Project # 2

Project 2: Proposal to create Reference Library

The library that I would be interested in proposing would be one that was focused on the promotion, study, and education of creative writing in all of its forms.

Los Angeles has a very distinct literary history, and this history, combined with its diverse mix of cultures, helps create an ideal environment for the exploration – and celebration – of literary styles that are as diverse as the city itself.

A library that can serve as a writer’s workshop, an educational institution for the overall community, and a place where writers can do thoughtful research and exchange ideas with fellow writers would be an invaluable addition to Los Angeles’ already flourishing arts scene.

Demographics:

  The Library will be located in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is known for being one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities of anywhere in the world. Here are some basic demographic and social characteristics:

-       Population: 3,792,000

-       Education:

-       High school: 492,000

-       Some college: 428,000

-       Associate’s degree: 146,000

-       Bachelor’s degree: 491,000

-       Graduate degree or higher: 250,000

-       Place of Birth:

-       Born in U.S.: 2,277,000

-       Foreign born: 1,500,000

-       Language:

-       English only: 1,415,000

-       Spanish: 1,515,000

-       Asian & Pacific Islander: 302,000

-       Other: 47,000

-        Ethnicity (%):

-       White: 49.8

-       Black: 9.6

-       Asian: 11.3

-       Hispanic/Latino: 48.5

-       White, non-Hispanic: 28.7

U.S. Census Bureau – Selected Social Characteristics – Los Angeles

http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

U.S. Census Bureau – Quick Facts – Los Angeles

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0644000.html

Other Libraries in the city:

  There are several notable libraries in Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles area, such as the Huntington Library, the Santa Monica Public Library, the research library at the Getty Museum, and the Powell Library at UCLA, but because of the numerous branches that cover a large geographical area, the County of Los Angeles Public Library (http://www.colapublib.org/index.html) with over 80 locations, and the Los Angeles Public Library (http://www.lapl.org/index.php) with over 60 locations, together serve the greatest number of people in Los Angeles/greater Los Angeles area in terms of basic library services. Both libraries offer a number of events and programs.

  For example, the County of Los Angeles Public Library everything from story times and arts and crafts clubs (such as soap making), to SAT/ACT and nutrition workshops. The Los Angeles Public Library offers adult literacy and English proficiency programs, teen reading clubs and homework/tutoring help, its [ALOUD] lecture series, and exhibits ranging from subjects from historical maps of Los Angeles to the Mexican Revolution.

See article “The Best Libraries in Los Angeles”:

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/03/26/best-libraries-in-los-angeles/

Reference philosophy for our library:

  The Library would strive to offer guidance, direction, and one-on-one service to patrons. Some ways to encourage that patrons ask for assistance would be the following:

-       Have more than one librarian at peak hours covering the reference area so that patrons do not have to wait for help or ask a question.

-       The traditional “reference desk,” that is characterized by a large circular or rectangular desk and with the reference librarian sitting behind a computer and surrounded by books, papers, and often exuding a cluttered workspace, would be replaced by an open area, with only several computer screens, where patrons would not be symbolically “separated” from the librarian. The purpose of this type of set up would be to foster a more approachable reference experience. If a patron had a question, they would be invited to sit down next to the librarian, and where the librarian would show them, step-by-step, what tools or resources they were using on the computer in order to find information.

-       Services that the library would provide include creating writing workshops, author readings, and self-publishing, printmaking, and bookbinding courses and workshops.

Reference collection and reference databases:

  The reference collection would include many basic reference materials, such as dictionaries, thesauri, and general encyclopedias, but the emphasis would be on literature-related resources, such as short story, fiction, and poetry indexes, and encyclopedias on the history of literature and criticism.

  A diverse selection of academic and more general databases would be accessible to library patrons, and would include the Literature Resource Center, JSTOR Language and Literature Collection, Electronic Book Collection, Online Books Page, ERIC, ProQuest, and other literature-related and general information reference sources.

  The library’s website would offer access to the library catalog, real-time messaging with library staff, information on upcoming events, and video of past events.

Blog Reflection # 6

There are really so many good resources that have been discussed in the course so far. I am sure that I am not alone in saying that I was unaware of many of the resources we have covered and written about.

