The Evolution of Libraries

First, reader, I apologize for not having a post yesterday. The storm we had that night messed up our alarm clocks, and so we were late rising from bed - meaning I did not have time to write the promised post about the evolution of libraries. I know you were all so disappointed, so without further ado, here is that promised post.

It seems apparent that to many people the library is very much a static institution, and has been for several centuries. This idea, of course, is interwoven with the histories of books and literacy through time. However, allow me to attempt to change your mind:

The library is not a static institution, but a dynamic, constantly changing organism changing constantly to serve the needs of the society it supports.

S. R. Ranganathan, one of the key individuals in the creation of the modern library science profession posited five laws about library science. The fifth of these laws states:

The Library is a growing organism.

“Well,” you might be saying to yourself, “that’s all well and good, but how has the library actually evolved over time?” To answer that, I will dust off my historian cap, and put it on. There. It’s on now.

According to historians of libraries (yes, there are such historians), there have been seven ages of libraries. Seven distinct periods through which the evolution of libraries are traced. Donald Krummel created the model I will share with you now.

The first age of libraries was the Quotidian age. These institutions lasted approximately from 3000 BC to 300 BC. Libraries in this age were, by and large, centers for the storage of records of transactions, recordings of the society’s laws, and the like. The Quotidian Library was sponsored by the civilization it served. These first libraries are mirrored by the archival functions of libraries today.

The second age of libraries was the Academic age. The libraries of this type lasted from 300 BC until approximately 500 AD. These libraries were the centers for the “search for truth” that occurred among scholars of this period, as well as being the cultural center of the city or civilization it served. The library at Alexandria was the apex of this type of libraries - a center for research and writing of the best scholars of the age. The library was sponsored by the society in this age, and the contents of the library itself were supplements and supports in the scholar’s efforts to find the “truth.”

The third age of libraries was the Religious age. These libraries lasted from approximately 500 AD until 1350 AD. These libraries were focused largely on religious (not necessarily Christian works - Muslim libraries were also important in this age) texts, with some copying of older or ancient scholarly works - so long as they did not conflict with the religious views of the parent institution. These libraries were more oriented to the dissemination of knowledge rather than the facilitation of the creation of knowledge. They were sponsored by religious organizations - monasteries, or the religious organization as a whole.

The fourth age was the Humanistic age. Lasting from approximately 1350-1600, libraries primarily focused on the perceived glories of the sponsor of the library As such, libraries of this time were very beautiful, with gorgeous books, which might or might not have been used. These collections either glorified the founder, or the views and thoughts of the founder of the library. The people funding these organizations generally were nobility.

The fifth age was the Scientific age. This age lasted from 1600 to 1700 AD, and focused on increasing knowledge of its patrons through the study of philosophical and scientific works. These libraries were funded by individual scholars, or by institutions of higher learning.

The sixth age was the Democratic age. This age lasted from 1700 until 1850, and were largely instruments for social improvement. It was at this time that we saw the rise of the free, “public” library focused on the improvement of the voting public. It was felt that a better-educated voter would make better choices. At this time, the government began funding libraries to ensure that they were free for the use of their patrons.

And finally, the seventh age is the Technocratic age. This age began in about 1910, and we are at the end of this age, I think. In this age, most libraries exist to institute some form of social change, and the libraries continue to be funded by the government. These libraries collect many different formats of information - and not only for education. Entertainment is also a focus of this age.

So, what’s next for libraries? I have read and heard several different ideas on this subject, but the one I think is the best vision for the future of libraries is the idea of Participatory Librarianship. I am certainly no expert in this area, and I am learning about it more as time goes on. Allow me to share with you this video by the creator of this concept of participatory librarianship, R. David Lankes. I’d love to hear your comments about his ideas!

Libraries and the Internet

Yesterday morning Josh Montgomery and I had a good discussion about the changing nature of both libraries and the internet. It started off with this thought from Josh:

The Internet > Libraries

Which led to a wide-ranging discussion about those two topics. They are frequently seen as mutually exclusive, like they are engaged in some sort of death match for information supremacy. I see this as not valid. I see the two entities as mutually beneficial. Both serve different, but fundamentally linked purposes.

The internet has become the de facto repository for much of the information that is produced by mankind in this age we live in. The ease of adding content to the internet is unrivaled, and couple that to the relative ease of sharing that information makes the internet the transforming hurricane of information that it has become. As a matter of fact, allow me to share with you a graphic I saw recently that puts the amount of information available on the internet in perspective:


Source: Mozy.

Yes, libraries have traditionally been repositories for information, but this too is changing. I think libraries, as well as librarians need to respect this new schema for information creation and sharing, as it is what the user has deemed best. But what is it that will make libraries stand out and apart from the internet in this information age? Service.

