Blogs and blawgs

This week I was drawn to the readings "Who Put the Blawg in My Collection?" and "The Citation of Blogs in Judicial Opinions." Once again, we're drawn to another disruptive innovation in collection development- the blog, a document that didn't exist 30 years ago. I think it's a good idea that institutions like the Law Library of Congress are collecting blogs because they are documentary sources of communication and information. As we have seen throughout the course, the nature of information has become more digital and electronic. True, the creation of these new information sources poses challenges, such as citing and preserving blogs in judicial opinions. (I read another article by Lee F. Peoples outside class on the citation of Wikipedia in judicial opinions on my own which raised similar concerns). Just a couple years ago, controversy arose over how Congress was supposed to subpoena several e-mails in an investigation.

I think these articles stood out more for me because I've learned how Web 2.0 (particularly blogs and wikis), are changing libraries, and not just in collection development. As I looked for a library position, I realize how much of reference work now involves content creation for both patrons and librarians. Web 2.0 is about creating content- LibGuides, wikis, blogs, tweets, and database guides. These resources are not just about answering reference questions directly. Whether someone like me is pursuing a librarian position in collection development or reference services, knowledge of blogs and wikis and what they do is very important to have.

Of course, we've seen throughout this semester how these innovations have disrupted traditional collection development and attitudes toward reading. We (or I) started out writing how my reading habits have gradually changed from paper to electronic materials. Then we've talked about e-books, open access, and other items have changed people's reading and affected collection development. We can add blogs, wikis, and new communication to this list. These "disruptions" aren't going to end soon!

TS

Graphic novels and niche collections

Today I’m going to discuss the Elizabeth Downey article “Graphic Novels in Curriculum and Instruction Collections". I have some experience with graphic novels in collection development through my work in the public library system in Florida. Several older adults (one or two generations older than mine) were appalled to find graphic novels in the library collection, deeming them “unsuitable literature.” However, the Broward County Library’s annual Anime Convention was a huge success among both adults my age and children.

I think the graphic novel case is a symptom of the "disruptive innovations" affecting collection development we have seen throughout the course. Today's college students have grown up with visual imagery and electronic media like television, video games, and the Internet and they expect the same rapid pace in their reading materials. According to English professor Laura Mullen of Louisiana State University (quoted in Downey), "We're all of the Internet now...We never get a word without an image going with it, so in fact I think this is the direction of our future reading comprehension. It will include both visual literacy and verbal imagery." This article reminds me of the studies of the changing student research and library use in the University of Rochester and other schools. Many students rely on electronic databases and study in different ways than previous generations, use social tools (Facebook, e-mails, scrolling news, and webcams) and ask for links to their professors and assignments. This generation has grown up with Google and instant messaging, and yes, reads graphic novels and eBooks.

I agree that librarians have to ask certain questions when creating niche collections for formats like graphic novels. Is there a demand? How do we find reviews for what's good? Where do we get the budget for these collections? How do we deal with critics who challenge the policy of collecting these works? Like Downey, I believe that graphic novels are a way to engage a new generation of visual learners and explore themes that readers can find in print books. I have seen how academic libraries are increasingly adding graphic novels to their collections.

TS

What do we do now?

I've been thinking for almost a week about how collection developers can fix the serials crisis. It hasn't been easy- it's almost like trying to find a solution to the current economic mess. After last Thursday's class, I think that one solution might be for libraries to develop "hybrid" collections of both print and electronic materials. Electronic journals have several attractions, such as saving libraries space and money. After all, the Big Deal has proven uneven in its effectiveness. Since class began in January, I have thought that libraries should provide a mixed collection of print and electronic resources.

I still believe that open access (OA) journals could be another solution to the serials problem. In the Report of the Task Force on University Libraries (Harvard, 2009), the paper recommends provides access to, not only acquisition of, library materials through OA. Last week we read in Carlson and Pope's article that if a library can't afford to subscribe to all the journals it needs, OA could be a viable alternative to the Big Deal bundling.

I think that the blurry direction libraries face in the future compounds the serials crisis. For too long we have thought of libraries having physical collections ("own, don't lease") with physical journals. However, in this digital age, the focus has shifted from ownership to access of information. Today's lines are not clearly as drawn as they were in the past as scholarship in research libraries becomes more interdisciplinary. I think that librarians must face this paradigm shift and work together to solve the serials crisis.

TS