I guess it could be overwhelming with all these new information sources that we have been learning about, but not really anymore overwhelming than trying to sort through and find quality information using a search engine.

When it comes to online resources, one thing that does affect my opinion or judgment – rightly or wrongly – is the layout and overall quality of the website I am looking at. For example, we have talked a lot about the credibility problem of Wikipedia, but part of the reason that so many people use it is due partly to what I would call the ease of use factor. A site like refdesk.com, which we have also covered, could be more user friendly if, in my opinion, it wasn’t so cluttered looking. So I think layout, design, and organization play a big part in the perception of functionality and usability of web resources.

Another point that I think is worth addressing is the importance of being exposed to a variety and mix of different resources, as we have in this course. It reminds me of the saying about “having the right tool for the right job.” If you are aware of the many different resources (tools) that are out there, you are better prepared to find useful information, and in turn produce better research, papers, assignments, etc. If you rely on simply using a search engine, then the range of information you can find will be limited, or will be so discrepant as to provide no authoritative, definitive results. To use another tool-related saying: “If the only tool you have is a hammer [search engine], then everything looks like a nail [the correct result].”

So I would promote the use of diverse resources. Librarians (and the future librarians taking this course) are in an ideal position to influence the search habits of students, professionals, and public library patrons by emphasizing the value in learning about alternate resources, rather than relying entirely on the major Internet search engines.

Review: the new West Hollywood Library

For my LIB 03 class, we were asked to visit a library and present information about it, but I thought some people in the LIB 204 class might be interested as well ...

I chose to visit the West Hollywood Library, the newest branch of the County of Los Angeles Public Library. The library opened in October of 2011, and so the building and facility are very forward thinking in terms of design, layout, and patron needs.

The building combines its modern, clean-lined architecture with sustainable, “green” construction practices. The 33,150 square-foot library uses a “photovoltaic” solar panel system to conserve (and generate its own) energy use, and 96% of the construction material wastes were recycled rather than dumped in landfills. The design of the building also incorporates lots of natural light, which also reduces energy costs.

On the ground level floor of the facility is a cafe and small bookstore that sells items from the library collection that have been taken out of circulation. I purchased a trade paperback copy of Jonathan Lethem’s novel Fortress of Solitude that was in perfect, brand-new condition – for only $1.00!

To enter the main building of the library, you have to walk up a curving, external staircase (or take the elevator) to the main lobby. Upon entering, directly in front of you will be the circulation desk. To the right is the DVD section, and to the left and behind the front/circulation desk is a long expanse of seating near the glass wall that overlooks San Vicente Boulevard. The children’s books must have been in this area as well because I did not see them on the upper floor. To the right and behind the front/circulation was the main staircase that leads to the second floor of the library, which held sections that included non-fiction, fiction, videos, design and architecture, and large print books.

One article on the library I read after my visit mentioned that the library has a children’s theater, but I did not see it when I was there.

One of the prominent features that visitors will notice includes the glass wall on the east-facing wall of the library, which provides a view of the Pacific Design Center, which is across the street, and the Hollywood Hills in the background. The second floor also features a beautifully detailed wooden ceiling with a floral design. While doing some homework at the library for a couple of hours, I noticed several people taking pictures of the gorgeous view.

Also the second floor, along the glass wall, are sand-colored chairs and tables for patrons to study or read, as well as lower swivel lounge chairs with smaller tables.

Free wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet access is provided in the library, but requires library membership and a pin number. There are also several computer stations for library members to use. The library website states that there are 44 computer terminals. On my visit, nearly all of the computers were in use, and more than half of the seating areas were occupied as well. There are also separate, private study rooms, and a more formal conference room, all of which were occupied.

On both the first and second floor of the library, approaching the main stairway, are self-checkout stations where patrons can scan and checkout items on their own.

A nice added detail of the shelving units that held the library’s “stacks” were built-in lighting fixtures, making searching for an item that much easier.