I feel sure that you, good reader, find the amount of information available on the internet bewildering, and maybe even a little frustrating. It’s ok, you are not alone. One way in which libraries can and are staying relevant in this information age is helping users filter out information they don’t need, or want, from their internet usage. For libraries and librarians totally ignored the internet would be unethical, and a terrible disservice to the patrons and users of the library. However, librarians have the skills to help individuals search the internet more effectively, and discover the “good” information they desire. Beyond that, libraries grant their patrons access to paid electronic databases that patrons could never afford on their own. These databases contain amazing amounts of data, but the search methods are all different, requiring the skills of a librarian.

Let me say it like this: The reason for the existence of libraries in this information age is not buildings, not books, and not even internet access. The reason why libraries are more relevant than ever before is the skills and services that librarians provide.

Allow me to provide you with a hypothetical example. When you search for something in Google, do you always find exactly what it is that you are looking for? Are the recommendations that Amazon makes for you to purchase always accurate and exactly what you want?

I would say no to this question.

Why is it that these methods of recommendations or information searching/discovery are flawed? Well, there are a couple of reasons why, I think. First, these systems are machines. They are not empathetic, they cannot ask detailed questions, and they do not have experience and a skillset to bring to bear on a problem. All they do is run rankings, track usage, and perform algorithms. Helpful as these may be (and I would say they are helpful, but not optimal) they do not take the place of a librarian in a reference interview, or doing reader’s advisory. Another reason why these machine run tools are less than optimally effective is that they serve a different purpose? What is the fundamental purpose of Google? To make money through advertising. The search tool is simply how they deliver that advertising. What is the problem with Amazon? Well, they sell books, CD’s, and movies - the traditional fare of libraries. But they also sell rakes. Amazon cannot focus on information needs like a librarian can. They, also, want to make money - but don’t really care how. It could be from a book, or some cosmetics.

I’ll refine my point a bit: Libraries are significant and important in this age because of the personal, human information services it provides.

As I mentioned above, libraries have books and other “information containers” as well - and internet search engines are terrible as searching this bibliographic data. There are systems online to effectively search this data - but they are designed, and the information maintained by who? Librarians.

Ok, so I feel like I am rambling a bit here, so let me sum up and move on. The internet is a great way to create, store, and share information of all kinds, good and bad. The internet is essential to our daily lives. But, the internet is not greater or better than libraries. The two support one another, with the internet providing a massive information resource and libraries providing the services and skills to navigate this massive amount of information. And the information in libraries includes not only electronic information, but also information in books, periodicals, music, and archives, most of which is not available online.

Near the end of our conversation, Josh asked me a question:
“If you had to destroy the internet or libraries, which would you destroy?”

I would destroy neither, if at all possible. However, if forced to choose, I would destroy the internet, because without libraries, I would be out of a job! I know that’s a bit selfish, so let me give you a better reason. The services the internet provides are replaceable, but the services libraries provide are not.

All of these thoughts are a great segue into tomorrow’s topic: How have libraries evolved over time? I’ll pick up some threads of this topic tomorrow as I talk about web 2.0 technologies and a new field/idea called Participatory Librarianship.

Good reader, if you made it through this post - give yourself a gold star!

- Jason Dean

What is a Librarian? Part II

Allow me to tell you that my time in Syracuse was very fruitful in generating ideas for this blog. So, strap in and take a ride with me as I share with you the many thoughts and ideas I picked up during my time in Syracuse.

Today, let me reexamine one of the first topics I ever posted on this blog - “What is a Librarian?” If I remember correctly, I linked my answer to the education of a librarian. A Master’s degree from an ALA accredited school is the “entry ticket” to the profession. The accreditation ensures certain standards for all librarians in the field - reference, cataloging, management, et cetera. However, after my classes at Syracuse, I feel as if I should expand my definition of what a librarian is.

Yes, they share a degree - a common educational background. More than that, though, they share a set of common goals, ethics, and professional values. They share a skillset - the result of the education they go through, as well as the result of the needs and demands of the profession as a whole. What are some of these common ethics?

Well, here’s the definition, quoted from the American Library Associaton’s ALA Policy Manual:

“40.1 Core Values of Librarianship
The foundation of modern librarianship rests on an essential set of core values, which define, inform, and guide all professional practice. These values reflect the history and ongoing development of the profession and have been advanced, expanded, and refined by numerous policy statements of the American Library Association. Among these are:

Access

Confidentiality/Privacy

Democracy

Diversity

Education and Lifelong Learning

Intellectual Freedom

Preservation

The Public Good

Professionalism

Service

Social Responsibility

It would be difficult, if not impossible, to express our values more eloquently than ALA already has in the Freedom to Read statement, the Library Bill of Rights, the ALA Mission Statement, Libraries: an American Value and other documents. These policies have been carefully thought out, articulated, debated, and approved by the ALA Council. They are interpreted, revised, or expanded when necessary. Over time, the values embodied in these statements have been embraced by the majority of librarians as the foundations of their practice. Adopted, 2004. (See “Current Reference File”: Core Values Task Force II Report: 2003-04, CD #7.2)

40.2 Code of Professional Ethics for Librarians
As members of the American Library Association, we recognize the importance of codifying and making known to the profession and to the general public the ethical principles that guide the work of librarians, other professionals providing information services, library trustees, and library staffs.

