LIS 701 Spring 2008 Discussion Blog

This week you have three discussion questions to respond to:

1: Professions Do Not Stand Still

2: The Information R/Evolution

3: Perceptions of Libraries

Aim for 2-3 paragraphs per question and revisit the posts often to see what your 701 colleagues are saying. Respond to their opinions as well. Sign your name to your posts!

Please explore http://www.oclc.org/reports/2005perceptions.htm Here are some of the findings about libraries reported in the study:

Information consumers use the library.

They use the library less and read less since they began using the Internet.

The majority of respondents anticipate their usage of libraries will be flat in the future. (Parts 1.1 and 3.7)

Borrowing print books is the library service used most. (Part 2.1)

“Books” isthe librarybrand. There is no runner-up. (Part 3.8)

Most information consumers are not aware of, nor do they use, most libraries’ electronic information resources. (Parts 1 and 2)

College students have the highest rate ofl ibrary use and broadest use of library resources, both physical and electronic. (Parts 1 and Part 2)

Only 10 percent of college students indicated that their library’s collection fulfilled their information needs after accessing the library Web site from a search engine.

Then read about the new OCLC study here:

http://freerangelibrarian.com/2007/10/24/oclcs-report-on-privacy-and-trust-the-nut-graf/

http://www.personal.psu.edu/esc10/blogs/E-Tech/2007/10/the_state_of_the_library_web_s_1.html

As a new librarian, what might you make of these findings? What should librarians DO to improve perceptions and use of their institutions? What core values are threatened? How might we change our list of values to balance these feelings?

Respond with two – three paragraphs summarizing your thinking on this data.

Watch the video again:

Considering our readings and class discussion, how should librarians and libraries respond to the evolution of information? How might we enhance our definitions of the core values of librarianship to reflect a new info landscape.

Please compose a response and post it here. Sign your name and feel free to comment on other replies.

Please read:

http://blogaboutlibraries.com/2007/02/i-didnt-get-mls-to-do-that.html

In light of our readings and discussion last Monday about technology and library service, how would you respond to this post:

 To me this is the most important reason. Even if we don’t like computers, our patrons do. Libraries have established themselves as the place to get on the internet. We market this. We brag about it. We get federal funding for it (well, a little…). It is not responsible to provide access to computers without also providing the staff training necessary to make sure our people have the competencies to help patrons with them.

Furthermore, the line between information tools, social software, games and productivity tools is thoroughly blurred by now. To expect that we can choose what part of the technology we will help patrons with is simply unrealistic.

Please compose a response and post it here. Sign your name and feel free to comment on other replies.