YUL research and professional contributions
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Research conducted by York University Library Faculty members can be found in this collection, along with professional contributions such as presentation slides and instructional videos.
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Item Open Access The Fabric of Librarianship, Literally: Collaborative Storytelling Through Craft and Data(2025-06-03) Wong, AlexandraData and its visualization are often—though not always— used for good reason in libraries to understand our collections, patrons, and internal processes. They also help us make sense of the vast amount of information surrounding us and tell memorable stories. Yet, the need to approach data critically is ever-present and often overlooked. Moving beyond traditional applications of data opens up opportunities for new forms of reflection and critique. Creating a data physicalization—using physical craft to represent a data visualization—slows down the process of engaging with data, creating space for more deliberate, critical examination. In this interactive presentation, participants will be introduced to these ideas in more depth and guided through the collaborative crafting of a shared data physicalization quilt as a means of story processing and storytelling of the librarian experience.Item Open Access Affective dimensions of academic librarians’ experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic: experiences and lessons learned for information literacy(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2024-06-04) Bury, SophiePurpose This article explores the affective dimensions of academic librarians’ experiences during the forced pivot to emergency remote teaching because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach Through semi-structured interviews with librarians at 18 university libraries in Ontario, Canada, the researcher prompted study participants to reflect on how their work and that of other librarians in their organization changed during the period of focus, including the main challenges and opportunities experienced for information literacy instruction. Findings This study finds evidence of stress and anxiety among academic librarians teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic, including lack of confidence and skills with eLearning and work-life balance challenges. At the same time, the data show strengths and successes fueled by resilience, collaboration and a growing culture of care, which in many cases, resulted in strong expressions of pride by interviewees on what was achieved during this global health crisis. Originality/value This study is one of few adopting a qualitative research methodology to explore the affective dimensions of academic librarians’ experience of information literacy instruction during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its implications are instructive for future pedagogical approaches and workplace culture among information literacy teams, including communication, collaboration, flexibility and leadership support.Item Open Access Building as They Come: Comparative Case Studies of Co-constructing Data Visualization Services with Academic Communities(2025) Wong, Alexandra; Sivajothy, Subhanya[para. 3-4] "Academic libraries are well-situated to be strong supporters of democratizing and building knowledge and expertise in the use of data and data visualization as they cut across all of academia, regardless of discipline or department. Within the past decade, many academic libraries across North America have added data visualization services to their offerings. This has been done in several ways, from existing librarians with related portfolios like GIS or research data learning new skills to libraries creating new positions with the focus on the portfolio on data visualization. This chapter presents and compares two case studies of building data visualization services at York University Libraries and McMaster University Library. We do so with the hope of sharing practical and relevant knowledge with our readers."Item Open Access Innovative Technologies and Their Application in Academic Libraries(Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, 2024-07-01) Leong, Jack Hang-tatThe aim of the article is to research and critically analyse the use of innovative technologies in academic libraries of foreign countries. Research methods used in the study. To achieve the goal, a systematic approach, scientific analysis, synthesis, generalisation and systematisation was used. The methodology of the article was formed by a complex of approaches to scientific knowledge – objectivity, connection between theory and practice, cognitive, structural and functional. The scientific novelty consists in revealing the specifics of the application of innovative technologies in academic libraries of foreign countries, performing a critical analysis, the advantages and disadvantages of the introduction of new technological trends, namely: artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics and automation systems, virtual reality and immersion technologies, the Internet of Things. The discussion in this article demonstrates that there are risks and limitations of in applying technology in the library. User privacy, information security, financial and human resources, and the creation or reinforcement of social injustice all deserve careful consideration in the process of selecting and implementing new technology in the library. With that awareness and consideration, information