Evidence 1: INFO 200 Final Reference Paper: Women Seeking Health Information in the Digital Age

Description: In INFO 200 my final research paper was on women in first world nations with access to technology seeking health information in the digital age. The assignment was to write a research paper to meet graduate writing requirements. It has the standard format of a research paper. It starts with an abstract, introduction, and then a literature review with subtitles on needs, context and controversy of women seeking health information, their behavior, weaknesses and gaps in the literature. A methodology section follows, then a discussion evaluating context and pressures along with statistical information, problems with current systems in use, and possible solutions being discussed and finally a conclusion.  

Justification: Women make up over half the world population, and this paper is an excellent example of an evaluation of a group of individuals in an information environment with specific needs and information behaviors. Many women do not have access to good health information, or equitable health services or health information; or the information system has racial, economical, or gender discriminatory factors. This paper shows how knowing the needs and behaviors of this community and how to provide for them as information institutions we as information professionals can bridge the gap between users' needs and the organizations that can assist with those needs such as health institutions. This demonstrates my knowledge of how to identify needs of a specific clientele group, and how to promote services based on their needs.   

Evidence 2: INFO 282 Crisis Management Infographic & Program Creation 

Description: For 282 Crisis Management we were instructed to pick a topic that a demographic of our users might struggle with, and create a community resource infographic. As an aspiring academic librarian, I chose too look at the student population at academic college libraries and focused on the difficult topic of suicide and depression. I focused on recognizing the signs and symptoms in yourself or a loved ones, and resources to get help and know what options existed. I used national resources, as well as the SJSU Health Center and wellness center as local resources since I currently attend SJSU. 

Justification: This artifact demonstrates how to raise awareness of a difficult challenging issue within the information environment. This promotes an inclusive environment for both staff and students, and gives practical resources that could be drawn upon. I chose a long format that could be printed on a large vertical poster. If I was actually going to print something like this I would also add QR codes to local onsite help resources, as the more one can make the resources easily accessible the better aid becomes. This supports the inclusion of all people within the library, and assists in health equity, as many students might not know the many free resources available to them. This also supports and encourages empathy in those that might know someone suffering from depression or wrestling with suicidal ideology. This demonstrates my knowledge of how to identify DEI needs for a work environment, and how to create a program to meet student and co-workers’ needs. 

Evidence 3: INFO 234 Intellectual Freedom Labeling & Barriers to Access Discussion 

Description:  For Intellectual Freedom we took ten of the ALA Library Bill of Rights interpretations, and created our own summaries of them and how they applied specifically to individual librarians working in the field. Of these, many focused on diversity, equity and inclusion: services to people with disabilities, access to library resources and services regardless of sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation, religion in American libraries, and politics in American libraries. 

Justification: Knowing and upholding the ALA standards of the Library Bill of Rights as a foundation for library services is essential. By evaluating these ALA interpretations and summarizing them in the tense of a singular librarian's duty, I evaluated how important it is for all information professionals to focus on creating safe spaces that encourage diversity, include access for all, and are equitably promoted to all people. This demonstrates my understanding of the importance of supporting diversity, inclusion and equity with policies and procedures. 

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Evidence 4: INFO 210 Diversity Scenario: Evaluation of a Real World Diversity Scenario Entitled “Challenging the Challenged”. 

Description:  In INFO 210 we read real life scenarios and how that library staff managed them, then we wrote a summary and analysis of that scenario, and our own personal beliefs, as well as personalized plans of action. 

Justification: The income gap in America continues to widen, and understanding the needs of your whole community, discussing training for staff, as well as solutions like onsite social workers and onsite resources helps us all understand the diverse needs and economic disparities our community faces. Only by identifying these issues, and evaluating how past management have attempted to address them, we can make further adjustments and improvements to build strong support systems for all members of our community. This demonstrates how I must understand my own bias and beliefs and be able to support DEI actions with a foundation and plan of action. 

Evidence 5: INFO 200 Blog Post 2: Information Community & Importance of Empathy

Description: For INFO 200 we examined an information community that would have information needs, how we perceived it, what their needs were, and had me diving into the similarities and differences of this vast community.

Justification: Empathy is an important feature of working and living with philosophies of diversity, equity and inclusion for all. This blog post had me look at an information community, and I chose one that was close to my heart. I know many women who seek health information. I was the primary caregiver for both my maternal and paternal grandmothers for the last years of their lives, and I know how isolating it can feel. This was a community I was already tied to, that I already identified with, and yet the more I learned for INFO 200 the more I felt empathy and connection to all people seeking health information. That connection and empathy was key for me to know how to fight for and create future programs and services for all people. This demonstrates how I can utilize DEI principles and knowledge of a specific clientele to best serve and empower others. 

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Evidence 6: INFO 287 Inclusivity in Library Programing Using Technology 

Description: For INFO 287 I created a library program for a public library using the technology of the TikTok app to increase participation in a library program. The goal was to create a dance movement that anyone could do, in any environment, with any physical ability, and the videos would be pulled together to display on the library home screens. This allowed for a larger community participation and collaborative final presentation. 

Justification: This program demonstrates my ability to identify a way I could use technology to increase participation, and equity to the program, and include more diverse groups with technology and inclusive programing guidelines. The final product would tie a community together and create shared experiences and a cultural exchange while encouraging mental and physical health. This demonstrates my ability to pull together all I understand about DEI into one single program, that could be adapted to any group as long as they had access to a smartphone. This includes both the clientele of the library, employees of the library, and anyone around the world who wants to participate. This program acts as a way to connect with people across language and physical barriers.