Libraries Matter!

Looking for more ideas on why libraries matter? Check out ALS’s campaign “Libraries Matter” and the article in the journal Computers in Libraries (Sept. 2006) about the campaign. I have reiterated below some of the reasons why libraries matter that the article suggests and I have added in some of my own thoughts too. Being a next generation librarian, I’m interested and concerned with this conversation on why libraries matter!

“Libraries matter to job hunters seeking employment.” Public libraries have newspapers and databases which job hunters can search and also some libraries provide community information and will direct job hunters to other services in the community which may provide assistance.

“Libraries matter to seniors opening an e-mail account for the first time.” I have a slight issue with the ageism in this statement since I teach computer courses in a public library and it is not just seniors who come in to learn how to open an e-mail account for the first time. Nonetheless, the library is a great place for people to learn basic computer skills, and provides access to the Internet to people who might otherwise be unable to afford it.

“Libraries matter to parents teaching good reading habits.” And teachers who help to teach kids good reading habits!

“Libraries matter to children learning to love to read.” And to adults learning to love reading and even adults learning another language.

“Libraries matter to students of all ages doing homework.” And to anyone who researches to make informed decisions.

Libraries inform their users about which sources are authoritative and in the age of the information superhighway this provides immeasurable value to library users.

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Source cited:

Pope, K. , Chenoweth, R., Bersche, K. & Bell, L. (2006). Starting and Running the ‘Libraries Matter’ Campaign. Computers in Libraries 26(8) pp. 6-8, 55.

Do Libraries Matter? A Response to Chad & Miller

Article Review

Chad, K. & Miller, P. (2005). Do Libraries Matter? The rise of Library 2.0. Talis. Retrieved October 12, 2006.

Chad and Miller’s paper on Library 2.0 advocates for the need of libraries to become full service information centers, however, Library 2.0 is not the sole platform that libraries ought to use. Instead, libraries must work alongside Web 2.0 technology and find ways to help users navigate the Internet to find the information they require. A clear definition of Library 2.0 ought to be provided to readers of the paper, rather than four vague principles, many that have been implemented in whole or in part in large and medium sized public library systems. Also, the writers failed to address confidentiality issues, which are important to library users. Moreover, Chad and Miller misdirect readers from the practical problems that Library 2.0 creates. Finally, Library 2.0 does not amount to a revolution as the white paper’s authors suggest. Instead, the paper may be the beginnings of a manifesto on the future of libraries as full service information centers. With drastic alteration in several fundamental ways, the Chad and Miller paper may provide the seeds for the creation of a manifesto on the future of libraries in the Western world.

Why does a Librarian need a masters degree?

I just finished explaining to a member of the public why a librarian needs a masters degree for the umpteenth time.

As I have been hit with this question several times already since starting the program, I am beginning to realize I need to come up with a clear answer. I find this a really difficult question to answer as the people that ask this generally do not have any idea what librarians do and think that we sit at a desk all day and read or something which really is not the case. I am wondering if anyone has any ideas for answering this question that they wouldn’t mind sharing with me! Thanks!!!

And, for those of you that are curious… my answer is rather long winded. I’ll explain it quickly here in short form.

The job of a librarian includes not only finding information, but organizing it, locating it, synthesizing it and evaluating it. Also, it involves collection development, cataloging, educating members of the library, listening and providing information – often there is a need for authoritative information, even in a public library. Some librarians are expected to have a general knowledge of all fields and others specialize in a specific field. Still, no matter what are a librarian specializes in, s/he must have knowledge of the field of librarianship as well. In order to do this, a librarian must have background knowledge, which comes from both experience and education and combined these help librarians to look at issues from several angles and this helps us to locate information for library users and direct them to information from various points of view so those library users make educated decisions.

Vivisimo: A Search Engine that Organizes Search Results!

I just heard about Vivisimo a search engine that organizes search results so that you can get a faster, more thorough exploration of your search results. Results are organized in a navigation side bar so that you can quickly weed out irrelevant information and uncover information that might get ignored on a traditional search engine. This might be useful for finding those tidbits of information that get relegated to the end of a Google search.