Digital Documentary: Libraries of Lexington
The finished digital documentary for WRD 110.
Rough Draft Response
In any project proper preparedness is integral. One way to ensure a job well done is through the implementation of steps. Assessment at each step guarantees that the project will be completed on time, and done well. This extensive project takes a lot of planning, and furthered execution of those plans. By equally splitting the workload we have been able to easily complete all assignments, whilst following the strict guidelines. On our digital documentary, which is due Friday, we have implemented several unique aspects. Our project includes audio-visual devices, pictures, web-text, and an interactive sound-map. This multi-faceted project requires a lot of time and focus to successfully execute.
When we submitted our rough draft, it was just that. Several of the malfunctioning links were detracting from the overall fluidity of the website. In order to make the website more user-friendly we must fix this mistake. By linking our buttons with correct pictures, sound bytes, texts, and videos we will greatly increase the depth of our multi-dimensional project. In addition, we need to expand on our digital map. Our idea, I believe, is a good one. By implementing sound clips into a map of Lexington, we are able to go beyond what the audience can see and approach them on an entirely new level, through the sense of hearing. Sound clips of our respective libraries give the reader a unique insight. However, we need to expand our sounds giving a stark contrast between the branches, whilst highlighting the similarities of our places of learning. This will give our project the expansion that it needs. It is my belief that our project successfully captures an important facet of the Lexington community, its public library system. After a few more days of work, smoothing out the bumps, we will have a beautiful and all-encompassing digital documentary.
Progress Report
Proper preparedness is a crucial component in every project. It is integral to stay on top of one’s tasks and complete them in a timely manner. The structure of this project has made it very easy to stay on task. The step-by-step assignments prevent one from slacking off and hold one responsible for each aspect of the overall presentation. I feel very prepared because of my amazing opportunity to research the Village Branch Library. The people I met whilst there were some of the most helpful individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Their willingness to go the extra mile out of their way to assist me in interviews, research questionnaires, and tours of the premises, put me greatly ahead on my research. My next goal is to take this amazing research, which was so easy to acquire, and apply it in a way that is visually appealing, and accurately representative. In doing this I will, hopefully, give the Village Branch Library it’s due justice.
Map-Making Techniques
There are many ways to make a map. Often, one might think that they are limited to a strictly geographical presentation, however this is not the case. People can map surroundings on feelings, demographics, important moments, or social changes. Inversely, a wide array of clever maps can quickly erupt. For our project we have decided to use the beautifully designed Wix website creator. We feel that this platform will not only be eye-catching and well designed but also will sufficiently and thoroughly present our information. I envision our map taking one through the libraries of Lexington, in special regards to the Village Branch, Central Library, William T. Young, and Beaumont locations. On each tab a new library and its social impact on the Lexington community will be presented. On the Village Branch Library tab I would like to integrate a bilingual text, as to represent the multiculturalism present in the Cardinal Valley location. If at all possible, we would like to integrate a sound map as well. This will give the website depth and allow for a unique approach to our mapping project. When a reader opens each tab we would like to integrate background sound, representing the chatter of bustling community. Through our own pictures we hope to also create a visual for the audience allowing them to intertwine what they hear, with what they see. This presentation will allow all of the audience’s senses to be barraged, inversely, giving them the full effect of each library. Though we will be presenting multiple places we hope to interrelate them to show that the Lexington Public Library is truly a community within itself.
“The Real Electoral Map”: Visually Appealing and Extremely Effective
With the upcoming presidential election just around the corner, it is not unlikely for one to spot a brightly colored map of the United States, depicting the Electoral College and its disbursement among candidates. However, this unique depiction took a different stand on this widely covered topic. This electoral map, by Mark Newman, depicts through the use of vibrant colors, the distribution of republican versus democratic votes. The bright colors are deeply saturated and effervescent, it is easy to see how the cartographer uses pathos in his color distribution. Through the varying, over-exaggerated sizes of the individual states, Newman depicts the weight of various populated areas, in relation to the amount of electoral votes they control. Though the picture is jumbled and seamlessly incongruous with traditional maps, there is a sense of visual unity. It is easy to see the United States present in the contortion of varying colors. The brightly contrasted hues make the differing states and people groups pop from the page, showing clear and distinct definition. However, the purple areas show parts of the country that were more evenly split during the 2008 presidential election, between sitting President Barrack Obama and Senator John McCain. This artist took a unique, but extremely effective approach to this widely covered, but extremely important topic.
