In an ideal classification system each item has a precise location, but most systems contain misfits that end up classified as other. Why do items end up classified in this way? In this research project, I consider the nature of items that defy neat categorization in different types of classification systems. Are these things fragmentary, or unusually complex? What are the consequences in browsing and search? The classification theory literature suggests that these systems are not value neutral. Even used within the contexts of their intended use, they often require compromises that may not be clear to the users of these systems. In addition to looking at formal classifications such as DDC, I examine the concept of other in data collection systems such as medical records, as well as the negotiation of sub-genres in music. While other often poses challenges, I also consider instances in which it may increase engagement.

An ever increasing amount of data collection on social media contributes to additional security implications which are not outlined in the End User License Agreements that we see today. We believe that this data can be used in many ways to violate user anonymity and create digital profiles of users based on various data processing methods. We can then cross-reference these digital profiles to other social media platforms to identify previously anonymous users. To do this, we hope to use numerated social media APIs which contribute to the release of Personally Identifiable Information. From this, We hope to educate users on End User License Agreements while informing them on applications of data usage by performing analysis on Reddit user data and other social media platforms.

For over twenty years the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) has managed and developed a set of encoding guidelines for the representation of humanities, social science, and linguistics -- to preserve and share -- texts in digital form. Using Extensible Markup Language (XML) as its backbone, TEI is the generally accepted encoding model for the digital humanities. Due to XML’s extensible nature, it can often be difficult to share these files, and problematic to make them interoperable. Our Application Programming Interface (API) for TEI-XML documents addresses these challenges. It requires no prior programming experience to use, can be installed using standard File Transfer Protocols (FTP), and is able to return multiple interoperable views of a TEI-XML file using a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) as its method of query.

The Weber State University Special Collections Department is dedicated to preserving the history of its surrounding communities. The Ogden High School Archives is full of irreplaceable and fascinating artifacts chronicling the story of this more than a century old institution. Some of the archival items have already been damaged through improper storage. There has been no set process to catalogue the housed items, making it nearly impossible for community members to fully access the collection. During this project I have safely stored and organized items into labeled boxes and folders. A register of the archives will soon be available on the school’s website giving community members a full view of the collection.

Conducted for the International Student/ELL Subcommittee of the UW Libraries’ Teaching and Learning Group, this mixed-methods study examines international students’ perception and use of the UW-Seattle Libraries. International students have been identified as a group that need unique support on campus, and Libraries staff are concerned international students are not engaging with Libraries resources and services as fully as they could be. International student enrollment jumped from 6.5% to 15.2% of the total UW-Seattle student population from Fall 2006 to Fall 2015, according to the Office of Planning & Budgeting. How can library services and resources be more attuned to these students’ information needs? What can the Libraries do to support international students’ sense of inclusion and belonging? Triangulating undergraduate and graduate focus group, wayfinding, and survey data, this project offers an initial set of recommendations to address the diverse needs of the local international student community.

Collection development policies guide the evolution of library collections while considering the needs of the populations served. The existing University of Washington Libraries’ subject policies for astronomy and physics were last updated in 1986 and never ratified. The procedures outlined therein are woefully out of date and, in particular, have nothing to say about electronic resources, which are cornerstones of modern academic work. In order to bring these policies into the 21st Century, our group examined existing collection policies at the University of Washington, interviewed the astronomy and physics collections’ users, and studied astronomy and physics policies from comparable institutions. The resulting documents, including a formal policy statement and a public-facing LibGuide, will direct collection acquisitions, maintenance, and evaluation in these fields for years to come while providing the flexibility to adapt to the fast-paced environment of research science.

The Financial Inclusion Insights (FII) team at the Gates Foundation is responsible for performing data quality checks and analysis on survey data collected from eight countries in Africa and Asia. The survey data is related to usage of mobile money and digital financial services (DFS) in these countries. The current process is manual and tedious and involves multiple people working simultaneously to perform data analysis. Our solution solves this issue by automating the manual process and generates customizable data analysis reports. The result is a robust, modularized and highly customizable framework which will make it easy for FII to explore the “what”, “how” and “why” of demand­ side trends in mobile money and other digital financial services (DFS). This helps FII model, construct, and perform better research to understand the impact of DFS and promotes adoption of these services as they are revised using the research insights.

The Beaverton Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is an-all volunteer community ensemble in Beaverton, Oregon. In more than 30 years, the organization has amassed a collection of more than 220 separate works, with dozens of parts for each. The sheet music library lacked any digital cataloging or inventory system, making it difficult for the music director to select works and for the volunteer music librarian to keep track of the collection. I assessed and weeded the collection, researched cataloging systems and recommended a free online option (musiclibrarian.net), established metadata schema, developed unique identifiers for parts and works, and cataloged a sample selection of music. This new system provides better management and access of the collection at no cost to the orchestra, which will assist with future programming, allow easy addition of future works, and support the BSO’s mission of providing quality, affordable classical music and outreach to the community.

Research shows that online mindfulness training is effective in reducing stress and increasing coping mechanisms among university students. beGreatful builds on these findings by providing an online platform with two key components students can use for mindful practices. The first component is an online gratitude journal designed to encourage mindful thinking through the completion of a journal entry. This helps students build the habit of taking time to reflect upon their day and foster a habit of positive thinking which can lead to increased resilience. The second component is an analytical feature designed to help users visualize patterns in their journal entries and be more aware of their thought patterns. This also reinforces the habit of writing journal entries everyday by providing a snapshot of each day and showing improvements overtime. The online platform will serve as a low-cost, accessible tool for college students to maintain a healthy mindset.