Supplemental Readings
We were introduced to The Enduring Library by Michael Gorman the first weekend of class. Although it was not required reading, I was hooked on the his tone and style of writing. Gorman begins the first chapter quoting A. C. Grayling that "every age thinks it is in crisis. Things have got worse, people say, clicking their tongues, crime is up, the quality of life down, the world is in a mess"(Gorman, 2003). As we look around the globe today the world is a mess with flooding in the Midwest (15, 100, 500-year), cyclones in the Far East, gas prices soaring to record levels and rice shortages - is the end near? But we need to stop and reflect, in the last century the globe weathered two world wars, a flu pandemic and Chernobyl.
Structure and Image
Next Gorman quotes Sasha Cohen. "True, the library isn't sexy or fashionable. It isn't a place to see or be seen. But in times when nothing is certain, it gives me endless comfort and pleasure"(Gorman, 2003). Gorman states that the library is more than just the brick-and-mortar building; "the library is both symbolized and made manifest in the space and structure it occupies"(Gorman, 2003). He goes on to state the library can move beyond the physical walls of its structures with the advent of digital technology.
Collection
There has been some discussion as to what actually composes a library collection. Is the library collection simply the physical holdings owned by the individual library? Does the collection include those subscriptions services (ie databases)? What of Inter Library Loan (ILL) and the freetext Internet documents? Gorman states the "the definition of a library collection has consequently expanded over the last 125 years to comprise at least for levels: locally owned physical documents; physical documents owned by other libraries but available through ILL; electronic documents that have been purchased or subscribed to; and "free" electronic documents" (Gorman, 2003). I would have to disagree with the fourth level the Internet is not part of the library collection. These documents from the Internet are impermanent and a collection is a standing body of works. It would be hard for the library to preserve the human record when the link maybe gone tomorrow. Finally, Gorman states the each level of the collection is less organized then the previous.
The Digital Divide
The topic of the digital divide has come up often in class discussions. The public library is viewed as a way to shrink this divide for the poor, and minorities. Gorman states the digital divide does exist but there are other divides of equal or even greater concern; "access to healthcare, quality education, readily available transportation" are dividers (Gorman, 2003). Money and power are the dividers. Gorman hammers the point by equating the charitable work of the Victorians who gave "warm clothes" for the poor while failing to address the squalor they lived in (Gorman, 20030. Illiteracy, underfunded education go along with the lack of Internet access. The Internet does open onto a world of data and information, but is not a cure all. Gorman quotes a Department of Education report "the Internet does not replace the need for books and often increases the demand for up-to-date library materials" (Gorman, 2003).
Gorman examines literacy. Is literacy being able to fill out an application and read "an article in a tabloid newspaper"? Gorman defines this as "functional literacy" (Gorman, 2003). Gorman states that literacy pertains to the ability to read long text and write with equal depth and understanding. He does not specifically name it, but reading, writing and comprehension or understanding is necessary for true literacy. The ability to make connections and build knowledge - not just memorizing facts. Gorman wonders about the "savage state of experiencing the present and fearing the future because we have no collective memory to guide us?" (Gorman, 2003). This reminded me of The Giver by Lois Lowry where the society as a whole has a one generational memory. The sameness took away the differences among people, there emotional needs and the color of the world. Everything was flat.
I look forward to finishing this text and see what Mr. Gorman has to say next.
Gorman, M. (2003). The Enduring Library: technology, tradition, and the quest for balance. Chicago: American Library Association.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Journal Entry 9
Assigned Readings
Future of Librarianship
This week’s assigned reading was to review articles and presentations at the San Diego State University Library and Information Access page – Exploring the Future of Libraries. This page had seven articles and one power point presentation for perusal.
Futurespeak
Wilson suggests that the term “the future” implies only one possible outcome. The term “prediction” suggests that “one can control the future or even know the future” (Wilson, n.d.). When looking toward the future one must take a balanced or neutral approach toward the subject. If one is pessimistic, this perspective leads to a doomsday view; if one is optimistic, then one holds a utopia view. Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) was charged with compiling a “list of technologies that would be relevant for libraries in the near-term future” (Wilson, n.d.). These included “emerging technologies,” “submerging technologies,” and “sources of information and d information overload” (Wilson, n.d.).
Top Ten
Association of Colleges and Research Libraries (ACRL) Research Committee was asked to “determine ten assumptions about the future that would have a significant impact on academic libraries and librarians” (Mullins, Allen, and Hufford, 2007). The authors wrote that the assumptions of the committee are rather mundane to the expert predictions for the 1990s: distance learning would force the closure of many brick and mortar institutions; and reference collections would reduce to the size of a thimble. Of course, neither of these can true. The committee chose not to forecast, but to look at things bubbling under the surface – things that may the trends of tomorrow.
Of the top ten assumptions, three of these assumptions stood out above the rest. The first is the “increased emphasis on digitizing collection” (Mullins, et al., 2007). There is also an emphasis on preserving the digital record and “improving methods of data storage and retrieval” (Mullins, et al.) All three of these goals or mission of the academic library of the future could pertain to all libraries today and the future. Digitizing hardcopy collections allow for greater access, and digitizing has been viewed as one solution to the brittle book problem. Lastly, the committee addresses the issue of improving the storage and retrieval problem. Digital data can be as fragile as a brittle book. The media is easily manipulated.
The second assumption of the future of academic librarians will need to evolve their “skill set” (Mullins, et al., 2007). This assumption is and will be true for all libraries. Patron, students, and faculty are demanding better technology and have higher expectations. Although most patrons to a public library still expect to walk out with a book, they are pleasantly surprised to have a database retrieved article in hand when all other material is either checked-out or days away from another library. The future of academic librarian looks bright with increasing entry level salaries, and increasing retirements. This is a very different picture than Rubin painted in the class text.
The last assumption that also pertains to the public library is that “students will increasingly view themselves as customers and consumers, expecting high-quality facilities and services” (Mullins, et al., 2007). The current trend among some library patrons is to treat the librarian (or assistant) as an order taker at McDonalds. They bark their need and expect it to be filled in 60 seconds or less. Instead of customers and consumers, perhaps the patrons of tomorrow will be clients. The client-librarian relationship would be a professional one and not a strictly a service one. Librarians do provide a service, but we are not servants. Overall librarians are highly educated individuals with the academic librarian even more so with dual master degrees.
Vision
“Things are going great and they’re only getting better” summarizes this article on the future of the academic library (McDonald, 1989). An essay contest was held jointly by New Jersey ARCL and Fairleigh Dickinson University Libraries on the future of the academic library. Three major trends were noted in the “post-contest analysis” of the essays: “technological developments, library function and librarians’ role” (Marcum, 2003).
