So what week is this activity? I've lost track. Couldn't play with deli.cio.us (whereever the dots go) because I don't have the authority to download the tool bar. Will try it at home. So have been wading through this technorati business for an hour. Wanted to put one of those cloud tag things, but didn't get anywhere with that. Seems that I can follow these directions, although I'm really, honestly, not clear about what is going to happen. Oh well, what's the worst that could happen?
Not going to kill me, not going to lose my job.
Technorati Profile
As they say - publish and "release the spiders".
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Future of libraries
So I've been thinking on and off about these perspectives on Web 2.0 and Libaries 2.0. Some of the technology sounds like fun - touch screens, and easy access and ..... some of it sounds scary.
How will we keep up with it all, and everything else that we do at work? Will there be time for planning programming, and having enough training, and time to help patrons with it all? All those worries that the unknown stir up.
Then I come into the library and am faced with older folks who cannot look up a book on the online catalog. They are used to coming into the library, having personal assistance, and what's more they are used to finding their favorite books on the shelf in the same place as last time. We've already messed with their heads with the shared collection. At our branch it seems we almost NEVER have the requested book on the shelf, but must have it sent from another branch where there are 4 copies on the shelf.
If Rick Anderson has his way and we no longer have a library "collection" then what will those folks do for their reading material? I mean to say - let's say "Moby Dick" just doesn't circulate - so we discard it, and then all 15 branches discard it and then someone wants it - well, obviously we would like to request a copy for them. But what if Pratt has discarded their copy. What if there aren't any copies left!! I know this seems silly but it could happen!!!!!
Anyway, the point is, as Michael Stephens warns - "techno-worship" cannot exist here. It's necessary for library survival to morph on, to grow, to try new things, but not at the expense of alienating the elders of the community.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I welcome your comments!
How will we keep up with it all, and everything else that we do at work? Will there be time for planning programming, and having enough training, and time to help patrons with it all? All those worries that the unknown stir up.
Then I come into the library and am faced with older folks who cannot look up a book on the online catalog. They are used to coming into the library, having personal assistance, and what's more they are used to finding their favorite books on the shelf in the same place as last time. We've already messed with their heads with the shared collection. At our branch it seems we almost NEVER have the requested book on the shelf, but must have it sent from another branch where there are 4 copies on the shelf.
If Rick Anderson has his way and we no longer have a library "collection" then what will those folks do for their reading material? I mean to say - let's say "Moby Dick" just doesn't circulate - so we discard it, and then all 15 branches discard it and then someone wants it - well, obviously we would like to request a copy for them. But what if Pratt has discarded their copy. What if there aren't any copies left!! I know this seems silly but it could happen!!!!!
Anyway, the point is, as Michael Stephens warns - "techno-worship" cannot exist here. It's necessary for library survival to morph on, to grow, to try new things, but not at the expense of alienating the elders of the community.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I welcome your comments!
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