Throughout my time in the SLIS program at the University of Alabama I have learned technology in the field of library services. Prior to entering the program, I was very hesitant on using various forms of technology outside of the Microsoft Office Suite. Thanks to my professors and their assignments, I was able to step out of my comfort zone and use programs like iMovie, Canva, and Weebly just to name a few. I was also introduced to many interesting articles about other libraries around the country and the world and how they are using different technologies that I may see starting to pop up in libraries near me, such as a “vending machine” for tablets that patrons can use and check out. My classes were also filled with great debate and discussion on how libraries are no longer institutions that just house physical books. Specifically, libraries are growing entities that now have a great digital footprint with many resources that extend to even sewing machines and telescopes that are available for patrons. Simply, technology is important for libraries in helping them stay relevant in our communities and providing information to its members at the touch of their fingers.
Assignment 1: LS 522 (Dr. Naidoo)
For this learning outcome, I chose to highlight one of my assignments from Dr. Naidoo’s class, Materials and Services for Young Adults where we were charged with creating a book and song list for a fictional character including book annotations and links to the selected songs either using Spotify, YouTube, or another music software. A skill like this will be beneficial when working with middle school students and teens who connect well with both music and reading. By creating a book and song list for a fictional character makes the individual more unique and expressive for teens as a way for them to see themselves represented in books they may not have otherwise felt connected. I think this could be a great program to set up with young patrons in a public library to reinvigorate some reluctant readers, or to enhance the love of language and literature for those patrons who are already avid library enthusiasts. By humanizing the characters and situations learned, young readers are better able to put themselves in the characters shoes and connect to their experiences on a deeper level.
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
violet_markey_playlist___booklist.pdf |
Assignment 2: LS 543 (Dr. Naidoo)
For my second writing sample I chose to feature a digital story that I created for Dr. Naidoo’s class, Digital Storytelling where we were instructed to create a digital story by recording our voices, using picture books illustrations, and incorporating music with the video to present a version of a classic story. I chose Maurice Sendak’s classic Where the Wild Things Are since it is a super cute adventure story with beautiful illustrations that most young readers can relate to and journey along with. This is a great skill to have, especially during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, where librarians turned to virtual programming in order to serve patrons in their homes rather than the library setting. These digital stories are another way to ensure that reading is accessible to all persons -regardless of their abilities- as well as an opportunity for young patrons to use their creativity for those who are interested in reading through nontraditional avenues. I love how the role of a librarian is to make literature come alive, and digital stories are just another way to aide with the task through various technological means today, and in the future, that will require continual evaluation.