Christopher Rodriguez

LIS Professional Development Reflection

April 11, 2019
Professor Cheryl Knott

Professional Development Reflection

During my time developing as a professional in the field of Library and Information

Science, I took part in a seminar featuring Artist’s Books in February of 2019. I was given the

opportunity to attend “Insight on Artist’s Books: A Panel Discussion” hosted by the University

of Arizona Libraries Special Collections. Throughout the 2019 Spring Semester, I examined how

the experience influenced my growth as a professional and led me closer to my career goals. The

experience was valuable in developing not only my professional growth, but also my views of

different fields within LIS. This reflection aims to examine each professional growth experience

and to analyze the different M.A. LIS competencies associated with each experience.

Attending Insight on Artists’ Books was the first time that I had ever participated in any type

of seminar related to the field of LIS. I have attended a few webinars and have watched various

Ted Talks online, however this was the first in-person event that I experienced within LIS. This

panel meant a lot to me not just from the point of view of a LIS professional, but it also related

directly to my lifelong love of books, writing, and storytelling. One of my first goals growing up

was to become a writer and to be able to publish books, write scripts, and create different types

of video content. I have been trying to think about which writing styles, which stories, or which

other features I can use to make my work stand out, and I felt that the seminar provided me with

the insight that I needed to move forward. Topics such as the physical format of books, fonts,

and graphics were all discussed in detail to explain key differences across various books.
 For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by stories. I remember writing

short stories and asking my teachers to allow me to read them to the class on Fridays when I was

very young. I remember the excitement that filled me every Tuesday when my 3rd grade teacher

would read books to our class after lunch and take us to the library. I knew from a young age that

my passion was in storytelling and being around different types of stories. This drew me closer

to the world of LIS and it combined all my favorite things as a child and as an adult. I decided to

attend “Insight on Artist’s Books” as a part of my professional development reflection because it

interested me as an aspiring writer to examine different types of books, writing styles and

formats. The seminar was hosted at the UA Library’s Special Collections and was presented by

Philip Zimmerman, Karen Zimmerman and Charles Alexander. The truly unique aspect of this

seminar was the introduction to different styles of books that have been produced over the years.

Each panelist discussed different aspects of artists books while displaying presentations

that they prepared related to each topic. The first being Charles Alexander who discussed the

different types of book binding. In addition to writing poetry and teaching, Alexander is also the

founder, director and editor-in-chief of Chax Press which is an independent publisher geared

toward the promotion of innovative poetry and unique book arts. Charles Alexander also shared

some of his knowledge of poetry and referenced an Ezra Pound quote which resonated deeply

with me. The exact quote by Ezra Pound is "The book should be a ball of light in one's hand" and

it made me question why I wanted to be a writer. I began asking myself whether I wanted my

stories to be a simple expression of my thoughts, or whether I wanted other people to relate to

them on some level. I began to ask whether I wanted my stories to be uplifting or informative

and if that is what Ezra Pound was referring to as “a ball of light” in his quote. I also wondered if

whether the quote was simply referring to a book as a getaway in which people can escape
through fantasy or comforting knowledge. Throughout my life I have drawn inspiration from my

various passions such as music, movies, sports and professional wrestling. I never had an idea

that was new or unrelated to things that I personally love, which is what I am now striving

towards as a writer. Along with the imprinting quote, Charles Alexander also imparted

knowledge about books as craftsmanship that I had never heard of previously. Alexander

revealed several books and how their unique composition adds to style and enjoyment of the

book. One of the most interesting examples Alexander discussed was the Folded Orihon, a

Japanese style of stories in which the book folds instead of closing.

