Cathcart, Rachael. “Librarian or Social Worker: Time to Look at the Blurring Line?” The Reference Librarian. 49.1 (2008): 87-91. Haworth Press. University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries . 2 Nov 2008. http://www.haworthpress.com
Cathcart views public librarians as “de facto social workers,” citing their duties of interacting with the homeless and mentally ill on a daily basis and the demand that the e-government movement has had on their time (public librarians often need to help the computer illiterate apply for jobs and fill out forms online) as evidence of the profession’s evolution. She writes, “Certainly, librarians are not providing therapy
or case management, and their involvement may often stop at asking a disruptive person to leave or calling the police. Nevertheless, it’s another example of libraries providing a service (say, de facto shelter) that isn’t part of their explicit mission, and a case where increased communication, collaboration, and (in some cases) training with social service agencies might be called for.” Cathcart does not view the move of public librarianship toward social services as a good or bad thing—but something that librarians should be prepared for in library school. She thinks that social service training will help public librarians as they navigate the increasing, evolving demands of their profession. She also states that, “…if the blurring line between librarianship and social work is too messy for some, that too can inform decisions on library policies, staffing, and services. If serving as de facto social workers is beyond the purview of librarianship,who will provide such services, and how will libraries involve more appropriate stakeholders and service providers? If libraries are being increasingly utilized as social service agencies in a more explicit way, perhaps cultivating space and resources for such service and the appropriate providers (librarians or not) would go far to meet the needs of both our users and reference librarians.” Recognizing how the homeless and other special library users (the mentally ill, the computer illiterate) have affected the public library’s role in society (and therefore the duties of the profession) seems to be Cathcart’s key point here. Whether the profession chooses to respond to the problem by embracing a social advocacy role in the library or by calling on the community to respond to the need for new or increased services for specific demographics, like the homeless, is what library administrators and educators need to decide.
Berman, Sanford. “Classism in the Stacks: Libraries and Poverty.” Journal of Information Ethics 16.1 (2007): 103-10.
Berman questions why ALA Policy 61 (Library Services for Poor People) has not been implemented by most urban U.S. public libraries the way the Library Bill of Rights was widely embraced. He mentions a number of public library systems that have instead chosen to discriminate against poor people and the homeless. He blames our society’s ingrained classism as the root of this problem. He details many actions that can be taken to embrace Policy 61, including increased research on library services for the poor and homeless, awards for innovative efforts, collaboration with community shelters, better collection development for this group of users, etc. He would like libraries to allow the homeless to obtain library cards but understands why few libraries will want to adopt the section of Policy 61 that suggests waiving fees and fines.
Cronin, Blaise. “What a Library Is Not.” Library Journal. 127.19 (2002): 46. Library Literature and Information Science Full Text. HW Wilson. University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries. 25 Oct. 2008. http://www.hwwilson.com
Cronin recognizes the the value of “social inclusion,” but does not feel that libraries are equipped to handle the problem that the homeless and other destitute groups present. He does not believe libraries are obligated to become social welfare agencies because that duty or undertaking is outside the definition of a public library---outside of the public library’s purpose. He states, “Libraries […] are not shelters, and librarians, by extension, should not be viewed as surrogate social workers—nor should they risk practicing social work without a license.” He uses a policy enforced by the Tacoma Public Library (after a surge of homeless users), a policy restricting users from bringing in large bedrolls, bags, or boxes into the library, as an example of “an eminently reasonable ordinance, designed to ensure that the library functions, as, well, a library.” Cronin does not agree with those that view such policies as a way of stigmatizing or discriminating against populations such as the homeless---he sees it as a logical way for a library to fulfill its traditional, commonly recognized purpose---to keep books and other information resources for public use. He believes that those who, in the spirit of political correctness, condemn those administrators who create and enforce these common sense policies “should know better.” He calls on local politicians and the library profession to discuss this important issue, stating that protecting the rights of a “disruptive” minority---for reasons of political correctness--has cost the majority of library users their rights.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Annotated Citations
Champion, Justin. “Discovering the Past Online.” JISC inform: The Magazine of Joint Information Systems Committee 8 (2005). http://www.jisc.ac.uk./publications/pub_inform8.aspx November 08, 2008.
This short essay by a professor of the History of Ideas, written just as EEBO was made available to all British colleges and universities, extols the possibilities of EEBO for teaching at the college level. It makes several far-reaching claims that the electronic library will break down barriers of economics, distance, access to delicate documents, physical disabilities, time, and even expertise.
This essay is one among many that argue that new technology will revolutionize teaching.
