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Hello!
Welcome, LIS students! We are the student chapter of the American Library Association of the University at Buffalo. Thanks for visiting our website! After a few years of hiatus, we are back, and we are excited to offer you original programming. Our goal is to provide a way for Library and Information Science students at UB to connect with each other, and to investigate topics that interest all of us. Please let us know if you have ideas for virtual events or future meeting topics, or if you just want to get involved in some way. Every LIS graduate student at UB is eligible to participate – you do NOT have to be an ALA member to participate in our group! Our meeting information will be posted here, but we will meet once per month. We try to alternate between mid-day and evening meetings to accommodate different working schedules, so if this month’s time does not work for you, hopefully next month will. We hope to see you online soon!
-Larissa Brenner, 2021/2022 UB Student ALA President
Talking About Privilege: Reflections from a Workshop on the Subject
By Lisa Buda
I recently attended a workshop offered by my local public library system for staff interested in better understanding the concept of privilege and what it means within our society. The workshop was called Privilege: Taking Out the Sting, Taking in the Reality and was presented by the National Coalition Building Institute of Rochester, NY (NCBI), whose mission is to “educate and nurture leaders who become powerful cross-cultural allies in eliminating prejudice, oppression and other forms of mistreatment” (2016, Mission section). NCBI focuses on providing a respectful space that encourages dialogue within the group to discuss topics that often take people out of their comfort zones.
I was first introduced to the notions of white privilege and institutional racism while taking the Reference Sources and Services course offered by the SUNY University at Buffalo Information Science program. In particular, an article by Brook, Ellenwood, and Lazzaro (2015) stood out in my mind as they discussed institutional racism in academic libraries, a traditionally “white” setting. I later encountered the topic again in an Archival Processing and Description course as archivists have begun to question agency, access, and description in their collections. As a white person myself, I never considered what non-white people could be experiencing in a space traditionally dominated by my own culture and how it could impact their experience within that space. Would a young African-American male be hesitant to approach me at a reference desk in a space dominated by classical architecture? Maybe and maybe not, but these courses got me thinking about the possibility and how other peoples’ life experiences are not my own.
And that’s okay. The workshop discussed these ideas and allowed participants to explore how we see the world but to also be cognizant of other peoples’ perspectives. An example of how this was accomplished was with the showing of a short video they deemed the $100 race. Basically, it brought together a group of kids for a race but with certain advantages given to those who met specific “criteria”. We then paired up and discussed our emotional response, where we placed ourselves within the race, and could the video be related to any other ‘isms” besides racism? This helped to create a dialogue that encouraged active listening so as to listen but also allow each other to be heard. It was encouraging to see people sharing life experiences and perceptions on the topic in an open and respectful manner.
So what does this mean for us in the IS program and as professionals? It means we can put this mindfulness into practice at the reference desk, in describing our collections, thinking about the accessibility and design of our spaces, and even what programming we offer. Be aware of current trends in the field and seek out workshops such as this one to better acclimate yourself to creating positive interactions with your patrons and co-workers. Together, we can work as allies to create safe and welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy.
References:
Brook, F., Ellenwood, D., Lazzaro, A.E. (2015). In pursuit of antiracist social justice: Denaturalizing whiteness in the academic library. Library Trends, 64(2), 246–284.
National Coalition Building Institute of Rochester, NY. (2016). Retrieved from https://ncbirochester.org/
Peter D. (2017, October 14). Life of Privilege Explained in a $100 Race [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K5fbQ1-zps
LIS 503 – Costa Rica Excursion
As per Professor Chris Hollister:
As a reminder, we are organizing a non-credit experiential learning trip to explore the libraries of Costa Rica during the week of July 13-20. The trip is associated with this summer’s LIS 503: International Librarianship course. Although LIS 503 students are given preference for this trip, students who do not take the course are also eligible to register, and we still have a few open seats. If you are interested, please email me off-list: cvh2@buffalo.edu.
UB ALA Chapter Renewed – 2019
With advisement from Dr. Brenda Battleson, resources from the ALA website, and assistance from the LIS GSA, the UB ALA chapter is being updated for the current class of UB LIS students. In the past, the club has focused on in-person meetings and events. To accommodate our online student population, we are focused on building a website that provides students with access to unique information regarding the UB Information Studies program, and the Library and Information Science profession. Our main goals for this semester are to re-establish ourselves as a resource for students, and represent the University at Buffalo Information Studies program on a national level.
Per the standard set by other ALA chapters, if you are interested in joining this UB ALA chapter, you will be required to join ALA at the student rate. Being a member of an ALA chapter is an excellent activity to add to your resume or CV! For those interested, ALA has joint student memberships with state library associations, (e.g., NYLA). Joining ALA and NYLA together under the student rate is extremely cost effective. Link to ALA Joint Student Membership
All LIS students, regardless if they are members of the UB ALA chapter, are welcome to use the chapter’s resources.
Cheers, Jessica Hollister ^-^
Career Information Professionals Communications Workshop
Would you know what to say if you were being interviewed by the media about a recent library event? How would you answer a reporter’s questions and portray the best possible image for yourself and your library?
Find out at the next Rochester Early Career Information Professionals meeting on Tuesday, February 24th at 7:30 pm. Megan Mack, Communications Project Manager at the University of Rochester River Campus Libraries, will lead us through a workshop on talking to TV, radio, and print reporters. We will cover how to answer reporters’ questions, craft an effective message, and maintain control of the interview. We will also work on improving our delivery and being comfortable on air. Wear comfortable shoes because we will play some improvisation games to boost our confidence.
