[Web4lib] "The Ultimate Debate: Do Libraries Innovate" at ALAthis month

Thu Jun 7 12:23:19 EDT 2007

Unfortunately I missed the early part of this discussion, but I'd like
to make sure everyone knows that the folks most responsible for the
debate topic and description are me, Stephen Abram, Karen Schneider, and
Joe Janes. The IRSIG group (as noted below by Joe) had originally come
up with something else. We speakers (I had a conflict and had to bow
out, and Andrew Pace was kind enough to step in to take my place)
basically revolted and said we want to speak about this instead. The
IRSIG group was extremely accommodating, and took a fair amount of flack
from LITA management while defending it. They were mostly caught in the
middle between we who wanted to specifically be provocative (I mean,
it's a DEBATE people) and LITA management who wanted to tone down the
description. I respect all parties involved and I am happy with the
result. The very fact that this discussion has erupted even before the
event is, to my way of thinking, all to the good. I mean, that's the
point -- to discuss and debate and try to find the truth of it all. Or
at least to get people thinking.
Roy

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Fisher, Joseph 
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 8:24 AM
To: web4lib
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] "The Ultimate Debate: Do Libraries Innovate" at
ALAthis month

I posted the following statement on the LITA listserv in response to the
discussion that erupted there after I submitted the IRSIG ALA program
announcement. The ongoing discussion on the LITA listserv is viewable
via the archive -- http://lists.ala.org/wws/arc/lita-l -- if anyone is
interested.

As Vice-Chair of IRSIG and current program coordinator, I think it would
be helpful to offer some background into the formulation of this year's
debate topic. 

Originally, our topic concerned a question about Web 2.0 and the library
web presence. We devise our topics over a year in advance, and a year
ago such a question felt fresh and provocative. Since that time
discussions about Web 2.0 have consumed the library world. When we
presented our set of debate questions to our panel members, their
reaction was muted to say the least. Understandably, they preferred to
debate something more lively and controversial. Obviously they have
succeeded.

I can't speak for the panelists, but I see this year's topic as an
attempt to move beyond the questions of Web 2.0 and examine broader and
more fundamental aspects of libraries, librarians, and the increasingly
technocentric world. To question the fundamental aspect of anything,
especially something held sacred, is fraught with danger. The very act
is easily construed as an insult to professional integrity. Yet to pose
and debate such questions are imperative to lively survival. 

I commend our panelists for their willingness to openly engage in such a
challenging discussion. They are a formidable and thoughtful group, and
for those who attended last year's program, you know that their
expertise is excelled only by their wit. I only trust that the questions
themselves do the topic justice, though I am confident in our moderator
and panel that the cream of the essence will quickly rise to the top. 

Thank you all for your interest and hope to see you there.

Joe Fisher

IRSIG Vice-Chair

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Fisher, Joseph
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 2:33 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] "The Ultimate Debate: Do Libraries Innovate" at ALA
thismonth

Due to popular demand, the LITA Internet Resources and Services Interest

Group (IRSIG) is hosting a second "Ultimate Debate" session at the ALA

Annual Conference in Washington D.C.  

Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm     Saturday, June 23, 2007

Room: Renaissance Mayflower (MAY) Grand Ballroom

Title - "The Ultimate Debate: Do Libraries Innovate?"  

Speakers: Stephen Abram, Joe Janes, Karen Schneider, and Andrew Pace

Description - Libraries did not invent Google Book Search, LibraryThing,

Facebook, or any other innovation critical to the new information era

and knowledge economy. We make use of these inventions, but is that

enough? What prevents us from being more creative? Questions and answer

session follows. 

Question 1:

Is there any evidence that libraries are innovative institutions?

Question 2 (reserve):

What is your definition of an innovative library and what would be some

of its qualities?

Question 3:

What prevents libraries from innovating?

Question 4:

Can libraries become more innovative, and if so, how?

Question 5:

What will happen if libraries do not become more innovative?

Question 6:

Even if libraries become more innovative, can they hope to compete with

the private sector for their user's attention?

Question 7:

What is your vision for the future of library innovation, and what is

your level of confidence in achieving it?

Please join Stephen Abram, Joe Janes, Karen Schneider, and Andrew Pace

for the ultimate debate on these questions.

******************************************************************

Please also join us for an IRSIG business meeting at Hyatt Regency

Capital Hill (REG) Columbia A, 10:30 am - 12 noon   Sunday, June 24. 

Joseph Fisher

IRSIG Vice-Chair

University of Massachusetts, Lowell 

Joseph_Fisher at uml.edu

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