[Web4lib] Re: Future of libraries

[Ms Norma Jean Hewlett]

Hello, Christopher
I apologise if it seemed my reply to Andrea was directed at you 
personally. That was not my intention. I was intending a reply to her 
comment on librarianship as a helping profession, not to your previous 
message, and should have taken more care to make sure my email program 
directed it to the correct people.

Jean Hewlett

All opinions are my own and do not represent my employers.

----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher Kiess <clkiess at gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 5:48 am
Subject: Re: RE: [Web4lib] Re: Future of libraries
To: Ms Norma Jean Hewlett <hewlett at usfca.edu>
Cc: taxicab at comcast.net, web4lib at webjunction.org

> Norma,
> 
> 
> 
> Oh, now I understand! If we have any constructive (or even non-
> constructive)criticism for the library profession, we must be 
> unhappy. So then, it would
> logically follow that we just should not critique the profession 
> or have any
> meaningful dialogue all. That's convenient for you and must be why 
> you don't
> address a single point I set forth in the initial post.
> 
> 
> 
> Oh yes, that's right! Helping people. I remember that class in my 
> libraryscience program! You took that class too, huh? I took it 
> right after
> Information Architecture and User-Centered Database Design. So your
> contention is that we can't have indispensable skills and help 
> people at the
> same time?
> 
> 
> 
> I gotta go crochet now. Later, I think I'll go tell some stories 
> and maybe
> help some people. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!
> 
> -- 
> C.L. Kiess, B.A., M.L.S.
> Information & Knowledge Specialist
> Columbus Regional Hospital
> Library & Knowledge Services
> 
> On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 10:02 PM, Ms Norma Jean Hewlett 
> <hewlett at usfca.edu>wrote:
> 
> > Andrea wrote:
> > > 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.
> >
> > I couldn't agree more! When I was spending a lot of time going 
> to job
> > interviews, the selection committee usually asked what I thought 
was
> > most important for a reference librarian. I always replied: "you 
> have> to like helping people." The librarians I see who are 
> unhappy in this
> > profession are usually either burned out or don't like working with
> > people.
> > Jean Hewlett
> > University of San Francisco
> >
> > All opinions are my own and do not represent my employers.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Andrea Berstler <andrea.berstler at villagelibrary.org>
> > Date: Monday, July 7, 2008 6:25 pm
> > Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Re: Future of libraries
> > To: web4lib at webjunction.org
> >
> > > 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.
> > > Librariesare 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
> > > drasticwork 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
> > > helperswho 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
> > > replacedwith 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
> > > everycorner, 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
> > > networkingsites (I learn a lot from my teenage children), many
> > > libraries have the
> > > best, most user-friendly internet sites around. You also have to
> > > rememberthat 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;> > theresimply 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
> > > differentand 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
> > > providingbooks 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'sgreat! 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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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