The last few weeks have been exceptionally hard as I watch one important social program after another see immediate cuts, and as I talk to those in our community and state who are already struggling take one more punch to the gut. This is not a story of unwise individuals making poor, lazy choices. This is… Continue reading Creative Destruction’s Impacts
In my last post I introduced the engaged public library as a defining transition underway across our country. Rather than a specific end-product, the engaged library is a user-driven, ongoing process of co-created and co-delivered services. Thus, while some aspects may remain core to many public libraries, ultimately every public library will look as unique as it’s community… Continue reading Public Libraries Exemplifying Various Trends
I have been a board of trustee for the Champaign Public Library since November, 2014 and am chair of the newly created Visioning 2020 committee. I accepted the appointment because I am excited by what I see as the opportunities for libraries moving forward, and want to make sure Champaign Public Library continues to evolve… Continue reading Public Libraries: The engaged library
Our community engagement class has crossed the mid-point and is now on spring break. The challenge over break is for us to review course readings to date to come up with our personal theories of community, engagement, and social change to foster community. So often we respond positively or negatively to an engagement program or methodology… Continue reading Creating a personal theory of community, engagement, and social change to foster community
I appreciate the introduction provided me by Randy Stoecker to the concept of sociological imagination, a term coined by C. Wright Mills in 1959. It is a way of seeing the broader sociological situations that result in many people experiencing similar outcomes. And so it was with interest that I read a piece regarding the diversity… Continue reading Sociological Imagination & Diversity Gaps