The meeting will take place at the Rush Rhees Library’s Gamble Room at the University of Rochester, located on the library’s 3rd floor. For directions to the Rush Rhees Library’s Gamble Room, please see below.
Megan Mack has served as Communications Project Manager at the River Campus Libraries since January 2014. She has experience in television sports, entertainment, and news, and has been a producer at News 10NBC (WHEC) since 2008. She is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and the improvisation Conservatory at the Second City Training Centre in Toronto.
Parking Directions:
After 7 pm, parking is free in the Library Lot (http://goo.gl/maps/USqek[goo.gl]). Rush Rhees Library is the large building next to this lot. Walk around either side of the building to the Eastman Quad, and enter the library from the doors on the quad. Once you’re in the lobby, the stairs will be on your left, or you can take the elevator, which is also nearby: http://www.library.rochester.edu/rhees/floor-plans#ground. Be sure to look for signs to guide you to the Gamble Room once inside!
Welcome to the Spring Semester!
Hi everyone!
I just wanted to welcome everyone to the spring semester here at U.B.. Things are getting underway pretty quickly and the LIS Student Groups (LIS-GSA, ALA, SLA, and PLA) have already had their first meeting of the semester which was a rousing success! It was great to see so many students looking to get involved with the organizations and we have some great things in the works for this semester.
Just some brief highlights of the meeting:
– Meetings will be held on Wednesdays at 7:30 in either the LIS Student Lounge (543 Baldy) or the conference room at 553 Baldy.
– The LIS Student Groups will be at the Welcome Reception for students which is being held this Tuesday, February 10th from 5:30-6:30 in 553 Baldy so stop by meet your representatives and GET INVOLVED!!!!!!! This event is not only for new students so if you are a continuing student join us to network and meet other students in the program.
– We will be having a Valentine’s Day fundraiser on Friday February 13th on the 1st floor of Baldy. We will be selling homemade cards and baked goods as well as having ‘Blind Date with a Book’. We are looking for volunteers to help with making desserts and donating books for the Blind Date. If you are interested, please email us at ubstudentala@gmail.com and let us know how you can help!
– There will be a Happy Hour coming up for LIS students on Friday February 27th (the time and location will soon follow) and the SLA will also be hosting a tour of UB’s Museum of Neuroanatomy aka the Brain Museum on Saturday, March 7th at 12:00pm. Everyone is welcome on the tours, you do not have to be part of SLA to go. It is just a great experience to meet new people and network.
– If you have a suggestion for an event or volunteer opportunity, please let us know!!
I look forward to working with you guys in the next few months!
~ Jillian
Student to Staff Winner!
Congratulations goes out to Jessica Bright who will be representing our chapter at the 2015 ALA Annual Conference which is being held June 25th-30th in San Francisco! Jessica will be part of an elite group of 40 students chosen to assist ALA staff members during the conference. Click here to read the announcement and learn more about this great opportunity.
Remember – the Midwinter Meeting will be held January 30th – February 3rd and only costs $90 for students to attend! Find out about that and the Annual Conference at the ALA’s website!
Libraries as Safe Havens
In the most recent edition of American Libraries Direct, which is the ALA’s magazine, there was a great article about one of the roles that libraries play that often goes unnoticed, the role of the safe haven.
Libraries are great places for people who are seeking a safe space. During the civil unrest plaguing Ferguson, Missourri, the Ferguson Public Library has been providing a safe haven for teens seeking a respite from the chaos outside. Art teacher Carrie Price and library director Scott Bonner aimed to provided students who wanted one, an education. By the end of the first week, they were servicing over 200 kids and several adults and providing a valuble service to their community.
Read more about the inspiring work done at the Ferguson Public Library in the link to the article below and remember that it isn’t only about providing patrons with materials. As librarians, it is also about observing the needs of the community and meeting them.
Ferguson’s Safe Haven by Tim Inklebarger
http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/article/fergusons-safe-haven
Jillian
Copyright and the Academic Library: A Bridge between Administration and Faculty
By: Jodi Oaks
At the beginning of this summer I was freshly married, back from my honeymoon, and excited to get to work at my recently landed summer job. Throughout the year I work as a library support assistant at Milne Library at SUNY Oneonta. Toward the end of the spring semester I secured an additional position in the Bibliographic Services Department at Milne Library. During the summer I was invited by the Library Director to join a small, informal work group discussing copyright and the role of the library. This group eventually developed into an across-campus work group with the complicated task of handling the topic of copyright compliance on the SUNY Oneonta campus.
Originally, our small group was formed under the discretion of the Library Director, and included just members of the library. Over the past year, SUNY Oneonta has worked to switch the learning management system used by faculty, updating from ANGEL to Blackboard education software. With this shift came a focus on faculty copyright compliance. This was a result of concern over whether faculty members were regarding copyright laws in the migration of their teaching materials from ANGEL to Blackboard. Therefore, members of administration looked to inform all on copyright law and how it applied to our campus community, and desired a way to diplomatically communicate with faculty about copyright compliance. The administration turned to the library to help them with this project. Consequently, our small copyright group grew into an across-campus work group, including members from all over the campus community.
SUNY Buffalo ALA Student Chapter 