Unforeseen Consequences of Visual Literacy: Alternative Mechanisms for Creating a More Inclusive Environment

Acknowledging the commendable efforts of colleagues in articulating significant concepts and theoretical approaches to enhance visual literacy within the LIS field, this work critically examines the Visual Literacy (VL) Framework. The analysis calls for a more inclusive representation of diverse experiences, particularly those of individuals with disabilities. Drawing inspiration from the conceptualization of critique as care, the study emphasizes a collaborative approach to integrate social justice, equity, and inclusion principles better into LIS work. While recognizing the VL Framework\u27s value as a starting point, the study identifies gaps related to universal accessibility and challenges in the language used. The chapter emphasizes the need for practical guidance on implementing the VL Framework components in real-time. The chapter delves into the language used in discussing visual literacy, highlighting its potential perpetuation of exclusion. In the context of visual literacy pedagogy, the study poses reflective questions to promote inclusivity in higher education settings. Ethical considerations regarding material interactions and institutional access are also explored.https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/faculty-books/1004/thumbnail.jp

Turning Missteps into Stepping Stones: Personal and Professional Growth as an Early Career Academic Librarian

This panel discussion will focus on the challenges and failures we have experienced as new and semi-new academic librarians. The all too familiar trend in libraries has been to do more with less: requests for library services have increased yet our budgets, time, and supplies have all decreased. While institutions have devised creative ways to adapt to new difficulties, including adopting new staffing models, the situation remains the same: we have been hired to do one job but inevitably end up doing much more. How did we as new librarians deal with systemic issues? How has it impacted our professional development (or lack thereof)? What did we learn or feel we failed at while coming into our own in this field? Our discussion will focus on shifts in working patterns, professional development (and the privilege that comes with being able to participate), the impact of institutional culture on “library work,” and proposals for success and change from the failures we have experienced. We also acknowledge that this is a panel of predominantly white, female-identified persons, and so our conversations are deeply rooted in systems of privilege. We are not speaking to the experiences of every librarian (nor should we aim to try), and we will also signal-boost counterspaces existing within our profession. This panel discussion will not be a venting session, but rather it is our hope to refocus the conversation to our experiences in the field and some possible solutions. Finally, we will consider how we have maintained professional direction and focus while allowing our career experiences to shape and inform us

Letter to NLM about MeSH

A letter written to the National Library of Medicine addressing concerns regarding the problematic medical subject heading, Blacks , other problematic terms, and the process by which they are selected. The letter concludes with recommendations for improvement by the authors and endorsed by several hundred signatories. In total, the letter was signed by 726 library workers from around the world and sent by email to National Library of Medicine representatives on Friday, June 10th, 2022. In addition, it was also shared with the Medical Library Association which distributed it through their website under the op-ed, Open Letter to NLM Regarding MeSH Term Changes and later as an MLAConnect post titled, NLM Responds to Librarians’ Open Letter re: MeSH Term Changes

Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center Thanks Workers During National Hospital Week

An assemblage of individual photos from staff at the UNM Health Sciences Library & Informatics Center. The collage says HSLIC Loves Our Hospital Workers and We Thank You, with each individual staff member holding a homemade sign with one or two words from that statement. National Hospital week is May 10-16, 2020.https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc_covid19_images/1004/thumbnail.jp

Autonomous Space: Incorporating Concepts of Questioning into a Wellness Room

Presentation. Critical Librarianship & Pedagogy Symposium, November 2-4, 2022, The University of Arizona.When we discuss critical pedagogy much focus is given to the classroom and consultations, but at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center (HSLIC) we have incorporated critical pedagogy into all our spaces. This incorporation extended to the creation of a wellness room for our users. Considering that “The prevalence of depressive symptoms among (health sciences) students was 12.9%, significantly higher than in the general population, and was 16.1% among female students versus 8.1% among males” and incorporating feedback from our users we believed that a space for private decompression and spiritual connection would be useful.* While we are aware that there are many systems of oppression within academia and the health sciences, and wellness cannot be shifted onto the individual, we wanted to provide resources to offset the typically high cost of wellness supplies, especially since we are located in a state that has a high level of poverty at a neoliberal institution with an extremely diverse population, including many first-generation students. With all of this in mind and engaging with concepts of anti-oppressive practice, feminist ethics of care, and considering the intersecting identities of our users, we worked to create a seed funding proposal to pilot a wellness room within the library. When the proposal was approved, work began to create an inclusive space that would help our users break down traditional concepts of work and study. Much consideration was given to the expressed needs of those with dis/abilities and neurodiversity and the concept of autonomous space. In this presentation we will discuss the decision making process, requesting a budget, the creation of the space, marketing, feedback received from users, and plans for updating and improving the space. *Dahlin, M., Joneborg, N., & Runeson, B. (2005). Stress and depression among medical students: a cross-sectional study. Medical education, 39(6), 594–604. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2005.02176.xProceedings from the Critical Librarianship & Pedagogy Symposium are made available by the symposium creators and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact the CLAPS committee at [email protected] if you have questions about items in this collection