Library Issues and Trends: Before, During, and After COVID-19
Channel: SJSU School of Information
Date: 2020-05-26

Podcast Link: https://bit.ly/3c5XPEl

Abstract:
Libraries are ever-evolving. As the community changes and grows, so does the library. When a pandemic hits, the library must adapt to it, too. Join us for this webcast and learn more about current library issues and trends, including how to handle a crisis like COVID-19. 

Biography: Amanda Folk
Dr. Amanda Folk is an assistant professor and the head of teaching and learning at the Ohio State Libraries. She earned the PhD degree in Social and Comparative Analysis in Education at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education. Her dissertation combines her professional interests in teaching and information literacy with her interest in examining the academic experiences of first-generation, low-income, low-SES, and/or working-class students. Prior to joining Ohio State at the end of 2016, Folk was the director of the Millstein Library and Coordinator of the Regional University Library System Libraries at the University of Pittsburgh. She received her BA in German and Religion with a minor in Jewish studies from the University in Richmond. Folk has a Master of Theological Studies with a concentration in South Asian religions from Harvard Divinity School and Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Biography: Melissa Fraser-Arnott
Melissa Fraser-Arnott is the Chief of Integrated Reference Services at the Library of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada, where she manages a team of 14 embedded librarians who provide in-depth reference services to parliamentarians. She has worked in government, non-profit organization, and public library settings including the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, Ottawa Public Library, and Oakville Public Library. She has taught in the Algonquin College Library Technician program and has been responsible for library management, reference services, collection management and development, library instruction, technology training, and information management. Fraser-Arnott completed her Doctorate in the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – San José State University (SJSU) Gateway PhD program and her Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at the University of Western Ontario. Her research interests include competencies, professional identity, and knowledge management.

Biography: Kelvin Watson
Kelvin Watson was named director of the Broward County Libraries in February 2017. Prior to coming to Broward, Watson was the chief operating officer, senior vice president for Queens Library in New York City, which serves 2.3 million people and circulates among the highest number of books and other library materials in the country. Watson is credited with innovative community outreach to establishments whose clientele have not been active patrons of the library such as community centers, hospitals and jails. Watson’s background in addressing the digital divide helped library customers understand how to use technology and realize how these tools can impact their lives.

At Broward County Libraries, he’s launched a number of innovative initiatives that have expanded the community’s engagement with the library. These include the Veterans Connect Hotspot Program, which provides free portable Internet service to veterans, active-duty military and the dependents; the “Your ID is Your Key” initiative that makes digital library cards available to all Broward County Public School students; and the launch of the GoChip, a device preloaded with a season of a premiere TV show that customers can check out. Broward County Libraries is the first library in Florida, the first in the Southeast, and one of the first 12 libraries nationwide currently offering the GoChip to customers.

Watson is the immediate past president of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and currently a candidate for director at large for the Public Library Association.

Biography: 
Daphne Wood is the director of library services, planning and engagement at Greater Victoria Public Library on Vancouver Island, Canada. Prior to this position, she was director of planning and development at the Vancouver Public Library, where she oversaw operations at five library branches, policy and planning functions, and the library’s marketing and communications initiatives. Infrastructure planning is an area of professional interest and expertise. Wood has authored two provincial infrastructure studies and collaborated on a third study in 2013, focusing on library board governance and strategic planning capacity among BC public libraries. Wood is a graduate of Carleton University’s Journalism program with a Master’s of Business Administration from Royal Roads University and an Executive Master’s of Library Information Science from San José State University.