[359] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Child of Computerspeak
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Pro Staff)
Thu May 28 10:34:07 1992
Date: Thu, 28 May 1992 09:26:07 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
From: Pro Staff <ny0078@mail.nyser.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
In-Reply-To: <9205221355.AA18287@worldlink.worldlink.com>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>DATE: Fri, 22 May 1992 08:43:48 CDT
>FROM: BURNET%ZODIAC.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU>>
>I'd like to share my own experience in this regard. Two years ago, when
>I went to talk to public librarians, few had a clue as to what the
>internet was or why they should pay attention. Now, when we talk they
>know it exists and they have some limited notion of its potential; enough
>at least to know that they need to get accounts for themselves. Some are
>even beginning to explore mechanism for providing patron access. My
>feeling about this is that if public libraries are to support their
>"information access" mission, patron access to the networks is crucial.
>Otherwise, they will be just another social institution, and as such,
>I think we can expect to see their demise.
>Kathleen Burnett
>burnet@zodiac.rutgers.edu
While sharing the fears about the future of public libraries and the
growing disparity between the information rich and the information poor,
I disagree that public access to Internet is a crucial need at this time
to support the "information access" mission of public libraries.
For one thing, patron access to Internet presents many technical and
training difficulties. How many public libraries have a high-speed
telecommunications link to a POP? If they don't, they must used rather
awkward PC-based programs that may offer telenetting and/or email, but
not ftp.
What resources will a public library patron use? Will they attempt to
search for materials they want to ILL by telneting from one library
catalog to another and doing the same search in dozens of catalogs? Will
they be familiar with the NOTIS, DRA, DYNIX, INLEX, GEAC etc. search
prompts? I think not.
Will they use the public databases? The Oceanic Information Center? NASA
SpaceLink?
In the meanwhile, public libraries must also provide patrons with access
to more localized information: the catalog of the library the patron is
in, including the holdings status of the items they are looking for (which
implies a circ system); a regional union catalog of neighboring libraries;
a union list of serials--linked to a journal citation index; an
informational and referral database of local social service agencies;
local newspaper index; local genealogical index; local activities calendar;
local government directory; etc. Are not all of these better examples of
the information resources that can serve the needs of public library
patrons?
Jerry Kuntz, Automation Manager
Finger Lakes Library System (29 public libraries in a 5-county region
of upstate New York)
ny0078@mail.nyser.net
