Current Trends in Libraries: Berkeley Public Library
Felipe Arida, Katryna Pierce, Nicklesh Sagran, and Paige Stringham, 2021 Showcase
Current Trends in Libraries: Berkeley Public Library: Our group created a blog/website about the Berkeley Public Library (California). We used the research we did in class about the trends impacting public libraries to analyze how the Berkeley Public Library was addressing those issues. Some of the topics we wrote about were the Berkeley library’s approach to equity and diversity, community needs, leadership, and innovation.
This project was focused on the Berkeley Public Library in Berkeley California. In this website you will be able to look at the communities wants and needs from the library; how the library could change up their vocabulary to reflect modern library users; their virtual resources & programming offered; what they are doing to address issues regarding equality, diversity, and inclusion; how the library’s leadership is charting a path towards achieving their goals; and how their collection development plans emphasize diversity & accessibility. This library has created innovative ways to deal with issues that libraries face today from a tool lending library to sign language interpreters. The Berkeley Public Library was acknowledged as a five-star library in 2020 by the Library Journal. They are only one of two library systems in California to receive this rating; other libraries can learn a lot from what the Berkeley Public Library has to offer.
Felipe Arida: I am currently an Administrative Clerk working for the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree majoring in Sociology from California State University, Los Angeles. I want to work in a public library as a Young Adult/Adult librarian for LAPL. I plan to graduate from the MLIS program in Spring of 2022.
Katryna Pierce is working on earning her MLIS to become a Children’s Librarian. She currently works as a Youth Services Library Trainee at the Hartford Public Library in CT and she has been working in libraries for 6 years.
Nicklesh Sagran: I am currently a Library Assistant at the Livermore Public Library in California. I have worked in public libraries for over 20 years, and I like to be involved in all aspects of library operations. I am pursuing a varied approach with my MLIS program, so that I can help my library and community wherever it is most needed.
Paige Stringham is from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has a degree in American Studies from Brigham Young University. She plans on graduating with her MLIS from San José State University in 2021.