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Jessamyn West (librarian)

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Jessamyn West
West (2014)
Born(1968-09-05)September 5, 1968(age 55)
Concord, Massachusetts,U.S.
Occupation(s)Librarian,blogger
Known forlibrarian.net
Jessamyn West's voice
recorded September 14, 2014
Websitewww.jessamyn.info

Jessamyn Charity West(born September 5, 1968) is an American library technologist and writer known for her activism and work on thedigital divide.She is the creator oflibrarian.net.She is the Vermont Chapter Councilor of theAmerican Library Association,and was Director of Operations at the group blogMetaFilterfrom 2005 to 2014.[1]West owns MetaFilter.[2][3]

Early life and education[edit]

West grew up inMassachusetts,[4]where her father, computer engineerTom West,worked forRCAandData General.He was the key figure in the 1981Tracy KidderbookThe Soul of a New Machine.Her mother, Elizabeth (néeCohon), was the younger sister of actorPeter Coyote.[5]She may be named after the authorJessamyn West(according to her parents, a "coincidence" ),[6]and as a childcorrespondedwith her.[4]

She graduated fromHampshire CollegeinAmherst.[6]She completed graduate work at theUniversity of Washingtonfor aMaster of Librarianshipdegree,[4][7]and moved back toVermontin 2003.[6]

Career[edit]

In 1995, West went toCluj-NapocainRomania,where she ran a library for theFreedom Forum.[6]

West works as a freelance library consultant, mainly inOrange County, Vermont,focusing on helping libraries with technology.[6]She moderated the group blog MetaFilter,retiring as Director of Operations in 2014.[8]She continues to be active answering questions in Ask MetaFilter.[9][10]She is also an activeWikipedian,working particularly on Vermont and library topics.[11]In June 2011 she joined theWikimedia FoundationAdvisory Board.[12][13]She has staffed information desks atBurning Manand the1999 WTO protests,and supported and maintained theInternet Archive'sOpen Libraryproject.[14]

West briefly signed up as a researcher forGoogle Answers,writing about her experience for the journalSearcher.[15]She resigned after finding she had probably violated her contract by writing about the service.[16]She believed that "the money factor" skewed the relationship between the researcher and consumer of information, and played a part in the service's later demise.[17]

In 2002,Library Journalnamed her a "mover and shaker" of the library world.[18]West is considered an "opinion maker" in the profession and presents frequently at conferences.[19]In 2019 she gave the 30thAlice G. Smith Lecturefor the School of Information at theUniversity of South Floridain Tampa at theRobert W. Saunders Sr. Public Librarytitled, "Social justice is a library issue; libraries are a social justice issue".[20] She addressed challenges faced by people in rural communities onThe Takeawaypodcast in September 2019, "How Libraries Are Bridging the Digital Divide".[21]She is a self-described anti-capitalist.

From 2016 to 2018, West taughtlibrary and information scienceat theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.[22][23]

Since 2018, she has been a qualifying authority for theInternet Archive.[24]

In a 2022 interview on theSlate (magazine)podcast, "Working," she described herself as a "rural tech evangelist" who is committed to helping to alleviate the digital divide.[25]

In 2023 West joined the Flickr Commons Program as Community Manager.[26]

Librarian.net[edit]

librarian.net
Type of site
blog
Available inEnglish
OwnerJessamyn West
Created byJessamyn West
URLwww.librarian.net
Launched1999
Current statusactive

Librarian.net, which she founded in 1999 after finding the domain name unused, has become a "widely read and cited" resource.[19][27]West characterizes librarian.net as generally "anti-censorship,pro-freedom of speech,pro-porn(for lack of a better way to explain that we don't find thenaked bodyshameful), anti-globalization,anti-outsourcing,anti-Dr. Laura,pro-freak,pro-social responsibility,and just generally pro-information and in favor of the profession getting a better image. "

West was one of about three dozen "credentialedbloggers"at the 2004Democratic National Convention,[28]the first time that such an event issued press credentials to bloggers. She indicated in aNew York Timesfeature on the group that her goal was making "the librarian voice in politics stronger and louder."[29]Her first-day quip that the convention was "Burning Manfor Democrats, without the nudity or drugs "was widely reported.[30]

In 2007, West made aYouTubevideo of herself installingUbuntuon two library computers, which attracted thousands of views and requests for free CDs fromCanonical.[31]DesktopLinux.comcalled it a "non-jaded, non-techie look at Ubuntu."[32]Cory Doctorow,writing on the blogBoing Boing,dubbed her an "internet folk hero", and brought the video 14,000 views in a day and a half.[33]

Activism[edit]

