NMRT (New Members Round Table)

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The mission of the New Members Round Table (NMRT) is to help those who have been association members less than ten years become actively involved in the association and the profession.

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Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

  • 1.  Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Feb 01, 2022 07:01 AM

    Hello all, 

    My name is Laura Birkenhauer and I'm the Chair of the NMRT Online Discussion Forum Committee. Our committee’s February 2022 topic is Ideas and Inspiration. I hope you’ll take the time to participate right here in Connect; simply click on the Reply button to share your thoughts. 

    With January being the time of year when many set goals (both personal and professional), the February discussion seemed a clear opportunity for the committee to facilitate sharing among NMRT members about plans and projects for 2022. 

    Reflecting on your aspirations for 2022, what excites you about the library-related goals on your plate this year? What projects are you committed to tackling and what’s your plan of action? 

    Share as much or as little as you’d like. Your post just might spark ideas in others… and I encourage you to gather inspiration from the posts of fellow discussion participants!

    ------------------------------
    Laura Birkenhauer
    Student Success Librarian for Campus Engagement
    Miami University Libraries
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Feb 02, 2022 11:37 AM
    Hello!

    Thank you Laura and the NMRT Online Discussion Forum Committee for this topic.  I am a cataloger and this year I'm looking forward to implementing and integrating a new, inclusive vocabulary into our system called Homosaurus.  Homosaurus is an International LGBTQ+ linked data vocabulary.  The vocabulary is designed to help support and offer more current terms than the existing Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).

    Being able to replace or supplement LCSH like:
    LCSH                                                                                 Homosaurus
    Sexual minorities >                                        Aromantic people,  Demisexual people (and many more)
    Gender identity disorders >                    Gender dysphoria
    Non-monogamous relationships >      Polyamorous people
    Masculinity >                                                    Toxic masculinity
    Gender reassignment surgery >            Gender confirming surgery

    I'm thrilled the our catalogs can start to reflect real world terms and that our patrons will be better able to find specific topics that interest them.

    ------------------------------
    Patricia Zeider
    Cataloging Librarian
    Mountain View Public Library
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Feb 03, 2022 06:36 AM
    As a cataloger for ProQuest, Part of Clarivate and diversity reading columnist for the Special Libraries Association, I think replacing LCSH with Homosaurus for LBGTQ subjects is a great idea!

    I think the Homosaurus vocabulary is much richer than LCSH and allows for a more description of people.

    However, I am not sure how this would be implemented.

    Glad you are implementing this in your library!

    Sincerely,

    Elizabeth 



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Feb 03, 2022 08:25 AM
    Wow this is really cool Patricia, thanks for showing it off! While I love a good LCSH, they are so notorious at changing things slowly, this is such a nice alternative to it. Also, I just have to say the name Homosaurus is incredible and I'd like to see a homosaurus rex one day :D

    ------------------------------
    Alexander Dodd
    Continuing Resources Librarian
    University of Maryland, College Park
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Feb 03, 2022 12:45 PM
    I agree LC is slow about changing things, especially the illegal aliens headings which only just now got changed after people had been requesting the change for a while!

    Sincerely,

    Elizabeth Boniface 



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Feb 07, 2022 10:17 AM

    Patricia - Thank you for sharing your project, and for introducing me to the Homosaurus vocabulary! I'm glad to see others in this thread are also inspired by this idea. Has anyone else been involved in a project like this that you'd like to share? 

    There are two projects happening at my library (Miami University in Oxford, OH) addressing discriminative and potentially harmful content in the Libraries' catalog, that you may be interested in reading more about: https://www.lib.miamioh.edu/2021-09-28-treating-subjects-with-respect-how-the-libraries-are-addressing-discrimination-and-harmful-content-in-its-catalog?utm_source=carousel



    ------------------------------
    Laura Birkenhauer
    Student Success Librarian for Campus Engagement
    Miami University Libraries
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Feb 07, 2022 10:26 AM
    One of my goals for the year is to support student health and wellness through one or more new initiatives.

    For example, I was excited to receive funding for my proposal to offer health and wellness kits for checkout at my institution. These kits will contain materials such as:

    • Muse meditation device
    • HappyLight
    • sound machine
    • weighted blanket
    • and more!

    Are others working on health and wellness related projects this year?

    ------------------------------
    Laura Birkenhauer
    Student Success Librarian for Campus Engagement
    Miami University Libraries
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Feb 21, 2022 02:57 PM
    Hoping to hear from others before February comes to a close! Share your goals and projects with others in this thread. I can't wait to get inspired by our NMRT members!

    ------------------------------
    Laura Birkenhauer
    Student Success Librarian for Campus Engagement
    Miami University Libraries
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Feb 25, 2022 12:31 PM
    I started a new job at the tail end of last year (went from a public library to an academic library) and my job is centered around K-12 groups and giving them increased access/ opportunity with academic libraries. I have a budget to increase our tech (STEAM focused) to make these trips not tour-centric but about learning and discovery opportunities. I am faced with the idea to integrate our Fab Lab (makerspace), Studios space (creative collaborative space, more focused on audio /video recording, robotics, motion capture, etc.) and Gaming Basement space. Different departments have stakes in these spaces and this involves a level of integration and collaboration that, while not totally new to me, is a stretch personally and professionally. I am very excited about addressing and figuring out a solution/acitvities that creatively address the K-12 to college pipeline, a librarian's role college readiness is more than making sure students know how to research or cite sources. We can help with informing them that we are there as allies and the library is a place to study and be creatively engaged.

    ------------------------------
    Morgan Brickey-Jones
    K-12 Librarian
    University of Texas At Arlington
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Online Discussion Forum February 2022 Topic: Ideas and Inspiration

    Posted Mar 03, 2022 10:29 AM
    Thank you for sharing, Morgan, about your new role and this opportunity you have for creative problem solving! Your comment about a librarian's role in college readiness being about more than how to research or cite sources (too true!) has me inspired and thinking hard about what I can do.  I often compare librarians to advisors or mentors when speaking with students (since some students are unsure how to think of us), but I really like your suggestion of "ally" too.

    Thank you to everyone who engaged this in month's discussion. Stay tuned for a blog post on NMRT Notes summarizing the topic and our conversations!

    ------------------------------
    Laura Birkenhauer
    Student Success Librarian for Campus Engagement
    Miami University Libraries
    ------------------------------

    Original Message