The essays under the “technological developments” category were extremely futuristic with “infrastructure of video-displaying walls”, and virtual reality rooms; it appears that the holodeck of the Enterprise will be moved into the academic library (Marcum, 2003). These technology advances are on the utopian bent mention in the Wilson article above. The most likely future scenario was presented as the “personal role of the academic librarian” (Marcum, 2003). The librarian of the future will not be tied to the library but will be out and about by “proactively calling on colleagues and making face-to-face presentations” (Marcum, 2003).
The article concludes with a table that diagrams the changes in the academic library from 1992 to 2002: quiet zones to group study areas, dot matrix printer to laser printer; and inter-library loan to online data-bases (Marcum, 2003). The authors also outline eleven issues of the library of the future. Three of these are all ready here today: access to information (i.e. “print on demand”) is true of the periodical databases; orientation, the library is moving to a multicultural perspective; and computer access, most libraries have wireless internet (Marcum, 2003).
Does librarianship have a future?
The future looks bright for librarians. The roles and skill sets that librarians need may change: archivists, instructors, and the human interface to rapidly changing technology. Although much of the quest for information has become “self-service,” librarians will still be needed (Marcum, 2003). “People will continue to come to librarians because they lack the time and skills to efficiently do the job themselves” (Marcum, 2003).
Marcum, J. W. (2003). Visions: The academic library in 2012. D-Lib Magazine, 9(5). retrieved June 16, 2008 from http://www.dlib.org/dlib/may03/marcum.
McDonald, P. (1989). The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades. [recorded by Timbuk 3]. On Greetings from Timbuk 3. [album]. I.R.S. Records.
Mullins, J.L., Allen, F.R. & Hufford, J.R. (2007). Top ten assumptions for the future of academic libraries and librarians. C&RL News, 68(4) retrieved on June 16, 2008 from http://www.acrl.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissue2007.
Wilson, T. (n.d.). Futurespeak: A preface to top technology trends in libraries. retrieved June 16, 2008 from http://www.ala.org/ala/lita/litaresources/toptentrends/futurespeak.cfm.
Future of Librarianship
This week’s assigned reading was to review articles and presentations at the San Diego State University Library and Information Access page – Exploring the Future of Libraries. This page had seven articles and one power point presentation for perusal.
Futurespeak
Wilson suggests that the term “the future” implies only one possible outcome. The term “prediction” suggests that “one can control the future or even know the future” (Wilson, n.d.). When looking toward the future one must take a balanced or neutral approach toward the subject. If one is pessimistic, this perspective leads to a doomsday view; if one is optimistic, then one holds a utopia view. Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) was charged with compiling a “list of technologies that would be relevant for libraries in the near-term future” (Wilson, n.d.). These included “emerging technologies,” “submerging technologies,” and “sources of information and d information overload” (Wilson, n.d.).
Top Ten
Association of Colleges and Research Libraries (ACRL) Research Committee was asked to “determine ten assumptions about the future that would have a significant impact on academic libraries and librarians” (Mullins, Allen, and Hufford, 2007). The authors wrote that the assumptions of the committee are rather mundane to the expert predictions for the 1990s: distance learning would force the closure of many brick and mortar institutions; and reference collections would reduce to the size of a thimble. Of course, neither of these can true. The committee chose not to forecast, but to look at things bubbling under the surface – things that may the trends of tomorrow.
Of the top ten assumptions, three of these assumptions stood out above the rest. The first is the “increased emphasis on digitizing collection” (Mullins, et al., 2007). There is also an emphasis on preserving the digital record and “improving methods of data storage and retrieval” (Mullins, et al.) All three of these goals or mission of the academic library of the future could pertain to all libraries today and the future. Digitizing hardcopy collections allow for greater access, and digitizing has been viewed as one solution to the brittle book problem. Lastly, the committee addresses the issue of improving the storage and retrieval problem. Digital data can be as fragile as a brittle book. The media is easily manipulated.
The second assumption of the future of academic librarians will need to evolve their “skill set” (Mullins, et al., 2007). This assumption is and will be true for all libraries. Patron, students, and faculty are demanding better technology and have higher expectations. Although most patrons to a public library still expect to walk out with a book, they are pleasantly surprised to have a database retrieved article in hand when all other material is either checked-out or days away from another library. The future of academic librarian looks bright with increasing entry level salaries, and increasing retirements. This is a very different picture than Rubin painted in the class text.
The last assumption that also pertains to the public library is that “students will increasingly view themselves as customers and consumers, expecting high-quality facilities and services” (Mullins, et al., 2007). The current trend among some library patrons is to treat the librarian (or assistant) as an order taker at McDonalds. They bark their need and expect it to be filled in 60 seconds or less. Instead of customers and consumers, perhaps the patrons of tomorrow will be clients. The client-librarian relationship would be a professional one and not a strictly a service one. Librarians do provide a service, but we are not servants. Overall librarians are highly educated individuals with the academic librarian even more so with dual master degrees.
Vision
“Things are going great and they’re only getting better” summarizes this article on the future of the academic library (McDonald, 1989). An essay contest was held jointly by New Jersey ARCL and Fairleigh Dickinson University Libraries on the future of the academic library. Three major trends were noted in the “post-contest analysis” of the essays: “technological developments, library function and librarians’ role” (Marcum, 2003).
The essays under the “technological developments” category were extremely futuristic with “infrastructure of video-displaying walls”, and virtual reality rooms; it appears that the holodeck of the Enterprise will be moved into the academic library (Marcum, 2003). These technology advances are on the utopian bent mention in the Wilson article above. The most likely future scenario was presented as the “personal role of the academic librarian” (Marcum, 2003). The librarian of the future will not be tied to the library but will be out and about by “proactively calling on colleagues and making face-to-face presentations” (Marcum, 2003).
The article concludes with a table that diagrams the changes in the academic library from 1992 to 2002: quiet zones to group study areas, dot matrix printer to laser printer; and inter-library loan to online data-bases (Marcum, 2003). The authors also outline eleven issues of the library of the future. Three of these are all ready here today: access to information (i.e. “print on demand”) is true of the periodical databases; orientation, the library is moving to a multicultural perspective; and computer access, most libraries have wireless internet (Marcum, 2003).
Does librarianship have a future?
The future looks bright for librarians. The roles and skill sets that librarians need may change: archivists, instructors, and the human interface to rapidly changing technology. Although much of the quest for information has become “self-service,” librarians will still be needed (Marcum, 2003). “People will continue to come to librarians because they lack the time and skills to efficiently do the job themselves” (Marcum, 2003).
Marcum, J. W. (2003). Visions: The academic library in 2012. D-Lib Magazine, 9(5). retrieved June 16, 2008 from http://www.dlib.org/dlib/may03/marcum.