professionals can then move beyond accessing new products, to advocating for equity-diversity-inclusion (EDI) -oriented design practices. Before fully embracing a technology, information experts may critically explore the social justice concerns and empower user with their findings in their digital literacy programs.Item Open Access Data physicalization library co-curricular workshop: Crochet Your Way to Data Fundamentals(2024) Wong, Alexandra; Carmini, PriscillaWorkshop lesson plan and handout to run the Crochet Your Way to Data Fundaments co-curricular workshop. During this workshop, participants bring temperature data to life through crochet to reveal temperature changes. Participants learn how to crochet their own coaster or potholder to keep! This act of data physicalization aims to help people explore, understand, and communicate data using a physical data representation.Item Open Access Data physicalization library co-curricular workshop: Creative Collaging to Visualize Data on Homelessness(2024) Wong, Alexandra; Carmini, PriscillaWorkshop handout to run the Creative Collaging to Visualize Data on Homelessness library co-curricular workshop. Participants are invited to drop-in anytime during this workshop to bring data to life through the creative act of paper collaging. Participants use research data and archival materials from the York University’s Archives and Special Collections to collaboratively create an infographic poster that discusses the historical and contemporary situation of homelessness in the York Region and in Ontario. This workshop uses data physicalization, which is the act of using physical artifacts to display data, to help participants explore, understand, and communicate complex issues around homelessness.Item Open Access Transcending Cultural Boundaries through Chinese Opera in Canada(2024-06-15) Leong, JackItem Open Access Preservation and Transformation of Chinese Heritage through Cantonese Opera(2024-02-14) Leong, Jack Hang-tatIn this presentation, the author discusses the preservation and transformation of Chinese heritage through cultural performances, mainly Cantonese opera, in a Canadian context from an intercultural studies perspective. The author demonstrates the struggles and dynamics of Chinese Canadians remembering and negotiating their cultural identities between their hometowns and Canada. The author proposes in this study that these opera performances and their related activities, such as demonstrations and seminars, illustrate the manifestation of transcultural identity of Chinese Canadian communities. The introduction and adaptation of these cultural activities in Canada, enabled by the transcultural identities of the Chinese Canadians, symbolize the transcendence of borders, linguistics boundaries, and geographic distance.Item Open Access Applications and Implications of AI in East Asian Libraries(2024-03-12) Leong, Jack Hang-tatArtificial intelligence (AI) has entered library areas such as search and information discovery, collection management, academic publishing, information literacy, and references services. With the rise of generative AI such as ChatGPT, AI becomes a hot topic in academia. A deeper understanding of this technology and how it affects academic libraries becomes more important than ever. The objective of this presentation is to investigate and reflect critically the application of AI in East Asian libraries. To address the issues of privacy, data security, academic integrity, and threats to job, it is critical to involve information professionals in the development and stewardship of this technology.Item Open Access The Expectation and Learning Impact Framework (ELIF): Evaluating diversity, equity, and inclusion professional development events for academic librarians(The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 2021-10-28) Dali, Keren; Bell, Norda; Valdes, ZacharyThis study examines the experiences of academic librarians in Canada and the U.S. at diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professional development events (PDE) and makes recommendations for improving PDE on DEI. It pursues the following overarching research problem: What accounts for the effectiveness of learning at DEI PDEs and what makes PDEs impactful and memorable? The study is framed through select theories of learning, epistemologically guided by hermeneutic phenomenology, and relies on the critical incident approach and qualitative self-administered survey, enriched by descriptive statistics. It results in the analytical Expectation and Learning Impact Framework (ELIF) for organizing DEI-related PDEs and a specific Checklist of recommendations for improving PDEs. This research will benefit academic librarians, LIS educators, as well as anyone wishing to organize meaningful DEI events. This is particularly instrumental when librarians have a wide variety of events to choose from but limited time and funding for attending them. It is also hoped that this study findings will expand an understanding of DEI PDEs, in general.Item Open Access Census of Canada: Comparison of Indigenous and Race-Based Variables since the 1870s(2023-03-10) Orlandini, Rosa; Cooper, Alexandra; Manuel, KevinThis dataset was created for the Data on Racialized and Indigenous Populations in Canada research guide hosted by Scholars Portal. This file can be used to determine when a specific variable is first used and retired from the Census Questionnaires. The file is in Excel format. The Indigenous Persons and Groups worksheet traces each variables (term) that describes Indigenous persons