idaho volunteer to serve on the Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT). Learn more about SPLAT at splat.lili.org

SPLAT is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and was made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-246156-OLS-20). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.