[Web4lib] Libraries: Standing at the Wrong Platform, Waiting for the Wrong Train?

[Roy Tennant]

Another point about Lisa's story is that we should all use our own  
libraries as our users would (not as librarians who are often  
afforded special dispensation). Often when I do this I am not pleased  
about one thing or another, and it's those things upon which we need  
to focus our attention.
Roy

On Oct 24, 2005, at 5:20 AM, Pons, Lisa (ponslm) wrote:

> I will de-lurk to throw in a recent experience that might  
> illustrate this point...
>
> As part of a non-work related research project with a deadline, I  
> found a link to an article I needed- from 1910. It wasnt available  
> from my library, but through the consortium we belong to.  
> Wonderful, I thought.
>
> I got the citation, filled out the appropriate web forms, and  
> waited. Turns out I didnt have to wait long- the next day, I  
> received an email cancelling my request.
>
> Apparently, one of our libraries had microfilm that contained the  
> article, so I was left with the choice of going to that library and  
> looking through microfilm for what I wanted, or...nothing. I was  
> annoyed, and frankly didnt have at least 2 hours,I figured, to try  
> and find the article in some  archived microfilm.
>
> So, less you doubt the articles contention that people will pay for  
> something they might be able to get for free with a little work, I  
> would have paid for the article, but I wasnt given the choice.
>
> I wondered if this could be a revenue stream for the libraries,  
> offering this service. Is that possible, or is labor the issue?
>
> Lisa Pons
> University Libraries Webmaster
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of K.G. Schneider
> Sent: Sun 10/23/2005 1:53 PM
> To: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Libraries: Standing at the Wrong  
> Platform,Waiting for the Wrong Train?
>
>
>
> http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm05610.pdf
>
> I had a number of "clicks" during this essay. The part that went
> bing-bing-bing:
>
> "It is no longer unusual to hear about people who prefer to buy a
> book online and have it delivered right to their door, instead of  
> walking
> across campus to check out the same book from the campus library.  
> Although
> these 'Amazoners' may still be the exception rather than the rule, in
> today's world of expedited electronic tracking and worldwide  
> delivery, it
> seems only natural that we should begin to expect direct delivery  
> of print
> material from anywhere, to anywhere. Yet libraries have been slow  
> to react
> to these changes. Cumbersome interlibrary loan procedures are still  
> the
> norm."
>
> At Library A, I can pay $7.50 per every interlibrary loan and for this
> privilege hope I might see the item in two weeks. As a consumer,  
> rather than
> do this, I exercise two other options: I use Library B in the next  
> town, as
> it offers remote access to a two-state consortium with rapid  
> delivery to a
> nearby library, or I use Amazon, where I can buy quality used  
> copies of what
> I need usually for under $5 (and presumably sell them again if I don't
> scribble in them). If I lived in an area without a Library B  
> option, Amazon
> would be my logical choice.
>
> That's just one small example of how this essay hurts... so good.
>
> Karen G. Schneider
> kgs at bluehighways.com
>
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