and groups in the census questionnaires from the 1870 Census of Manitoba until the 2021 Census. The Racialized Persons and Groups worksheet traces each variable (term) that describes racialized persons and groups in the census questionnaires from the 1871 Census until the 2021 Census. This table can also be used to trace when the terms Visible Minority, Origin, Ethnic Origin, and Race and Tribal Origins are first used in the Census of Canada. For more information about the research guide visit: https://learn.scholarsportal.info/featured/data-on-racialized-populations/.Item Open Access Guide on Ethnic, Racial, and Indigenous variables in the Census of Canada: 1870 to 2021(2021-09-01) Orlandini, Rosa; Cooper, Alexandra; Manuel, KevinThis guide, contains historical census variables related to finding ethnic origins, race, culture, or where a respondent is born, are listed. Also included are links to variable column definitions, individual census records (for historical censuses), publications with tables, and data files. Additional censuses include the 1870 Census of Manitoba, 1906 Census of the Northwest Provinces, and the Census of the Prairie Provinces for 1916, 1926, 1936, and 1946. This guide was created as part of the Data on Racialized and Indigenous Populations in Canada website hosted by Scholars Portal. This is located at: https://learn.scholarsportal.info/featured/data-on-racialized-populations/Item Open Access Searching for Name Authorities Using the Library of Congress Authorities Website(2007-05-24T15:23:25Z) Salmon, MarciaAn online tutorial on how to search for personal name authorities using Library of Congress Authorities website.Item Open Access Information Literacy (Narrated)(2021-01) Salmon, MarciaPSYC 2030 Narrated Information Literacy Session, Winter 2021 to be included in asynchronous online learning.Item Open Access Advancing Research Data Management: A Social Capital Perspective on Functional Librarianship(Facet Publishing, 2022-12-22) Kosavic, Andrea; Wang, MingluThis chapter investigates librarianship in the area of Research Data Management (RDM) through the lens of social capital theory. If social capital theories and concepts have the potential to bring to light the invisible or non-quantifiable value of academic library services (Bracke 2016; Corrall 2015), we postulate that they will lend a generative lens to explore the symbolic, network, and normative effects of engagement within the academic library. Using librarian and archivist-authored RDM literature as a case study, we will explore the dynamic relationships between network structures and the effects of functional librarianship on the social capital of academic libraries. User studies of scientists and case studies of library RDM programs (Perrier et al. 2017) are common in the literature, but their underlying theoretical frameworks are limited to “individual behaviourism” (Fecher, Friesike, and Hebing 2015), normative and historical institutionalism (Akers et al. 2014; Zenk-Möltgen et al. 2018), “wicked problem” theory (Cox, Pinfield, and Smith 2014) and organizational subculture theory (Cox and Verbaan 2016). Insights about the unique positionality of libraries within the academic community (Gold 2007) and potential leadership opportunities (Flores et al. 2015) have been mentioned but have yet to be clearly theorized to the level of a useful framework for deeper analysis or practical application of RDM research. A social capital perspective will offer a theoretical framework which contextualizes the potential benefits borne of functional engagement, including access to information attributed to network positionality and bridging connections, mutual supports found in communities with dense ties and group cohesion, and agency for enhancing reputation (Lin et al. 2001). As the presence of social capital can be used as a predictor of healthier institutional, disciplinary and departmental climates, this examination will highlight opportunities for strengthening social capital in libraries. We will also suggest modalities for libraries and related organizations to more consciously transform themselves using identified relationship building strategies. We provide a review of current RDM literature which summarizes the existing theoretical assumptions applied in the research to describe the development of RDM services and solutions in light of existing challenges. This is followed by an introduction of classic symbolic, normative, and network views of social capital theory, which are synthesized and applied to our sample during our coding exercise. Several essential themes surface in our axial coding exercise and they are summarized in our results and findings.Item Open Access Supporting Computational Research on Large Digital Collections(2022-12-12) Ruest, Nick; Bailey, JeffersonEvery year more and more scholars conduct research on terabytes and even petabytes of digital library and archive collections using computational methods such as data mining, natural language processing, and machine learning (ML), which poses many challenges for supporting research libraries. In 2020, Internet Archive Research Services and Archives Unleashed received funding to combine their tools enabling computational analysis of web and digital archives to support joint technology development, community building, and selected research projects by sponsored cohort teams. The session will feature programs that are building technologies, resources, and communities to support data-driven research, and it will review the beta platform, Archives Research Compute Hub, and discuss working with digital humanities, social and computer science researchers, and industry partners in support of large-scale digital research methods.Item Open Access Digital Preservation at York University Libraries(2022-11-16) Ruest, NickYork University Libraries are ten years into a digital preservation program. How did it start, how it did it evolve, what does our policy and documentation look like, and what are the lessons learned? Library organizations are unique, but there is generally a fair bit of overlap where our path, policies and documentation can be of use to other organizations.Item Open Access Arch-It!