1. +
Praxis: Where Theory
Meets Practice
In Aviation and Librarianship
SLA Rio Grande
Chapter
4 November 2010
by Sara R. Tompson
with Eric Sharp
saratifr@gmail.com
sarat@usc.edu
1. AGENDA
2. Introductions – around the
room
3. Definition
4. Aviation Theory into
Practice overview
5. Librarianship Theory into
Practice overview
6. DIY!

2. +
Definitions
 Praxis: “Action or practice; spec. the practice or
exercise of a technical subject or art, as distinct
from the theory of it” (OED)
 Aviation: Foundation = physics theories that are
demonstrably provable and immutable; largely a
science
 Librarianship: A profession because of theoretical
foundations; mostly a social “science;” will use
cataloging/classification illustration -- most
structured, least mutable aspect
2
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010

3. + Foundational Theories of Flight: Atmosphere
3
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010
R.Sharp mod
of FAA illus.
E.g.: Air = 14.7 PSI;
based on column of
air from sea level to
stratosphere.
Flight is based upon
and obeys laws or
rules of our universe.
Including the laws of
fluid dynamics – these
apply to air as well as
water.

4. + Foundational Theories of Flight: Wings/Airfoils
(Newton, 1643-1728; Bernoulli, 1700-1782)
4
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010
R.Sharp and S.
Tompson mod of FAA
illus.
A wing is a “foil.” as
are airplane and boat
propellers; they
reduce turbulence
and create down
pressure.
Molecules of air deflect off
the bottom of the wing; per
Newton, the wing is pushed
up. ~ 70% of “lift” comes
from this action.
The air molecules going OVER the top of the wing
MUST reach the end at the same time as those
going under it, so they have to go faster, so lower
pressure per Bernoulli. ~ 30% of “lift” is due to this
decreased pressure.

5. + Foundational Theories of Flight: 4 Forces of
Flight (Straight & Level = Zero ratios: Lift=Weight,
Thrust=Drag)
5
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010
R.Sharp mod
of FAA illus.
See this NASA site for
kids and teachers for
really good explanations!
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/
WWW/K-
12/airplane/thrust1.html

6. + Foundational Theories of Flight: The Stall
illustrates an imbalance in the forces; you can
only bend the rules so far!
6
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010
R.Sharp mod
of FAA illus.
The angles
measured in degrees
are “angles of attack”
– the airfoil in relation
to the fluid air.
Slow flight, less air molecules going over
wing; must increase angle of attack to
get more molecules travelling; BUT over
~ 18 degrees of angle, uneven fluid flow,
eddies in the air current – like in a stream
around rocks; too much eddying, the
airfoil is said to “stall.”

7. + Foundational Theories of Flight: Let’s Do It!
Stall Practice Illustrated
7
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010
From Wikiversity Airplane
Flying Handbook

8. +
 Charles Jewett (1816-1868): “Universal Catalog” requires some
standardization and cooperation
 Charles Cutter (1837-1903): “The convenience to the public is always
to be set before the ease of the cataloger”; make items discoverable
for users
 Seymour Lubetzy (1893-2003): Principle of Authorship (personal AND
corporate) as key access point; also findability; translations
 Paris Principles, 1961: natural title standardization; entries and
headings guides; reemphasis on Jewett and Cutter objectives
 1940s: ALA and LC back and forth; bibliographic description-based;
format types expanded; differentiation of serials, monographs
(from: Chan, Lois May. Cataloging and Classification. 3rd ed. (Lanham, MD:
Scarecrow Press, 2007).
Foundational Theories of Cataloging
8
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010

9. +
 1960s to date: AACR and daughters: entry and description
RULES; 2=international standardization; more on nonprint;
punctuation standards; hierarchy of rules
 MARC (1960s to date): Fixed coded fields; format, punctuation,
separation standards for other record fields; 856 field for urls;
etc.
 LCSH (1898 to date): Hierarchical taxonomy of subject
headings; arguably users’ favorite entry point; “authority” and
“control” key concepts that aid discoverability – Also NAME
authority lists
 Metadata Schemas (1990s to date): Dublin Core, MODS, etc.
 Social tagging/folksonomies: Fun but chaotic? Your thoughts..
(most from: Chan, Lois May. Cataloging and Classification. 3rd ed. (Lanham,
MD: Scarecrow Press, 2007).
Foundational Theories of Cataloging, contin.
9
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010

10. + Cataloging Example: Even LC varies!
10
What are some of
these fields?!
What would you do
different locally?
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010

11. + Illustrating Aviation: Paper Gliders!
*Prizes*! Fastest praxis; furthest flight; closest
guess on LC or Dewey call #
11
http://www.funpaperairplanes.com/Plane%20Downloads.html
saratifr@gmail.com / Rio Grande SLA November 2010
KWW method which I can
demonstrate!
OR….

12. +
Questions?
saratifr@gmail.com or
sarat@usc.edu or
rsharp@speakeasy.net
Me and my buddy Robin at Edwards AFB
Dry Lakebed Fly In 1 Oct 2010!