Monday Summary – Math and Libraries

I’m starting something new.  Monday Summary may not happen every Monday.  However, I’ll endeavor to summarize and offer my thoughts on a library science related article every week.  I’m starting with a simple article this week.  One from a more popular periodical, instead of something scholarly.  I’ll try to switch up sources every once in a while.  The purpose of this is to keep me up to date on my field and to find interesting tidbits of information related to information literacy, critical thinking, or whatever tickles my fancy.  A second purpose is to inform my readers (and I have stats proving you exist even if few comment).  Most of my readers are not information professionals, but they might be interested in what librarians find print worthy.  Feel free to ask questions or post comments or email me if you want.

 

Fleming, Dan.  “Let Me Count the Ways.” School Library Journal.  August 2004, 42-44.

This isn’t one of those peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles that I should be digging through, but it caught my geek-eye due to the MATH.  I work algebra problems for fun and relaxation (yes, I’m one of those people).

Dan Fleming’s overall argument is that librarians should integrate math into information literacy lessons and everywhere else we can.  He focuses mainly on k-12 because of his experience.  He doesn’t want librarians to feel intimidated by math integration and recommends looking at statewide math standards as a starting point and focus for math lessons.  Fleming summarized the math standards for Massachusetts in this article.  He recommends developing math resources through collection development and finding math in “non-math” subjects (and while collaborating with teachers in those subjects).  An insert on the last page of the article provides details on the “Links between Information Literacy and Math Skills.”  The article closes with encouragement of creativity and by offering example exercises.

This article was published in 2004, and I haven’t noticed an increase in math in libraries, which is depressing.  Fleming is onto a great idea here.  Math, especially through word problems, can develop critical thinking skills.  It may also encourage an interest in math and science among students.  At the very least it may encourage an appreciation of those subjects and the way subjects bleed into one another and overlap. 

Fleming quotes one of his former students, Theresa Conroy, as stating, “The school library provides a setting for students to take a second and third look at ideas presented in the classroom” (44).  I think this is a point many people miss.  Librarians can reinforce subject knowledge, understanding, and literacy.

I think Fleming’s ideas can apply just as well to higher education.  College and university librarians should take note when it comes to information literacy courses (whether general or subject specific).  Any way we can encourage math and science should be viewed as important in the United States.  We’re already falling behind in those subjects compared to several other countries.  And critical thinking skills need constant reinforcement throughout life.

I’m one of those “math” people.  I’m always playing with numbers and automatically get interested when they come up.  So, Fleming’s article speaks to me, especially considering I never thought of this approach before.  I’ll be trying to find ways to integrate math into some of my upcoming worksheets and lessons (look for those blog posts soon).

Murray State University Libraries and Director Adam Murray

I’ve been looking into my alma mater recently.  I like to see that education and libraries are improving in this area, and MSU is making my day.  Adam Murray took over as director fairly recently at the Murray State Libraries.  He’s got praises from the ALA for his work.  He’s also got some great ideas and cares about how to reach the students and their information needs.  He gave an interview last year that was positive and informative.  He’s also spent time reaching out to local public libraries in order to build relationships and foster improved understanding. 

This is really awesome stuff.  I’m a library geek, so some of you may be shaking your heads at me right now.  It just seems rare to find passion in education and information literacy.  I think Murray State is on an upswing right now as far as these things go.  It’s an awesome time.

Random Friday Thoughts

Screwy Kentucky weather.  One day it’s forty, then it’s seventy; one night it’s thirty, the next night it’s sixty-something.  Grrrrr.  It literally gives me a headache and makes me want to stay under the covers all day.  Even on the warm days, we get gloominess-rain and clouds.   I don’t mind any of that except when it’s all happening within a 48 hour period.  Then, I get aggravated.  And the corgi-pup gets aggravated by the thunder.  She’s in my lap right now, which makes it uber difficult to type. 

I need to find a job in a tropical paradise or at least near a beach- I loves me some ocean.

Speaking of jobs, I’m still looking.  I don’t mind rejection as much as I mind the non-communication that’s become commonplace in job seeking.  I applied for a job back in November of last year, sent follow-up emails and have yet to hear back.  It’s kind of like a big “Fuck you!  You’re not even worth a rejection email.”  Seriously, people would rather get rejection notices than not hear anything at all.  It forces me to move on to the next round of job applications instead of pining away, hoping to hear something.

Anyone recently graduated from library school understands my frustration.  Library Journal has talked about the job market for new librarians, and I’ve run across a few posts on librarian blogs about it.  It’s taking anywhere from a year or two for new graduates to find work.  In my geographic area it’s much worse.  There are few libraries and fewer positions.  Factor into that high unemployment and retirement postponement by current librarians, and the well gets bone dry around here.

Sorry for the rant.  I’m sure I’ll find something.  I’ve got some awesome experience as far as instruction goes (which I should probably be blogging about), and that helps when looking for reference and instruction positions.  I’ve also got some mad research and reference skills.  I got so many compliments from the staff and students at my library gig (and sometimes hugs, which is so cool).    And of course, I’m damned determined to end up in a place where I can drive home the importance of information literacy and critical thinking skills.  We need more critical thinkers on this planet!

I’m going to be sending off another round of applications soon.  Wish me luck! 

Friday Fallacy will be up later tonight.

Library Humor

If you’ve ever worked at or frequented a public library overrun by loud teenagers, you’ll appreciate this comic.

And this has got to be one of my all time favorite clips. 

A little Friday humor.

History of Writing and Libraries

I'm finally posting again after the holiday rush.  :)

I decided to start with a review of my LIS 604 course, which focused on the history of writing and libraries.  We spent most of our time covering libraries and books in the Western world, focusing on Europe and the United States after looking at ancient civilizations (Sumerian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Roman, Greek, etc.).  Here is a summary from my midterm.

Books used in course:  History of Libraries in the Western World by Michael H. Harris & Dahl's History of the Book by Bill Katz

One glaring omission in both books we read had to do with the Americas before Columbus.  The lack of information on writing and books from the native tribes of the Americas really bothered me.  So much so that I decided to write my final research page on the topic.  I ran out of time, so I didn't get to cover North America.  However, I did do an overview of South and Central America before Columbus.  Here is the paper.  Let's hope I did that link correctly.  I'm still learning this whole blogging thing. 

The most interesting bit, at least to me, is the part focusing on the Inca of South America.  For years it's been assumed that they did not have a writing system.  This makes them a rarity in successful civilizations.  Their use of quipas was likened to the use of abacuses/abaci in other civilizations.  However, modern research is starting to suggest the quipas may have been more, but there's nothing conclusive that I've found as of yet.

The papers I've posted are on Google Documents.  You may have to sign in to view them.