McDonald, P. (1989). The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades. [recorded by Timbuk 3]. On Greetings from Timbuk 3. [album]. I.R.S. Records.
Mullins, J.L., Allen, F.R. & Hufford, J.R. (2007). Top ten assumptions for the future of academic libraries and librarians. C&RL News, 68(4) retrieved on June 16, 2008 from http://www.acrl.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissue2007.
Wilson, T. (n.d.). Futurespeak: A preface to top technology trends in libraries. retrieved June 16, 2008 from http://www.ala.org/ala/lita/litaresources/toptentrends/futurespeak.cfm.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Journal Entry 8
Assigned Readings
The Institutional Setting
What distinguishes one type of library form another?
The goal of the public library is “to meet the informational, recreational, educational and cultural needs of the community it serves” (Rubin, 2004). A school library’s goal has a slightly narrower focus; the goal is to support the curriculum of the school. Recreational reading materials are often included in the collection as outside reading is strongly encouraged. An academic library is any library that supports the informational and educational needs of the post secondary institution it is affiliated with. In the text, special libraries are defined as “information organizations sponsored by private companies, government agencies, or professional organization” (Rubin, 2004). There is no one size fits all definition for special libraries. Special libraries can trace their lineage back to “ancient and medieval periods since libraries in those times tended to have focus on a particular mission” (Rubin, 2004). Special libraries can be a multitude of things: law, medical, music, genealogical, etc.
Not counting the special libraries, the differences between the public, school and academic libraries are less glaring than on initial thought. All three libraries support the educational needs of the community they serve. Public libraries are the jack-of-all trades library serving a vast and diverse community; the school media center supports the curriculum of the school and serves as parentis loci’s; and academic libraries not only support the educational needs of the student, but the professional development of the faculty.
What are the major challenges/opportunities facing different types of libraries?
In the discussion group I focused on the some of the challenges facing public libraries, here I will look at the challenges that are facing the academic library. As stated above, an academic library supports the educational and research needs of students and faculty in the post secondary setting.
Collection Preservation
One of the major challenges facing academic libraries is the ageing and deterioration of collections. Collections in an academic library are held for a very long time. Unlike popular paperbacks in a public library, weeding (reducing the collection) criteria is much more stringent. Factors involve not only the condition of the book, but the relevance to the overall collection, the uniqueness of the material. Conservation and preservation are issues facing the library today. Books printed after 1860 are on acid treated paper. Over time this acid causes the pages to become brittle. According to the text, over 75 million books in academic libraries are endangered (Rubin, 2004). Also contributing to problems are environmental conditions such as poor handling of materials by patrons and staff, insects, and improper temperature control. One possible way of preserving these deteriorating materials is digitalization. Digitalization would allow books and other materials to be available on-line; however, there are many problems with this plan. The greater availability to view materials on line could lead to greater demand to see the hardcopy of the material thus leading to further deterioration. Digital media formats are also unstable and costly. Floppy disks have fallen away, CDROMs get scratched, and pen drivers are convenient but easy to lose. The Internet is also unstable; data is vulnerable to corruption by virus, hacker and incompetence.
Staffing
Rubin states that there will be an “insufficient supply of librarians in the near future” (Rubin, 2004). He goes on to explain that the reason for the decline is the graying of the workforce, the low status, image problems, and low wages. He also states that application to library programs are “flat or declining numbers of master’s graduates.” I find this interesting in regards to our instructor experience when he applied for his current position. There were over a hundred applicants for a single academic librarian position. Was his experience unique or have things changed since Rubin collected his data?
Journals and Periodicals
Rubin discussed the issues of databases accessibility (such as EBSCO and Wilson) and the crisis in scholarly publishing separately. These two issues seemed to be linked. With the advent of the full text database, more periodicals were available to a larger audience. The distance learning student could access materials within minutes. The on campus student could access the library periodical holdings in the middle of the night. These are both positives. The library could reduce the number of periodical subscription and no longer need to catalog and store them. As libraries reduced the number of hardcopy subscription, the number of journals for scholarly publication has also reduced. Rubin notes that the academic community is working on rectifying the situation. The “Principles for Emerging System of Scholarly Publishing” address not only the fiscal burden but “the entire process of evaluating and refereeing works, the preservation of materials, the assignment of publishing rights and privacy rights in the digital environment are all of concern to scholars and academic institutions” (Rubin, 2004).
Rubin, R.E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
The Institutional Setting
What distinguishes one type of library form another?
The goal of the public library is “to meet the informational, recreational, educational and cultural needs of the community it serves” (Rubin, 2004). A school library’s goal has a slightly narrower focus; the goal is to support the curriculum of the school. Recreational reading materials are often included in the collection as outside reading is strongly encouraged. An academic library is any library that supports the informational and educational needs of the post secondary institution it is affiliated with. In the text, special libraries are defined as “information organizations sponsored by private companies, government agencies, or professional organization” (Rubin, 2004). There is no one size fits all definition for special libraries. Special libraries can trace their lineage back to “ancient and medieval periods since libraries in those times tended to have focus on a particular mission” (Rubin, 2004). Special libraries can be a multitude of things: law, medical, music, genealogical, etc.
Not counting the special libraries, the differences between the public, school and academic libraries are less glaring than on initial thought. All three libraries support the educational needs of the community they serve. Public libraries are the jack-of-all trades library serving a vast and diverse community; the school media center supports the curriculum of the school and serves as parentis loci’s; and academic libraries not only support the educational needs of the student, but the professional development of the faculty.
What are the major challenges/opportunities facing different types of libraries?
In the discussion group I focused on the some of the challenges facing public libraries, here I will look at the challenges that are facing the academic library. As stated above, an academic library supports the educational and research needs of students and faculty in the post secondary setting.
Collection Preservation
One of the major challenges facing academic libraries is the ageing and deterioration of collections. Collections in an academic library are held for a very long time. Unlike popular paperbacks in a public library, weeding (reducing the collection) criteria is much more stringent. Factors involve not only the condition of the book, but the relevance to the overall collection, the uniqueness of the material. Conservation and preservation are issues facing the library today. Books printed after 1860 are on acid treated paper. Over time this acid causes the pages to become brittle. According to the text, over 75 million books in academic libraries are endangered (Rubin, 2004). Also contributing to problems are environmental conditions such as poor handling of materials by patrons and staff, insects, and improper temperature control. One possible way of preserving these deteriorating materials is digitalization. Digitalization would allow books and other materials to be available on-line; however, there are many problems with this plan. The greater availability to view materials on line could lead to greater demand to see the hardcopy of the material thus leading to further deterioration. Digital media formats are also unstable and costly. Floppy disks have fallen away, CDROMs get scratched, and pen drivers are convenient but easy to lose. The Internet is also unstable; data is vulnerable to corruption by virus, hacker and incompetence.
