Thursday, September 6, 2007

Libraries and Libraries 2.0

The future of books--I think we have gotten past that.In addition, I really found Lindabeekeepers blog useful on this subject, pointing out that digitalizing books may not always guaranteed their continued existence. I think books will be there but there is so much more.
Anderson had some good points, but I don't think it is all generational. I think there will always be some who are more interested in technology than others. As librarians, our job is to help people use this technology when they find a need for it or when it might meet their needs. Modern day librarians have, as I loosely quote from Wikipedia, always been involved in collaboration, being customer friendly and welcoming. Now we have an explosion of information and process to share with our customers.
Relating to making information accessible, we also have customers who want their share of the technology and find the library a useful place to gain access. As we try to keep up with the "know-how", we do not alsways have the tools. Customers want to use scanners and color copiers---items they are willing to pay a fee for, if available. It was not so long ago that every branch received digital cameras, and as we become more comfortable in their use, their uses have multiplies and benefited many aspects of the library.

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