Episode 10 (Sept 2021): Data to the Rescue

Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg

Description

We agree on something “data to protect you” is an oxymoron. Data can be dangerous–particularly in the hands of corporations, governments, hackers, scammers, & even well-intentioned non-profits, public service providers, and even libraries and librarians. Public libraries monitor patrons on social media to market services to better “meet needs.” School libraries create student Google profiles and capture user data. Academic libraries seek to address mental health issues identified through analysis of user data. We understand the well-meaning intentions to help. But do we really want anyone to be able to collect and aggregate all this data about anyone & everyone?

To make sense of the whole “data” thing, we are joined by Megan Oakleaf, Associate Professor, Syracuse University iSchool. Megan researches & teaches library value/impact, outcomes assessment, learning analytics, evidence-based decision making, information literacy instruction, and information services.  She is also Director of Online Engagement. Learn with us about data use and misuse.

Filed under: Dr. Dave Lankes, Dr. Mike Eisenberg, Season 1