Is this a cause we can sign up for?
Everyone should at least have the opportunity to not go to the library because they don't want to go, not because it doesn't exist.
Schedule
We will meet weekly in Manning 304, from 1230-1515 on Thursdays.
We will spend most of our time discussing topics related to the subject. Our first five weeks will be spent thinking about why the public library exists, what its milieu is, and how the librarianship profession has related to it. Our goal will be to develop a nuanced understanding of the public library as an institution, a big picture appreciation of the concept, which will lead into a more fine-grained introduction to issues of concern to public libraries today.
The remaining seminars will be devoted to topics of your choosing. Each of you will determine a topic relating to public libraries that you are interested in and wish to explore in a seminar setting. You will select the readings and plan to lead the discussion.
Depending on the schedule, we may have some guest speakers join us or, should schedules permit, we may visit a public library setting to discuss the reality of the setting with those working there.
January 2008
February 2008
- 07 February - The Community Context
- 14 February - marketing in the public library & the public library as "third place" in the community
- 21 February - Sarah Jorda on young adults, technology, & social space; Kathy Wisser on local history and the public library
- 28 February - Alisa Hutchison and Lara Handler on services to overlooked user groups
March 2008
- 06 March - Elizabeth Watson on children's services; Megan Marsh on international public libraries
- 13 March - Spring Recess
- 20 March - Lisa Ward on collection development issues; Briynne McCrea on collection arranging issues
- 27 March - Danielle Hinks on non-traditional reading materials and the YA reader; Siobhan Loendorf on the Gates Foundation's impact on the public library development
April 2008
- 03 April - KeAnne Hoeg on libraries and technology use; Liz Gregg on preserving indigenous knowledge
- 10 April - Anne Pusey on joint-use libraries; Kenneth Alford on technology and user expectations
- 17 April - Joanne Marshall to discuss lifelong learning opportunities; Grant Lynch on function, meaning, and direction
- 24 April - Wrap-up & Evals
May 2008
- 01 May - Bibliographies due