Librarianship is a Technical Profession…That is All About People

[This is an edited version of the script I used for my talk. However, it is not a word for word transcript. Aside from added comments during the talk, I have edited and expanded the notes here to make them more readable. You can see a screencast of the actual presentation here.]

When I was invited to give this talk, Kim Tallerås told me that I could address:

  • What technological expertise should librarians have?
  • What should we leave to other professions?
  • Generalist vs specialist?
  • What does knowledge organization mean in 2017?

A simple list, right? I particularly like the “etc” just in case I might have some extra time.

So where to begin? I could start with my opinion. I could start with the curriculum that we are developing at the University of South Carolina. I could, of course, pretend to answer the questions by “framing the debate,” where I list some international competencies, throw in a bit of criticism, but really leave the questions unresolved.

Instead, let me start with a question that isn’t on this list: are there right and wrong answers to these to begin with? Is there some foundation that we can test our opinions? Because it turns out what looks like topics for debate, are in fact answerable, but only if we start from a firm foundation.
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The Opportunities and Obligations of the Knowledge School

“The Opportunities and Obligations of the Knowledge School” South Carolina Association of School Librarians. Greenville, SC.

Abstract: An overview of strategic directions for the School of Library and Information Science and a call for participation.

Slides: Slides in PDF

Audio:

Presentation Notes:

[This is not an actual transcript of my talk, but rather speaking notes I used to prepare and captures the main points. Excuse the typos and lack of copy edits]

I believe that we have an amazing opportunity before us. An opportunity not only to increase the impact and reputation of the school, not only to advance the cause of school librarianship within the state, but to set the agenda for library and information science nationally and globally.

I further believe that in these times of alternative facts, fake news, and near contempt for public service, we have an obligation to lead.
Continue reading “The Opportunities and Obligations of the Knowledge School”

Eisenberg to Give Deans’ and Directors’ Lecture April 3

Postcard for the event

iSchool movement co-founder to deliver annual lecture 

Dr. Michael Eisenberg, dean emeritus and professor emeritus of the Information School of the University of Washington, will deliver the 2017 Deans’ and Directors’ Lecture on Monday, April 3, at the South Carolina State Library, located at 1500 Senate Street. His presentation “South Carolina – Your Time is Now,” will begin at 7 p.m.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is hosted by the School of Library and Information Science.

Eisenberg served as founding dean of the Information School at the University of Washington from 1998 to 2006. Known as an innovator and entrepreneur, Mike approached the iSchool as a startup—transforming the school into a top-ranked, broad-based information school with academic programs on all levels, increasing enrollment 400%, generating millions in funded research, and making a difference in industry, the public sector and education.

Prior to the University of Washington, Eisenberg worked as professor of information studies at Syracuse University, where he created the Information Institute of Syracuse. A prolific author, he has worked with thousands of students, as well as people in business, government, and communities to improve individual and organizational information and technology access and use. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University at Albany (SUNY).

His address will make the case for the importance of the information and communications fields in every area of human endeavor. Eisenberg will challenge South Carolinians to embrace that importance by thinking and acting big and bold, broad and deep to make the world a better place through programs, research, services, and engagement.

The School of Library and Information Science Deans’ and Directors’ Lecture honors the previous deans and directors of the school. A reception and ceremony for outstanding students and the induction of new members into Beta Phi Mu, the national honor society in library and information science, will take place before the event.

For more information, contact Angela Wright at [email protected] or 803-777-3858.  Find more information on the School of Library and Information Science at http://sc.edu/cic.

Sarasota Panel on Shared Issues with Librarians and Reporters

Sarasota County Public Libraries Staff Day: Panel on the News and Libraries

It was a great and pretty wide ranging discussion around fake news, editorial responsibility, possible collaborations, and even a little net neutrality thrown in for good measure.

Panel members Tom Tryon – Opinion Editor for the Sarasota Herald Tribune, Janet Coats – Founder & CEO of Coats2Coats, , and R. David Lankes, Director & Professor, University of South Carolina, School of Library and Information Science.

Celebration Through Action: The Obligation of Information and Communications in a Time of Alternative Facts

Three years and a day ago a nurse injected me with a lethal chemical cocktail designed to kill any remaining cancer cells in my body, destroying my bone marrow in the process. Three years ago a doctor pushed harvested stem cells directly into my heart where they were pumped to the rest of my body to regrow my marrow and save my life.

For my third birthday I was going to post an inspirational missive on moving forward and on the  obligation to use the gift of life to improve the lives around us. Then I realized actually working to improve lives is more important than talking about my experience. So today, to mark my third birthday I want to talk about action.