Flanders, Julia. “Learning, Reading, and the Problem of Scale: Using Women Writers Online.” Pedagogy: Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature, Language, Composition, and Culture 2.1 (2002): 49-59
Julia Flanders in this essay highlights the difficulties of using an electronic library as large as that which has been created by Brown’s Women Writers Project. Though originally meant to enhance teaching, the electronic library is often intimidating to students and faculty. Flanders analyzes these difficulties and suggests some ways to address them.
This essay suggests that while pedagogical benefits accrue from electronic databases of early modern materials, there remain hurdles to be overcome.
This short essay by a professor of the History of Ideas, written just as EEBO was made available to all British colleges and universities, extols the possibilities of EEBO for teaching at the college level. It makes several far-reaching claims that the electronic library will break down barriers of economics, distance, access to delicate documents, physical disabilities, time, and even expertise.
This essay is one among many that argue that new technology will revolutionize teaching.
Flanders, Julia. “Learning, Reading, and the Problem of Scale: Using Women Writers Online.” Pedagogy: Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature, Language, Composition, and Culture 2.1 (2002): 49-59
Julia Flanders in this essay highlights the difficulties of using an electronic library as large as that which has been created by Brown’s Women Writers Project. Though originally meant to enhance teaching, the electronic library is often intimidating to students and faculty. Flanders analyzes these difficulties and suggests some ways to address them.
This essay suggests that while pedagogical benefits accrue from electronic databases of early modern materials, there remain hurdles to be overcome.
Kelsey Jo: Step 3
This article tells the story of a professor at
Cart, Michael. “Teens and the Future of
Cart discusses the supposed decline in young adult reading. He offers statistics from various studies that support this thesis, but also suggests this crisis in not as dire as the statistics suggest. Cart suggests that the surveyors are not including alternative reading materials in their studies. A portion of the article is devoted to discussing the “Harry Potter Effect,” defined as “getting kids to read for pleasure.” A survey by Yankelovitch-Scholastic is discussed as well. It focused on reading habits of children and young adults. Generally Cart and others cited in the article felt Harry Potter has had an impact on the reading habits of young adults.
Yuankai, Tang. “Appetite for
Yuankai reports on the effects of Harry Potter on the Chinese children’s literature market. Also, this article explains how Harry Potter influenced Bian Jinyang to write The Magic Violin at the age of nine, another widely read title. Yuankai concludes with a commentary on the tendency of Chinese parents to forbid reading for entertainment in favor of educational reading. Uin Wenjun states that this “pragmatic” approach squelches the imaginations of young people, a quality encouraged by the Harry Potter series.
Step 3
Andrews, Barbara Henriksen. “Art, Reflection, and Creativity in the Classroom: The Student – Driven Art Course.” Art Education Jul 2005 35-40. Educational Resources Information Center. EbscoHost. U of Wisconsin-Madison Lib. 10 Oct. 2008 .
Andrews discusses the connectivity of art education with other academic disciplines. Additional information about business and community partnerships with the arts is provided. There is also commentary from students about the benefits that involvement in the arts has offered them; especially as an emotional and intellectual outlet.
Appel, Morgan. “Arts Integration Across the Curriculum.” Leadership Nov.-Dec. 2006: 14-17. Educational Resources Information Center. EbscoHost. U of Wisconsin-Madison Lib. 10 Oct 2008.
Appel talks about the resurgence of interest in arts in schools. Focus is placed on the specific benefits of visual arts, music, drama, and dance. Appel also addresses the positive influence that arts courses have on the school environment as a whole. How the arts are tied to professional development and education beyond the secondary level is also discussed.
Ball, Eric and Alice Lai. “Place Based Pedagogy for the Arts and Humanities.” Pedagogy: Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature, Language, Composition, and Culture 6.2 (2006): 261-287. Project MUSE. The John Hopkins University Press. U Wisconsin-Madison Lib. 24 Oct. 2008.
Andrews discusses the connectivity of art education with other academic disciplines. Additional information about business and community partnerships with the arts is provided. There is also commentary from students about the benefits that involvement in the arts has offered them; especially as an emotional and intellectual outlet.
Appel, Morgan. “Arts Integration Across the Curriculum.” Leadership Nov.-Dec. 2006: 14-17. Educational Resources Information Center. EbscoHost. U of Wisconsin-Madison Lib. 10 Oct 2008
Appel talks about the resurgence of interest in arts in schools. Focus is placed on the specific benefits of visual arts, music, drama, and dance. Appel also addresses the positive influence that arts courses have on the school environment as a whole. How the arts are tied to professional development and education beyond the secondary level is also discussed.