Staffing
Rubin states that there will be an “insufficient supply of librarians in the near future” (Rubin, 2004). He goes on to explain that the reason for the decline is the graying of the workforce, the low status, image problems, and low wages. He also states that application to library programs are “flat or declining numbers of master’s graduates.” I find this interesting in regards to our instructor experience when he applied for his current position. There were over a hundred applicants for a single academic librarian position. Was his experience unique or have things changed since Rubin collected his data?
Journals and Periodicals
Rubin discussed the issues of databases accessibility (such as EBSCO and Wilson) and the crisis in scholarly publishing separately. These two issues seemed to be linked. With the advent of the full text database, more periodicals were available to a larger audience. The distance learning student could access materials within minutes. The on campus student could access the library periodical holdings in the middle of the night. These are both positives. The library could reduce the number of periodical subscription and no longer need to catalog and store them. As libraries reduced the number of hardcopy subscription, the number of journals for scholarly publication has also reduced. Rubin notes that the academic community is working on rectifying the situation. The “Principles for Emerging System of Scholarly Publishing” address not only the fiscal burden but “the entire process of evaluating and refereeing works, the preservation of materials, the assignment of publishing rights and privacy rights in the digital environment are all of concern to scholars and academic institutions” (Rubin, 2004).
Rubin, R.E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
Journal Entry 7
Supplemental Readings
Is Google Making us Stupid?
The subtitle of the article is “what the internet is doing to our brains.” This article is a look at our brains on the Internet. My initial thoughts when reading this article was yeah it’s true we have become hyper and instant gratification junkies. I have found myself getting frustrated searching databases for supplemental periodical reading material for this course. If the periodical article is not full text in either html or pdf, forget it. I don’t have time to wait for interlibrary loan or other alternate ways to retrieve an article. (In a normal full semester course, there is time to wait days for a request.)
Carr writes about his and his colleagues use of the Internet; “the more they use the web, the more they have to fight to stay focused on long pieces of writing.” One person referred to his quality of thinking as “staccato,” thus “reflecting the way he quickly scan short passages of text from many sources online.” The article states that reading unlike speech “is not instinctive skill for human beings.” We must teach ourselves to make the neurological connections in our brains between the printed letters and the idea they represent.
Are we really losing the ability to focus on multi-page articles or have we trained ourselves to move quickly through the text. If we slowed down, could we not retrain ourselves to yet again read deeply? The adult mind is “very plastic” and “takes on the qualities of these technologies” (Carr, 2008). The exposure to new technologies influences our thought patterns. “Deep reading” was linked to “deep thought” (Carr, 2008).
The fast pace of surfing the net does not allow for contemplation and making our own associations. Sometimes connections are made while doing something else. The words, phrase and ideas that we have read bounce around and make new connections. Our use of technology for searching is not making us stupid; however, the way we use it may contribute to the frantic pace of our thinking.
Carr, N. (2008) Is Google making us stupid? The Atlantic.com. retrieved June 12, 2008.
The Library in the New Age
Darnton briefly examines four milestones in technology. The first milestone was “the invention of writing” (Darnton, 2008). It “was the most important technological breakthrough in the history of humanity” (Darnton, 2008). Next is the codex. The codex replaced the scroll; this format (a book) allowed for pages to be turned. It allowed for dipping into and out of the text. It changed “the reading experience” (Darnton, 2008). The next technological advance was the printing press. The printing press allowed for the mass production of text: books, and pamphlets. The most recent milestone is the advent of electronic communications from ARPANET in the 1970s to worldwide by the 1990s. Darnton presents a timeline of these milestones: from writing to codex (4300 years); from codex to movable type (1150 years); and from movable type to Internet (524 years). He then breaks down the timeline of exponential development of the Internet; there were search engines within 19 years and from search engines to Google in only 7 years.
Next Darnton moves on to the stability of information. We think that in this digital age of information that the apparent transient or impermanent nature of information is a new phenomenon. Darnton demonstrates that even the printed text can be mutable. “Voltaire toyed with his texts so much that booksellers complained. As soon as they sold one edition of his work another would appear, featuring additions and corrections by the author” (Darnton, 2008). Customers complained and “some even said that they would not buy an edition of Voltaire’s complete works… until he died” (Darnton, 2008).
The Google Book Search project with the digitalization of the books of major libraries has lofty goals: all books available to all people (with internet access). But the question is which book of which edition of which book will be digitized? Don’t researchers and historians need or desire to access all versions of a text to see the evolution and check for the validity of the work. Google is great and all but don’t expect it to replace the library. Google is a medium that is corruptible and may fall away like floppy disks, magnetic tape, and records.
Darnton, R. (2008). The library in the new age. The New York review of books, 55(10).
Final Thoughts
Both of these articles reiterate things we have discussed in class. How do you search? Information literacy is now as important as reading literacy. Will the library go away? The traditional library of hardcopy materials only is gone. Libraries have moved forward adding digital information sources. These digital sources are fast, and may be cheaper to have (online access to periodicals require subscription service but no physical collection to maintain). Will everything someday be available through Google or some other online source? The Internet Public Library is a wonderful tool. Will all libraries be available solely online? Or will libraries remain in the hybrid state with brick and mortar buildings housing hardcopy materials, providing access to digital information sources, and a hub for community activity? The hybrid model would keep the digital divide from growing by allowing access to all users not just those who can afford it.
Is Google Making us Stupid?
The subtitle of the article is “what the internet is doing to our brains.” This article is a look at our brains on the Internet. My initial thoughts when reading this article was yeah it’s true we have become hyper and instant gratification junkies. I have found myself getting frustrated searching databases for supplemental periodical reading material for this course. If the periodical article is not full text in either html or pdf, forget it. I don’t have time to wait for interlibrary loan or other alternate ways to retrieve an article. (In a normal full semester course, there is time to wait days for a request.)
Carr writes about his and his colleagues use of the Internet; “the more they use the web, the more they have to fight to stay focused on long pieces of writing.” One person referred to his quality of thinking as “staccato,” thus “reflecting the way he quickly scan short passages of text from many sources online.” The article states that reading unlike speech “is not instinctive skill for human beings.” We must teach ourselves to make the neurological connections in our brains between the printed letters and the idea they represent.
Are we really losing the ability to focus on multi-page articles or have we trained ourselves to move quickly through the text. If we slowed down, could we not retrain ourselves to yet again read deeply? The adult mind is “very plastic” and “takes on the qualities of these technologies” (Carr, 2008). The exposure to new technologies influences our thought patterns. “Deep reading” was linked to “deep thought” (Carr, 2008).