We scholars and academics in the information domains have a special obligation in these days of alternative facts. We academics working with both information and communications have an even more urgent obligation. That obligation is to work with communities around the country and around the world to actively build knowledge and a common framework for evaluating the work of politicians, scientists, activists, and the citizenry.

Some will say that this is a function of better education. If we could do a better job of building literacy in our communities – information literacy, media literacy – then the natural result would be a more unified view of the world. The problem with this argument is that the current political separation is not the result of a lack of information or access to the media, or a naivety around information. The increasing ideological divide is not because our communities have too little information, or even a general gullibility. No, the increasing divide and introduction of alternative perspectives is rather a result of sophisticated and conscious information behavior.

Remember that the filter bubble problem we now face was a solution to the problem of information overload. It is the result of information scientists and communication scholars studying the idea of matching information seeking behaviors, tuning search engines to user preferences, sentiment analysis, hyperlocal information needs, hyperlocal news, that has shifted agency and decisions to the individual. We saw the flood of information and in a deliberate attempt to buffer a “fire hose” of information we built data science and interfaces and algorithms and newspapers of the future to lower cognitive load and better meet the needs of the user/reader/citizen/patron.

We are not facing a gullible public overrun by the algorithms of the greedy and the manipulative. We are facing citizens engaged with tools built with the best of intentions that, yes, can be (and are being) manipulated, but ultimately allow people to view knowledge as simply an information problem. That is, what one believes to be true, like information, is to be managed, tailored, and individualized without the necessary social responsibility to connect, debate, and develop consensus.

The danger is not seeing truth and meaning as contextual; it is in not proactively working to shape that context. This is not about alternative facts, propaganda, nor misinformation. These concepts have always been at play. The fake news of today is the yellow journalism of a century ago – defined more by profit motive than ideology. The problem is not in construction of meaning or in agreeing on facts, but rather the necessary social component of defining what those facts mean.

Librarians and journalists alike have been about helping communities make better decisions through access to knowledge. We both hold to a code of ethics and principles that favor rationalism and both at their core require an internal motivation to seek out the truth. But – and this is vital – we both also believe that such motivation must include a social knowledge aspect. That is, both believe that communities must act together as well as individuals within a community. It is not simply speaking truth to power; it is understanding that true power comes from common effort. Librarians and journalists must be part of moving people to action. Exposing corruption in the news must be met by editorial calls for consequence. Teaching information literacy must also mean teaching information activism. It is not about highlighting inequities; it is about fixing inequities. It is not just about calling for diversity; it is about empowering diverse voices.

And so I come back to action.

Our goal must be to be knowledge schools. Pushing forward our different fields of information, librarianship, journalism, and communications, yes. But also working together around a common mission of impact. A knowledge school must seek to not only document society, but to improve it. Not to be neutral, but to be truthful and to actively work with our communities to knit a common and ever-evolving worldview. In this worldview there will be disagreement and argument, but it will serve as a common framework for debate and ultimately learning.

I am alive today because scholars in the fields of biology, chemistry, medicine, nursing, public health, pharmacology, information, and communications strived not just for knowledge, but impact. The same scholars that developed deadly chemical weapons in World War I later saw that mustard gas could be used to stop the uncontrolled replication of cancer cells and would develop life-saving chemotherapy. I am here today because information scientists built technology to transfer billions of points of data into journals and clinical trials. I am here today because journalists, and public relations experts, and communication scholars helped transform cancer from a shameful scourge to a noble curable fight in the mind of the public.

We have seen the power of scholars in information and communication coming together to save lives by fighting the misinformation campaigns of big tobacco. We have seen reporters work with librarians to uncover corporate malfeasance where carcinogens pollute the environment. We have seen those same reporters and librarians then hold those responsible accountable.

We all stand at an inflection point with the current national political climate. We have seen a resurgent press seek to hold politician and policy accountable. We have seen librarians stand up for the rights and voices of all community members. In the halls of academia, we must also seize this moment with our research and our teaching and our service. We information and communication scholars need to develop a response (systems, theories, courses, graduates) that replace walls of isolating code that encircle ideological factions, with platforms of community knowledge building. We must model that strident argument and sincere disagreement does not have to result in factions and fractures, but in a clearer understanding of the world. That has been the cornerstone of scholarship since Socrates, and it is our responsibility to promote that throughout society.

* Thanks to Professor Ernest Wiggins for his feedback

Knowledge School Penthouse Interview @ 2016 Charleston Conference

The Charleston Conference and Against the Grain do a great series of interviews with Conference Speakers. Last year I was chosen for a “Penthouse Interview.” It is available in its entirety at: David Lankes Penthouse Interview @ 2016 Charleston Conference. It is also available in shorter segments on the Charleston Conference website at: Against the Grain Penthouse Interviews: 2016 Interviews.

