PLO
3. Design and innovate to create equitable, just, and engaging information artifacts, including services, systems, spaces, resources, and technologies.
3.1 Apply a repertoire of design principles and practices to plan, develop and create information artifacts.
This objective reminds us that as librarians, we are not just “passive keepers of the books”. We are constantly creating, developing, and planning information artifacts. As such, we need to create these artifacts with care and intention.
In IST 611 Info Tech in Education Orgs, I had multiple instances in which to create information artifacts with intention and design principles in mind. For one assignment, I conducted a webinar on ThingLink (an educational technology). The purpose of the webinar was to give an overview of ThingLink while also practicing the ARCS (Attention, Relevancy, Confidence, Satisfaction) techniques of motivation. In another assignment, Coding in the Library, I had to develop a program proposal for a coding workshop for middle schoolers. In addition to creating this proposal which outlines rationale, outcomes, activities, I had to create a short promo video aimed at middle schoolers. Again, ARCS strategies were incorporated into the promo to engage and sustain motivation.
Going forward in my professional practice, I will create information artifacts intentionally and will incorporate the design principles I learned.
3.2 Design artifacts that give users voice in decision-making regarding critical programs, services, and resources for diverse communities.
To me, this objective means that as we create and design information artifacts, librarians need to be mindful to include those whom the programs and services are for. We need to create partnerships with our patrons.
In a few assignments, I needed to put this objective into practice. In IST 668 Literacy Through School Libraries, I created a personalized reading plan for a reluctant reader. The plan was centered on a book club focused on choice for eighth grade students. Though it was a reading plan for a reluctant reader, I broadened it to a book club so the reader wouldn’t feel singled out. The students would pick the books and create book trailers that detail what they liked or didn’t like. The librarian would be the facilitator only. In IST 612 Youth Services for Libraries and Information Centers, I wrote a proposal for a bilingual family literacy program. What made this program unique is that the parents and children would read the books and then have discussions led by a college professor regarding the humanities themes in the books. The goal of the program was to foster a love of reading and discussion.
Going forward in my professional career, I will be mindful of designing programs and services that build in feedback and choice for the patrons.
3.3 Critique existing designs to expose instances of inequity and injustice and move towards mitigation and repair.
This objective means to consistently assess the existing information artifacts for inequities and injustices and do what you can to rectify them.
I had several opportunities to enact this objective. In 613 Library Planning, Marketing, & Assessment, I developed a project plan for a diversity audit of the Adult Services Collection in the library where I’m currently employed. After assessing the community, I realized the Adult Fiction Collection was not reflective of the community. I suggested a diversity audit as an important first step towards shifting the collection to more accurately reflect the community’s needs and taste. In IST 564 Accessible Library & Information Services, I evaluated a local public library for their Assistive Technologies. After the evaluation, which unfortunately showed how subpar the ATs were, I made recommendations where the library could improve and better provide services to those with disabilities.
Going forward in my professional career, I will be mindful of assessing information artifacts in my library and looking to see where I can improve them to more align with social justice.