Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Library 2.0 Perspectives

As we struggle through implementation of "Library 2.0", I sometimes get the impression that we are working in a profession so obsessed with the future that we overlook the needs of much of our customer base in the here and now. The neglect of traditional users (and it's pretty blatant at CML) is disheartening. All the while and furthermore, we are expected to facilitate the needs of the "wired" generation, yet most staff are woefully undertrained for this transition, hence we muddle through the best we can (there are certain branches that would be DOOMED without the expertise of their twenty-something Tech Savvies...). Is anybody else out there picking up these mixed signals?
I'm choosing to discuss Rick Anderson's perspective ("Away from Icebergs"). In his article he compares the library profession to a boat that must steer clear of three obstacles ("icebergs") to avoid a disaster: "just in case" print collections, an over reliance on customer education, and the "come to us" model of library service.
While I agree with much of what Anderson says, I do have some nitpicks, especially in regard to his stance on the "come to us" model. There are still LOTS of folks out there who DO NOT USE COMPUTERS and who prefer print media, so they must (and want to) COME TO US. That's reality, and things will remain this way for some time to come. Sure, there are growing numbers of (mostly younger) users who will expect library staff to know about podcasts, Youtube, music downloads, etc. (things most staff are STILL not trained for), but a substantial number of our patrons still come to the branches for print materials NOT to use computers or to "get wired".
In regards to "just in case" collections, well, I don't think we should have "just in case" collections, but customer NEED should be taken into account and the collection should reflect local tastes. I don't know how many HUNDREDS of times I heard older customers complain at Northern Lights about the branch "never having" the books they came to find. Yes, the younger users were not there for the print collection, but rather for services that staff were not adequately trained to help them with...so, we had a large collection gathering dust, older customers without the books they wanted and younger customers disappointed because staff could not provide acceptable service. Everybody loses.
I totally agree with Anderson's view of over reliance on customer education. We simply do not have the staff or the resources to pick up all the slack of the public education system...

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