[Web4lib] city swallows library website

Wed May 2 12:34:28 EDT 2007

Hello Robert,

Um.. that busy time you note is actually some of the most important work
that gets done around here--whether it's re-labeling materials or cleaning
them.  I have no doubt that my librarians could handle just about anything
to varying degrees, but they do not have time to do that.  Please remember
that I am talking about my library which is a VERY small library with a
staff of 10 (not full timers).  We have a year round population of 4,000 and
a summer surge of 10,000.  We clean-up all year to prepare for the three
month marathon.  

Also, working on a website requires a person to not be multitasking.  My
librarians have nothing but front desk space.  We have no out of the public
way working spaces, which means that they are constantly being interrupted.
Yes, I do have some time for a few librarians to come in while we are not
open.  But again the library is often used for public groups when we're not
open (because we don't have any public meeting rooms, not even a study room)
or we are teaching computer courses.

I completely agree that the information about the library should come from
the library.  I do not agree that librarians need to do the
programming/graphic design of the website.  I've seen some pretty horrific
library websites out there.  Graphic design is a discipline in and of
itself, why not use someone's expertise?  Just because my librarians can
find out about brain surgery doesn't mean I'm going to let them do it on me
(although maybe I should).

Taxpayers often say that those librarians are merely doing unnecessary
busywork, because they don't have any idea what actually happens at the
library.  It is the primary reason that I include my statistics in our
annual town report to show that my staff handles on average 401 items per
day.  That is including the almost 10,000 ILL's that are fulfilled every
year (thanks to your dad, no doubt).  It may be busy work but it's important
work.

I have to say that the tone of your e-mail is a wee bit denigrating.  I'm
sure that was not your intention, at least I hope not.

Check out our website.  I am very happy with it.

www.edgartownlibrary.org <http://www.edgartownlibrary.org/> 

Felicia Cheney, Director 
Edgartown Free Public Library 
508-627-1373 

Felicia Cheney, Director 
Edgartown Free Public Library 
508-627-1373 

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert L. Balliot [mailto:rballiot at oceanstatelibrarian.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 11:33 AM
To: fcheney at clamsnet.org; 'Michele Hampshire'; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] city swallows library website

Greetings Felicia,

I think that you are confusing complexity with aptitude.  

My father was an extraordinary academic librarian and 

I can only hope to someday match his mastery of the

English language and literature.  His CONVAL report 

was a catalyst for interlibrary loan between New England colleges 

& Universities (and paid for my braces).

However, his computer skills at the peak of his career were 

not on par with mine as I began my career.

Of the hundreds of public library directors that I know, only a few have

demonstrated advanced knowledge of internet applications.  Often,

they would have much larger staffs, dedicated IT departments, and

much bigger budgets than I had.   Yet, they would make the same 

arguments about staff time and effort that you make here.  I could

go into those same libraries any day of the week and show you

librarians at service points not engaging in any meaningful activity

beyond busywork.  So, the staff time argument just doesn't seem

to add up.

Felicia, don't you think that if  your librarians are engaged and

continuing to contribute and learn that your library could be better?

I know many newly minted librarians fresh out of library school

who would love to be doing just that.

When I was working with Internet II to develop statewide

videoconferencing, I had about twenty directors tell me that

they were uncomfortable with it because they would have to

dress up.  That argument is routed in vanity.  I think the argument

against taking the lead in internet applications may be fundamentally routed
in

intellectual vanity.  The library directors need to 'dress up'

their skills before they will participate.  Some never will.

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

Robert L. Balliot

1-401-421-5763

Skype: RBalliot

Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

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

  _____  

From: Felicia Cheney [mailto:fcheney at clamsnet.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 10:14 AM
To: rballiot at oceanstatelibrarian.com; 'Michele Hampshire';
web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] city swallows library website

Librarians should manage the information content on the web sites for their
cities and towns.  The mission of public libraries in general includes
providing information, education, and entertainment resources to the public.
Where is the efficiency in having that only apply to print and media? - 

I agree with you in theory, but believe that the reality is much more
complicated.  The content should definitely originate from the library.
However, many public libraries are small and have small non-professional
staff.  For some libraries having a person design a website would require a
significant amount of staff time that just isn't feasible with their budget
constraints.  

I think that policies and general static information, like you say, must
come from the library.  However, what is the function of your website?  Do
you want it to be a place where people visit regularly?  Then you're going
to have to make it fresh, often.  That's more staff time.  You want to
design it so it's attractive and easy to use?  I could spend two weeks
working on color alone.  Why not pay someone for an hour's worth of time to
do that?  I don't need my librarians to know everything, just where to find
everything.  

Felicia Cheney, Director 
Edgartown Free Public Library 
508-627-1373 

Only my opinion - worth what you paid for it. 

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