[11922] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: All is not golden...
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Joyce Latham)
Mon Jan 12 20:21:31 1998
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 15:41:18 -0600
From: Joyce Latham <jlatham@interaccess.com>
In-Reply-To: <01IS4ZIGDEMW0004OH@Post-Office.UH.EDU>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Goldens aren't the only retrievers out there, if I may indulge in a pun.
Which is simply a way of saying there are many approaches and we need to
start investigating them. I think I'm pretty well equiped to address the
issue of technology in public libraries, but I know I am only one of a
handful with the scope of experience I have. I should point out that my
MLS is from Md., which did have a strong emphasis on technology when I was
there. In fact I remember one of my professors walking into the room
with an Apple computer and rhapsodizing about the possiblilites. He
didn't even begin to anticipate all that has transpired.
And let's be up front here -- it is the PC that has made the difference.
Before the PC technology and libraries were fairly distinct. We had
MARCII and Dialogue and on-line services but really, they were supported
behind the scenes. The support requirement has moved to the desk-top,
along with expectations of development of product. These are the issues
we are really dealing with.
If I had a CNE I probably would not make more money. And certification
does not guarantee that an employee will really know what they are doing.
It helps with some concepts, but it's the doing that makes the difference
-- and discussing it with other doers.
I, for one, believe librarians have very siginificant skill sets as
librarians. They need to remember the boring stuff they didn't like --
cataloging, indexing, classification -- those sorts of skills. They will
becomes even more important over time. We are in an interim phase just
before the techno-strata is defined, and that makes it difficult. As
Micorsoft trains HS graduates to be net work techies, that strata will
become even more defined.
It is ridiculous to me what library boards expect to pay for technical
support librarians; it is often ridiculous what they expect to pay for
librarians, period. I know. I cut my teeth on small public libraries.
But it gave me an opportunity to learn alot of stuff I wouldn't have in a
larger installation, where the expectation was that the technical people
would take care of it. Now, I'm one of those! <G>
Librarians should familiarize themselves with PCs, yes; but more
importantly they should understand the technology. It's the concepts, the
vision thing, how technology can be appropriately used within an
organization, that is the real issue. And that can, and should, be taught
in library school. It is a part of an MLS.
Hire a web head and tell them what to do.
Joyce Latham
Chicago Public Library
& Brandy (Labrador) & Zoe (Labrador) & Arrow (Flat coat)