Another feature of artists’ books, and quite possibly the most interesting aspect of the

seminar for me, was Karen Zimmerman's talk regarding typography. I had never heard of the

term typography before in neither my professional nor academic career, and I was excited to

learn more about it as the seminar carried on. Typography is described as both an art and a

technique that creators implement in their written works. Text can be arranged in a variety of

ways with the intention of making language legible, readable and appealing when displayed in a

given format. The arrangement and display of the type are enhanced via the selection of different

typefaces, point sizes, line lengths, line and letter spacing, and the adjustments made to the space

between letters. Essentially, the way in which a creator designs and utilizes the type is meant to

tell a story, enhance emotion, and provide a visual stimulant to the reader. Therefore, the purpose

of typography is to contribute meaning to a story. Karen Zimmerman gave the room examples of

how typography has been used effectively in various books. The Bald Prima Donna (or The Bald

Soprano) by Henry Cohen, The Medium is the Massage by Marshall McLuhan, and The

Telephone Book by Avital Ronell were three featured books in which typography plays a heavy

role. Each book displays a wide range of graphics and typography which are utilized in specific
and deliberate ways. The Bald Soprano features characters that speak in different type texts to

create a distinction between each personality. The book is also designed in a frame-by-frame

story like that of a graphic novel due to its origins as a play. The Medium is the Massage utilizes

typography in a way that compares technological systems to the human body such as skin and

clothes, as well as feet and wheels. Photographic images are also used heavily to highlight the

specific comparisons. Finally, The Telephone Book uses images, as well as a unique blend of

text formats. Every page in different from the last and sometimes words and letters are created

using graphics. At times, paragraphs are either broken up to create specific imagery such as

staggered lines, or interesting geometrical shapes. Philip Zimmerman also closed the seminar by

discussing the history of books and how they have been used and created throughout time.

Zimmerman also crafted a clear distinction between traditional art books, photo books, and

artists' book works. Zimmerman explained artists' book works as creative mediums, and that

artists' book works go beyond holding graphics or words in that they are specific forms of art

themselves. I took home a copy of Zimmerman's Graphic Continuum Chart, which explains the

key features that differentiate each of the three book styles.

To conclude this reflection, I would like to discuss the main LIS competencies related to

the seminar. Section A, Foundational Understandings and Abilities, as well as Section B,

Disciplinary Knowledge and its Application were the two categories highlighted by the

presentation. Under section A, competency A3 states “Students will demonstrate understanding

of the use of information and communication technologies including social aspects of

information in providing information resources and services in libraries and other information

environments.” Karen Zimmerman’s talk regarding typography was a perfect example of how

information and communication technologies provide new and interesting experiences for
libraries, readers and communities. Typography is a method in which technology is used to

create unique works of art through text. Although the books discussed previously did not use

high-end technologies that we use today, they were able to create books that people had not seen

and were innovative for their time as well as in today’s world. The books themselves are

resources because they offer readers an alternative to traditionally written works. Typography

can be used to facilitate new and innovative types of study and bring people together towards the

goal of analyzing specific text types.

Under section B, competencies B5 and B7 resonated with me during my reflection

process. Competency B5 states “Students will demonstrate knowledge of types of library and

information professions, settings, services, and roles and be able to analyze key issues and

potential approaches to these in the areas of their career interest.” I was introduced to a different

world within the field of LIS. Charles Alexander has had a successful career as not only a poet

and an instructor but has also been successful in the creation of the publishing company Chax

Press. Not only is Chax Press a professional setting within the field of LIS, it is also an

innovative approach to service in that it provides new authors and artists with special

opportunities. In addition, competency B7 states “Students will demonstrate knowledge of the

roles of interdisciplinary, interprofessional, and community collaboration and alliances in the

provision of library and information services.” This seminar opened many doors that I previously

had no knowledge of. As an aspiring writer, the seminar introduced me to the possibility of

bookbinding, typography and how to create a clear distinction between each work of art that I

begin in the future. My mindset shifted from simply creating compelling stories, to creating

compelling images, formats and unique experiences for the reader. In conclusion, my experience

attending Insight on Artists’ Books was one that I believe will be a benefit to my work in the
future. My goal is to utilize these concepts to create ground-breaking content and to help others

create unique content of their own. I will hold these lessons in high regard and never forget each

moment that left me inspired and hopeful.