Ethical dilemmas occur when values are in conflict. The American Library Association Code of Ethics states the values to which we are committed, and embodies the ethical responsibilities of the profession in this changing information environment.

We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations.

The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.

We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.

We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.

We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.

We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.

We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.

We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.

We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.

We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.

Adopted by the ALA Council, June 28, 1995”

I apologize for that large quote, but I want you to come away with the idea that librarianship is not about books, or glasses, or shushing, it’s all about the public good - about being connected with, and serving your patrons/users. Improving your community, and your society are very important. Also, improving our democracy with unlimited access to any and all information they need. By this I mean to say the education of the voting public.

It is this common set of ethics that gives librarians a common set of goals as well. These goals are largely reflective of the ethics, and so I will spare you an enumeration of these goals.

Allow me to tell you that not all librarians work in libraries. As a matter of fact, librarians working in the corporate realm is becoming more and more common - especially in the information professions. No other job in the IT fields is as user-oriented as librarians are. Corporations are discovering this user-centric training in librarians, and are hiring them to improve their management of information - through websites, or internal systems.

So what unites librarians, what defines them? Not the place in which they work, not books, but instead the shared ethical standards, broad goals, and educational background.

Return From Syracuse

Well, greetings reader! I have returned from my quest for library knowledge at Syracuse University. This was just my introduction to my degree program, but it was at times, enlightening and fascinating, and at other times very intense and fast-paced. There are many things I want to share with you that I learned during my time in Syracuse, which I will do over the next couple of weeks. I would like to start off with some facts about libraries I picked up last weekend, as told by Dave Lankes.

In the United States, there are approximately 16,000 public libraries. These 16,000 public libraries give some type of internet access to 98% of Americans. In particular, public libraries in rural areas in the United States provide the only internet access available to those individuals in rural areas. However, internet services are not the only amazing statistic about libraries. Last year in the United States, over one billion visits were recorded in libraries. If this number was averaged with the population of the US, each person living in the US would have visited on average 4.5 times. Reference librarians in pubic libraries answered about 301 million reference questions from patrons. Circulation of all items (movies, books, CD’s, etc) in public libraries is up 61% over the last decade. In 2008, over one billion items were circulated (checked out, and returned) through libraries.

To me, these are encouraging and interesting statistics. Many people question the usefulness of librarians, and libraries in the current information age in which we live. We have Google, Wikipedia, and millions of other websites to get our information from. This explosion of information in cyberspace leads many people, including some librarians, to question the usefulness of libraries and librarians. However, the statistics tell another story - we see usage and circulation statistics skyrocketing. Clearly, the demand for libraries in general is greater than it has been in the past 50 years.

So if the information in libraries is important, and used frequently, what’s the point of librarians? After all, the library catalogs are online and searchable by patrons from the comfort of their own homes. Well, librarians are incredibly adept and skilled at connecting people with the information they need. For the past several millennia, this information has been contained in books. People automatically associate the skills of librarians with books, and to be fair this is a reasonable assumption. But it’s not true - librarians are familiar (or should be familiar) with information in all forms, be it in a book, an electronic database, or the internet. Librarians will only become more important, I think, as information grows and grows, and individuals are bewildered by the sheer amount of information. Librarians, and the skills they possess, will be key in sifting through all the information and providing people with what they need to survive and improve themselves, and hopefully our society, in this information age.

How much information is there out there, and how is it growing? Allow me to share this video with you on that very topic, from the iSchool at Syracuse:












































- Jason Dean

Library at Alexandria

For some of my readings for class this summer, I have had to read a bit about the history of libraries. Probably the greatest library ever was the great library at Alexandria. Carl Sagan does a much better job of explaining its impact than I can, so let’s just let him tell you all about it. Enjoy!

- Jason Dean

Grade Expectations

When I was a teacher, I often heard the statements that they should get a better grade because of circumstances other than those on which the assignment was graded. “I was up late,” “I worked hard,” et cetera. It seems that we have on our hands now a youth group that feels like they should get a good grade for even trying, and this is a failure on many levels, but most of all on the student’s level. Here’s an article talking more about this topic at the college level I found interesting:

University Students Not Shy About Asking Profs to Reconsider Grades by Todd Finkelmeyer

The Original Library of Congress

The national library here in the US, the Library of Congress, was founded with the purchase of the 6,487 volume library of Thomas Jefferson. This initial purchase was the nucleus of the collection, and was itself a special part of the collection. However, two thirds of the original Jefferson books were lost in a fire on Christmas Eve of 1851. 55,000 volumes, including the two thirds of Jefferson’s library were lost in that fire.

In preparation for the bicentennial celebrations of the Library in 2000, the Librarian of Congress and the Rare Books Librarian worked together to restore as much as was possible the original library of Thomas Jefferson. They did this through purchases, gifts, and copyright deposits. I think this is a wonderful way to honor the legacy of Jefferson, as well as to raise awareness about our national library and its history. Also, what an interesting task, to find copies of the original volumes in Jefferson’s collection.

- Jason Dean