January Update

The new year has been filled with sadness, joy, and outrage. It was a pivotal month for SLIS and the country, and demonstrated in the most profound way how connected SLIS is as a community.

The Passing of Robert Williams

The month began with the sad news of the passing of “Dr. Bob” Williams. It was clear from the outpouring of remembrances from faculty, alumni, and staff that Dr. Bob’s legacy will be long lived and celebrated. You can read more about this outstanding gentleman scholar here: http://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/cic/library_and_information_science/news/2017/in_memoriam_dr._robert_v_williams.php#.WJDOjrGZMUE

ALISE and Awards

It is perhaps fitting as we were remembering Bob and mourning his loss that we celebrated the school we have become with his help. SLIS had an outstanding presence at this year’s ALISE conference. We had panels and presentations from faculty and doctoral students including Karen Miller, Cantrell Johnson, Heather Moorefield-Lang, Amir Karami, Feili Tu-Keefner, Clayton Copeland, Hassan Zamir, Susan Rathbun-Grubb, Margaret (Sullivan) Zimmerman, and Darin Freeburg. The highlight of the event was Margaret Zimmerman winning the doctoral poster award, and April Dawkins finishing in the top ten posters.

After ALISE we resumed the task of expanding the faculty ranks for our instructor and two tenure-track positions. There is an air of excitement as we see the folks who want to join the work here at SLIS.

Instructional Quality

We have also continued the work of the school. We have re-tasked our committee on Distributed Learning to the Instructional Quality Committee. This committee will review student evaluations and ongoing data to ensure we are constantly working on doing better instruction and do so in an open and transparent way. The committee will also work to ensure any new adjunct faculty have adequate preparation and support to teach online.

SLIS and the Executive Order

And then January held another surprise. With an Executive Order, the federal government began turning away immigrants and legal aliens from several middle eastern countries from our borders. This action has direct impact on current SLIS students, faculty, and alumni. While the University has been responsive in working with affected community members, it is still an area of grave concern.

I am including here a message I shared with our faculty and students last Saturday night and the information sent out by the university for those who have additional questions or concern:

This evening it has become clear that we all have reason to be concerned for those who are at the University, and frankly, in the country legally from abroad. Our classmates, our faculty, our alumni, our staff have seen families divided and immigrants turned away from our borders or held in our airports. Like many of you, I have followed growing legal protests across the country, and welcomed a judicial stay of an executive order whose very legality has been called into question.

Below you will see that University officials have provided some guidance and means of expressing concern. Please, however, do not hesitate to contact me directly. The well-being of our community members is my foremost concern and highest priority. I know that concern is shared by the Dean and all the staff and faculty.

I am saddened beyond belief that any university official has to advise those with legal standing to “not leave the country.” The heart of academia is the free flow of ideas. Ideas know no borders. A search for truth, and a quest to improve society through knowledge should never be threatened by executive order, or legislation. The freedom to teach and learn without the fear of deportation or xenophobia is not a partisan issue; it is not about being liberal or conservative; it is about human rights.

Every day in our classes people of all faiths and religions -Muslim, Jew, Christian, Atheist- learn side by side. Americans, Iranians, Brazilians, Chinese, Indians, Germans, Ugandans have shaped the prosperity of this school, university, and nation. Our graduates build communities in libraries and institutions across the world. We teach all of our students the core values of intellectual honesty, equity, and respect for diversity. We must now demonstrate these values. We have long called libraries havens and must now put truth to these words.

So let me end by asking again to those of you affected by these actions to let me, the faculty, and the staff know how we can help you. You are members of our community, and we are all richer for it.

-David Lankes, Director of the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science

Good Evening,

Below you will find the message sent on behalf of Vice Provost Miller to all students from the affected countries in the recent executive order. Further messaging will be sent when we have more information in the upcoming week.

Thank you so much for your commitment to our students at the University.

Jody

Jody Pritt

Director | [email protected]

International Student Services | University of South Carolina

Close Hipp 650 | 803-777-7461 | www.sc.edu/internationalservices

From: PRITT, JODY

Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 7:41 PM

Subject: Sent on Behalf of Vice Provost and Director of Global Carolina, Dr. Allen Miller

Dear Students,

As you may know, yesterday President Trump signed an executive order titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” The order suspends entry into the United States by most visa holders from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. We understand that for many of you this executive order may be unsettling and that you may be worried about your future at USC. As the Vice Provost for Global Carolina, I would personally like to assure you that the University of South Carolina remains committed to your safety, security and success regardless of your religion, ethnicity or national origin.

The executive order is aimed at new entries into the United States, those not yet in the country, and we believe nothing in this executive order will compel you to leave before the expiration of your status. However, we would advise you to not leave the country in the short term in case the executive order creates issues with re-entry. We will provide additional information and guidance soon.