The fast pace of surfing the net does not allow for contemplation and making our own associations. Sometimes connections are made while doing something else. The words, phrase and ideas that we have read bounce around and make new connections. Our use of technology for searching is not making us stupid; however, the way we use it may contribute to the frantic pace of our thinking.
Carr, N. (2008) Is Google making us stupid? The Atlantic.com. retrieved June 12, 2008.
The Library in the New Age
Darnton briefly examines four milestones in technology. The first milestone was “the invention of writing” (Darnton, 2008). It “was the most important technological breakthrough in the history of humanity” (Darnton, 2008). Next is the codex. The codex replaced the scroll; this format (a book) allowed for pages to be turned. It allowed for dipping into and out of the text. It changed “the reading experience” (Darnton, 2008). The next technological advance was the printing press. The printing press allowed for the mass production of text: books, and pamphlets. The most recent milestone is the advent of electronic communications from ARPANET in the 1970s to worldwide by the 1990s. Darnton presents a timeline of these milestones: from writing to codex (4300 years); from codex to movable type (1150 years); and from movable type to Internet (524 years). He then breaks down the timeline of exponential development of the Internet; there were search engines within 19 years and from search engines to Google in only 7 years.
Next Darnton moves on to the stability of information. We think that in this digital age of information that the apparent transient or impermanent nature of information is a new phenomenon. Darnton demonstrates that even the printed text can be mutable. “Voltaire toyed with his texts so much that booksellers complained. As soon as they sold one edition of his work another would appear, featuring additions and corrections by the author” (Darnton, 2008). Customers complained and “some even said that they would not buy an edition of Voltaire’s complete works… until he died” (Darnton, 2008).
The Google Book Search project with the digitalization of the books of major libraries has lofty goals: all books available to all people (with internet access). But the question is which book of which edition of which book will be digitized? Don’t researchers and historians need or desire to access all versions of a text to see the evolution and check for the validity of the work. Google is great and all but don’t expect it to replace the library. Google is a medium that is corruptible and may fall away like floppy disks, magnetic tape, and records.
Darnton, R. (2008). The library in the new age. The New York review of books, 55(10).
Final Thoughts
Both of these articles reiterate things we have discussed in class. How do you search? Information literacy is now as important as reading literacy. Will the library go away? The traditional library of hardcopy materials only is gone. Libraries have moved forward adding digital information sources. These digital sources are fast, and may be cheaper to have (online access to periodicals require subscription service but no physical collection to maintain). Will everything someday be available through Google or some other online source? The Internet Public Library is a wonderful tool. Will all libraries be available solely online? Or will libraries remain in the hybrid state with brick and mortar buildings housing hardcopy materials, providing access to digital information sources, and a hub for community activity? The hybrid model would keep the digital divide from growing by allowing access to all users not just those who can afford it.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Jounral Entry 6
Assigned Readings
Current Issues in Librarianship
This assignment explored selected readings from the text that covered social responsibility, legal and ethical issues, image of librarians, and librarian education. The discussion group fully examined the issues of librarian education and the image of librarians. I will touch on the some of the ethical and information policy issues.
Ethics
“The ethical conduct of information professionals is an affirmation of the critical values of service, respect for others, and the need to improve society” (Rubin, 2004). “Ethics is mostly about how people should be treated and how one should act, if one wishes to act rightly” (Rubin, 2004). Rubin states that “there at least four factors” that come into play when wrestling with an ethical decision “social utility, survival, social responsibility and respect for the individual.”
Under social utility, libraries are to promote a variety of topics for the community: education (continuing and homework support), literacy (reading and information), and entertainment (reader advisory and audiovisual). Does the library maintaining a music and DVD collection undercut the local business community? The community wants to borrow audiovisual materials at no or low cost, but does it hurt the local video store. Are artists losing royalties? Librarians must balance the demands of the community with fair use practices and the needs of the society at large.
Survival is important to any organization. Censorship is an aspect that can curtail the libraries survival. The library has traditionally been a fortress of intellectual freedom. If a segment of the public protests the types of materials in the collection, then patronage may drop off, contributions from the community may dry up, and with circulation numbers down funding may be cut. Thus the libraries future is at risk. Libraries must have a clear mission statement, clear collection development protocol and policies regarding challenges to the collection. Each challenge must be handled respectfully (truly listening to the reason for the challenge) and expediently.
Under social responsibility, the libraries also “function in the society-at-large” and have many obligations (Rubin, 2004). Rubin states the example of a library committed to reducing pollution by purchasing acid free books. Acid free books are more expensive; therefore, fewer books can be purchased overall. Does the library meet the needs of the community by buying fewer materials?
The last factor in ethical decisions is “respect for the individual”; the “individual must be treated with dignity and respect” (Rubin, 2004). Privacy of circulation records is under this factor. Librarians when developing the collection try to balance the demand of the masses for popular fiction with “individual interests” (Rubin, 2004).
Information Policy
"Because librarians are generally oriented toward service rather than profit, their voice is democratic and represents a vital advocate for the tradition of an open marketplace for ideas" (Rubin, 2004). "Information policy is any law, regulation, rule or practice (written or unwritten) that effects the creation, acquisition, organization, dissemination or evaluation of information" (Rubin, 2004). Rubin identifies many different information stakeholders: business, government, information producers, disseminators, transmitters, American citizens, and organization that represent their interest. The computer has changed how information is organized, storage, retrieved and transmitted. Information is now viewed as a commodity (to be held and sold privately). Rubin examines several major information policy issues including user’s privacy, freedom of information, national security, copyright legislation, library legislation, and education legislation.
One of the more deep reaching policies comes from attempts by the federal government to be more efficient. There are questions regarding citizen’s access to government documents. The Government Printing Office (GPO) has been reducing the amount of material that is published to hardcopy; the GPO has been moving toward microfiche and Web-based access. This policy, although saving resources and money, does limit access to documents. Microfiche is not intuitive to use. Not all citizens have access to computers nor do all have access to libraries with computers. Furthermore, the government has reduced its overhead by shifting the monetary burden to the library which must maintain the readers, and computer equipment. Additionally, many documents are now published privately for the government. These government documents are no longer part of the Depositary Library Program, because the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) only mandates that government printed documents be included. The example cited by Rubin pertains to the Federal Statistical Directory. This directory is published privately and the cost has skyrocketed. Access has been severely limited.
Regarding information policy (whether government mandated, politically motivated or economically driven), librarians and information providers “must actively monitor the information-policy climate and aggressively make their case for the values that they strive to preserve” (Rubin, 2004). Because librarians are service oriented, “their voice is democratic” and hence libraries are viewed as places of equal access to all materials (Rubin, 2004).
Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
Current Issues in Librarianship
This assignment explored selected readings from the text that covered social responsibility, legal and ethical issues, image of librarians, and librarian education. The discussion group fully examined the issues of librarian education and the image of librarians. I will touch on the some of the ethical and information policy issues.
Ethics
“The ethical conduct of information professionals is an affirmation of the critical values of service, respect for others, and the need to improve society” (Rubin, 2004). “Ethics is mostly about how people should be treated and how one should act, if one wishes to act rightly” (Rubin, 2004). Rubin states that “there at least four factors” that come into play when wrestling with an ethical decision “social utility, survival, social responsibility and respect for the individual.”
Under social utility, libraries are to promote a variety of topics for the community: education (continuing and homework support), literacy (reading and information), and entertainment (reader advisory and audiovisual). Does the library maintaining a music and DVD collection undercut the local business community? The community wants to borrow audiovisual materials at no or low cost, but does it hurt the local video store. Are artists losing royalties? Librarians must balance the demands of the community with fair use practices and the needs of the society at large.
Survival is important to any organization. Censorship is an aspect that can curtail the libraries survival. The library has traditionally been a fortress of intellectual freedom. If a segment of the public protests the types of materials in the collection, then patronage may drop off, contributions from the community may dry up, and with circulation numbers down funding may be cut. Thus the libraries future is at risk. Libraries must have a clear mission statement, clear collection development protocol and policies regarding challenges to the collection. Each challenge must be handled respectfully (truly listening to the reason for the challenge) and expediently.
Under social responsibility, the libraries also “function in the society-at-large” and have many obligations (Rubin, 2004). Rubin states the example of a library committed to reducing pollution by purchasing acid free books. Acid free books are more expensive; therefore, fewer books can be purchased overall. Does the library meet the needs of the community by buying fewer materials?
The last factor in ethical decisions is “respect for the individual”; the “individual must be treated with dignity and respect” (Rubin, 2004). Privacy of circulation records is under this factor. Librarians when developing the collection try to balance the demand of the masses for popular fiction with “individual interests” (Rubin, 2004).
Information Policy
"Because librarians are generally oriented toward service rather than profit, their voice is democratic and represents a vital advocate for the tradition of an open marketplace for ideas" (Rubin, 2004). "Information policy is any law, regulation, rule or practice (written or unwritten) that effects the creation, acquisition, organization, dissemination or evaluation of information" (Rubin, 2004). Rubin identifies many different information stakeholders: business, government, information producers, disseminators, transmitters, American citizens, and organization that represent their interest. The computer has changed how information is organized, storage, retrieved and transmitted. Information is now viewed as a commodity (to be held and sold privately). Rubin examines several major information policy issues including user’s privacy, freedom of information, national security, copyright legislation, library legislation, and education legislation.
One of the more deep reaching policies comes from attempts by the federal government to be more efficient. There are questions regarding citizen’s access to government documents. The Government Printing Office (GPO) has been reducing the amount of material that is published to hardcopy; the GPO has been moving toward microfiche and Web-based access. This policy, although saving resources and money, does limit access to documents. Microfiche is not intuitive to use. Not all citizens have access to computers nor do all have access to libraries with computers. Furthermore, the government has reduced its overhead by shifting the monetary burden to the library which must maintain the readers, and computer equipment. Additionally, many documents are now published privately for the government. These government documents are no longer part of the Depositary Library Program, because the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) only mandates that government printed documents be included. The example cited by Rubin pertains to the Federal Statistical Directory. This directory is published privately and the cost has skyrocketed. Access has been severely limited.
Regarding information policy (whether government mandated, politically motivated or economically driven), librarians and information providers “must actively monitor the information-policy climate and aggressively make their case for the values that they strive to preserve” (Rubin, 2004). Because librarians are service oriented, “their voice is democratic” and hence libraries are viewed as places of equal access to all materials (Rubin, 2004).
Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Journal Entry 5
“Redefining the Library”
“Will the physical library ultimately disappear as the digital library increase in use?’
Rubin reviews the technological advances in the library during the twentieth century. From the 1900s to1960s, there were two significant breakthroughs: microphotography that led to microfilm and the photocopier. “Libraries became publishers of single copies on demand” (Rubin, 2004). Rubin notes that by being able to photocopy a document that patrons no longer needed to hand copy material. I wonder if patrons may have even then have been shortchanging their research, by copying the materials and getting out of the library perhaps the information was not the most relevant, but the first at hand. Just like today, taking information from just the first ten records found.
In the 1960s, we have the “creation of standard bibliographic format” with MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging). The Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) “offered access to the MARC database” which eventually allowed for “shared cataloging” (Rubin, 2004). OCLC services expanded to include interlibrary loan, serials control, and access to electronic databases; OCLC changed its name to Online Computing Library Center. The most “prominent development” of the 1970s was “Boolean searching, based on the logical theory of George Boole” (Rubin, 2004). CDROMs of the 1980s allowed for databases to part of the library collection and could be access from within the library. Also the developed and introduction of OPACs (Online Public Access Catalogs), this was the first “end user” search system (Rubin, 2004). The installation of OPAC in the library “meant the eventual removal of the card catalog, the opportunity for remote access and change in physical environment of the library” (Rubin, 2004). Circulation systems also implemented self-checkout. Other features of automated circulation systems include tracking overdue items, and producing recall notices.
The 1990s saw the rise of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Rubin traces the development from a joint military (ARPANET) and science (NSF) merger to” create a high speed telecommunications backbone” (Rubin, 2004). The two key features of the system were remote login and electronic mail (email). Lastly, Rubin covers 2000 and beyond: the digital library, web portals, and Internet 2.
Will the traditional library survive the digital age? Yes and no. Most libraries are all ready what Rubin called a hybrid state. The library has adapted to the expanding choices among electronic resources and Internet use by patrons. The bigger challenge will be selecting the best electronic resources to subscribe to and teaching patrons how to navigate the World Wide Web. Rubin quotes Rutenbeck on “five great challenges of the digital age”: malleability, selectivity, exclusivity, vulnerability, and superficiality (Rubin, 2004). Information on the web can be open to corruption by hackers, viruses, and poor backup systems. As with Wikipedia, information can easily be changed. Selectivity is a huge concern; how do we as librarians teach that the first few results from a search engine may not be the best choices. Anyone can post to the Internet whether a new web page, a contribution to a discussion board, or a blog. What about preservation of data? Will data of the digital age be lost just because the format is obsolete? How much data can no longer be accessed because it is on punch card, or floppy disk? What format will be the next road kill on the superhighway?