Some of the services provided by the library include “Live Homework Help,” which is available online, and covers the following:  K-12 math, science, English, social studies, and essay review tutoring; for college level students, math, science, English, and essay review, as well as “assistance with GED preparation, and career services such as resume review, job searching and interview preparation.” (http://www.colapublib.org/children/tutor/index.html)

The online catalog for the County of Los Angeles Public Library, is easy to navigate and was familiar since having used it in depth for LIB 03 Assignment 2. Additional online services include emailing a librarian for information or asking a reference question, access to the library’s collection of research databases, which requires users to be member of the library and provide their membership number, and finally downloading capability to download eBooks, audiobooks, and music (note: uses can only download three songs per week through the library’s online catalog.).

Events that take place at the West Hollywood Library include toddler and family story times on Wednesday, and a “BookPals Storytime” on Saturdays at 11:00am, where “members of the Screen Actors Guild read stories to children and their families.” On the first Tuesday of each month, the library hosts a “Women and Books” book club, where authors and educators discuss new books that cover women’s issues and interests.

One final detail of the library that I really liked was a large mural on the side of the library’s parking structure by the artist Shepard Fairey. Because the parking structure is behind the library, one would not even be aware of the mural from the main entrance on San Vicente Boulevard. While mentioning parking, the library validates parking for three hours free.

For more information on the West Hollywood Library, see the following links:

Branch webpage:

http://www.colapublib.org/libs/whollywood/index.php

Los Angeles Times article on the library:

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/01/local/la-me-weho-library-20111001

Los Angeles Times photo slideshow:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-0928-weho-library-pictures,0,575306.photogallery

LA Curbed articles on the library:

http://la.curbed.com/tags/west-hollywood-library

Blog Reflection # 5

It’s hard to determine how people qualify the information they read or view. I would say, being somewhat pessimistic in terms of the general public’s ability to evaluate information, that most people don’t think about verifying a piece of information they come across. If someone gets their daily news from, say, Fox News, and they hear a statistic repeated over and over again on Fox News, and they don’t read or get their news from another (more reputable) source, they will probably believe what they hear on Fox News as “fact.”

When it comes to college students, I don’t think this type of behavior is as extreme, but it all depends on the individual student’s study habits. Students who are in a hurry to get an assignment done at the last minute aren’t going to have the time needed to check and verify the information they are basing their work on.

But I don’t want to lecture anyone or come across as holier than thou. I’m going to admit that I was not a great undergraduate student. Often times, I did not put in the amount of time required that would have made me a much better student. I have since learned the importance of spending a little more time required to do a better job.

I think being able to determine if a piece of information, or a source of information, is credible comes largely from simply doing a lot of reading. For a long time, you really won’t know what is a good or bad source of information, but the more you read, and the broader your range of reading encompasses, the better you will be at being able to tell what is “good” and “bad” information by having a better foundation from which to judge the information you come across.

So, to me, it all comes down to finding many different sources of information, and not falling into the habit of getting your information from just one or two places. Secondly, keep an open mind to reading new and different types and sources of information. Some of what you come across will be drivel, and some will be highly reputable, but you won’t be able to tell the difference if you haven’t read from one end of the spectrum to the other.

A source that explains some basic things to look for when reading/verifying information on the web is the UCLA Library Research Help website *. The site basically explains what to look for in order to qualify web information.

It’s a pretty simple concept:  Take extra time to question or check your source(s), ask yourself questions about who is providing the information and don’t just take what you read at face value as fact.

If someone came up to you and offered you a great investment opportunity and they said it was a 100% sure thing to make you ten times your money, would you hand over your money without asking any questions? Or would you want to find out a little bit more information about this opportunity before just giving away your money? It’s kind of the same as believing unreliable information, only you’re the guy taking the money, but the money is a bag full of confetti or rotten garbage.

http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/college/11605_12008.cfm

* Source Cited:

  “Thinking Critically about Web 2.0 and Beyond”

  Esther Grassian, the UCLA Library and used with permission.

"half hours on earth, what are they worth? i don't know"

The one and only D C Berman and his group the Silver Jews. If you listen to his lyrics you will come to the conclusion that there hasn't been a better American songwriter since he started the band with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich in 1989 ( The Jews called it quits in 2009, so that's 20 years, if you haven't been paying attention to alternative music much).