It's amazing how invigorating a break can be! I took some time off from collection development since I've been working on policy, and I am back with an energy you would not believe. As you may remember, before I began my practicum here, I was volunteering by developing a list of videos that would complete the library's collection. For my practicum, I decided to expand this collection development to include books about past inductees. After all, the Rock Hall would not be the Rock Hall without its inductees. Since I now have both lists going, I can work on them simultaneously, which is helping me to fill in holes in each.
When I began to compile the videos list this summer, I had absolutely no experience in collection development. I decided to break down my search into categories, so I started by looking for concert footage. I then moved on to biopics and dramas centered around rock (fictional artists, great soundtracks, etc.). Documentaries were easiest, so I left those for last; interestingly enough, many of the documentary titles I found fell into my lap through looking for the other types of films. I did most of my searching through four sources: WorldCat.org (which is a great site that allows you to search libraries around the world for all kinds of materials), Amazon.com, The Rock & Roll Film Encyclopedia (Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, 2007), and bibliographies in two books (The Encyclopedia of Popular Music [Omnibus Press, 2007] and The Mojo Collection: the Ultimate Music Companion [Canongate, 2000]). I particularly enjoyed browsing through The Rock & Roll Film Encyclopedia because the author gave great depictions of the films and included some of my favorites. Unfortunately, I sometimes have difficulty deciding which films to include, especially in cases where the artist or inductee is in or is the subject of a long list of titles (such as Elvis). In those cases, I tried to look into the films' ratings through Amazon.com and the Internet Movie Database.
Since I was focusing mainly on books based on inductees, I put off the list of videos for quite a while. It was a pleasant surprise, then, to find that I was able to fill in some empty slots in my videos list with films about inductees. This had not been a category that I was previously searching, so I have been able to find a vast amount of films to add to my list. It is really coming along quite well!
It is possible that some of you would like to see what books and films are on my lists, for personal interest reasons, so I would be happy to provide them to anyone who contacts me through my blog. I know that I, personally, have been adding a lot of titles to my Netflix.com list as I go!
Coming up next: As of today, I have reached the half-way point for my required on-site hours. This means that it is time for me to re-evaluate my practicum wiki, to make sure I have tracked all of my logged hours correctly, and to contact my off-site practicum advisor to inform him that I have complete 50 hours. I think we are supposed to discuss my project at that time, as well. I have been really enjoying my experience here, and I cannot wait to continue with policy and collection development for the Rock Hall Library!
Thanks for reading, and have a good one!
Laura
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Day 9, Hour 45
I continued researching web filtering today, and I'm now thoroughly interested in the topic. I looked into several real-world examples, such as Phoenix Public Library's controversial decision (see further deliberation here) to filter all computers--with no option to turn the filters off--in 2004. After checking the library's current policy on their website, it appears that they continue to adhere to this policy, although they have included the stipulation that patrons can request to have a site unblocked (which is not guaranteed and may take up to 48 hours). I cannot believe that this decision has been upheld at a public institution, and I believe that this is a definite violation of the First Amendment.
That being said, I will once again remind you that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library + Archives, while open to the public (as of May 2011), will not be very comparable to a public library. This library will exist mainly for research purposes, although it will encourage use by the community for any rock and roll information needs. The very nature of the items that will be available for in-house perusal does not lend itself to a situation where children would be walking around unaccompanied. Therefore, there is not much danger that a child would be subject to encountering porn on any of the computers.
Measures will be taken, however, to discourage the use of computers for pornographic viewing. I am working on a mock acceptable use policy that I will submit to the director for suggestion, should he decide to include one in his final policy. There will also most likely be some sort of membership number required at time of log-on to discourage use of the internet for solely personal reasons.
Regardless of any of my findings, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library will be sure to implement its own policies, as it sees fit. I am merely providing the research necessary to make a sound decision, and you can rest assured that--despite my own opinions--I am presenting research on both sides of the argument.
All of the research I've done on this topic has ignited my interest in defending intellectual freedom in libraries. What a truly interesting topic!
Coming up next: I did not get into any collection development today, so I will be continuing with that soon. I spoke with my Selection and Acquisitions professor, Dr. Belinda Boon, about my methods of finding sources so far; she responded that the method I am using to locate quality materials is not unlike what any other collections development librarian would be doing in my position. I will also be using the Rock Hall Library as an example for a collection development policy that I am creating for Dr. Boon's class, which will enrich my practicum experience!
Thanks for reading, and have a good one!
Laura
That being said, I will once again remind you that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library + Archives, while open to the public (as of May 2011), will not be very comparable to a public library. This library will exist mainly for research purposes, although it will encourage use by the community for any rock and roll information needs. The very nature of the items that will be available for in-house perusal does not lend itself to a situation where children would be walking around unaccompanied. Therefore, there is not much danger that a child would be subject to encountering porn on any of the computers.
Measures will be taken, however, to discourage the use of computers for pornographic viewing. I am working on a mock acceptable use policy that I will submit to the director for suggestion, should he decide to include one in his final policy. There will also most likely be some sort of membership number required at time of log-on to discourage use of the internet for solely personal reasons.
Regardless of any of my findings, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library will be sure to implement its own policies, as it sees fit. I am merely providing the research necessary to make a sound decision, and you can rest assured that--despite my own opinions--I am presenting research on both sides of the argument.
All of the research I've done on this topic has ignited my interest in defending intellectual freedom in libraries. What a truly interesting topic!
Coming up next: I did not get into any collection development today, so I will be continuing with that soon. I spoke with my Selection and Acquisitions professor, Dr. Belinda Boon, about my methods of finding sources so far; she responded that the method I am using to locate quality materials is not unlike what any other collections development librarian would be doing in my position. I will also be using the Rock Hall Library as an example for a collection development policy that I am creating for Dr. Boon's class, which will enrich my practicum experience!
Thanks for reading, and have a good one!
Laura
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