E-mail part of the mission?

[MRSCLIST]

> The mission of the library is given by its patrons. If patrons come to 
see
> the library as a vital nexus of electronic communication and
> information exchange, and if - big proviso - they are willing to 
support this role
> with their tax or tuition dollars, then we librarians must organize our 
tasks
> and select the necessary resources, both human and material, to fulfill
> our obligation to our mission-givers.
> 
> Stephen P. Bero

I think I am going to agree with Stephen here.
Having worked in many libraries (including Lake Oswego) I find that the 
most dynamic institutions have a strong (and vocal) patron support base. 
You don't get that by sitting back and letting things just happen. It is 
true that many patrons have their own agenda and are not shy in sharing 
it with you, but an enlightened and open staff will discover  what their 
users need, through traditional marketing methods and experimentation. 
I've worked in libraries where the community was downtown, business 
oriented and electronic services were in heavy demand. And then I've 
worked in a more suburban setting where children and family services 
(more storytimes! more help with homework!) were the priority.
I have seen many electronic library visions stalled through the lack of 
staff and money (not everyone can benefit from Bill Gates' beneficence). 
We can only give so much. But if a demand truly exists, there are ways to 
make it a reality. (I know of a few libraries where their Friends or 
Literacy organizations helped pave the way to internet access. The public 
got a taste of what was possible and now electronic funds are part of the 
annual budget.)

The discussion of e-mail being good or bad is really relative to each and 
every individual library's ability and willingness to provide the 
service. For me, it is an issue of basic library marketing. You are 
either proactive or ready for retirement.

Andrew Derby <dderby at mrsc.org>
Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington Library
1200 5th Ave., Suite 1300
Seattle, WA 98101
206-625-1300   Fax  206-625-1220
http://www.mrsc.org