Shannon Mattern: Perspectives on Place—In, For, and With Libraries and Archives

Abstract

Can library designs positively impact its surrounding community of users? In what ways do maps and cartographic concepts intersect with graphic design, various forms of art, and digital media? What is at the intersection of archives and dirt? These are just a few of the areas of research and teaching that Dr. Shannon Mattern pursues. Dr. Mattern’s record of scholarship in the area of Media Studies crosses many disciplinary boundaries. We chose to learn more about her work and research due to her interest in the roles of libraries/archives in societal issues, how maps and mapping inform urban dynamics and social media, and more broadly with her unique understanding about epistemological interrelationships between media formats, place, history and modern urban issues.