What is Library Science?
When you picture a librarian do you see a quiet, unassuming woman with her hair in a bun? Is she stamping books? Does she give you a stern look an say, "Shh!?" This traditional view of what a librarian is, could not be further from the truth. Librarianship has a long and venerable history - learn more about Ashurbanipal's library at Niniveh during the 7th century BCE. Librarians for centuries have served as the gatekeepers of information for society. Library Science is concerned with a number of areas including:
- Acquisition
- Dissemination of Information
- Classification and Organization
- Storage and Retrieval Systems
- Information Use
Modern librarians reach well beyond the borders of library buildings and deep into cyberspace working with digital libraries and remote user access.
What is Information Architecture?
It is easy to think of Information Architects as Web Developers. It is true that many Information Architects are working in the World Wide Web environment. However, the science of Information Architecture goes beyond web design and administration. Information Architects are the librarians of the web. They work to build content (acquisition); organize and classify information through navigational structure, labeling, and indexing; design digital storage and retrieval systems (dissemination), and perform user analysis before, during, and after a project to determine an interface's usability (information use). Information Architects often work with teams that include: graphic designers, programmers, librarians, business professionals, and systems administrators.
What is Knowledge Management?
Knowledge Management is a business process where an organization seeks to assemble, organize, analyze and share its information amongst its members. The information often includes competitive intelligence, tacit knowledge, and best practices - types of knowledge that are often missed if they are not specifically mined as a resource. Knowledge Managers seek innovative ways to collect this information and make it easily available to the organization. Although this is often seen as an endeavor for profit and corporate intelligence, many non-profit organizations are seeing the benefit of harnessing their previously uncaptured knowledge.
Putting it all together:
I combined all three disciplines and earned both the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree and the Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management (IAKM) because I am fascinated with the study of information in all its forms. As a librarian, I have the unique ability to see information problems, be they of a design nature or a corporate intelligence nature, from a user perspective. I am able to analyze the information need, retrieve relevant results, analyze the data, and present it in a format that will maximize its usefulness to the organization.
Publications:
Sample Book Review:
Adaptive Array Systems: Fundamentals and applications
Review by: Paige C. Lucas-Stannard, Librarian NASA Glenn Research Center
Conventional signal array systems provided an advantage over single sensor recievers by compensating for beam width limitations and directivity issues. Signal arrays are used in radar, sonar, seismic, biomedical and communications systems. However, these signal array systems are susceptible to their own range of problems presented by unstable array environments. Using statistical detection and estimation theory to automatically respond to a changing array environment is the lure of adaptive array systems discussed in Adaptive Array Systems: Fundamentals and applications.
Authors Ben Allen and Mohammed Ghavami of the Center for Telecommunications Research at King's College in London present this look at array signal processing and its applications. Ghavami has previously written Ultra Wideband Signals and Systems in Communication Engineering and both authors are involved in smart antenna technologies for wireless communications.
The first four chapters provide a thorough background into antenna array systems and array signal processing. Chapter one includes detailed mathematical concepts in electrodynamics and terminology of antenna technology. This chapter is detailed enough for a undergraduate-level newcomer to antenna technology given a background in engineering mathematics. Chapters 2-4 build upon this foundation to address issues in Narrowband Array Systems (chapter 2), Wideband Array Processing (chapter 3), and Adaptive Arrays (chapter 4). These four chapters provide a thorough study of the principles and algorithms of the topic appropriate for senior-level undergraduate, graduate students or as a reference for the researcher/practicioner.
The fifth chapter takes the science detailed in chapters 1-4 and applies them to a more real-world scenario of a mobile communications system where operating environments and components are inconsistent and introduce their own imperfections. With sections on signal processing constraints, system calibration challenges, and spatial propagation parameters this chapter provides techniques to overcome common challenges in antenna array implementation and will be valuable to students and practicing systems designers.
