[Web4lib] Re: Future of libraries

[Reeder, Norm]

I guess I'd phrase things a little differently.  Most of the new technologies that have come about didn't originate uniquely for libraries.  We are just too small a market.  For instance we didn't invent the barcode idea; it was adapted from the larger marketplace.

Joan Frye Williams often remarks that when she looks for new technologies or what is "coming", she doesn't look in our libraries.  She looks at the supermarket or the wider Internet to see what is developing and then thinks "how could we use that".  Stephen Abrams makes similar remarks.  Microsoft is infamous for its "embrace and extend" philosophy (and look how much money they make because of it!).

So I would think that adapting to, and extending the use of new ideas and things is the way to go.  It does take some looking around (and this listserv is one good way to keep abreast of what's going on too).  But just because we didn't invent it, or it wasn't taught in library school doesn't mean it can't be significant or we can't play with it.

I think a lot of libraries are playing with Web 2.0 technologies, but there certainly at this point isn't a "default" or "standard" way to implement the variety of things currently out there.  It's going to take some time and trial balloons to see what is effective or not.

One of the things to watch out for though here is the "greatest thing since sliced bread" thingie that initially gets talked about in all of the magazines; websites etc., that then doesn't meet the unattainable expectations and is suddenly condemned for not doing so.  Many new technologies take some time to find their true niche.  (Does anyone remember "Java everywhere--Microsoft is toast!).  Didn't quite happen, but Java is still a significant technology all the same.  I'd say the same thing about 24/7 live/Internet reference.  It was touted as the be all and end all and all of our Reference sections were toast.  It didn't turn out to be "all", and there's room for both the new way and old way.  I'm seeing some info to indicate that it isn't all that successful and some libraries are dropping it because of lack of patron input.  But at least they tried.

Thanks
Norm Reeder
Torrance Public Library

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Cloutman, David
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 9:28 AM
To: Christopher Kiess; Bill Drew
Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Re: Future of libraries

> All right everyone. I'm going to play the Devil's advocate since I am
one of

I sure hope, because this statement is crazy:

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

Actually, I would consider that to be adaptation, the best kind of
change. Adaptation means that change is done is the context of
situational awareness. There are so many posts to this list about Second
Life, and IM chat, etc., and so little of it relates to the actual
demands of patrons and abilities of library staff. I cannot project in
measurable benefit of providing these technological solutions.

As sad as it may sound, in some libraries (I'm not naming names, here),
getting the bulk of the reference staff to answer reference questions by
email can be a significant change for an organization. Yes, the
reference staff knows how to answer references questions. Yes, they can
write email. But for some reason, the bulk of them can be resistant to
doing both. If reference staff were more accessible by email, it would
certainly benefit the patrons, and it would be a significant adaptation
to the current situation. But it doesn't happen, because the librarians
are resistant to change.

I'm sure the situation may different in an academic settings, but I
think for public libraries, and my library in particular, we needn't be
straining to implement bleeding edge technology. Simply implementing
well tested technology that many, if not most, of our patrons already
use, can provide significant return on investment. And, yes, that is
real change, even if it is only reactive.

---
David Cloutman <dcloutman at co.marin.ca.us>
Electronic Services Librarian
Marin County Free Library

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Christopher Kiess
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 2:49 PM
To: Bill Drew
Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Re: Future of libraries



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