Author: rdlankes

Posted on

Circulating Ideas Guest Post

This is the first ever guest post (I’m pretty sure) on my blog. Steve Thomas is a great librarian and has been very generous with posting the Expect More audio book on his podcast Circulating Ideas podcast. He is now looking for support via Kickstarter to transform his fantastic podcast into a book! Please take a read, and please consider giving to his Kickstarter….I did!

Screen Shot 2015-03-15 at 3.00.37 PM

Perhaps the greatest task of a librarian is to bring communities together to improve their lives, whether that community is the citizenry, students, faculty, or any number of other specialized groups. This improvement most often manifests as literacy in some form or other, whether teaching search strategies, creating in a makerspace, or expanding access to the written word. Now I would like to bring the librarian community together to help increase the accessibility of my librarian interview podcast, Circulating Ideas.

I’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund transcripts of the show, which would then be made freely available on the web, and as a DRM-free ebook for backers of the campaign (along with a host of other reward options). Why do a Kickstarter? Because transcription is a skilled task, and I want to pay someone a fair wage to do a quality job, and I want to harness the power of the community so that we all feel ownership and pride in the final product.

Since 2011, I have interviewed more than 100 librarians and library supporters, everyone from frontline children’s librarians to ALA Presidential candidates to authors and journalists, but these interviews are locked into audio which can be difficult and time-consuming to search, notate and cite. The podcast medium also excludes those with hearing difficulties and those who simply do not learn well from receiving knowledge aurally.

I believe in the power of communities, and I believe in the power of librarians to make great things happen, so I hope you’ll join me and help me make this project happen to unlock and free the innovative ideas and present them to a wider world.

Let’s go circulate some ideas!

– Steve Thomas

Posted on

Expecting More From Our Libraries and Communities

“Expecting More From Our Libraries and Communities” Professional Development Speaker Series. Toronto, Canada.

Abstract: Libraries are more important now than ever – but not the same libraries we have always had. Our patrons need to expect more of us, and we, in turn, should expect more of them. We must form a partnership based on aspirations and shared goals, not deficits, and collected materials. This session seeks to highlight the importance of librarianship and librarians in building stronger communities beyond a desk, a building, or a collection.

Slides: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/Presentations/2015/TPL.pdf

Audio: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/pod/2015/TPL.mp3

Screencast:

Expecting More From Our Libraries & Communities from R. David Lankes on Vimeo.

Posted on

Radical Librarians

“Radical Librarians” Bertha Bassam Lecture University of Toronto Faculty of Information. Toronto, Canada.

Abstract: For too long librarians have seen their role as being unbiased agents standing ready to serve. Librarians must be agents of transformative social engagement — actively working to better their communities. From the riots in Ferguson, to the Arab Spring, we see the value of librarians throwing off the mask of objective curator and adopting the role of change agent. This lecture examines the value of librarians dedicated to improving communities, not simply informing them.

Slides: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/Presentations/2015/Bass.pdf

Audio: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/pod/2015/UoT.mp3

Screencast:

Apologies, when first posted on March 12 before 4pm I had linked to the wrong video. This one is correct.

Radical Librarians from R. David Lankes on Vimeo.

Posted on

The Librarian, The Closet, & The Empty Room

“The Librarian, The Closet, & The Empty Room” School Library Systems Conference. White Plains, NY.

Abstract: Librarianship needs a radical change – a focus from libraries as places and institutions to librarians as radical positive change agents. This presentation talks about defining the profession and places by the people who make a difference – librarians.

Slides: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/Presentations/2015/BOCES.pdf

Audio: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/pod/2015/BOCES.mp3

Screencast:

BOCES from R. David Lankes on Vimeo.

Posted on

My First Re-Birthday

One year ago a lab technician thawed out six syringes filled with my stem cells. She handed them one at a time to a doctor. Over the course of about an hour, and under the direction of a nurse practitioner, that doctor pushed those cells into my heart and saved my life. Saved my life most immediately from lethal chemotherapy that had destroyed my bone marrow and more generally from cancer.

Over the next 14 days my body systems would begin to breakdown – unable to be replenished by my body’s now silenced blood cells. I would be kept alive through blood transfusions and I would be isolated from the world to avoid simple pathogens that could be fatal to a man with no immune system.

Throughout this whole process my wife and mother stayed by my side and got me to walk and eat and hope. My brother-in-law supplied feedback and teaching. Nurses cared for me. Doctors monitored my progress and ordered transfusions and medication. Friends sent in cards, colleagues covered classes, and my distributed social network transformed into a cheering section wishing me to health.

To my wife, my mother, those nurses, doctors, friends, colleagues and the network thank you.

