Today I started to look into the future of libraries with library 2.0. I looked at the possibilities and possible problems that libraries in the future will have. I read two articles and learned the perspectives on two individuals on what should be done to face the problems that they foresaw afflicting libraries. The First Article was Away From The "Icebergs" by Rick Anderson which highlighted a few of the difficulties libraries might face in the future. Rick Anderson believes that the physical collection should no longer contain as many "just in case books", that the library should try to make its tools self explanatory so that users do not need to be educated in them and that users should not be expected to come to the library, the library should come to them. I agreed with him on the point of education in the libraries in that the searches and organization of a library should be self-explanatory so that users are able to find things on their own without having a mental breakdown. I also Libraries should try to do a bit of self promotion in the community and that librarians should find patrons that look like they need help not just wait for someone to come to the desk and ask for it. I don't believe that libraries should be intruding on people at home when they don't want them around. I do not think the library should be sending junk mail and spam to people in the community. I also disagree with Anderson on the point of the collection, just because electronic media is available I don't believe this is an excuse to cut too far back on the physical collection. Some patrons will not be comfortable with electronic media and others may not even have access to it. I have lived out in the middle of the Adirondacks for most of my life and satellite internet is no roadrunner.
The second article that I read was Into A New World Of Librarianship by Michael Stephens. I agreed with Stephens on the Idea that the library should be for the patrons and community and what it contains and the services it provides should be specifically designed for them. It would be a waste of money for a library located in a community of squirrels to purchase a large collection of reference books the Atlantic Ocean and octopus harpooning, but this same collection would be greatly appreciated in Atlantis. I also liked Stephens point about the library not purchasing new technology for the sake of having it but only as an improvement on the library. I think this is important to remember since libraries have limited funds and too much technology may scare off some users, my parents for instance would freak out if they saw a self check out machine in our local library.
To end this entry off right I figured I would add a video with a future library from a scifi perspective.
I agree with Rick Anderson's thoughts about teaching users to help themselves. I think this makes libraries and communities altogether more efficient. I also agree that libraries need to evaluate their spending on books that maybe superflous. Our library system in Chautauqua County allows for fast delivery of interlibrary loans and requests for a very small fee. We have many great libraries, but not all of them can stock every New York Times bestseller or purchase pricey automotive manuals that may or may not get much use in that library. I am all about common sense librarianship, but I see how hard it can be then for libraries to take risks. I think value is very important, and taking risks to buy quality resources for a special population is important. However, does a library need 5 subscriptions to "People Magazine"? This is a pricey subscription, but what value does it hold? Great article choices! Gave me something to really think about.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of what is said about Anderson's article that we should make tools as easy to use as possible, I also think we should not expect users to come to libraries as well. I am concerned however about the business side when it comes to this. I know libraries are a service and not a business, however, If nobody is coming into the library, than higher ups are gonna view it as just a money pit and cut as much spending as possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that libraries need to do self promotion and help as many people who look like they need it as possible to keep the business people out of our hair by making libraries a worthy investment.