Library sign designed by Jessamyn West

West describes herself as a "collectivist kind of anarchist."[34]Wireddescribed her as "on the front lines in battling theUSA PATRIOT Act,"particularly the provisions that allow warrantless searches of library records. The act not only prohibits libraries from notifying the subjects of such searches, it prohibits them from disclosing to the public whether any such searches have been made. In protest, West created a number ofcanary noticesthat libraries can post which she suggests are "technically legal". One of them, for example, reads: "TheFBIhas not been here. Watch very closely for the removal of this sign. "TheVermont Library Associationprovided copies of this sign to every public library in Vermont.[35]

West's face
West in 2012

In September 2017, consumer credit reporting agencyEquifaxreported a cybersecurity breach affecting 145 million consumers.[36]West, standing up for the individuals' right to digital privacy, sued Equifax in small claims court in Vermont.[37]Her successful action was covered in theNew York Times.[38]West has outlined the steps she took in aMediumessay, "Suing Equifax in Small Claims Court".[39]When notified that she had won her claim, West noted her intention was "the explicit mission of demonstrating that citizens are not powerless when it comes to their personal information."[40]

In 2019, Jessamyn West'sCNN Opinionessay, "Libraries are fighting to preserve your right to borrow e-books", drew wide attention for her stark assessment, "Librarians to publishers: Please take our money. Publishers to librarians: Drop dead."[41]West analyzed the Macmillan decision atInformation Todayin an article, "Raw Deal in Ebook Pricing".[42]West was interviewed by Jack Stewart atMarketplaceand observed that this is an experiment that may not work out for Macmillan.[43]

In 2022 Laughing Monk Brewing created a benefit beer named Sister Jessamyn dedicated to West for her "activism, work on the digital divide, and safe access to knowledge and free spaces." The Sister Jessamyn beer is made with Citra, Mosaic, and Cashmere. Partial proceeds go to SFFood Not Bombs.[44]

Writing[edit]