Works Cited:
Newman, Mark. The Real Electoral Map. 2008. PolitigenomicsWeb. 25 Oct 2012. <http://www.politigenomics.com/2008/11/the-real-electoral-map.html>.
Research: Village Branch Library
One of the most integral foundations of research is, in my opinion, first person interviews. It is impossible to receive more truthful, raw, and unbiased research, when pertaining to audience “feeling”, than by asking those who are impacted the most. I have been tasked with researching the Village Branch Public Library in Cardinal Valley. This socio-economic “lower end” neighborhood serves a, primarily, Hispanic population. Inversely, all of the library’s staff are bilingual. Many of the texts are translated into two languages, and many classes are offered for Spanish speakers. It is my job to interview the patrons of this “untraditional” library to see how it’s community feels about its service. I will be asking the following list of questions to the patrons of the Village Branch Library:
- Is this the library you attend most regularly?
- Does this library serve your community well?
- What is your favorite amenity of this library? What would you change?
I plan to interview ten to twenty people. This will give a wide baseline demographic for further research. It is integral that I remain unbiased whilst in the library. It would be very easy for me to approach only the individuals that I feel best support my hypothesis, however I plan to choose individuals at random and interview a wide range of patrons. This will, inversely, give the best and most accurate research.
It is also necessary to get the librarians input on their place of employment. A librarian can be an invaluable tool for research. Daily he or she is exposed to the interworkings of the library and thus will know what kind of population the said library serves. I plan to ask one to two librarians the following questions:
- Do you notice any trends with your patrons?
- Do you think that this library serves the community well? Why or why not?
- Do you live in the same community that you serve?
These questions will help guide furthered research. I believe that these first person interviews will be an invaluable tool to truly delve into the public library system in our community.
Works Cited:
Village Branch. 2005. Lex Go, Lexington. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://calendar.kentucky.com
lexington_ky/venues/show/566013-lexington-public-library-village-branch>.
“Human Sex Trafficking in Kentucky” Response
The horse capital of the world is one of the most aesthetically pleasing places in this great country. The rolling pastures, beautiful horses, and historic homes, make Lexington a truly beautiful place to be. Who would have thought that behind such beauty, lie such an abhorrent practice as sex trafficking? In Human Trafficking in Kentucky, by Beth Connors-Manke, this disgusting practice is brought to center stage. Through her powerful tone Connors-Manke truly illuminates the practice and its profound relevance to Kentucky. By making the topic personal, through her appeal to the reader’s emotions and reasonable understanding, the author brings the topic home, allowing each individual to understand the prevalence of this evil trade. Through strong descriptive words, statistical support, and personalized stories, the author engulfs the reader in the same zeal that she obviously felt whilst writing the article. As a reader, one is encouraged to pick up their phone and call their Senator, or make their way to the nearest victims activist rally’s to stand up for the women and children who can not stand up for themselves. Because of the author’s own ties to Kentucky, and the physical proximity of Georgetown, the paper is extremely relatable to the audience. It becomes painfully clear that this repugnant practice is happening right under our noses. This paper, one of the many, contributes to the larger national conversation of sex trafficking. It’s effect, however, is still very powerful. Through the narrative and evaluative dialogue that Connors-Manke uses, her stance on the issue is clear. We, as citizens of this great Commonwealth, should answer the cry of the broken and put a stop to the illegal, and truly revolting practice, that is sex trafficking.
Old Spice: The Man Your Man Could Smell Like
This hysterical video was an instant sensation for the body wash and men’s fragrance company, “Old Spice”. The commercial depicts a true, “manly man” and bluntly presents the idea that only men who wash themselves with “Old Spice” are truly “men”.
The audience, both males and females, take something from the thirty-three second clip. Men are made to feel like, unless they smell like the “ideal manly man”, they are not on par with his masculinity and will not satisfy their woman. Women, inversely, believe that their man must smell like the “Old Spice Man” in order to truly be the “perfect” guy. This manipulates both sexes to run out and purchase the fragranced wash to truly create a perfect fella’.