Posted on

Expect More Scholarship Information Session

Info Session graphic

On Tuesday, February 17 at 7pm EST we are hosting a special information session to talk about the Expect More Library Scholarship and our LIS and LIS School Media programs.

iSchool Professor Dave Lankes will be talking about the Expect More Scholarship and the kind of opportunities Expect More Library Scholars will experience. We’ll be joined by current LIS student, Ryan Perry and the iGrad team.

Here is the link to sign up for this, as well as other online information sessions:

http://ischool.syr.edu/contact/forms/grad-onlinechat.aspx

Posted on

50th Anniversary Bertha Bassam Lecture “Radical Librarians”

10982356_10155213899370615_4558293193833343587_nThe University of Toronto, Faculty of Information (iSchool) and Faculty of Information Alumni Association (FIAA) invite you to the 50th Anniversary of the Bertha Bassam Lecture, this year delivered by a passionate advocate for libraries, R. David Lankes, who will discuss Radical Librarianship. Prof. Lankes is author of an upcoming book, The Radical’s Guide to New Librarianship.

REGISTER now at: https://berthabassam.eventbrite.ca

ABSTRACT:
For too long librarians have seen their role as being unbiased agents standing ready to serve. Librarians must be agents of transformative social engagement — actively working to better their communities. From the riots in Ferguson, to the Arab Spring, we see the value of librarians throwing off the mask of objective curator and adopting the role of change agent. This lecture examines the value of librarians dedicated to improving communities, not simply informing them.

EVENT DETAILS:
Doors open at 6:00 pm, Lecture starts at 6:15 pm
Cocktail reception to follow 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Lecture and reception are complimentary, but registration is required. Everyone is welcome.
REGISTER: https://berthabassam.eventbrite.ca
2 Sussex Avenue, Innis Town Hall (newly renovated lecture hall!), University of Toronto
MAP

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
R. David Lankes is a professor and Dean’s Scholar for the New Librarianship at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies and director of the Information Institute of Syracuse. Lankes has always been interested in combining theory and practice to create active research projects that make a difference. Past projects include the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology, the Gateway to Education Materials, AskERIC and the Virtual Reference Desk. Lankes’ more recent work involves how participatory concepts can reshape libraries and credibility.

Lankes is a passionate advocate for libraries and their essential role in today’s society. He also seeks to understand how information approaches and technologies can be used to transform industries. In this capacity he has served on advisory boards and study teams in the fields of libraries, telecommunications, education, and transportation including at the National Academies. He has been a visiting fellow at the National Library of Canada, the Harvard School of Education, and the first fellow of ALA’s Office for Information Technology Policy. His book,The Atlas of New Librarianship won the 2012 ABC-CLIO/Greenwood Award for the Best Book in Library Literature.

ABOUT THE LECTURE SERIES:
The Bertha Bassam Lecture in Librarianship was established by the Faculty’s Alumni Association to honour Dr. Bertha Bassam, Director of the Library School from 1951 to 1964. The lectures, which are open to the profession and members of the public, are delivered every three to four years by an outstanding individual, whose topic and experience are relevant to librarians and librarianship.

Date: 
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 – 18:00 to 21:00
Location:
2 Sussex Avenue, Innis Town Hall (newly renovated lecture hall!), University of Toronto
Posted on

Expect More on issuu.com

So I am experimenting with more self-publishing platforms. Today is issuu.com. This is the free version of the tool, so there will be adds, but you can use this to embed the book in any webpage you’d like:

Special Note: Don’t use the “Order Print” option, as print copies are cheaper through Amazon (and, you know, I get a royalty there).

This is a nice platform to keep formatting and visuals. However, you have to spend monthly money to add features such as annotations. Medium.com seems a better system for getting out pieces for reading and comment.

Posted on

Expecting More: School Librarians & Change

“Expecting More: School Librarians & Change” Saskatchewan School Library Association. Webinar.

Abstract: This presentation will be based around the book Expect More: Demanding Better Libraries for Today’s Complex World (now available as a free digital download). David Lankes will share his argument that in order to thrive, communities need libraries that go beyond bricks, mortar, books and literature and, specifically, how we can use this vision to transform school libraries into vital places of learning.

Slides: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/Presentations/2015/Sas-Lankes.pdf

Audio: https://davidlankes.org/rdlankes/pod/2015/SSLA.mp3

Screencast:

<

SSLA from R. David Lankes on Vimeo.

Posted on

Recap of MidWinter Radical Conversation

I’ve put together a page trying to sum up the discussions around the forthcoming Radical’s Guide to New Librarianship held this past Monday at the ALA MidWinter Conference. It includes opening & closing remarks, major points discussed by the group, and a transcript of the online companion session.

A special thanks to ALA and Mary Ghikas for setting aside the time. Thanks to all who participated, and please continue the conversation.