“The Future of the Modern American Library”
“The mission of libraries is shaped by the societies in which they exist.” The mission of the Sumerian library was to house records of commerce. The mission of the Alexandrian library was “to collect entirety of Greek literature.” Rubin discusses seven values in detail that "seem to be pervasive as they apply to libraries" (Rubin, 2004). Value 2 is that "reading and the book are important" (Rubin, 2004). Why books beat TV - "books stimulate more active involvement and diminish the passivity common when viewing television or movies." Another value, tolerance "admits of the possibility that our ability to judge the truth is flawed" (Rubin, 2004). I believe the joy of reading for pleasure and knowledge along with opening one's mind to new perspectives are of tremendous value to the society. The mission of today’s library is to provide homework help, entertainment, meeting spaces for community groups, outreach services, access to the Internet, and a collection of materials for education and enjoyment.
Rubin, R.E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
Supplemental Reading
Wilt and Hrabowski use the health club as a “conceptual model” for the sleek new library of the future. Libraries need to entice users to venture out; why go to the library “when information is becoming easier by the minute to get from home.” In their analyses, Wilt and Hrabowski wondered what induced people to leave home and go sweat in the company of others. First, a health club has better equipment then a home gym. A library needs to have better equipment: faster Internet connections, faster printers, and better access to information (databases, pathfinders, bookmarks). Next like a health club, the library should offer “coaching and monitoring.” The authors suggest a two tier system with basic level like an attendant making sure of proper use of resources and “personal training” which allows one on one reference service. The library can offer specialized classes: search engines for beginners, emailing, and word processing. These along with several other suggestions have real world application to libraries. One of my favorite ideas is to make sure the library has good signage and style. Our world is increasing visual (and some might say superficial), but first impressions matter. Do you really want to spend time working with poor lightning, old and uncomfortable furniture, and out-of-order signs hang on the computers? If the signs are missing or misleading, do you ask for help or leave? Image, branding and accessibility are important in today’s society.
Wilt, L. & Hrabowski III, F.A. (2006). Pump up your patrons. American libraries, 37(4), 70-72.
“Will the physical library ultimately disappear as the digital library increase in use?’
Rubin reviews the technological advances in the library during the twentieth century. From the 1900s to1960s, there were two significant breakthroughs: microphotography that led to microfilm and the photocopier. “Libraries became publishers of single copies on demand” (Rubin, 2004). Rubin notes that by being able to photocopy a document that patrons no longer needed to hand copy material. I wonder if patrons may have even then have been shortchanging their research, by copying the materials and getting out of the library perhaps the information was not the most relevant, but the first at hand. Just like today, taking information from just the first ten records found.
In the 1960s, we have the “creation of standard bibliographic format” with MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging). The Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) “offered access to the MARC database” which eventually allowed for “shared cataloging” (Rubin, 2004). OCLC services expanded to include interlibrary loan, serials control, and access to electronic databases; OCLC changed its name to Online Computing Library Center. The most “prominent development” of the 1970s was “Boolean searching, based on the logical theory of George Boole” (Rubin, 2004). CDROMs of the 1980s allowed for databases to part of the library collection and could be access from within the library. Also the developed and introduction of OPACs (Online Public Access Catalogs), this was the first “end user” search system (Rubin, 2004). The installation of OPAC in the library “meant the eventual removal of the card catalog, the opportunity for remote access and change in physical environment of the library” (Rubin, 2004). Circulation systems also implemented self-checkout. Other features of automated circulation systems include tracking overdue items, and producing recall notices.
The 1990s saw the rise of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Rubin traces the development from a joint military (ARPANET) and science (NSF) merger to” create a high speed telecommunications backbone” (Rubin, 2004). The two key features of the system were remote login and electronic mail (email). Lastly, Rubin covers 2000 and beyond: the digital library, web portals, and Internet 2.
Will the traditional library survive the digital age? Yes and no. Most libraries are all ready what Rubin called a hybrid state. The library has adapted to the expanding choices among electronic resources and Internet use by patrons. The bigger challenge will be selecting the best electronic resources to subscribe to and teaching patrons how to navigate the World Wide Web. Rubin quotes Rutenbeck on “five great challenges of the digital age”: malleability, selectivity, exclusivity, vulnerability, and superficiality (Rubin, 2004). Information on the web can be open to corruption by hackers, viruses, and poor backup systems. As with Wikipedia, information can easily be changed. Selectivity is a huge concern; how do we as librarians teach that the first few results from a search engine may not be the best choices. Anyone can post to the Internet whether a new web page, a contribution to a discussion board, or a blog. What about preservation of data? Will data of the digital age be lost just because the format is obsolete? How much data can no longer be accessed because it is on punch card, or floppy disk? What format will be the next road kill on the superhighway?
“The Future of the Modern American Library”
“The mission of libraries is shaped by the societies in which they exist.” The mission of the Sumerian library was to house records of commerce. The mission of the Alexandrian library was “to collect entirety of Greek literature.” Rubin discusses seven values in detail that "seem to be pervasive as they apply to libraries" (Rubin, 2004). Value 2 is that "reading and the book are important" (Rubin, 2004). Why books beat TV - "books stimulate more active involvement and diminish the passivity common when viewing television or movies." Another value, tolerance "admits of the possibility that our ability to judge the truth is flawed" (Rubin, 2004). I believe the joy of reading for pleasure and knowledge along with opening one's mind to new perspectives are of tremendous value to the society. The mission of today’s library is to provide homework help, entertainment, meeting spaces for community groups, outreach services, access to the Internet, and a collection of materials for education and enjoyment.
Rubin, R.E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
Supplemental Reading
Wilt and Hrabowski use the health club as a “conceptual model” for the sleek new library of the future. Libraries need to entice users to venture out; why go to the library “when information is becoming easier by the minute to get from home.” In their analyses, Wilt and Hrabowski wondered what induced people to leave home and go sweat in the company of others. First, a health club has better equipment then a home gym. A library needs to have better equipment: faster Internet connections, faster printers, and better access to information (databases, pathfinders, bookmarks). Next like a health club, the library should offer “coaching and monitoring.” The authors suggest a two tier system with basic level like an attendant making sure of proper use of resources and “personal training” which allows one on one reference service. The library can offer specialized classes: search engines for beginners, emailing, and word processing. These along with several other suggestions have real world application to libraries. One of my favorite ideas is to make sure the library has good signage and style. Our world is increasing visual (and some might say superficial), but first impressions matter. Do you really want to spend time working with poor lightning, old and uncomfortable furniture, and out-of-order signs hang on the computers? If the signs are missing or misleading, do you ask for help or leave? Image, branding and accessibility are important in today’s society.
