Maggie Finley Portfolio

3.a. Students analyze, organize, and describe various formats of information objects.

BIBFRAME Research Paper (LIS 6711- Organization of Knowledge)– Arguably, MARC records are one of the most fundamental parts of libraries currently. But because of the way our world has changed since the MARC records rolled out in 1968, we have started to better understand and recognize its limitations. This paper had a strict size limitation, so my analysis and description of how BIBFRAME is set to replace MARC, as well as why anyone would want to do that, had to be clear and effective. In this paper, I outlined the uncertainties surrounding switching from one system to another, as well as why BIBFRAME could not only be a useful tool, but also bolster public perception of existing libraries. You can read this two page paper below.

Literature Review (LIS 6409- Introduction to Administration)– I selected the topic of managing multiple generations as my focus. Because the workforce is aging as the qualifying age for Social Security is pushed back, we now have more generations in the workforce at the same time than we ever have, and I don’t see this changing much in the near future. Doing a literature review on what has been published about this topic was more enlightening than I had imagined, as the most thorough studies conducted seemed to indicate that management styles should not actually change much when dealing with many generations. Instead, the focus should be on how the workforce is changing with our world, and how to accommodate people’s basic needs to ensure they feel supported and valued in any workspace. This paper demonstrates my analysis and organization of the information found about the topic. Additionally, what is NOT included here also demonstrates my analysis of materials, as I have 17 sources listed in this literature review, but over the course of evaluation, I pulled over 30 items to review that related to the topic which initially appeared to be highly relevant. You can view this literature review below.

3.b. Students identify and apply best practices in the use of different technologies for knowledge representation.

Augmented Reality Paper (LIS 5268- Microcomputer Applications for Libraries and Information Centers)– The class I felt unprepared for, LIS 5268, Microcomputer Applications, was one of the more mind-expanding classes I took during this program. I really pushed myself during this class to learn more about concepts and ideas that I had limited experience with, and augmented reality was one of those topics. In fact, when I was working on this paper, I wasn’t even sure where I was going to “end”- how would it be useful in a library setting? During my searches, I happened to stumble across a screenshot from a video with no additional information, but it provided me with an ‘a-ha’ moment that changed the direction of my conclusion entirely. This paper demonstrates identification of how different technologies are being used, and how they can be utilized in the future. Because libraries are not usually known for their use of augmented reality, and I identified an everyday application for it that would be of extreme interest to anyone who has ever shelved, I am particularly proud of this piece, which you can see below.

Augmented Reality Powerpoint Presentation (LIS 5268- Microcomputer Applications for Libraries and Information Centers)– Related to the paper above, this presentation is a review of what Augmented Reality is, how it differs from Virtual Reality, how it is used now, and how it can be used in libraries in the future, which shows best practices in the use of this rising technology that isn’t currently widely used in the library and information science field. You can view the 9 minute presentation here. (Side note: I had covid at the time this was recorded and didn’t think I would be visible on the final presentation, so please excuse my appearance.)

Blockchain Paper (LIS 6603- Basic Information Sources and Services)– During this class, we reviewed many concepts about which I had limited prior knowledge. Blockchain was one of those, and after learning about the concept, which is not particularly straightforward, I was challenged to think of a way in which libraries could use this new technology. To do this, I outlined the strengths and weaknesses of the technology and identified a low-risk use of this complex idea to help implement the existing technology. This is important because high-risk applications have already proven detrimental to users, and the library needs to remain a trusted institution. Once low-risk uses are in place and more deeply understood, advances can be identified and carried out with greater confidence. My short paper outlining these ideas can be seen below.