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Institutions

Introduction and summary: Library Studies, the Informational Disciplines, and the iSchool: Some Remarks Prompted by LIS Forward

A discussion of libraries and library studies in the context of library education. It is the introduction to, and summary of, my response to the LIS Forward position paper.

Lorcan Dempsey Sep 4, 2025 16 min read

Institutions

Libraries and library studies

I wrote this piece on libraries and possible educational responses as part of a longer contribution on the informational disciplines and the iSchool. A principal goal was to suggest that libraries present interesting and challenging research and educational questions, which cross disciplines.

Lorcan Dempsey May 16, 2025 15 min read

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Clifford A Lynch, RIP

Cliff Lynch sadly died on 10th April 2025. Responses show how much Cliff meant to so many, and to the library and related communities. Here are some personal reminiscences and an appreciation of his achievement and the loss.

Lorcan Dempsey Apr 26, 2025 6 min read

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Information: a brief schematic history

In a piece on the informational disciplines and the iSchool, I sketched this very schematic and informal overview of information, broadly construed. My focus is pragmatic, related to library interests. I consider several current issues, including the 'apotheosis of the document' in an AI context.

Lorcan Dempsey Apr 24, 2025 20 min read

Research ∕ Learning

Teaching: one year in

I reflect on my first year of teaching at the iSchool in the University of Washington. A little about teaching. A little about Canvas, the library, and some software tools. A little about me and my learnings.

Lorcan Dempsey Oct 6, 2024 13 min read

Books

Smile: let's see your teeth

I was excited to discover the graphic novel Smile by Raina Telgemeier. The subject matter has strong personal resonances for me.

Lorcan Dempsey Apr 25, 2024 3 min read

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Twenty years of blogging and still going!

It is hard to believe, but this blog celebrates its twentieth birthday on 20th October 2023. Topics have varied, but have almost always been about libraries in some way.

Lorcan Dempsey Oct 12, 2023 7 min read

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Celebrating Ohio

A temporary relocation makes me realize how much there is to like and to say about Ohio, where we have lived for the last 22 years. We moved to Ohio from the UK (and lived in Ireland before that). Here are some observations based on our travels around the State over the years.

Lorcan Dempsey Sep 18, 2023 29 min read

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Reflections .. on my last day at OCLC

Today is my last day at OCLC. After 21 years. I have been very lucky to have worked with some great people, to have influenced important work, and to have worked with librarians around the world. Here are some brief reflections as I prepare for the next chapter.

Lorcan Dempsey Jun 30, 2022 8 min read

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Reflecting life and career: advice to an LIS graduate student

What do I value about libraries? asked a student. What is essential for a library student to know? Here are several ways in which life experiences have influenced my views.

Lorcan Dempsey Feb 25, 2022 15 min read

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Working with Ghost: a review

This site is built with Ghost and the Krabi template. I use it for blogging and as a professional home on the web. Why Ghost? Here are some initial thoughts. Ask me again in a year's time .

Lorcan Dempsey Apr 26, 2021 16 min read

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A new web presence: transitions and towers

This is a new web presence for Lorcan Dempsey! My goal is to provide a contact point and to bring together various elements of my work, writing and career. In part I am influenced by the decentralizing impulse to control your own archive.

Lorcan Dempsey Apr 18, 2021 5 min read

Lorcan Dempsey dot Net