Escondido California is evaluating the possibility of building a new library , but staff writer Jim Trageser of the North Country Times (himself an author) thinks there’s a better way to spend the funds…for a “communitywide wireless network so that all citizens may have unfettered access to the virtually unlimited library that is the Internet.”
He argues that by “moving our information infrastructure from structures to access, we can dramatically lower the costs of keeping our citizens informed.” Wonder what the folks at the library would think…
Tyranny of the “OR”
My initial reaction is “What planet is this guy on?” I guess he does not realize the length of the list of items that are not on the Internet. The vast majority of books are not on the Internet. If someone wants to read “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell and all they have is a wireless Internet Access they are not going to get the book.
But instead of just torpeding this guy maybe we can use his idea. Why suffer from the tyranny of the “OR” which says you can have a library OR you can have a community wide wireless system. How about having a community wide wireless system that is made more useful because you also have a library that helps provide access to additional information that is not on the free Internet. Build the community wireless plans into the plan for a new library.
Librarians Need to Educate
After the reading the promotional literature for the library project I am not surprised at the reaction. The flyer is very vague and makes sweeping statements why the project is necessary. There is no case made for the specific help librarians give for both formal and informal education. People believe that all they need is the INTERNET for their bibliogrpahic needs. I would guess that when people look for material in such a massive database as the INTERNET with little or no search strategy they spend hours needlessly, get distracted and never really find what they want or the quality that they need. No where in the library brochure is there a reference how a libraty can give someone an edge. If the public thinks stereotypically then we need to educate them and sell them on the idea how we can help them. The brochure looks too much like “give me money for my project.”
Once again our profession and practitioners fail to educate the public. You can’t ask for money unless you make an effective sales pitch and tell the buyer what they will gain. Where is the ALA?
Update or replace the profession of librarian.
Many librarians in practice do not live up to the professional ennunciations we see around. Gossipy comment on library users can be observed in our public libraries. A profession like librarian needs to be updated or replaced by better more well informed people with backgrounds less from didactic library school curricula and backgrounds more from other diverse academic studies. It is ironical how our cities’ public libraries fail to adequately inspire the talents and inherent skills of the people whose lives are day by day hour by hour tied up with the institution. Like the funded faculty chairs of universities and colleges, our cities’ public libraries need to develop, fund and establish chairs that honor the expertise and talents of the real professionals who would make for a better library.
Re:Librarians Need to Educate
While you’re right, “Once again our profession and practitioners fail to educate the public” I’m not sure this guy is serious, with quotes like this he must be kidding, right?
“Because what could be more coercive than the government deciding which books are to be available for the rest of us to read? “
Re:Update or replace the profession of librarian.
Yes, Don, we know it’s the Great Saklad. Posting anonymously doesn’t help. Neither does adopting Eli’s style.
Re:Update or replace the profession of librarian.
Hey, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.