Books
  • Jessamyn West (2011).Without a Net: Librarians Bridging the Digital Divide.Libraries Unlimited.ISBN978-1-59884-453-5.RetrievedJune 22,2011.
The book is a follow-up to the 1972Revolting Librarians(ISBN0912932015), and includes new essays by ten of the contributors to the original.
Chapters in books
  • Jessamyn West (2007). "Introduction: What Do Librarians Do All Day?". In Priscilla K. Shontz; Richard A. Murray (eds.).A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science.Libraries Unlimited.ISBN978-1-59158-364-6.
  • Jessamyn West (2004). "You Want Me to Put What Where? Freelancing Librarianship as Job, Hobby and Passion". In Priscilla K. Shontz (ed.).The Librarian's Career Guidebook.Scarecrow Press.ISBN0-8108-5034-6.
Articles
Writing on the Web
  • Wikipedia editor on many topics notably bios or library related stubs.[46]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Who is in charge here? Are there admins and moderators like other sites?".MetaFilter.n.d.RetrievedFebruary 22,2019.
  2. ^Ethan Zuckerman interviews Jessamyn West. “Why Does a Librarian Own a Social Media Site That’s Been Around for Longer Than Facebook?”Reimagining The Internet at the Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure.September 7, 2022.
  3. ^Calabro, Tim, 2022.“Piece of Web History Finds Home in Randolph; West Becomes Owner of Early Social Media Site MetaFilter”The Herald(September 15).
  4. ^abcJessamyn West."questions that are oftentimes asked of me".RetrievedMarch 13,2008.
  5. ^"ELIZABETH WEST Obituary (2017) - Boxborough, MA - Boston Globe".Legacy.com.July 22, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 20,2021.
  6. ^abcdeAlex Hanson (February 3, 2007)."'Everybody's interesting'".Valley News.Archived fromthe originalon February 9, 2007.RetrievedMarch 13,2008.
  7. ^"Data"(PDF).www.gbv.de.
  8. ^"Where I'm off to".metatalk.metafilter.com.
  9. ^"Activity from jessamyn – MetaFilter".www.metafilter.com.
  10. ^Jessamyn West (October 15, 2006)."MetaFilter: Going Your Way".Library Journal.Archived fromthe originalon March 18, 2004.RetrievedMarch 14,2008.
  11. ^Susan Youngwood (April 1, 2007)."WIKIPEDIA: What do they know; when do they know it, and when can we trust it?".Vermont Today. Archived fromthe originalon October 13, 2007.RetrievedMarch 14,2008.
  12. ^"Vote:Advisory Board – Jessamyn West".Wikimedia Foundation.RetrievedDecember 20,2015.
  13. ^"Advisory Board".Wikimedia Foundation. Archived fromthe originalon January 31, 2018.RetrievedDecember 20,2015.
  14. ^OpenLibrary.org (April 8, 2013)."We invite you to introduce yourself".Open Library.RetrievedSeptember 5,2018.
  15. ^Jessamyn West (October 2002)."Information for Sale: My Experience with Google Answers".Searcher.Vol. 10, no. 9.Information Today.RetrievedMarch 14,2008.
  16. ^Jessamyn West (January 2003)."Google Answers Back Or How to Become an Ex-" Google Answers "Researcher".Searcher.Vol. 11, no. 1. Information Today.RetrievedMarch 14,2008.
  17. ^Jacqui Cheng (November 29, 2006)."Google Answers decides to close up shop".Ars Technica.RetrievedMarch 14,2008.
  18. ^"Library Journal".lj.libraryjournal.com.
  19. ^abMelissa Laning; Catherine Lavallée-Welch; Margo Smith (2006). "Frontiers of Effort: Librarians and Professional Development Blogs". In William Miller; Rita M. Pellen (eds.).Evolving Internet Reference Resources.Haworth Press.ISBN0-7890-3025-X.
  20. ^Doctorow, Cory(October 22, 2019)."Social justice is a library issue; libraries are a social justice issue".Boing Boing.RetrievedMay 25,2021.
  21. ^"How Libraries Are Bridging the Digital Divide".The Takeaway.WNYC.September 2019.
  22. ^"LIS 630 - Community Engagement"(PDF).hawaii.edu.Spring 2018.RetrievedMay 25,2021.
  23. ^"Tools for Community Advocacy"(PDF).hawaii.ed.Summer 2016.RetrievedMay 25,2021.
  24. ^"Meet the Librarians: Jessamyn West, Accessibility".blog.archive.org.April 4, 2022.RetrievedApril 6,2022.
  25. ^How Rural Librarian Jessamyn West is Alleviating the Digital Divide."Working" interview with Jessamyn West by Isaac Butler and June Thomas.Slate.May 29, 2022.
  26. ^"Welcome to the team, Jessamyn!"Flickr.org
  27. ^Brown, M. (2006). Life in the Trenches of Print and Web Publishing: An Interview with Jessamyn West. Serials Review, 32(2), 106–110.
  28. ^"Who's blogging the convention".Cyberjournalist.net.July 17, 2004. Archived fromthe originalon February 15, 2008.RetrievedMarch 13,2008.
  29. ^Lee, Jennifer 8.(July 26, 2004)."Year of the Blog? Web Diarists Are Now Official Members of Convention Press Corps".The New York Times.RetrievedOctober 20,2010.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ^Peter Hartlaub (July 30, 2004)."Unbound by tradition, Boston bloggers exercise fresh freedom of press".San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedMarch 14,2008.
  31. ^West, Jessamyn (May 9, 2007)."weird little radar blip".Abada Abada.RetrievedMay 17,2007.
  32. ^Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols (May 8, 2007)."The Joy and Sorrow of Ubuntu".DesktopLinux.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2008.RetrievedMarch 14,2008.
  33. ^"Transcription: Renegade Librarian Jessamyn West On Information, Access And Democracy".Medium.May 27, 2016.RetrievedJuly 4,2022.
  34. ^"Transcript - How Rural Librarian Jessamyn West is Alleviating the Digital Divide".slate.com.RetrievedMarch 23,2023.
  35. ^Adam L. Penenberg (September 15, 2004)."Don't Mess with Librarians".Wired.RetrievedNovember 24,2015.
  36. ^Haselton, Todd (September 7, 2017)."Credit reporting firm Equifax says cybersecurity incident could potentially affect 143 million US consumers".cnbc.com.RetrievedSeptember 8,2017.
  37. ^Rob Wolfe, October 1, 2017.Randolph Librarian, Privacy Activist Sues Equifax,Valley News.
  38. ^Niraj Choksi. June 20, 2018."How a Few People Took Equifax to Small Claims Court Over Its Data Breach and Won."
  39. ^Jessamyn West. September 22, 2017.Suing Equifax in Small Claims Court"Medium.
  40. ^Emily Ballou. June 28, 2018Librarian Bests Equifax In Small Claims Court.The Herald.
  41. ^West, Jessamyn (August 2, 2019)."Libraries are fighting to preserve your right to borrow e-books".CNN Opinion.
  42. ^West, Jessamyn (September 2019)."Raw Deal in Ebook Pricing".Information Today.43(5).ISSN1041-7915.
  43. ^West, Jessamyn (November 12, 2019)."Will 'Artificial Scarcity' of Library e-books Push Sales?".Marketplace(Interview). Interviewed by Jack Stewart.RetrievedMay 25,2021.
  44. ^Sister Jessamyn.Untappd.May 2022
  45. ^"Today in Librarian Tabs"Vermont LibrariesAugust, 2018.
  46. ^Mostly bios or library-related stubs

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toJessamyn West.
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