Wilt, L. & Hrabowski III, F.A. (2006). Pump up your patrons. American libraries, 37(4), 70-72.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Journal Entry 4
Librarianship, Documentation, and Information Science
Assigned Readings
In chapter 2, the focus is on information science. Information science is a multidisciplinary field that looks at information out of context and out of the package. The way information is package whether in book, periodical, or DVD is not the focus. The focus is on storing and retrieving information so it may be used at a later date. Rubin states that there are eleven major categories with librarianship being only one. He focuses on five areas that “directly affect librarianship”: “examination of information needs, information seeking, information use and information users”; “information storage and retrieval”; “defining the nature of information and its value”; “bibliometrics and citation analysis”; and “management and administrative issues”(Rubin, 2004).
Under “information seeking,” Rubin cites a study by Chen and Hernon that people prefer to get their information from another person. Rubin later states that information seeking is a “dynamic process” that evolves through six stages: “initiation, selection, exploration, formulation, collection, presentation” (Rubin, 2004). The second area is the study of how data is stored and how users retrieve data; the linchpin being the human computer interface. The easier it is use the dialog interface of the search engine or database the more likely the higher the user satisfaction with the search process. Third area is “defining the nature of information and its value” (Rubin, 2004). Rubin states there are “at least basic constructs: data, information and knowledge.” The fourth area of concern to librarianship is citation analysis and bibliometrics. Citation analysis is concerned with the “frequency and pattern” of citations within published materials. Bibliometrics is the statistical analysis of use patterns and information distribution among published periodicals. Finally, the last area of concern is with management and administrative decisions. It is the implantation of the libraries mission statement by management that will determine what tools will be available for the users (public).
Rubin concluded that “librarians can make good use of much of this research” and that they can “contribute to it”. The “central value” of the information science field is to “make information accessible and usable.”
As an aside, I wonder how much of our information will be lost to future generations. Formats change rapidly and not all data is converted (of course not every home movie needs preservation). Movies and books often show the future as a dystopia society with humankind reverting to a post industrial existence. Will the digital technology of today survive as well as the Sumerian clay tablets?
The final section of chapter 7 pertains to “the mission and future of the modern American library” (Rubin, 2004). Rubin states “libraries and librarians confront a host of destabilizing factors: the flood information, constant innovations in technology, economic and political demands and stresses, as well as numerous social problems.” There is so much information and culture change around us it is the library as community center, as information center, and as homework support center that provides the a stable place to work from. “The library helps us orient us economically, educationally, religiously, politically, and aesthetically to these cultures and environments.”
Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
“Most attempts at suppression rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary individual, by exercising critical judgment, will select the good and reject the bad. We trust Americans to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. We do not believe they are prepared to sacrifice their heritage of a free press in order to be ‘protected’ against what others think may be bad for them. We believe they still favor Free Enterprise in ideas and expression” (ALA, 2000).
While reading the “The Freedom to Read Statement,” this paragraph in particular brought several things to mind. First, that “the ordinary individual” can “select the good and reject the bad” I believe that this also applies to children and young adults. This has come up in conversation with classmates and colleagues. That young people will seek out the types of reading material that they are emotional ready for. Yes, as librarians are job or life mission is to get the right book into the right hands. But we can only guide and suggest, the ultimate decision to read or not to read is the individuals choice.
I once had a library director who stated if you can’t find something in the library to offend you then we are not doing our jobs. Here she was making the point that as a library we must encompass a larger view than just our own comfort zone. The library is for a multifaceted community with a myriad of beliefs and viewpoints.
American Library Association. (2000). The freedom to read statement. Retrieved 5/29/2008.
Assigned Readings
In chapter 2, the focus is on information science. Information science is a multidisciplinary field that looks at information out of context and out of the package. The way information is package whether in book, periodical, or DVD is not the focus. The focus is on storing and retrieving information so it may be used at a later date. Rubin states that there are eleven major categories with librarianship being only one. He focuses on five areas that “directly affect librarianship”: “examination of information needs, information seeking, information use and information users”; “information storage and retrieval”; “defining the nature of information and its value”; “bibliometrics and citation analysis”; and “management and administrative issues”(Rubin, 2004).
Under “information seeking,” Rubin cites a study by Chen and Hernon that people prefer to get their information from another person. Rubin later states that information seeking is a “dynamic process” that evolves through six stages: “initiation, selection, exploration, formulation, collection, presentation” (Rubin, 2004). The second area is the study of how data is stored and how users retrieve data; the linchpin being the human computer interface. The easier it is use the dialog interface of the search engine or database the more likely the higher the user satisfaction with the search process. Third area is “defining the nature of information and its value” (Rubin, 2004). Rubin states there are “at least basic constructs: data, information and knowledge.” The fourth area of concern to librarianship is citation analysis and bibliometrics. Citation analysis is concerned with the “frequency and pattern” of citations within published materials. Bibliometrics is the statistical analysis of use patterns and information distribution among published periodicals. Finally, the last area of concern is with management and administrative decisions. It is the implantation of the libraries mission statement by management that will determine what tools will be available for the users (public).
Rubin concluded that “librarians can make good use of much of this research” and that they can “contribute to it”. The “central value” of the information science field is to “make information accessible and usable.”
As an aside, I wonder how much of our information will be lost to future generations. Formats change rapidly and not all data is converted (of course not every home movie needs preservation). Movies and books often show the future as a dystopia society with humankind reverting to a post industrial existence. Will the digital technology of today survive as well as the Sumerian clay tablets?
The final section of chapter 7 pertains to “the mission and future of the modern American library” (Rubin, 2004). Rubin states “libraries and librarians confront a host of destabilizing factors: the flood information, constant innovations in technology, economic and political demands and stresses, as well as numerous social problems.” There is so much information and culture change around us it is the library as community center, as information center, and as homework support center that provides the a stable place to work from. “The library helps us orient us economically, educationally, religiously, politically, and aesthetically to these cultures and environments.”
Rubin, R. E. (2004). Foundations of library and information science (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
“Most attempts at suppression rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary individual, by exercising critical judgment, will select the good and reject the bad. We trust Americans to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. We do not believe they are prepared to sacrifice their heritage of a free press in order to be ‘protected’ against what others think may be bad for them. We believe they still favor Free Enterprise in ideas and expression” (ALA, 2000).
While reading the “The Freedom to Read Statement,” this paragraph in particular brought several things to mind. First, that “the ordinary individual” can “select the good and reject the bad” I believe that this also applies to children and young adults. This has come up in conversation with classmates and colleagues. That young people will seek out the types of reading material that they are emotional ready for. Yes, as librarians are job or life mission is to get the right book into the right hands. But we can only guide and suggest, the ultimate decision to read or not to read is the individuals choice.
I once had a library director who stated if you can’t find something in the library to offend you then we are not doing our jobs. Here she was making the point that as a library we must encompass a larger view than just our own comfort zone. The library is for a multifaceted community with a myriad of beliefs and viewpoints.
American Library Association. (2000). The freedom to read statement. Retrieved 5/29/2008.
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