Focus Groups and their Relevance in Libraries
Focus groups librarians organize help to identify patrons’ needs better and understand patron behavior and the impact of services on the library use
Interview with the Authors: Gates and Tonyan; Making the Most of your ILS
An (ILS) is central to every library’s operations; when well configured, the ILS can positively impact workflows and processes.
Teaching Tips for Helping Library Users Remember
Library instructors must make learning meaningful, tell stories, use visual aids, make content relevant, limit distractions to encourage focus
Interview with Networking Expert Alana Muller
Alana Muller discusses the importance of intentional networking as jobs are increasingly hybrid or remote and its contribution to professional growth.
Interview with the Author: Melissa Miller; Mind, Motivation & Meaningful Learning
A blueprint for instructional design to help facilitate teaching adult learners in an online environment; relevant to librarians who train others
Interview with the Editors: Kostelecky, Townsend, and Hurley; Cultural Humility in Libraries
Interview with the editors of Hopeful Visions, Practical Actions: Culture Humility in Library Work.
Accessibility Tips and Resources for Librarians
When creating content for the web librarians should ensure the material is accessible for individuals with a disability; tips and resources
Creating Infographics: Tips for Librarians
Infographics are very useful for communicating information and can be used for many purposes in libraries of all kinds.
Interview with the Editors: Berman & Tijerina, The Ultimate Privacy Field Guide
Editors’ guide that explains privacy topics simply and concisely, with exercises to do in libraries; how to create safer, more privacy-focused space.
Examples of Artificial Intelligence
AI creates images from words, scans books, and anticipates phrases; this technology impacts how information is created, located, preserved, and stored
Why & How You Should Conduct a Needs Analysis in Your Library
A needs analysis allows you to step back, focus on an organizational goal, see the big picture, and prioritize library resources and training
Ideas for Incorporating Virtual Reality in Libraries
Virtual reality has the potential to change or influence the way librarians work, in terms of research, resources, collections, and training.
Interview with the Editors: Camlot, Langford, and Morra on Collection Thinking
Discusses book of essays exploring cultural meaning and significance of library collections and of collection as an act performed within context
Interview with the Authors: McCracken & Hogan; Decolonial Archival Futures
Authors showcase vital work that illuminates decolonial archival practices for archivists, curators, heritage practitioners, and librarians
Sites for Royalty Free Images
Listing of sites that provide royalty-free images for use in presentations, courseware, and websites.
Part 2 – How to Create Significant Learning in a Library Setting
Skills for special librarians include creating learning opportunities in a library; application, integration, human dimension, learning how to learn.
How to Create Significant Learning in a Library Setting
Adults must remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create; also find value in learning, understand others, and become self-directed learners.
Summer Reading Recommendations for Special Librarians
Recommended reading for special librarians, from a library expert, teacher and writer. Five titles relevant to librarians.
Reliability and Validity in Library Assessment
Librarians need to gather assessment data to see how well libraries are meeting needs, how the collection is being used, and knowledge/service gaps.
Instruction in Special Libraries: Technology Integration Matrix Overview
The Technology Integration Matrix helps instructors be purposeful in their integration of technology in instructional settings, such as in libraries.
An Interview with the Authors of Managing Data for Patron Privacy
Interview with authors of Managing Data for Patron Privacy, which examines how librarians can improve the privacy of patron data.
Book Review: Out of Office, by Charlie Warzel and Anne Helen Petersen
This book addresses the problem of overwork and helps us think through ways to re-center our lives so that work does not creep into every corner.
Tips for Leading Meetings: A Librarian’s Experience
Skills for special librarians include knowing what factors contribute to a well-run meeting; this post includes 8 important tips.
TPACK: Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge
TPACK stands for technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge; it is one of the best frameworks for thinking about learning environments holistically.
Interview with the Author: Bobbi Newman on Workplace Wellness for Libraries
Librarians do well at prioritizing the health and wellness of communities they serve, but should also prioritize health and wellness of library staff.
