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

[B.G. Sloan]

Looks like a good session...unfortunately I won't be able to make it to ALA Annual this year. :-(
   
  I do have a couple of random thoughts, though.
   
  1. In the context of this session, how does one define "innovation"? For example, would the initial libraries that adopted and adapted commercial call center software for virtual reference service have been considered innovative libraries even though they didn't actually develop the software? There are more recent examples as well, such as the first libraries to develop a presence on the various social software platforms. The session description notes "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?"  That sort of seems to hint that creative use of a non-library product to provide library service is not "innovative".
   
  2. How do you separate effective innovation from "innovation for innovation's sake"? It's one thing to be innovative to be trendy, and quite another thing to be innovative in a way that improves a library's services.
   
  Just curious...
   
  Bernie Sloan
  
"Fisher, Joseph " <Joseph_Fisher at uml.edu> wrote:
  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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