Future shock…Libraries are fighting for survival

Anonymous Patron writes “WhatPC? has an article on libraries. They say Libraries aren’t reinventing themselves for superficial aesthetic reasons – they are fighting for relevance and survival. It’s important to go with designs that reflect the Zeitgeist.
  “Consumers don”t perceive a need for library transformation; they will simply choose the easiest and most effective way to access information. Increasingly, they are choosing Google.””

June 2, 2006 by Uncategorized 5

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5 Responses

  1. leeb says:
    June 3, 2006 at 4:27 am

    So easy to do…
    What so many libraries find so difficult to do (which I don’t understand why?) is providing “the easiest and most effective way to access information”. The archaic methods of cataloguing (AACR2, MARC) and the often confusing and ambiguous methods of information organisations (Dewey) does not provide “the easiest and most effective way to access information”, unfortunately and sad to say and wait…. I can now hear all the librarians (who prefer to have their heads in the sand) say all together that this is not so, deny that their methods are the best in the whole world, that they are better than Google, and so forth. This is like an alcoholic denying that they have a drinking problem. It is called denial. Let’s stop this denying and face it: Libraries can provide easier and more effective ways to access information, but it cannot be done with current library methodologies, such as AACR2, MARC, Dewey, and Z39.50. It requires more innovative methodologies, which largely means non-library methodologies. I know this is venturing into unknown territory for many librarians, but in the end, it is all about change. There really is nothing to be scared about. Many users are not scared to use Google or Yahoo. Rather, they are reluctant to use the library. Now, this is the problem we have to deal with.

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  2. earthangel says:
    June 3, 2006 at 7:44 am

    Libraries becoming irrelevant
    I don’t think so. Google doesn’t have all of the books that are good literature. If people are turning to Google a lot doesn’t mean that they are getting accurate information- How can you check the sources of Google- It may seem that Google has become the reference of choice-but reference librarians know how to find accurate, credible information- I do admit that they use computers, too. LIbraries are not going to their demise-many people want instant gratification that they receive on Google rather than being the detective that they need to be in digging for original sources. Greg

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  3. earthangel says:
    June 3, 2006 at 8:00 am

    Re:Libraries becoming irrelevant
    So have we come so far that we can safely say that a web address is the most reliable source? If people are too reluctant to use the library, maybe some of them are too satisfied to try to access information the most easy way. Maybe they rely too much on technology instead of thinking outside of the cozy box of the “so-called technological advances. What are they afraid of -to venture out of their homes and meet real people and go to real places? Greg

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  4. leeb says:
    June 6, 2006 at 4:46 am

    Re:Libraries becoming irrelevant
    Of course Google doesn’t have everything nor all the information accurate or credible. Neither does libraries or librarians. Both Google and libraries have their advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes what is available in libraries is not available on the internet, sometimes what is available on the internet is not available in libraries. So, the real issue for many people is not quality, but ease of use! Many users are voting with their feet that Google is easier to use than libraries.

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  5. earthangel says:
    June 6, 2006 at 9:15 am

    Re:Libraries becoming irrelevant
    It’s easy to become defensive when I feel that the institution of libraries is under attack. I value the internet research options which are available through my library alliance. I frequently email myself articles that are of interest to me and/or that will help me provide valuable historical/sociological contexts for my future writing. I like books- I like the feel of books and the fact that they are readily available at no cost at your local library. It’s not one option or the other for me, but Im willing to go to the library to be around people, even though it is easy to use from also.

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