By Laura Birkenhauer
This month’s online discussion forum topic invited NMRT members to share plans and projects for 2022, in terms of either personal or professional goals:
“Reflecting on your aspirations for 2022, what excites you about the library-related goals on your plate this year? What projects are you committed to tackling and what’s your plan of action? Share as much or as little as you’d like. Your post just might spark ideas in others… and I encourage you to gather inspiration from the posts of fellow discussion participants!” (Birkenhauer, 2022)
Read on for two featured projects shared by NMRT members!
Integrating Inclusive Vocabulary
“I am a cataloger and this year I’m looking forward to implementing and integrating a new, inclusive vocabulary into our system called Homosaurus. Homosaurus is an International LGBTQ+ linked data vocabulary. The vocabulary is designed to help support and offer more current terms than the existing Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). […] I’m thrilled that our catalogs can start to reflect real world terms and that our patrons will be better able to find specific topics that interest them.” (Zeider, 2022)
Learn more about Homosaurus at https://homosaurus.org/.
Addressing K-12 College Readiness
“[M]y job is centered around K-12 groups and giving them increased access/ opportunity with academic libraries. I have a budget to increase our tech (STEAM focused) to make these trips not tour-centric but about learning and discovery opportunities. […] I am very excited about addressing and figuring out a solution/activities [sic] that creatively address the K-12 to college pipeline […] [A] librarian’s role [in] college readiness is more than making sure students know how to research or cite sources. We can help with informing them that we are there as allies and the library is a place to study and be creatively engaged.” (Brickey-Jones, 2022)
I hope you found inspiration in the February discussion and these exciting featured projects!