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November 3, 2021/
Event page for a cryptozoology-themed Zoom lecture hosted by the Pickerington Public Library. Via pickeringtonlibrary.org
In October of 2020, the Pickerington Public Library in Ohio offered a free Zoom lecture by cryptozoologist and field researcher Marc DeWorth. Billed as “a family friendly investigation into the Ohio Bigfoot phenomenon,” the event was just one example of public libraries providing “creative classrooms” (Stephens, 2014) to the cryptozoology community. In October of this year, the Upshur County Public Library in West Virginia offered a four-part lecture by local cryptozoology hobbyist Al Gibson. The tendency of cryptozoology events to pop up in October may suggest that they are offered mainly as a family-friendly Halloween novelty, but the fact that there are local enthusiasts eager to share their knowledge and community members eager to learn about the hunt for Bigfoot suggests an opportunity to expand libraries’ and information centers’ offerings to cryptozoologists in communities where the hunt for cryptids is a popular hobby.
Photo byfran innocentionUnsplash
While cryptozoologists may turn to the public library for help finding information, they are also likely to benefit from the shift in reference services from a focus on helping individuals access information to helping individuals do and make things (Kenney, 2015). Web design classes and labs can assist cryptozoologists in developing the technology skills to create and maintain their own blogs and websites. Combining tech education with elements of programs like the LAPL’s BioBlitz Challenge could assist cryptozoology hobbyists in creating their own interactive cryptid sighting maps, a popular mainstay of many cryptozoology websites.
Materials like the Edendale Branch Library’s bird watching kits and the Seattle Public Library’s circulating A/V equipment are likely to be of use to cryptozoologists hoping to track and document cryptids in the wild. An event like the Iowa Public Library’s wildlife tracking class would also be of great interest to this group, and could easily be reworked to have a specific cryptozoology focus. Special collections and exhibits like the Tracking the Legends of Bigfoot exhibit at the Arizona State Museum are also options for serving the cryptozoology user base, particularly in communities with a local history of alleged cryptid sightings.
References
Kenney, B. (2015). Where reference fits in the modern library.Publishers Weekly,262(37), 18-n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/trade-journals/where-reference-fits-modern-library/docview/1712837050/se-2?accountid=10361
Stephens, M. (2014, May 15). Library as classroom. Library Journal, 139(9), 36. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A367965044/AONE?u=csusj&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=731efb9a
Nick Wall
November 4, 2021at2:28 amReply
Hello,
Your amusing sasquatch picture drew me to your post. The post was particularly informative because I had never heard of a Cryptozoologist. I have been guilty of assuming that persistent interest in these creatures was limited to kooks and people trying to increase tourism. I am still a bit confused about the phenomenon. Is it akin to LARP or cosplay in that the participants are generally cognizant of reality? How many of these people believe these creatures are potentially real? If a significant percentage of the enthusiast do believe that the creatures do or potentially do exist, are there any ethical concerns for the library in terms of promoting misinformation or allocating resources to the activity? I am imagining a scenario where families go for a hike, they pretend to look for bigfoot, it’s a fun time for all, and is a clear positive use of public resources. On the other side of the spectrum, I don’t know, maybe the library lends out a water dowsing kit. Is there a line there somewhere? Anyway, bit of a conundrum for me but sounds like fun too. Either way, it was an interesting post.
Cheers,
Nick Wall
Katie Wright
November 10, 2021at7:03 pmReply
Hi Nick!
There’s definitely a full spectrum of people interested in cryptozoology that range in perspective from “I enjoy the legends and folklore” to “these creatures definitely exist and we need to find them.” The group I’m primarily focusing on for this project are those who believe cryptids exist, or at least believe the possibility is very real and deserving of inquiry. Even though it’s totally possible to pursue a cryptozoology-related question in a scientific manner, cryptozoology itself is considered a pseudoscience because it borrows the trappings of mainstream science to lend itself credibility but generally lacks the scientific rigor of mainstream science, and sets aside more plausible explanations for various phenomena in favor of the explanations that are more exciting to them. A big part of my thinking in studying this community is how to serve them without promoting pseudoscientific ideas, especially because believers of cryptozoology are also more susceptible to other, potentially more harmful, kinds of unsubstantiated beliefs. Like you said, I don’t want the public library lending out water dowsing kits! I think a positive middle ground is to create community programming that focuses more on the folklore and mythology aspect, celebrating the history of these creatures without really promoting the belief that they are real. I also think some kind of “cryptozoology debate” type event could be a fun way to promote critical thinking and possibly teach information literacy, since it’s less politically charged and contentious than other kinds of pseudoscientific belief (like global warming denial, or that healing crystals will cure your cancer.) And since to varying degrees there are cases to be made for the existence of some cryptids, it wouldn’t have to be an entirely one-sided debate!
Andrea
December 7, 2021at7:16 amReply
I never would have imagined libraries offering programing for such a unique information community. It shows how almost anything can be turned into a library program, which is a very exciting thought to me. I love how this library understood the wants of their patrons and were able to provide these oppertunites.