Ethnography of “My Place”
As the sound of the electric doors open, I hear a familiar “woosh”. I look to my left, and then to my right, searching for a place to sit. The beauty of the women’s hospital and Saint Joseph East quickly reveals itself to me. Not only in the eyes of the expectant mothers but in the artistic design on the entrance. The wide-eyed and friendly information clerk smiles as I enter. The janitor seems not to notice me, as he is busy cleaning the prints of busy children off the plate glass windows. Directly ahead I note the beautiful courtyard, illuminated by the natural light, let in from above. Outside, an older woman sits, her arms crossed, looking down at what appears to be a somewhat challenging word puzzle. As I take the sharp left turn into the waiting room, I find a centrally located seat. Around me I hear the faint rumble of various conversations. The culmination of the unique syllogisms, accents, dialects, and word choices intrigue me. I sneakily listen in on bits and pieces of conversations. Tales of pregnancies and miscarriages, doctors visits, car troubles, familial travels, and children’s baseball games all coagulate creating a steady but sporadic murmur. The tan paint soothes me. I look around for a clock. I see it steadily ticking on the wall. My eyes are immediately drawn to the new visitor. Her jeans slightly ripped and obviously stonewashed, her hair in a tight and still wet bun, and her loosely fitted shirt all are details that, for some reason, stood out to me. As she turned I could see what was, in my opinion, the beginning of a baby bump. For a trimester she had been slowly weeding out her closet for items that she could, and could no longer, wear. Her eyes seemed to sag with exhaustion. As she approached and took her seat, three to the left and one across from me, I could tell that she was young. From the conveniently located table she selected an older edition of “People” magazine. As she quickly thumbed through the pages I could see her tired eyes begin to drift. She was merely scanning and I could tell she was deep in thought elsewhere. Before I could complete my thought I heard the excited pitter-patter of feet. An obvious grandmother stormed in and took a seat. From her carefree volume I quickly gathered that her daughter was in labor with her soon to be first grandchild was on its way. The moment she had been waiting for, for nine months had finally arrived. I could see the excitement in her joyous face. As the clock continued to tick, I began to realize the rhythm of people entering and leaving, dozing and quickly jostling awake, and I began to create stories and instances to fill in the gap of my sporadic story. When the clock alerted me my thirty minutes had concluded I arose. I noticed that several glances were shot my way. I had, over the previous few minutes, been discovered as an outsider. My observant eye and quick writing skills had alerted others that I did not belong. As I rapidly shuffled out of the waiting room I finally understood why I had come. Now this “place” was more than just that. I now associated this inanimate space with the multi-dimensional people, I had encountered whilst there.
Re-Defined Proposal Statement
Few things directly impact our lives more than healthcare. Now, more than ever, it is integral to illuminate the healthcare system. More specifically we will be delving in to the socio-economic divide of the healthcare industry with regards to maternity care. Few hospitals have poured as much of their resources into this up and coming field as Saint Joseph East. Inversely we will be researching this hospital in regards to the care individuals receive and the differences between the insured and uninsured. We hope to discover how healthcare administration differs among socio-economic divides. We will support our findings with first-person interviews and statistical information. It is a true and deep-set desire to involve people, their stories, and their lives in to this deeply personal and all-inclusive project.
I have been tasked with interviewing a health care administrator. Hopefully, through their insight, we will acquire valuable information that will allow us to continue on our road of exploration in this multi-faceted industry.
Our meeting today was very beneficial. Through our discussion we greatly narrowed our focus and created a roadmap for this project. We successfully distributed the workload, evenly. We not only discussed what we would be researching, but also how said research could be obtained. Through our restructured focus I feel confident that our project will be interesting, all-inclusive, and successfully define this place, in relation to Lexington, Kentucky.
Works Cited:
The Women’s Hospital. 2010. Photograph. Kentucky One Health, Lexington. Web. 3 Oct 2012. <http://www.sjhlex.org/womenshospital>.
WRD 110-023: Mason T. King 