My library life has begun now in Tokyo (and not just from the cards). Various opportunities are coming together and I'm getting a good look at a variety of libraries. I've also been delving into some research on librarianship in Japan, which explains a lot about why this country appears to be not so involved in the global library world. It's the exact opposite of such other Asian countries as China and India. You just try and STOP them from joining in the party!
[This is about to become very library-centric, so for my readers who just want to read "wacky Japan" entries, you can stop now]
But being back in this current space seems almost timely to the new "craze" sweeping the library world: Library 101. It was put together by two guys who are very active in libraries and huge cheerleaders for innovation. Nothing wrong with that. But the video and the marketing of it leave me a little less than inspired. There are some essays attached to the site/plan/marketing that touch upon what I think are major issues all librarians should embrace: flexibility, ethics, networking and innovation. But by "innovation" I don't mean the latest fad app out there. I mean being innovative in your solutions. And I think the former is being touted so strongly in Library 101. The list of 101 resources and things to know strikes me as filler. Hulu? IPhones? Really? And the usual 2.0 "tools": Facebook? Myspace? OK....
There seem to be a lot of careers built on this bandwagon. Again, if it helps people, great. I just don't appreciate the "you're with us or you're antiquated" spiel. Listen, back when I got the ol' MSLS, I had to pass tests in the "latest" technology: Lotus 1-2-3, DBaseIV, SPSS v.1, the exciting world of phone modem searching. Do I use any of this tech now? Of course not. I don't think the idea is that you must learn how to use whatever tech is hot. You should just know how to understand and adapt to what's coming.
Look maybe it's because I spent most a lot of time in the corporate world, but when I had a scientist trying to get dial-up once a week during a coup in Madagascar or hands deep in shark waste, I wasn't about to impress upon them the need for the Library IPhone app or wiki if they needed citations or research. What I DID do was work with similar organizations in the same areas to share what meager NGO resources we had into creating a better system for everyone. Innovative? Yes. Flexible? Sure. Ethical? You bet. Library 101? No, It's called BEING A GOOD LIBRARIAN.
It may be that some of these libraries I see now will need the apps mentioned. Some may not (After all, Hulu doesn't even work in this country). But the main point is about working with people outside your usual circle, thinking about marketing and networking, building up the resources your clients need. Maybe, just maybe, I can get the somewhat insular world of Japanese librarianship to be a little less so. Maybe if the Library 101 song said that (and in a shorter time period) I would less snarky about it.
We now return to your regularly scheduled blogging....
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4 comments:
Dan I agree with your take here, especially about the list of skills like Hulu. I posted on the same topic: http://andyburkhardt.com/2009/11/01/library-101-now-what/
I think your also correct about being able to adapt to what is coming as a necessary skill, but some librarians don't have that. For some people change is very difficult or scary. How can we help these people develop this skill?
Also it must be awesome to be doing library work in Tokyo. Good post.
Dan,
It's good to see a discussion like this pop up and I wanted to thank you for taking the time to write up and publish your take on the Library 101 Project. We knew all along there would be folks who wouldn't care for parts of it, and we welcome and encourage people to add adjust and refine whatever Library 101 is for them/us. David and I certainly don't think we have everything figured out at all and had hoped for further contributions (like this post). We do have opinions that not everyone shares, but also, like you (love that shark story, lol!) we have experience and research that make us believe what we say, write about and try to get community engagement around.
There is one thing in your comments that has me puzzled personally, and I've been chewing on it for a couple of days. The most vocal critique of anything in the list of 101 "RTK" (Resources to Think about and Know)is the listing of Hulu, and you mention that too.
I can see that maybe we could have made it more clear why we put that on the list, but for me it boils down to this; I see Hulu as a demonstration of successful electronic content distribution. I clearly understand many of the reasons *why* this service isn't offered though a library channel of some sort, but to me, it typifies how far from the mark we have becoming in providing some types of access to electronic content. It is a lengthy conversation that needs specific sources and documents to further the proof of concern that I have here specifically, bu I hope this provides some explanation for why that particular resource was in the list.
From my pov it represents an entire front of threats that libraries are not prepared to address any time soon. And that causes me grave concern. It is more than just a fad that iTunes, Amazon, Hulu, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, let you access content electronically that you cannot access through your library. I realize this is a large issue for Public Libraries *at this point*, but that will change imo and we are dangerously lagging in the legal and technical expertise that is require to effective navigate in these waters.
There has been and continues to be an odd sea change and this is why we were willing to stick our necks out. We believe this is a unique time for libraries and there are harbingers pointing the direction we must shift in order to stay relevant as things shift. To continue using your shark story as inspiration, I don't want us staning in a pile of poo, as it were, when the sea change is so dramatic that we don't have time move away from it any more. Ok, well maybe I took that analogy too far, and certainly my thougts on the matter can be off the mark, but hey, that's why there are comment boxes all over the Library 101 Project pages. We want to improve the list, and hear what others think. We have as much to learn as anybody else, and even if, when the day is done we don't see eye to eye on everything, I hope we realize we are all worth hearing out and thinking about, to one degree or another.
So again, thank you for this post, for putting your name on it :) and saying what you think. And we'd love to have you thoughts someplace on the Library 101 RTK page!
Respectfully,
-Michael Porter
You can read my response to Michael here:
http://www.libraryman.com/blog/101rtk/#comment-42576
Hi Dan! I just caught up on your blog post-Sukkot. Fun to see this comment above mine dated November 4, which, by the way, we haven't hit here. I'm off work today (the 3rd) for Election Day (thank you DC37) and am headed to the polls soon after doing a little online research about the candidates.
Clearly I am newish to blogs since I'm probably not supposed to basically email you in a post, but anyway, I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your posts and it's great to hear from you. Work those meishi.
Hugs to you and Antonio,
Ellen
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