Ball, Eric and Alice Lai. “Place Based Pedagogy for the Arts and Humanities.” Pedagogy: Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature, Language, Composition, and Culture 6.2 (2006): 261-287. Project MUSE. The John Hopkins University Press. U Wisconsin-Madison Lib. 24 Oct. 2008
The Effects of Increased Internet Use on the Circulation of Public Library Materials
"Circ's Up, Budgets Leap." Library Journal (1976) 132.3 (2007): 38-40. Library Literature and
Information Science Full Text. H.W. Wilson Web. University of Wisconsin-Madison Lib., Madison, WI. 15 Oct. 2008 <>.
This article discussed the many reasons why circulation of library materials has gone up in
recent years. These reasons are largely involving the Internet, which makes it easier for patrons to reserve materials, find out that they have books in or overdue, find out about library events, and even experience reader’s advisory. Other reasons include libraries purchasing more fiction titles, which are more often checked out than nonfiction materials.
Murdock, James. "Circulation Boost ; by Providing Attractive, Wifi-Ready Spaces Where People
Want to Gather and Linger, Public Libraries are Holding their Own in the Age of the Internet." Architectural Record February 1 2008: 141. LexisNexis Academic. University of Wisconsin-Madison Lib., Madison, WI. 15 Oct. 2008.
This article discusses the fact that though at first the Internet seemed that it would hurt
libraries, it is actually doing the opposite. Libraries are now surviving because people come in to
use the Internet, as well as because of the fact that they are usable as “community centers” and
have trained librarians who can help patrons better than the Internet can at times.
Rodger, Eleanor Jo, George D'Elia, and Corinne Lyon Jorgensen. "The Public Library and the
Internet: Is Peaceful Coexistence Possible?" American Libraries 32.5 (2001): 58-61. Library Literature and Information Science Full Text. H.W. Wilson Web. University of Wisconsin-Madison Lib., Madison, WI. 15 Oct. 2008 <>.
This article discussed a survey done on the impacts of Internet use on public library use. The results of the survey seemed to show that Internet use isn’t really affecting how many people use their public libraries and how often they do. The authors also discussed the future of the public library and argued that the library and the Internet will continue to exist, but that the role of the library will undergo a dramatic change in order to stay relevant.
Information Science Full Text. H.W. Wilson Web. University of Wisconsin-Madison Lib., Madison, WI. 15 Oct. 2008 <>.
This article discussed the many reasons why circulation of library materials has gone up in
recent years. These reasons are largely involving the Internet, which makes it easier for patrons to reserve materials, find out that they have books in or overdue, find out about library events, and even experience reader’s advisory. Other reasons include libraries purchasing more fiction titles, which are more often checked out than nonfiction materials.
Murdock, James. "Circulation Boost ; by Providing Attractive, Wifi-Ready Spaces Where People
Want to Gather and Linger, Public Libraries are Holding their Own in the Age of the Internet." Architectural Record February 1 2008: 141. LexisNexis Academic. University of Wisconsin-Madison Lib., Madison, WI. 15 Oct. 2008
This article discusses the fact that though at first the Internet seemed that it would hurt
libraries, it is actually doing the opposite. Libraries are now surviving because people come in to
use the Internet, as well as because of the fact that they are usable as “community centers” and
have trained librarians who can help patrons better than the Internet can at times.
Rodger, Eleanor Jo, George D'Elia, and Corinne Lyon Jorgensen. "The Public Library and the
Internet: Is Peaceful Coexistence Possible?" American Libraries 32.5 (2001): 58-61. Library Literature and Information Science Full Text. H.W. Wilson Web. University of Wisconsin-Madison Lib., Madison, WI. 15 Oct. 2008 <>.
This article discussed a survey done on the impacts of Internet use on public library use. The results of the survey seemed to show that Internet use isn’t really affecting how many people use their public libraries and how often they do. The authors also discussed the future of the public library and argued that the library and the Internet will continue to exist, but that the role of the library will undergo a dramatic change in order to stay relevant.
Parkinson's Disease and Stem Cell Research
Levy, Gilberto, M.D. “Relationship of Parkinson’s Disease With Aging.” Archives
of Neurology Vol 64 (2007): p 1242-1246.
This article examines the relationship between Parkinson’s disease and aging. The model in the study suggests that within the context of the pathological process proper to Parkinson’s disease, aging may still play a substantial role by way of interaction with the disease process in nondopaminergic structures. It looks at the hypothesis that the most important point of the clinical progression is advancing age rather than disease duration. The article tries to determine what can be done to intervene to slow down the clinical progression of the disease.
Master, Zubin, McLeod, marcus, Menendez, Ivar. “Benefits , risks and
Ethical Considerations in Translation of Stem Cell Research to
Clinical Applications in Parkinson’s Disease.” Journal of Medical Ethics
Vol. 33 (2006): p 169-173.
