[Web4lib] Re: Future of libraries

[Andrea Berstler]

Christopher - See responses below - - - Marked ************


First, I want to delineate between the library and the librarian. They are
two separate elements and I often hear librarians identify themselves with
the library.  Libraries can only change if librarians change them. Libraries
are the tool and librarians are the experts who use the tool - like a
sculptor with chisel and hammer.

**** The things in a library are tools - I agree, however, like any work of
art - librarians place much of themselves in their libraries so you have to
give them that they are rather protective of their library and feel that
comments on their library is a comment on them personally.***************

For centuries, librarians have been responsible for the acquisition,
organization and dissemination of information. That is no longer so. The
internet has changed that. While I might agree that libraries (and
librarians) will continue to exist well into the future, my question is one
of usefulness and whether they will flourish as they once did. Will they
thrive?

******* point of argument - the Internet may acquire information and perhaps
even organize it to a degree - but unless someone does some truly drastic
work there - it will never be truly organized and disseminated. It's just
there - take it or leave it - and let the buyer beware. **********

I take issue with the claim that libraries have changed and they are
changing. I ask: how so? Let's examine this claim. I propose the following:

- Librarians have not changed and they have simply reacted with the
changing times; that is not true change

**** Librarians have changed - they are no longer the guardians of the
archive of information, working to only catalog and store (don't mess up my
books!), but have become a walking, living resource, approachable helpers
who create new collections and man remote/IM/and distance reference, hold
classes and produce programs. These changes have come because good
librarians have recognized that good libraries are living organisms that
grow, evolve and change. And while they may not have changed as quickly as
you might like, as an older librarian (over 40), I can assure you that they
have changed. And since when is changing as a reaction not true change. A
change is a change - whether you did so proactive or reactive.  **********

 -Libraries as a physical space have not changed with the exception
of adding computer clusters and varying media to keep pace with the times
(Did it take an MLS to make that change? How progressive!)

****Again, what time frame are you comparing - last week, last year?? The
libraries I grew up with, the imposing, cold, 'don't you dare make a sound
or move a book' libraries are no longer the norm.  The shelves no one could
reach or the shelving methods no one could understand are being replaced
with bookstore models, lower shelves or no shelves - only displays. Have you
seen a card catalog?? With floor plans designed for ease of use, areas
designed for children, teens and adults, computer terminals around every
corner, use of roving reference - - yes Virginia, libraries have changed.
*********************

- Librarians essentially "missed the boat" with the advent of the
Internet. We play very small roles on the Internet and IT/IS graduates
(people who actually were progressive in their educations) snatched those
roles (though there are a number of us working on taxonomies, intranets and
in special libraries supporting those causes - the future)

*** I have to disagree with you. (surprised?!) while some librarians are not
on the cutting edge of IT (present company included) or social networking
sites (I learn a lot from my teenage children), many libraries have the
best, most user-friendly internet sites around. You also have to remember
that many MANY public libraries have NO funds to develop their websites.
NONE!! And while we applaud our special, academic, law and business
librarian cousins and the great job they do with their resources; there
simply is no money to develop sites, no money for internet space, no money
for staff, no money. It is not a matter of this not being important, or of
us not seeing the future. . . is it a matter of "do we pay our staff and
keep the lights on or develop a cutting edge website???" Hmmmmm that's a
hard one to decide - give me a minute.   
In addition - we are not here just for those on the cutting edge of
technology. Too many bells and whistles will scare off those who are not
comfortable with technology. We, as public servants, must remember that we
serve everyone. *******************************

-          The MLS is slowly becoming obsolete with cataloging being
outsourced, reference services being filled with non-MLS graduates and fewer
jobs for the MLS (to some extent, academic libraries are the exception to
this rule)

******** Having just completed my MLS - I have found that the classes I took
that taught me how databases are developed, how to index print and
electronic works and other "old librarian stuff" - to be most helpful in
understanding the best way to develop good searching techniques when using
online sources. 
I also found the courses on different literature helpful not only in
assisting patrons in person but in developing those wonderful "pathfinders"
for in library and online use. 
Do we need to take serious look at the coursework in an MLS program?
Absolutely, but not because librarians are some sort of antiquated
dinosaurs, waiting around to be exterminated, but so that each vein of
librarianship can be well addressed, so librarians can be well prepared for
what's coming next. Personally I would like to see more business and HR
course for public librarians. ************************

-          Our OPACs and digital libraries are largely useless since we
cannot market or sell them and, ironically, their search functionality is
essentially a joke. (See:
http://www.techsource.ala.org/blog/2006/03/how-opacs-suck-part-1-relevance-r
ank-or-the-lack-of-it.html
)
-          Finally, anytime this subject comes up, twenty librarians jump up
and shout about how many changes they have made.

	So, tell me: What exactly are all of those changes and how did the
MLS
support them? Because I would propose libraries aren't really that different
and the changes we have made did not require some special skill or education
that gives us cause for our ritualistic "self-celebration" we love so much
in this profession. Tell me - why are we so great and what changes have we
made? I honestly hope someone can prove me wrong.

******************** Why are you in librarianship? You sound like you hate
your job. Oh - sorry - you are a "knowledge specialist" - not a librarian.
:o)

I think librarians are "so great" because we help - we help people who need
help. I know this sound corny and pat - but it's true. In my library, just
within the last 2 weeks, we have helped individuals who were working toward
a new career by proctoring tests, we partner with local schools by providing
books for English students, we found titles for a young mother who had to
help her 4 year old daughter deal with the coming loss of a loved
grandparent, we helped several individuals set up email accounts so they can
stay in touch with family and friends across the country. To me - that's
great! My MLS has been of help not only in knowing where to find
information, whether the online or print resources are best, but in
challenging me personally to consider alternative sources to help my
patrons. 

We help people - it's all about the people. If you don't get a charge about
helping someone - get out of the job. The real purpose of librarianship is
not to "Store and disseminate information" or even to make information
available - it's to help people. Without people, why bother?!

All these "Changes" you talk about as if they are so great?! They are only
tools and tools change, they improve, become outdated and are set aside for
better tools or, if they are really good, they last throughout the years. Do
you judge the worker by whether he has the latest and greatest hammer or by
the workmanship of what he/she builds?? 

I don't know if this answered any of your statements, however I, for one, am
really tired of being ranted at to change by some IT/IS person who lives in
the "ivory tower" of technology. Who considers change only in terms of
whether or not my library offers the newest technology.  
I would challenge anyone who thinks that public librarians or libraries are
on the verge of extinction without drastic change, that we are not living
"where the rubber meets the road" to spend 2 or 3 days in a local, small
library, at the help desk, in the stacks, assisting people. If, after that
experience, you still feel that libraries are some sort of outdated
dinosaur, then go back to your computer and feel self-vindicated. I, for
one, have too many people to help. 
*************************************


Andrea Berstler
Director - Village Library of Morgantown
207 N Walnut St.
PO Box 797
Morgantown, PA 19543