Happy New Year.

Hello all,

Jen and I will be unable to update this blog over the weekend, so here are a couple of links for you to enjoy until we see you again Monday. Have a wonderful 2010!

Libraries should get better with use:
http://www.walkingpaper.org/2399

Digitization of dissertations:
http://bibwild.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/am-i-missing-something-or-is-this-disturbing/

Searches and Such

A Luddite in the Library.

I’ve been saving this article to share with you all for a while.

Luddite in the Library, by Diana Wagman

After reading this article a few weeks ago, I felt that I could not simply pass the article along to you, good reader, without some objections on my part. Upon revisiting the article for this blog post, I discovered the part that bothered me most:

I spent three hours at the library and did not learn much about Luddites, but what I did find actually gave me chills. This is what I discovered: If you have a specific destination, the Web is the place to go. If you just need to search, there is no place like the library.

I disagree with this statement. The library is a place to go for any kind of search - specific, or broad, or just to browse. And, you know who has the skills to make these searches go better for you (and sounds like broke down in this article): librarians. (I would imagine you guessed I might say that, though.

The truth of the matter is a librarian can help you find specific information. This is usually facilitated through a reference interview, to help the librarian know as much about your need as possible. My reference class this past semester covered all the pertinent information about the reference interview - and that process is designed to find specific pieces of information.

Of course, you might be trying to find something like the book you just read and enjoyed. Well, librarians can help with that as well, though a process called reader’s advisory. And are you just browsing for items in a broad subject heading? We can help there as well, with our knowledge of our collections, as well as the Library of Congress subject headings.

So, let me tell you reader, that your local library is the perfect place to conduct any kind of search!

Google vs Cataloging

Another blog post that has been circulating at the top of my pile (on Google Reader) for a while, is this great post about the differences between a catalog and Google. Instead of reading my post here today, go click through the link below, and then tell me what you think!

Google is Not Perfect, by “Fran.”

The Unique Position of Libraries in the Information Age

One of the themes in librarianship that bounces around in my head quite a bit is how we can stay relevant in this ever-changing information age that we live in. I found myself nodding my head yes to the last several paragraphs in this blog post, which I thought you might like to read:

The Search for the Next Big Thing, by AndyW

If I’m in a database such as EBSCO, and one of my results is a citation for a journal article, wouldn’t it be cool if it told me where the nearest library holding was? Make a button so that I can do a photocopy request within the interface if the holding is too far away. (You already have my card number since I needed that to get into the database in the first place.) I don’t think we lack the technology to make this happen either.

This is where our customers are looking for information first; this is where we should be looking to be. And why not? We are all in the “getting people to information” business; we just happen to be the non-profit end. This is a win-win for both sides where we get our catalogs and holdings onto higher profile platforms while they get to offer better varied results to their users. Our library automation vendors certainly aren’t offering us new ways to be able to market our holdings or be able to glance around our area to see what other libraries might have an item. Hell, the idea of adding text message hold and overdue notifications seems like onerous task to them despite the explosion of text messaging as a communication medium.

The truth is that libraries are uniquely positioned as the most universal and diverse “middle man” in the information matrix; we are the best human resource for people to have for all of their questions and intellectual and entertainment needs. We are where the big corporations and our vendors are not: in a position to evaluate information interface effectiveness at the human level on a scale far larger than their focus groups and in real life settings. This is what we bring to the information table and this is why it is important to look to share it with the others. There is nothing to lose, only tools and resources to gain.

Those who hang onto their data fiefdoms do not progress in this information age. They are anchors, relics of an old age where thoughts and ideas must be chaperoned rather than be freed. Only be removing any shackles or obstacles between people and what they seek can we move forward in our mission to provide universal information access. It is where we need to be heading in the new year: proving again our value to the general public while eliminating the virtual distances that keep us separated from the others who work with information. Both of these connections exist; let us strengthen them and forge ahead.

Amen!

Happy Holidays

Readers,

On behalf of me, Jen, Domo, and Cosby, allow me to wish you a very happy holiday season. We hope it is filled with joy and fun times for all. The Dean Files blog will officially be on hiatus until next Monday.

Jason

Changing Roles at the Library of Congress

As you might, or might not, know - for libraries in the United States, the Library of Congress is the “top dog.” Meaning that in general libraries in the United States follow the LoC’s lead in many areas - from classification and cataloging, to subject headings and formatting. But, like many libraries in the US in our information age, the LoC is changing. I recently read this post

Thomas Mann on LC’s Distinctive Role, by Jennifer Eustis.

which talks about the criticisms of the LoC put forward by Thomas Mann. There are some good points in the post, and I suggest reading the post for more information. Also, the blog post discusses some of the key roles for the LoC - important ones for such a large and influential institution.

Top 10 Things That Are Being Killed Off By Digitalization

One of the most interesting library-related lists I have seen recently is this list:

Top 10 Things That Are Being Killed Off By Digitalization, by Richard.

That’s all I have today - you might also want to look at the discussion in the comments beneath that post - some good thoughts there. What do you think is being killed off by digitalization?