I've noticed that Facebook has been a popular topic for this weeks blog posts. I had already thought about this idea and decided I still wanted to blog about it . Sorry for the Facebook repetition! Recently Facebook took down pictures of mothers breastfeeding. This ruffled a lot of feathers! This article from the LA Times talks more about it.
Both of my sisters recently had babies and are breastfeeding. They were both bothered by the removal of the pictures. Although neither one likes to breastfeed in public places. One of my sisters is a nurse and will pump in a special area at work. She often complains about how excluded she feels during her break time.( the special area also used to be a closet so not alot of space is available) This made me think about the library. IF is usually promoted at the library and lots of mothers visit with their children. Does breastfeeding factor into this? In many museums a new mother room is available for breastfeeding. I thought of the libraries I have visited during my lifetime and could not remember a special area for new mothers.
If a mother does breastfeed her child in the children's department, would this cause patrons to complain or children to ask questions their parents do not feel comfortable answering? I do not currently work in a library or have children so I can't use my life experience to answer this question. When I worked in a school we had a few teachers who would pump in the teacher's lounge. I personally had no objection but a few teachers complained and a special area was created. Having to go to this special area would take away from the little free time they had during the day. It seemed as though the mother's freedoms were being taken away. On the other hand if you find it offensive or if it makes you uncomfortable isn't it your right to complain?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Blog post #3
Yesterday in one of my classes we broke into small groups and talked about different groups of patrons at the library. This made me think about the homeless population and their rights at the library. This group is usually viewed as undesirable and the few librarians I know usually talk about them as a problem in their library.
For a person who is homeless the library may in fact be one of their most valuable resources. Many jobs applications are only online and information is available about current issues and problems. Also most of the shelters available have time limits such as only being open during certain hours. The library provides a safe environment to go during in between times.
When I lived in Chicago and worked as a nanny , I would often go to story time during the day. The library housed two groups during this time normally. Kids and their caretakers and the homeless. The services provided and treatment of the two groups were as different as night and day. The librarians created programs and were always available to answer questions that the kids and their caretakers had. The homeless seemed to be merely tolerated and services / programs were not provided.
How can this problem be addressed? The homeless tend to make other groups at the library uncomfortable. Mental illness is an issue that tends to affect the homeless, this can result in usual behavior that would make others in the library uncomfortable. But they also have the same rights as other patrons and may need the support from the library more than others.
For a person who is homeless the library may in fact be one of their most valuable resources. Many jobs applications are only online and information is available about current issues and problems. Also most of the shelters available have time limits such as only being open during certain hours. The library provides a safe environment to go during in between times.
When I lived in Chicago and worked as a nanny , I would often go to story time during the day. The library housed two groups during this time normally. Kids and their caretakers and the homeless. The services provided and treatment of the two groups were as different as night and day. The librarians created programs and were always available to answer questions that the kids and their caretakers had. The homeless seemed to be merely tolerated and services / programs were not provided.
How can this problem be addressed? The homeless tend to make other groups at the library uncomfortable. Mental illness is an issue that tends to affect the homeless, this can result in usual behavior that would make others in the library uncomfortable. But they also have the same rights as other patrons and may need the support from the library more than others.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Blog Post #2
The other day I was checking my gmail account. I had just read an e- mail from a friend and in the e mail they talked about watching Full House on tv. After I read the e- mail I went back to my inbox and noticed an add for Jesse and the Rippers t shirts. I was freaked out! Does google read my mind now? I sent an e- mail to the friend who was watching Full House ( since I decieded to write about this I'm wishing a much cooler show was the subject of the e- mail!). They immediatly responded with yes google scans your e- mails so they can post ads that might interest you it was the term of use you signed.
Hmm the terms of use I signed . I remember this I checked yes I agree without reading a word of it. In fact I do this often. I always just assume I have no choice because I want to use the service and if I don't agree I can't use the service. I have have been limiting my own IF!
From now on I'm going to make sure I read before I check accept. I'm also going to investigate my options if I do not agree.
Hmm the terms of use I signed . I remember this I checked yes I agree without reading a word of it. In fact I do this often. I always just assume I have no choice because I want to use the service and if I don't agree I can't use the service. I have have been limiting my own IF!
From now on I'm going to make sure I read before I check accept. I'm also going to investigate my options if I do not agree.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
IF Posting #1!
Intellectual Freedom is not a topic I know very much about or feel very strongly about.Hopefully by the end of this class I will be ready to throw elbows & be well educated about IF!
The first thing I did was research IF. I went to the ALA website ( http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/index.cfm) and read about challenged books, ALA's mission and the OIF blog (http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/) . I have alot to learn & I can't wait for Banned Book Week!
After this I talked to a few of my friends and family because I wanted their opinion / thoughts on IF. I started with my friend who teaches 7th grade English. She feels very strongly about IF and wants everyone no matter what age to be able to choose what they want to read.Unfortunately her opinion does not count at her school.She went on to talk about how hard she had to fight for her class to read The Giver.( not exactly a scandalous book!)
Next I called my mom's friend who has been a librarian for over 15 years. She also feels strongly about IF ( how has everyone's strong opinion not rubbed off on me?!). She talked about her biggest challenge, IF over selection. She often struggles when choosing/ approving new materials not be be swayed by her own personal views and opinions.She also has to consider the conservative small town she works in. often community standards win over IF.
Last I talked to my Nana who's opinion is always interesting.She enjoys a good smutty romance novel and as long as the book isn't hurting anyone you should be able to read it. She also told me to find out how my teacher felt about IF and agree with her.Best way to ensure I get a good grade.
My next posting will be based on a current article and how it relates to IF. I hope this post is ok. If it isn't I will be happy to create another post based on an article. I just wanted to get a few more facts first and explore the topic of IF.
The first thing I did was research IF. I went to the ALA website ( http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/index.cfm) and read about challenged books, ALA's mission and the OIF blog (http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/) . I have alot to learn & I can't wait for Banned Book Week!
After this I talked to a few of my friends and family because I wanted their opinion / thoughts on IF. I started with my friend who teaches 7th grade English. She feels very strongly about IF and wants everyone no matter what age to be able to choose what they want to read.Unfortunately her opinion does not count at her school.She went on to talk about how hard she had to fight for her class to read The Giver.( not exactly a scandalous book!)
Next I called my mom's friend who has been a librarian for over 15 years. She also feels strongly about IF ( how has everyone's strong opinion not rubbed off on me?!). She talked about her biggest challenge, IF over selection. She often struggles when choosing/ approving new materials not be be swayed by her own personal views and opinions.She also has to consider the conservative small town she works in. often community standards win over IF.
Last I talked to my Nana who's opinion is always interesting.She enjoys a good smutty romance novel and as long as the book isn't hurting anyone you should be able to read it. She also told me to find out how my teacher felt about IF and agree with her.Best way to ensure I get a good grade.
My next posting will be based on a current article and how it relates to IF. I hope this post is ok. If it isn't I will be happy to create another post based on an article. I just wanted to get a few more facts first and explore the topic of IF.
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