Laurie N. Taylor, Librarian

In a recent meeting, a colleague and friend shared that our organization is one where we are allowed to be profoundly human. I find this insightfully captures what I appreciate about the UConn Library and what I seek in all organizations. Recognizing, supporting, and embracing our humanity is necessary.Read More →

I always appreciate data that supports equity, including data on standard costs/payments especially when that data is specific and contextualized. So, I was happy to see that Mandy Brown provides data on coaching rates (“current standard rate is $800/month, with a three-month commitment”) and on a tier approach that reduces costs to support equity. Brown’s full posting on fees is worth reading for folks considering engaging a coach, being a coach, or thinking about equitable processes. I’m adding this to my mental standard references for costs, joining some existing resources for costing for honoraria and workshops.Read More →

SPARC has released a series of profiles of university libraries that have unbundled or cancelled journal packages. As SPARC explains, profiled libraries did this for cost containment and/or aligning budgets with values. It’s wonderful to see UConn as one of the profiles. UConn has done excellent work in ensuring access while controlling costs through unbundling and cancellations. Currently, the profiles available are from: Bucknell University (unbundled from Elsevier in 2022) Florida State University (unbundled from Elsevier in 2018) MIT Libraries (out of contract with Elsevier since 2020) UConn Library (unbundling from all big deals on a rolling basis, starting in 2020) Université de Montréal (unbundled from multiple deals in 2014Read More →

One of my goals this year is to read more about neurodiversity and belonging.  I’m posting a book list here as a start to my notes: Two books that I find most useful for my work and thinking: The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization, by Maureen Dunn The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work, by Ludmila N. Praslova PhD Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking, by Julia Bascom Empire of Normality: Neurodiversity and Capitalism, by Robert Chapman Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, byRead More →

The press release for Liberatory Librarianship is below. Super excited to get to share this! Liberatory librarianship Related Images (Click for full-size) Download Related Links “Liberatory Librarianship: Stories of Community, Connection, and Justice” “Inclusive Cataloging: Histories, Context, and Reparative Approaches” “Building Representative Community Archives: Inclusive Strategies in Practice” For Immediate Release Thu, 03/28/2024 Contact: ROB CHRISTOPHER Marketing Coordinator ALA Publishing & Media American Library Association 3122805052 rchristopher@ala.org CHICAGO — How does librarianship help people to be free? How is library capacity and expertise used to increase freedom, justice, and community? “Liberatory Librarianship: Stories of Community, Connection, and Justice,” published by ALA Editions in collaboration withRead More →

The UConn Library has zine maker kits, by metadata librarian Rhonda Kauffman and archivist Graham Stinnett, for all zine-making needs. I’m so thrilled to get to work at with creative, kind, and generous folks, and around cool work, like that with zines, including the collection, maker kits, and more. The guide on Zines includes more on the zine maker kits, the zine collection (the liberated zine zone), books about zines, and information on teaching with zines. It’s fun to think about and interact with fun work like this!Read More →

The American Library Association (ALA) has just released the Spring/Summer 2024 catalog with many great new books, including Liberatory Librarianship. Very excited to look into the other new books, and thrilled to see Liberatory Librarianship out and available! Super congrats to all of the contributors and editors!Read More →

Huge thanks to Graham Stinnett, who curated the exhibit, and collaborators for bringing this important exhibit to life! At UConn, Archives & Special Collections has a new exhibition commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Black Student Sit-In at Wilbur Cross Library in 1974: Please Respond Personally: Commemorating the 1974 Black Student Sit-In. The exhibit is open now through July 19, in the Schimmelpfeng Gallery (Monday – Friday, 9-4pm, within the Dodd Center for Human Rights, University of Connecticut. See more about the exhibit, including on the exhibit opening from the UConn Library!Read More →

Experts at UConn do amazing work on cicadas, including digitally imaging and visualizing cicadas. UConn shared an article covering this awesome work, which covers “an innovative process is making 3D data of cicadas available to the world, just in time for this year’s rare co-emergence of Brood XIX and Brood XIII.” I love seeing amazing work like this, which has evolved over time with Michael Bennett’s intensive insights into imaging. Michael leads the UConn Library’s Digital Imaging Lab, and has continued to develop and refine advanced imaging techniques, working with North African stone points, cicadas, and more. I am always excited and curious to learn moreRead More →

Of course, the Huskies are amazing. And, just a quick note to share logos that I love. Huge thanks to UConn for awesome design, supporting amazing work!Read More →