Stem cells are considered to be an alternative source of biological material for cell restorative treatments. The article also point out that there is a favorable probability to benefit research on humans and potential benefits to research participants. It also discusses the risk of tumor formation with embryonic stem cells, medications, and analyzes the potential benefits and risks of stem cell transplantation for Parkinson’s disease.
Anonymous, “Depomed, inc.; The Michael J. Fox Foundation Awards Depomed
a Preclinical Development grant for Levodopa/ Carbidopa in Parkinson’s
Disease.” Information Technology Business (2008): p. 14.
Depomed, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a preclinical grant by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The drug Levodopa/Carbidopa is manufactured by Depomed, Inc. The staff and reviewers are excited about the drug research to improve delivery of Levodopa, which could lessen debilitating side effect of the drug and impact patients. Nearly 5 million worldwide are estimated to have Parkinson’s disease. With the funding from the Michael J. Fox Foundation it has created the Therapeutics Development Initiative.
Sarah F
of Neurology Vol 64 (2007): p 1242-1246.
This article examines the relationship between Parkinson’s disease and aging. The model in the study suggests that within the context of the pathological process proper to Parkinson’s disease, aging may still play a substantial role by way of interaction with the disease process in nondopaminergic structures. It looks at the hypothesis that the most important point of the clinical progression is advancing age rather than disease duration. The article tries to determine what can be done to intervene to slow down the clinical progression of the disease.
Master, Zubin, McLeod, marcus, Menendez, Ivar. “Benefits , risks and
Ethical Considerations in Translation of Stem Cell Research to
Clinical Applications in Parkinson’s Disease.” Journal of Medical Ethics
Vol. 33 (2006): p 169-173.
Stem cells are considered to be an alternative source of biological material for cell restorative treatments. The article also point out that there is a favorable probability to benefit research on humans and potential benefits to research participants. It also discusses the risk of tumor formation with embryonic stem cells, medications, and analyzes the potential benefits and risks of stem cell transplantation for Parkinson’s disease.
Anonymous, “Depomed, inc.; The Michael J. Fox Foundation Awards Depomed
a Preclinical Development grant for Levodopa/ Carbidopa in Parkinson’s
Disease.” Information Technology Business (2008): p. 14.
Depomed, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a preclinical grant by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The drug Levodopa/Carbidopa is manufactured by Depomed, Inc. The staff and reviewers are excited about the drug research to improve delivery of Levodopa, which could lessen debilitating side effect of the drug and impact patients. Nearly 5 million worldwide are estimated to have Parkinson’s disease. With the funding from the Michael J. Fox Foundation it has created the Therapeutics Development Initiative.
Sarah F
Monday, November 10, 2008
The American Library Associations Response to the USA PATRIOT Act
Hi this is Jill - I'd forgotten some of the other topics people had chosen - it's been fun to go through and see them again! There are some really interesting topics!
Coolidge, Katherine K. ""Baseless Hysteria": The Controversy between the Department of Justice and the American Library Association over the USA PATRIOT ACT." Law Library Journal 97 (2005): 7-29. 22 Feb. 2005. Education; Library and Information Science. Wilson Web. UW Madison, Madison. 14 Oct. 2008. Keyword: USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and American Library Association. The controversy between the American Library Association and the Department of Justice pertaining to the USA PATRIOT Act is examined in this article. Ms. Coolidge asserts that both Attorney General John Ashcroft and the American Library Association took their arguments on the issue to the extreme. Ms. Coolidge suggests that both sides must work together to find a balance where individuals have both privacy and security.
"What to do before, during and after a "knock at the door?"" Guidelines for Librarians on the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act. 19 Jan. 2002. American Library Association. 14 Oct. 2008. The American Library Association issued this document to suggest guidelines to follow in the event a law enforcement authority requests access to patron records. There are guidelines for before, during and after any request is made. A statement at the beginning of the document makes it very clear that these guidelines are not legal advice but merely suggestions for libraries of all types.
Coolidge, Katherine K. ""Baseless Hysteria": The Controversy between the Department of Justice and the American Library Association over the USA PATRIOT ACT." Law Library Journal 97 (2005): 7-29. 22 Feb. 2005. Education; Library and Information Science. Wilson Web. UW Madison, Madison. 14 Oct. 2008. Keyword: USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and American Library Association. The controversy between the American Library Association and the Department of Justice pertaining to the USA PATRIOT Act is examined in this article. Ms. Coolidge asserts that both Attorney General John Ashcroft and the American Library Association took their arguments on the issue to the extreme. Ms. Coolidge suggests that both sides must work together to find a balance where individuals have both privacy and security.
"What to do before, during and after a "knock at the door?"" Guidelines for Librarians on the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act. 19 Jan. 2002. American Library Association. 14 Oct. 2008
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