(2022-06-24) Holzmann, Helge; Ruest, Nick; Bailey, Jefferson; Dempsey, Alex; Fritz, Samantha; Milligan, Ian; Willis, KodyOver the past quarter-century, web archive collection has emerged as a user-friendly process thanks to cloud-hosted solutions such as the Internet Archive’s Archive-It subscription service. Despite advancements in collecting web archive content, no equivalent has been found by way of a user-friendly cloud-hosted analysis system. Web archive processing and research require significant hardware resources and cumbersome tools that interdisciplinary researchers find difficult to work with. In this paper, we present ARCH (Archives Research Compute Hub)1, an interactive interface, closely connected with Archive-It, engineered to provide analytical actions, specifically generating datasets and in-browser visualizations. It efficiently streamlines research workflows while eliminating the burden of computing requirements. Building off past work by both the Internet Archive (Archive-It Research Services) and the Archives Unleashed Project (the Archives Unleashed Cloud), this merged platform achieves a scalable processing pipeline for web archive research.Item Open Access ABCDEF - The 6 key features behind scalable, multi-tenant web archive processing with ARCH: Archive, Big Data, Concurrent, Distributed, Efficient, Flexible(ACM, 2022-06-20) Holzmann, Helge; Ruest, Nick; Bailey, Jefferson; Dempsey, Alex; Fritz, Samantha; Lee, Peggy; Milligan, IanOver the past quarter-century, web archive collection has emerged as a user-friendly process thanks to cloud-hosted solutions such as the Internet Archive’s Archive-It subscription service. Despite advancements in collecting web archive content, no equivalent has been found by way of a user-friendly cloud-hosted analysis system. Web archive processing and research require significant hardware resources and cumbersome tools that interdisciplinary researchers find difficult to work with. In this paper, we identify six principles - the ABCDEFs (Archive, Big data, Concurrent, Distributed, Efficient, and Flexible) - used to guide the development and design of a system. These make the transformation of, and working with, web archive data as enjoyable as the collection process. We make these objectives – largely common sense – explicit and transparent in this paper. They can be employed by every computing platform in the area of digital libraries and archives and adapted by teams seeking to implement similar infrastructures. Furthermore, we present ARCH (Archives Research Compute Hub), the first cloud-based system designed from scratch to meet all of these six key principles. ARCH is an interactive interface, closely connected with Archive-It, engineered to provide analytical actions, specifically generating datasets and in-browser visualizations. It efficiently streamlines research workflows while eliminating the burden of computing requirements. Building off past work by both the Internet Archive (Archive-It Research Services) and the Archives Unleashed Project (the Archives Unleashed Cloud), this merged platform achieves a scalable processing pipeline for web archive research. It will be made open-source shortly and can be considered a reference implementation of the ABCDEF, which we have evaluated and discussed in terms of feasibility and compliance as a benchmark for similar platforms.Item Open Access Home Made Visible: Partnering with a Film Festival to Preserve IBPOC Home Movies(2020-10) Cohen-Palacios, KatrinaFrom 2017 to 2019, the Regent Park Film Festival’s Home Made Visible project, in partnership with Charles Street Video and York University Libraries, highlighted the personal histories of Indigenous, Black, and people of colour (IBPOC) communities in the collective, public memory through an engagement with archival research, artistic creation, and public programming. The project’s goal consisted of celebrating the joy captured in home movies, preserving these histories, and exploring how archives have the power to shape who we become and how we relate to one another. Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts’ New Chapter program, HMV commissioned seven films made by IBPOC artists and organized a tour of 51 exhibitions, workshops, screenings, and installations across Canada. The project also coordinated the donation of nearly 300 home movie clips from 36 families to the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections for preservation in perpetuity. This collection spans six decades documenting the everyday life of 25 IBPOC communities. It features weddings, picnics, holiday celebrations, cultural traditions, religious ceremonies, birthday parties, school performances, snowstorms, and trips around the world in a multitude of languages. This presentation will discuss the project’s challenges and successes, including lessons learned from developing new partnerships and collaborative approaches to acquisition and description.