Summary

Any library or archives will face the looming specter of challenge, no matter their community. Whether public or private, academic or children’s, our libraries will always be there to help and guide and in return we must expect a level of displeasure or disagreement in the directions we give or take. While our own opinions of what is right or wrong are subjective, the fact that we are here to serve everyone is unchanging. A library institution must be fair and subjective, tailoring its collections, values, and services to meet the needs of its community – not just the desires of its leaders, staff, or other privileged group.

In looking into the idea of comparing my ideas to what I can implement, I find the first good example of that to be the values expressed in the theoretical collection development policy I created for Introduction to Library Administration (LIS6511). Close to that is one of the first assignments I did at USF for Foundations of Library and Information Science (LIS5020). It was one of the first times I was asked to critically evaluate another entity – I chose The National Archives – on the content, clarity, transparency, and ease of access to information about the entity. Examining their plans, collections policy, and financial disclosures, I discussed whether I found them fair and easy to ascertain, and whether they aligned with my values and theory.

Artifacts

Collection Development Policy, LIS 6511

A theoretical collection development policy, addressing issues relevant in today’s and tomorrow’s library.

Connecting Services to Values, LIS 5020

An assessment of an entity’s transparency and service values.