The final chapter discusses applications of adaptive array technology in biomedical, radar, sonar, and terrestrial and space communications systems through a series of case studies.
Each chapter ends with a set of questions and problems including both mathematical and conceptual questions. The book includes a variety of black and white charts and graphs throughout the text to demonstrate concepts. Mathematical equations and derivations are also heavily featured. A detailed table of contents and index as well as a reference section adds to the usability of the book. These features greatly enhance the text and make the topic more accessible.
There are many books available dealing with antenna technology and specifically adaptive arrays. For example, Adaptive Antenna Arrays: Trends and Applicaitons (Springer, 2004) and Introduction to Adaptive Arrays (SciTech Publishing, 2003) both provide an introduction to the topic. Other books cover specific applications of the technology such as, Adaptive Array Measurements in Communications (Artech House Publishers, 2001) and Advanced Array Systems, Applications and RF Technologies: Signal Processing and its Applications (Academic Press, 2000). Allen and Ghavami's book is unique in its inclusion of both an academic look at the fundamentals of adaptive antenna technology paired with practical applications and relevant case studies that cross different fields of applications. This makes the book valuable to a wider audience.
This book is recommended for libraries serving undergraduate and graduate students as well as research libraries and libraries serving engineering professionals working in communications, radar, sonar, and biomedical fields.
Technical Information Specialist
NASA Glenn Research Center Science and Engineering Library, Cleveland, OH - 2004 - present
- At NASA I serve as a member of the NASA Information Services Alliance (NISA) for which I just finished a two year appointment as Chair. During my tenure we launched the NASA Digital Library (nasa only) and NASA Ask-a-Librarian (nasa only) virtual reference service including an implementation of Google for internal NASA search.
- I am also a member of the NASA Agency-wide Knowledge Management Working Group and an author at the OpenNASA blog.
- I was chosen to represent Glenn Research Center at the Next Generation Exploration Conference in 2006 and was Lead Editor on the Mars Settlement and Society Working Group Proceedings.
- As a contract representative I oversee of Library operations and budget.
- I provide digital content design including webpages and web applications for information dissemination. I also run the library blog Surf the Web Smarter Blog.
- I am in charge of development and delivery of bibliographic instruction for Center researchers and staff. I have taught classes, such as Surf the Web Smarter and write an enewsletter of the same name that offers tips for maximizing online search success while reducing search time.
- Print and electronic Collection Development aimed to serve current research goals and anticipate emerging science trends.
InterLibrary Loan Lending Coordinator
Kent State University Libraries, Kent, OH - 2003-2004
- Conducted usability study for Library website redesign team including user analysis and focus group sessions.
- Supervised student employees and work flow.
- Provided reference service and training to undergraduates, graduates, and faculty.
- Created and maintained database of incoming books for Reference and User Services Quarterly reviews editor.
Library Associate
Stow Munroe Falls Public Library, Stow, OH - 2003
- Won grant monies for recycling and litter prevention education.
- Collection Development in science, specifically hands-on manipulatives.
- Developed and implemented interactive science center curricula and programs.
Circulation Supervisor
Eckerd College Library, St. Petersburg, FL - 2002
- Supervised and trained circulation staff of 22.
- Designed training program for library employees including an interactive online tutorial, and employee manual.
Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management
Kent State University, Kent, OH - 2005
Information Architecture and Knowledge Management is an interdisciplinary degree combining courses in Communication Studies, Computer Science, Graduate School of Management, Journalism and Mass Communication, Library and Information Science, Visual Communication Design to equip graduates with an integrated expertise in today's information-rich workplace.
Master of Library and Information Science
Kent State University, Kent, OH - 2004
Bachelor of Science in Physical Science
The University of Akron, Akron, OH - 1998, cum laude
Concentration: Physics/Geology with minor in Mathematics
Bachelor of Arts in Education
The University of Akron, Akron, OH - 1998, cum laude
Concentration in Science Education
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