In the meantime, if you have specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Jody Pritt, Director of International Student Services at [email protected] .

Sincerely,

Paul Allen Miller

Vice Provost and Director of Global Carolina

Carolina Distinguished Professor of Classics and Comparative Literature

University of South Carolina

In Conclusion

So there was a taste of January. As always, we are looking for your thoughts, feedback, and ideas. Our quest to improve society continues.

A Message for International Members of the SLIS Community

This evening it has become clear that we all have reason to be concerned for those who are at the University, and frankly, in the country legally from abroad. Our classmates, our faculty, our alumni, our staff have seen families divided and immigrants turned away from our borders or held in our airports. Like many of you I have followed growing legal protests across the country, and welcomed a judicial stay of an executive order whose very legality has been called into question.

Below you will see that University officials have provided some guidance and means of expressing concern. Please, however, do not hesitate to contact me directly. The well being of our community members is my foremost concern and highest priority. I know that concern is shared by the Dean and all the staff and faculty.

I am saddened beyond belief that any university official has to advise those with legal standing to “not leave the country.” The heart of academia is the free flow of ideas. Ideas know no borders. A search for truth, and a quest to improve society through knowledge should never be threatened by executive order, or legislation. The freedom to teach and learn without the fear of deportation or xenophobia is not a partisan issue; it is not about being liberal or conservative; it is about human rights.

Every day in our classes people of all faiths and religions -Muslim, Jew, Christian, Atheist- learn side by side. Americans, Iranians, Brazilians, Chinese, Indians, Germans, Ugandans have shaped the prosperity of this school, university, and nation. Our graduates build communities in libraries and institutions across the world. We teach all of our students the core values of intellectual honesty, equity, and respect for diversity. We must now demonstrate these values. We have long called libraries havens and must now put truth to these words.

So let me end by asking again to those of you effected by these actions to let me, the faculty, and the staff know how we can help you. You are members of our community, and we are all richer for it.

-R. David Lankes
Director of the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science

Good Evening,

Below you will find the message sent on behalf of Vice Provost Miller to all students from the affected countries in the recent executive order. Further messaging will be sent when we have more information in the upcoming week.

Thank you so much for your commitment to our students at the University.

Jody

Jody Pritt
Director | [email protected]
International Student Services | University of South Carolina
Close Hipp 650 | 803-777-7461 | www.sc.edu/internationalservices

From: PRITT, JODY
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 7:41 PM
Subject: Sent on Behalf of Vice Provost and Director of Global Carolina, Dr. Allen Miller

Dear Students,

As you may know, yesterday President Trump signed an executive order titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” The order suspends entry into the United States by most visa holders from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. We understand that for many of you this executive order may be unsettling and that you may be worried about your future at USC. As the Vice Provost for Global Carolina, I would personally like to assure you that the University of South Carolina remains committed to your safety, security and success regardless of your religion, ethnicity or national origin.

The executive order is aimed at new entries into the United States, those not yet in the country, and we believe nothing in this executive order will compel you to leave before the expiration of your status. However, we would advise you to not leave the country in the short term in case the executive order creates issues with re-entry. We will provide additional information and guidance soon.

In the meantime, if you have specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Jody Pritt, Director of International Student Services at [email protected] .

Sincerely,

Paul Allen Miller
Vice Provost and Director of Global Carolina
Carolina Distinguished Professor of Classics and Comparative Literature
University of South Carolina

The Passing of Dr. Robert V. Williams

Today is a sad day for the University of South Carolina with the passing Bob Williams.

Dr. Robert V. Williams, or Dr. Bob as so many of us called him with affection, passed Saturday night, January 14, 2017.

Dr. Bob created the archival studies program, was an architect of the library school/history joint degree, and designed the undergraduate program in Information Science for the School of Library and Information Science and was most proud when our first students matriculated. He supported the program with funds for research awards and scholarships. He was always available for students and faculty. He received the prestigious Watson Davis award from the Association of Information Science and Technology and was the primary supporter for the History of Information Science project. His students adored him. His friends and colleagues called him true blue and all of us will miss this one of a kind “Gentleman Scholar.”

The details of any memorial service plans have not yet been released by the family, but we will post them as soon as we know.

Dr. S.K. Hastings, and Dr. R. David Lankes

Question Posters Redux

For several years I’ve been calling for the creation of Question Posters (vs Read Posters). Well, it turns out that I am now in charge of a school with a marketing budget.

So here’s my question (please use the comments below): would you use/hang these posters? They would by 25″x19″

The hope is that these would be the first theme, and we can add other themes.

Please consider these as drafts BTW.

whitehousequestion courtquestion library-of-congress capitalquestion-copy