Graduate work that critically articulates the philosophy, principles, and ethics of library and information science.

A Semester in Public Libraries
LS530 - Public Libraries, Gerber (April 2023)

When I think about the philosophy and ethics of library and information, I can’t help but relate them to the finely distilled questions of why and how, respectively. Before coming to the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alabama, I doubt I had spent that much time asking myself those questions. As a second career for me, being a part of the library world just sort of happened, or so I thought. Throughout the program, I’ve had the great pleasure of having teachers that have pushed back and challenged me on these two questions, why and how.

The first paper I’ve chosen to represent the why is called Articulating My Professional Path, which was written as part of Dr. Yates’ LS513: Professional Paths class. I believe there are strong philosophy of practice points in the paper that I still believe and hold on to, but I also see it as a mile marker for where I started. A great strength Dr. Yates has as an educator is the ability to give constructive feedback. Some of the feedback I understood immediately, and some of it I understood later in the program, like a loose lightbulb that finally got tightened to reveal light. I’ve learned a lot in the last two years, and while my perspective has changed in some of it (see current Philosophy of Practice), I think it’s important to be able to look back and see where my reflection was then in comparison.

The second piece selected is titled A Semester in Public Libraries, and it’s a philosophy paper focused around asking the questions about the operational aspects of running a library. It was written under the guidance of Jen Gerber in LS530: Public Libraries, and it allowed me to consider problems, question my own fears, research what others are doing, and ultimately reflect on what I’ve learned in the space provided by Instructor Gerber.

The third paper dives into the “how” that a code of ethics guides us to answer. Dr. John Burgess led me on quite the journey in LS515: Information Ethics. It’s one of the most challenging semesters I’ve had in graduate school. It was like learning a whole new language and a whole new way of thinking at the same time. In this particular paper, Ethical Claim Critique of 2022 ALA Climate Change Call to Action, I was able to breakdown the claim that “librarians have a responsibility to fight climate change” using an established ethical framework. Although I often felt like a fledgling bird first trying to fly, the hard work of forming a personal ethical foundation is one of my proudest moments at SLIS, thanks to Dr. Burgess.